What to do and see in Ottawa, Canada: The Best Places and Tips

November 27, 2017 Augustus Redeker

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. Canadian War MuseumOttawa TourismNational Museums

1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0M8, Canada +1 800-555-5621
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Canadian War MuseumOttawa TourismNational Museums

The Canadian War Museum is more than a museum that is internationally renowned for its symbolic architecture; it is synonym for inspiring and touching stories. Canada's rich military history is showcased through personal stories, artwork, photographs and interactive presentations. Tour the extensive permanent Exhibitions and expand your knowledge of the conflicts that shaped Canada, Canadians and the world, as well as the roll Canadians played in them.

Reviewed By shane c - Calgary, Canada

Beautiful Museum with interesting, educational displays of Canadians contribution to helping the world in its efforts to preserve our freedoms. I could spend all day viewing all the well done displays and the flow is well planned out. A must visit for young and old.

2. Parliament Hill

111 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario ON K1A, Canada +1 866-599-4999
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Parliament Hill

Reviewed By Sal B

If you're planning your trip to Ottawa this summer make sure that you visit Parliament Hill. The offer free tours of the Centre block. They are planning on closing down this section of the Parliament Hill for the next 15 years for extensive renovations and upgrades to the.
The chores will provide you with an overall view of how the Canadian government works in each of the different sections of governments that are house on Parliament Hill.

3. Parliament Hill and Buildings

111 Wellington St, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6, Canada +1 613-996-0896
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Parliament Hill and Buildings

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 Star-Framily - Ontario

Getting tickets has always been a problem in the past. We had no problem walking in and getting a ticket this visit. Beautiful building. Informative tour!

4. Rideau CanalOttawa TourismOttawa’s Top Natural Wonders

Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B8, Canada +1 613-239-5234
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Rideau CanalOttawa TourismOttawa’s Top Natural Wonders

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 bmark091 - Ottawa, Canada

One of the best parts of Ottawa is getting a Beaver tail (pastry snack) on the frozen Rideau Canal on skates in the Winter. Its also great for running and biking along the paths in the summer or boating. It connects Ottawa's two main universities (Carelton U and U of O) and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

5. National War Memorial

Elgin Street | Confederation Square, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9N6, Canada
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 779 reviews

National War Memorial

Reviewed By Dan D - London, Canada

This memorial just steps away from our nation's capital is a must visit if you are in Ottawa. I visited here during the week at night during Winterlude and had the place to myself. The monument is composed of many different parts and includes the dates for all major conflicts and a monument to the unknown soldier. t night this is a very humbling place to visit.

6. Peace Tower

Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2, Canada +1 866-599-4999
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Peace Tower

Reviewed By St_CatharinesRah - St.Catharines

A visit to the Peace Tower in the beautiful Canadian federal Parliament buildings is worth the visit, providing a panoramic view of Ottawa. It is a worthwhile trip particularly for anyone interested in this beautiful architectural style that flourished from the 12th to the 16th century.

380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9N4, Canada +1 613-990-1985
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

National Gallery of CanadaOttawa TourismNational Museums

Founded in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada (Musée des beaux-arts du Canada) holds in trust a collection of European and Canadian paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photos.

Reviewed By roobarb99 - Wellington, New Zealand

The National gallery is a beautiful building, all glass and air but the building dwarfs the collections, which in itself is small and too be honest boring. Whilst it does show off its paintings, sculptures etc very well, the actual number of items is limited, the information about each piece almost non existent and the overall feeling is one of trying to fit a pint into a gallon pot. Furthermore, once you get to the modern section and see the classic piece of wire stretched diagonally across a room, you get the feeling that the curators of the gallery have succumbed to the silliness of the modern art scene. The only real thing worth seeing is the building itself which is a lovely creature but the collection is small and lacking in excitement. Go if it's raining but don't be too anticipatory of things to come.

8. Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War MuseumOttawa TourismNational Museums

3929 Carp Rd, Carp, Ottawa, Ontario K0A 1L0, Canada +1 613-839-0007
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War MuseumOttawa TourismNational Museums

Visit one of the most unique tourist attractions in Canada! Built to protect top officials of the Canadian government from nuclear attack, this once-secret underground bunker is now a museum & National Historic Site of Canada. Explore over 100,000sq ft of bunker secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. With its extraordinary engineering and architectural features, the Diefenbunker is a poignant reminder of one of the most turbulent periods of modern history.

Reviewed By pjwcanada - Pickering, Canada

We visited the Diefenbunker in February, during a visit to Ottawa for Winterlude. It was just a short drive from downtown Ottaw where we were staying.
I actually had no idea that this bunker even existed, so it was all the more interesting because of that. It's not a particularly fancy place, but rather, it has been left relatively untouched since the days when it was built, making it a real museum. Given all of the turmoil in the world these days, it does send a bit of a shiver down your spine when you tour the four floors that contain full medical bays, communications centres, mess halls and sleeping quarters. Thankfully, we never had to put this engineering marvel to use!

9. Notre Dame Basilica

385 Sussex Dr. | at Guigues Ave., Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5H5, Canada +1 613-241-7496
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Notre Dame Basilica

This beautiful and ornate gothic-style Cathedral is recognized by its twin spires.

Reviewed By onajourneyToronto - Toronto

Right across from the National Art Gallery is the impressive site of Notre Dame Basilica. We were able to look inside and it was breathtaking. Having visited many European churches I was proud to have such an amazing church right here in Canada. Worth the time to stop and check out.

10. Major's Hill Park

Behind the Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8S7, Canada
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 250 reviews

Major's Hill Park

This pretty park is located near several museums, churches and the Ottawa River.

Reviewed By CandyCritic - Ottawa, Canada

There's no denying that this park is beautiful in the summer. It's also a great venue for events that take place in Ottawa, most notably Canada Day and the Tulip Festival. Even if there's nothing going on at the time, the park is a great place to relax and enjoy one of the best views of Parliament Hill.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.