City: Ottawa
Top Things to do in Ottawa
Top Restaurants in Ottawa
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10 Things to do for Honeymoon in Ottawa That You Shouldn't Miss
Canada's capital is a compact, clean, cleverly planned center of culture and politics and a destination for every season. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and turns into the world’s largest skating rink when frozen in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.
Restaurants in Ottawa
1. Ottawa Free Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 556 reviews
We offer free walking tours of downtown Ottawa. Our guides will share with you some of the more colourful stories from Ottawa's past. Topics include spies, assassins, drunk Prime Ministers and Lumberjack gang violence! Check our website for our schedule of tours.
2. Tours Expedition Ottawa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
Tours Expedition Ottawa is the specialist in outdoor micro-tourism around Ottawa-Gatineau. As a base, we offer 4 types of outdoor expeditions, including canoeing in calm waters (canoe), hiking treks (trek), cycling in our numerous bike trails (velo), and cross-country skiing (skι). We take care in planning your expedition as per your needs, your abilities, and to the rhythm of the seasons, the weather and the local products offered. These unique expeditions are designed for up to 4 persons, including the basic equipment, a fresh and healthy picnic from local sources, transportation directly from your accommodation in the Ottawa/Gatineau region, and the services of expert bilingual guide. There is only one departure per day, with a return from 4 to 6 hours later. The 4 basic tours-destinations offered by Tours Expedition Ottawa are described below. We also offer a variety of seasonal outdoor activities, including camping, exploration of a pioneer village, group tours, night tours, adventure spas, dining experiences, to name a few. Open all year, reservations are strongly recommended!
3. Ottawa Private Yacht Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
offers both captained and bare boat charter rentals on express cruisers on the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal and the 1000 Islands. For qualified boaters Cruisers under 30' may be rented without a Captain for vacations. For non qualified boaters, practice courses are offered. Cruisers over 30' must hire the services of a Captain and Crew for tours and celebrating special occasions. Visit website for booking
4. Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 697 reviews
Join us to discover Ottawa the best way - with a guided bicycle tour or rent a bike and enjoy your own self-guided ride. Explore Ottawa’s major attractions, hidden gems,historic landmarks and magnificent nature. Your tour will ride at a comfortable pace on the safe and scenic bicycle paths. Bicycle in Ottawa on a fun and informative 2- hour, 3 -hour or day tour with our passionate and friendly guides who want to show you the best of Ottawa. Rent any of our high-quality bikes of all sizes and for all levels of riders. Rentals include city bikes, electric bikes, mountain bikes or e scooter rentals. Drop by our shop on Sparks St. steps away from Parliament hill, get fitted for your bike, helmet, lock and bag - to make your visit a fun adventure.
5. C'est Bon Cooking
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 147 reviews
Ottawa, Canada's leading provider of food experiences - cooking classes, food tours and specialty boutique featuring Canadian terroir products.
6. Rideau Canal National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,259 reviews
One of the oldest landmarks in Ottawa, this canal is filled with boats in the summer and becomes the "World's Longest Skating Rink" in the winter.
Reviewed By kailenav - Vancouver Island, Canada
The canal is definitely a must see when you visit Ottawa. Best time to enjoy would be may - September when the canal is filled and boat tours are open, as well as in February during Winterlude. You can skate the entire canal weather permitting. If you are a cyclist, runner, or have a dog, there are lovely paths on either side of the canal that you can travel along. Even driving next to it - it’s so beautiful.
7. National Gallery of Canada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,055 reviews
The National Gallery of Canada is committed to offering a welcoming and safe place for our visitors, employees and volunteers. To that end, in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have CLOSED the Gallery and cancelled all events and activities until further notice. Founded in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada (Musee des beaux-arts du Canada) holds in trust a collection of European and Canadian paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photos.
Reviewed By whereverman - Hong Kong, China
A national treasure and my favourite spot in Ottawa. The gallery has a wonderful collection of Canadian and Modern Art. The building itself is a work of art with enormous glass ceilings and sunny courtyards between exhibits.
8. ByWard Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,956 reviews
WITHIN an area roughly four blocks square, you'll find museums, cafes, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs, hair & aesthetics salons and more! Easily accessible on foot, by transit or by car, the ByWard Market offers a unique experience for all. ESTABLISHED by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George Street and York Street to be extra wide to accommodate the creation of a public market and gathering place.
Reviewed By mifh - Kamloops, Canada
This is a fabulous area to shop in traditional shops, eat in fabulous pubs and restaurants, take in street performers (do tip them) and browse the many street vendors. Great produce, amazing flowers, wonderful bargains in tourist goodies
9. Parliament Hill and Buildings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,514 reviews
Three Gothic Revival-style buildings, located on a 170-foot bluff overlooking the Ottawa River, house the offices of the members of Parliament, the House of Commons and the Senate. Free guided tours delve into Canadian history and explain the workings of the political system.
Reviewed By ephesians5 - Toronto, Canada
There is much to see inside and around Parliament Hill, especially during summer time. At 10:00 am is the Change of the GuardsCeremony. There are free tours for the Parliament building (Centre Block and East block tours), which require to line up fro tickets for a set time. The Parliament Hill building is Gothic Revival housing a beautiful library at the back of the building. This is the only room that survived the Parliament fire. The surrounding area around the Parliament Hill Buildings have many statues and offers a beautiful view of Ottawa National Gallery, the Cathedral, and the Canada Museum of History across the river, to mention a few sights. Ottawa is very green, clean and easy to walk. In the evening, the Northern Lights- Sound and Light Show presents the narrated Canadian History in English and French, projecting the lights and images on to the Parliament building. It was preceded by fireworks. The show was spectacular, very high quality images, well told history at a good pace. It was quite emotional at the end when people stands and sing the national anthem! This show will end on Labour Day. Bring a blanket or portable chair. There is free parking at Metcalfe street and Albert Street on the weekends, but it fills quickly, especially for the evening light show. A good paid parking is at the National Arts Centre.
10. Hog's Back Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 468 reviews
Beautiful 60-foot waterfall where the Rideau River and Rideau Canal part.
Reviewed By T6002SQsarahw - Ottawa, Canada
Located right across the road from Mooney's Bay, Hog's Back Falls are a wonderful place to visit no matter the season. They are even more impressive in the spring when the water levels are higher. The formation is unique and in summer/fall/winter you can clearly see the rock that gives the falls their name. It's harder to spot in the spring due to the high water levels. There are paved walking trails on on the parking lot side of the falls and there's a shorter, paved path to an observation area on the other side. A wide pedestrian bridge allows visitors to cross safely over the falls. There is also a paved path that goes under the road and allows you to connect to Mooney's Bay beach. The Rideau Canal is also nearby, just on the other side of the river. The park at the falls is small but well kept with many mature trees. Washroom facilities are available in the summer months and I think there's a canteen as well. Hog's Back Falls are just one of Ottawa's many examples of spectacular nature nestled in the middle of an urban area.
