Ottawa

Ottawa is Canada's capital. With over a million citizens, it is Canada's fourth-largest city, and Ontario's second-largest city. Visitors often come to Ottawa to see Parliament Hill and Canada's national museums, but the city also has much shopping, many restaurants, and lively nightlife.

See: 29
Do: 26
Eat: 30
Drink: 20
Buy: 9

29 places match

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24 Sussex

The official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. While you cannot enter the building, you can look through the fence from the outside.

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Atlético Ottawa

Replacing the city's former Ottawa Fury FC is this club owned by Spanish soccer giants Atlético Madrid. Unlike Fury FC, which played at the second level of US soccer (the USL Championship), Atlético Ottawa plays in the domestic Canadian Premier League.

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Bank of Canada Currency Museum

A collection of historic and current currencies from Canada and around the world, history of Bank of Canada and the application of interest rate in the society and economy.

Thu-Mon 10AM-5PMFree

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Bytown Museum

A small museum at the foot of Parliament Hill with a focus on Ottawa's early history.

Victoria Day weekend-Thanksgiving Day: Fri-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-9PM. Rest of year: Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM$5 adults, $4 seniors/students/youth, $2 children 5-12

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Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

A working animal farm in the city. You can visit animal barns, see various demonstrations and exhibitions, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. The museum also has a playground and picnic area. It is very popular with young children and a welcome change of pace for kids who have seen enough history after visiting some of the other sights.

Exhibitions: 9AM-5PM daily late Feb-late Nov. Animal barns: 9AM-5PM daily all year$7 adults, $6 students/seniors, $4 children 3-14, $16 families (2 adults and 3 children), free for children under 3. Seniors free on Tuesday. Admission to animal barns is by donation during time of year when the exhibitions are closed

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Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Former RCAF base with civilian and military aircraft ranging from pre-World War I to modern, including 1920s-1940s bush planes, war planes from both World Wars and the Cold War, surviving components of the 1950s' Avro Arrow interceptor and Space Shuttle Endeavor's Canadarm, a Canadian-built robotic arm. Guided tours, boutique.

Wed-Mon 10AM to 5PM, closed Tuesdays$15, student/seniors $13, Youth (ages 3-17) $10

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Canadian Museum of Nature

Galleries of fossils, mammals, birds and geology among others. Free admission Thursdays after 4PM and all day Canada Day (July 1st).

Wed Fri-Sun 10AM-4PM; Thu 10AM-7PM. Open on some holiday Mondays$17 adult (general admission), $15 senior/student, $13 child (3-12)

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Canadian War Museum

The museum presents Canada's involvement in armed conflict beginning with battles between the French and British, through to the World Wars, Korea, and the country's current involvement in NATO and UN operations.

Sep–Jun: Mon–Wed Fri–Sun 9:30AM–5PM, Thu 9:30AM–8PM; Jun–Sep: Mon–Wed Fri–Sun 9:30AM–6PM, Thu 9:30AM–8PM$22 for adults. Free on Th after 5PM, and Jul 1, Sep 30, Nov 11

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Carleton University Art Gallery

Art exhibitions and educational events to explore and activate the ideas that shape contemporary society.

Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun noon-5PM (closed Mon)Free

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Commissioners Park

Located adjacent to Dows Lake, where you can rent boats, it features the Festival of Tulips in May. In summer, there are a number of flower beds with flowers arranged by colour in attractive patterns.

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Confederation Park

Downtown park, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, featuring a fountain, totem pole, statues.

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Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

A museum village featuring buildings from the early 20th century including a railway station.

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Diefenbunker — Canada's Cold War Museum

Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada. "Diefenbunker" is a play on "Diefenbaker", the Canadian prime minister in the 1950s who authorized the construction of the facility. In addition to preserving and promoting Canada's Cold War history, the museum offers a variety of visitor programs and services. You can learn, play or shop as you discover the bunker's secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. Guided tours by reservation only. If you do not have access to a vehicle and are willing to do a 50 minute bus ride plus pay a $30 taxi, you can # take the OcTranpo #95 or #97; # Transfer to the #93 at Lincoln Fields; # Get off at the Legget / Ad. 515 stop; # Walk 3 minutes to Brookstreet Hotel; # Take a taxi to the Diefenbunker.

Self-guided tours 11AM-4PM daily$14 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students, $8 youth 6-18, $40 families (2 adults plus 3 youth), free for children 5 and under

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Hartwell's Lockstation

Picturesque lock station within a park along the Rideau Canal. One could walk across the locks and continue north to Dows Lake near Carling O-Train station, or northwest to the Canada Agriculture Museum.

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Kiwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point)

A quiet place to watch the sun set, or to take photos of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the Museum of History, and the Royal Canadian Mint from angles that don't usually end up in the tourist brochures. Kiwekì (pronounced key-WHECK-ee) Point is also home to a statue of Samuel de Champlain, and the Astrolabe Theatre (one of the better places to watch the fireworks from on July 1). As of May 2025, the point is wheelchair-accessible.

always open

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Laurier House National Historic Site

1878 house that is the former residence of two Canadian prime ministers: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (for whom the house is named) and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

May 1-Jun 30: Thu-Mon 10AM-5PMAdult $3.90, senior (65+) $3.40, youth (17 and under) free

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National Gallery

Photography, traditional and modern art from Canadian and international artists. Housed inside a glass building with a giant spider structure on the outside.

$22 adult; Free admission Th after 5PM

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Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is in the middle of downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Not only is the building a fine example of the Gothic revival style, it makes an excellent starting point to visit all other points of interest in the area.

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Rideau Hall

The official residence of His Majesty King Charles III and his representative the Governor General of Canada. The grounds and the residence are open to the public for tours. Reservations are recommended during the low season (September 1 - April 30).

Residence tour (without reservations): Apr 30-Jun 26: Sat Sun 10AM-4PM, Jun 27-Sep 5: 10AM-4PM daily (unguided open-house tours available Jul-Aug afternoons), Sep 6-Oct 30: Sat Sun noon-4PM. Advance reservations required for tours at any time from Nov-Apr, and weekdays May-Jun and Sep-6-Oct 30.Free

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Royal Canadian Mint

Canada's commemorative and collectable coinage is minted here (circulation coinage is minted in Winnipeg), as were the medals for the 2010 Olympics. Tours are available, and there is no charge if you only want to visit the boutique.

10AM-5PMPrice varies depending on the age of person, group discount rates available

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Science and Technology Museum

Several displays are popular with children, including massive locomotives inside the building and electricity demonstrations. Re-opened on November 17, 2017, after years of renovations because of a mould problem, this museum is even more family-friendly than it was before its forced closure.

Tue-Sun 9AM-5PMAdult $17, youth (3-17) $11, senior (60+) or student $13

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Strathcona Park

Strathcona Park is at the eastern end of the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, and is the centrepiece of "Embassy Row". Be sure to see the Lord Strathcona Fountain at the park's north end, and Stephen Brathwaite's play structure (which looks like a ruined building in miniature) in the middle of the park.

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Supreme Court of Canada

Canada's highest court and the best example in Ottawa of Art Deco architecture. Its marble Grand Entrance Hall is particularly impressive. The visit includes a tour in the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada hearing room. The visits last about 30 minutes and are provided by law students hired at the Court. The Court is a 5-minute walk from Parliament. Tours are offered in French on the half hour and in English on the hour. No reservations are needed between May 1 and August 30. Visitor reservations are required between September 1 to April 30.

Free

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