Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Ottawa, Canada. It’s the capital city of Canada, and with a population of just under one million residents, it’s really a great city to visit. We think you will be pleasantly surprised at all the things to see when you visit Ottawa. These are our top ten things to do in Ottawa, Canada.
Byward Market
One of our favorite places to go in Ottawa is the Byward Market. There’s the traditional market where you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, but there’s also some excellent restaurants and bars in the area, and it’s a great place to shop. It’s not just about the market, it’s just a fun area to walk around and explore. It’s also a great place to find cheap eats, which can be challenging elsewhere in Ottawa.
Visit Parliament Hill
When you’re in the capital city, you may as well visit the home of Canada’s Parliament. Parliament Hill overlooks the Ottawa River and is in a beautiful Gothic building. They offer free guided tours of the House of Commons and the Senate, although you do need to reserve tickets ahead of time online.
Canadian Museum of History
One of the best Ottawa museums is the Canadian Museum of History, formerly known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization. It’s a great place to learn about the human history of Canada. In addition to compelling exhibitions that include a Children’s Museum and the First People’s Hall, the architecture and the riverside location also make this a worthy stop when you visit Ottawa.
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National Gallery of Canada
If you prefer art museums, then check out the National Gallery of Canada. It’s one of the largest art museums in North America and houses the largest collection of Canadian art in the world. Canadian art isn’t quite world-famous, so it’s actually really cool to see some lesser-known artists. From Impressionist to Indigenous art, you can easily spend half a day browsing the collection. There’s also a cafeteria, a tapas bar, and a coffee shop as well as a really nice gift shop if you need a souvenir to bring home.
Gatineau Park
On the Quebec side of the river, Gatineau Park is a great place to escape the hustle and traffic of the city. It’s a huge park just outside of the city and has a ton of fun activities to offer. There are hiking, biking, and walking trails. Lakes and waterfalls throughout the park and in the winter, there are ski trails through the woods. You can even take the bus to the park if you don’t want to drive. This is where you’ll find most of the locals on any nice summer weekend in Ottawa.
Canadian War Museum
You don’t actually hear much about Canada’s role in the major wars, but they actually played a really big part in many of the wars of our history, including WWI and WWII. The Canadian War Museum has a great collection of artillery and equipment, but also has a nice representation of the history and the people behind the stories, including the families back home during the wars. There’s also an impressive War Memorial near the Rideau Canal.
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal runs from the Ottawa River through the city, and it’s another great place for urban recreation. There’s a pathway that follows the canal through the city, and you can rent bikes at a few places to ride along the canal. You can also see the locks in action. In winter, the canal freezes over, and locals frequently skate on the frozen canal. There’s a ton of beautiful architecture and scenery along the canal, so make sure you save time for a stroll.
Experience Ottawa Multiculturalism
Aside from experiencing Canadian culture in Ottawa, you can explore several different neighborhoods of different ethnicities. Ottawa has a great Chinatown and a Little Italy neighborhood, where you can experience the multiculturalism that Canada is known for. Rather than a melting pot of cultures, Canada celebrates and embraces different cultures, and encourages their uniqueness.
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Eat a Beaver Tail
If you’re in Prague, you eat a Trdelnik. If you’re in Italy, you have a gelato. In Canada, you eat Beaver Tail. Don’t worry, it’s not actually any part of the beaver! It’s a sweet treat you can buy at street stands almost anywhere in Canada. It’s like the Canadian version of an elephant ear.
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These are just our ten favorite Ottawa experiences. There are many more things to see in Ottawa, including the Museum of Nature, which is perfect for kids. At only two hours from Montreal, Ottawa makes the perfect weekend trip for those looking to experience the capital of Canada. Looking for more Canada travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: