Experience Ottawa
Museums
Ottawa has a myriad of museums and galleries that offer a glimpse into everything from Canada’s social and military history, to buildings that house impressive aircraft collections and explain technological breakthroughs, to astounding natural wonders and world-class art.
These world-class cultural institutions are always hosting impressive temporary programming in conjunction with local, Canadian and international partners.
Discover the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped the nation’s history. Take in the beauty of this architectural gem and its spectacular setting on the banks of the Ottawa River.
The museum houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and explore the traditions and achievements of Canada’s First Peoples in the Canadian History Hall.
Discover Canada's collective story of conflict, struggle and loss, as well as it's success, achievement and hope.
Tour the many many special exhibitions, including the Children’s Museum and live the ultimate cinema experience at the CINÉ+.
545 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Canadense da História
100 Rue LaurierDiscover the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped the nation’s history. Take in the beauty of this architectural gem and its spectacular setting on the banks of the Ottawa River.
The museum houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and explore the traditions and achievements of Canada’s First Peoples in the Canadian History Hall.
Discover Canada's collective story of conflict, struggle and loss, as well as it's success, achievement and hope.
Tour the many many special exhibitions, including the Children’s Museum and live the ultimate cinema experience at the CINÉ+.
The Diefenbunker was commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1959, as part of his government’s reaction to escalating tensions in the Cold War.
The purpose of the bunker was to house key members of the government and military in the event of a nuclear attack on Canada.
At all times during its operation, the cupboards and pantries were stocked with enough fresh food and rations to feed 535 people for 30 days and the building was prepared to go into lock-down at any moment.
The Diefenbunker was given National Historic Site status in 1994.
56 moradores locais recomendam
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
3929 Carp RdThe Diefenbunker was commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1959, as part of his government’s reaction to escalating tensions in the Cold War.
The purpose of the bunker was to house key members of the government and military in the event of a nuclear attack on Canada.
At all times during its operation, the cupboards and pantries were stocked with enough fresh food and rations to feed 535 people for 30 days and the building was prepared to go into lock-down at any moment.
The Diefenbunker was given National Historic Site status in 1994.
The Aviation and Space Museum presents the complete story of Canada’s rich aviation and aerospace heritage. The Collection consists of more than 130 aircraft and artifacts (propellers, engines) from both civil and military service. The most extensive aviation collection in Canada, it is also considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world.
Explore the story of flight through demonstrations, guided tours, and interactive exhibits. The museum houses the largest surviving piece of the famous Avro Arrow, the original Canadarm used on the Endeavour space shuttle, Lancaster WWII bomber, Life in Orbit, and an exhibition of the International Space Station.
You may also consider flying over Ottawa in a vintage biplane! Why not, you're on holidays!
99 moradores locais recomendam
Museu do Espaço e da Aviação do Canadá
11 Aviation PkwyThe Aviation and Space Museum presents the complete story of Canada’s rich aviation and aerospace heritage. The Collection consists of more than 130 aircraft and artifacts (propellers, engines) from both civil and military service. The most extensive aviation collection in Canada, it is also considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world.
Explore the story of flight through demonstrations, guided tours, and interactive exhibits. The museum houses the largest surviving piece of the famous Avro Arrow, the original Canadarm used on the Endeavour space shuttle, Lancaster WWII bomber, Life in Orbit, and an exhibition of the International Space Station.
You may also consider flying over Ottawa in a vintage biplane! Why not, you're on holidays!
The Canadian War Museum is more than an internationally renowned museum known for its symbolic architecture. It's a place known for inspiring and touching stories.
Canada's rich military history is showcased through artifacts, personal stories, artwork, photos and interactive presentations. Tour the extensive permanent exhibitions and learn about the conflicts that shaped Canada, Canadians and the world. Discover the Museum's fascinating architectural theme while chatting with a veteran who will let history come alive.
395 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Canadense da Guerra
1 Vimy PlThe Canadian War Museum is more than an internationally renowned museum known for its symbolic architecture. It's a place known for inspiring and touching stories.
Canada's rich military history is showcased through artifacts, personal stories, artwork, photos and interactive presentations. Tour the extensive permanent exhibitions and learn about the conflicts that shaped Canada, Canadians and the world. Discover the Museum's fascinating architectural theme while chatting with a veteran who will let history come alive.
The National Gallery of Canada houses the most comprehensive collection of Canadian art in the world. It includes a large number of works by the Group of Seven and strong collections by Indigenous, Asian, and International artists. It’s also home to the Canadian Photography Institute where photography is presented and studied in all its forms.
552 moradores locais recomendam
Galeria Nacional do Canadá
380 Sussex DrThe National Gallery of Canada houses the most comprehensive collection of Canadian art in the world. It includes a large number of works by the Group of Seven and strong collections by Indigenous, Asian, and International artists. It’s also home to the Canadian Photography Institute where photography is presented and studied in all its forms.
The Canada Science and Technology Museum, which reopened in 2017 after extensive renovations, celebrates Canada’s long history of scientific and technological achievements. It combines interactive and hands-on state-of-the-art exhibits with cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality.
123 moradores locais recomendam
Museu de Ciência e Tecnologia do Canadá
1867 St. Laurent BlvdThe Canada Science and Technology Museum, which reopened in 2017 after extensive renovations, celebrates Canada’s long history of scientific and technological achievements. It combines interactive and hands-on state-of-the-art exhibits with cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is a very cool-looking historic building...and inside you’ll find dinosaur replicas, whale skeletons, an Arctic gallery, and mammals of all shapes and sizes. You can also experience a guided night tour of the museum or enjoy a 3D movie of the historic building and it's special exhibits.
468 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Canadense da Natureza
240 McLeod StThe Canadian Museum of Nature is a very cool-looking historic building...and inside you’ll find dinosaur replicas, whale skeletons, an Arctic gallery, and mammals of all shapes and sizes. You can also experience a guided night tour of the museum or enjoy a 3D movie of the historic building and it's special exhibits.
Shopping
From large malls to exclusive shops and boutiques, to unique gift and souvenir stores, shopping in Ottawa is a favoured activity of visitors and residents alike. Downtown shopping provides a host of shopping opportunities, from the 150-store CF Rideau Centre to the boutiques and craft shops of the ByWard Market, the Downtown Rideau district, and Sparks Street – the country’s first and oldest pedestrian shopping mall. West Ottawa includes many outdoor stores and the Bayshore Shopping Centre, while east Ottawa is home to two popular malls – St. Laurent Shopping Centre and Place d’Orleans. South Keys Shopping Centre and Billings Bridge Shopping Centre are both located in South Ottawa.
The ByWard Market is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction, and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment and professional services for residents and visitors alike.
This area averages 50,000 visitors per weekend in the summer months and is home to both a farmers’ market, local artisans and over 600 businesses.
585 moradores locais recomendam
ByWard Market
The ByWard Market is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction, and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment and professional services for residents and visitors alike.
This area averages 50,000 visitors per weekend in the summer months and is home to both a farmers’ market, local artisans and over 600 businesses.
Located in the heart of downtown, CF Rideau Centre is Ottawa's leading shopping destination and home to the biggest names in fashion, beauty, dining, electronics and more. Whether you're searching for a certain store a particular item, you will find what you're looking for at CF Rideau Centre.
589 moradores locais recomendam
Rideau Centre
Located in the heart of downtown, CF Rideau Centre is Ottawa's leading shopping destination and home to the biggest names in fashion, beauty, dining, electronics and more. Whether you're searching for a certain store a particular item, you will find what you're looking for at CF Rideau Centre.
The Bayshore Shopping Centre is the second largest shopping mall in the National Capital Region attracting over 7 million visitors per year from across Ottawa and the surrounding region.
161 moradores locais recomendam
Bayshore Shopping Centre
100 Bayshore DrThe Bayshore Shopping Centre is the second largest shopping mall in the National Capital Region attracting over 7 million visitors per year from across Ottawa and the surrounding region.
The Billings Bridge Shopping Centre is a medium-sized community mall with about 90 stores. Roughly 7.5 million people visit the mall every year.
The shopping centre is located on the Transitway, and serves as a major hub for OC Transpo bus services.
This shopping centre is located an easy 15 minute walk from our home and has a restaurant, Walmart, several major banks and an Independent grocery store. Everything you might need for your stay with us.
29 moradores locais recomendam
Billings Bridge Shopping Centre
2269 Riverside Dr.The Billings Bridge Shopping Centre is a medium-sized community mall with about 90 stores. Roughly 7.5 million people visit the mall every year.
The shopping centre is located on the Transitway, and serves as a major hub for OC Transpo bus services.
This shopping centre is located an easy 15 minute walk from our home and has a restaurant, Walmart, several major banks and an Independent grocery store. Everything you might need for your stay with us.
St. Laurent Centre is an 878,560 square foot regional shopping centre centrally located in Ottawa. Just minutes from downtown, with direct access off the Queensway, there are many free parking stalls, and a transit station hub on-site. St. Laurent Centre’s annual customer visits exceeded 13 million.
149 moradores locais recomendam
St Laurent
1200 St. Laurent BlvdSt. Laurent Centre is an 878,560 square foot regional shopping centre centrally located in Ottawa. Just minutes from downtown, with direct access off the Queensway, there are many free parking stalls, and a transit station hub on-site. St. Laurent Centre’s annual customer visits exceeded 13 million.
Entertainment & Activities
Canada’s capital city can often be overlooked in favor of its larger neighbors, Toronto and Montreal. However, Ottawa is a exciting destination with a wealth of sightseeing opportunities, attractions and activities that no other city in Canada can offer. From cultural pursuits to beautiful natural landscape there is something for everyone to see and enjoy!
The National Arts Centre collaborates with artists and arts organizations across Canada to help create a national stage for the performing arts. It also acts as a catalyst for performance, creation and learning across the country by being artistically adventurous in each of its programming streams – the NAC Orchestra, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre and Dance. The NAC also showcases established and emerging Canadian artists.
The organization is at the forefront of youth and educational activities, offering artist training, programs for children and youth, and resources for teachers in communities across Canada.
The NAC is also a pioneer in new media, using technology to teach students and young artists around the globe, by creating top-rated podcasts, and providing a wide range of NAC Orchestra concerts on demand.
The NAC is the only bilingual, multidisciplinary performing arts centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.
346 moradores locais recomendam
Centro Nacional de Artes
1 Elgin StThe National Arts Centre collaborates with artists and arts organizations across Canada to help create a national stage for the performing arts. It also acts as a catalyst for performance, creation and learning across the country by being artistically adventurous in each of its programming streams – the NAC Orchestra, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre and Dance. The NAC also showcases established and emerging Canadian artists.
The organization is at the forefront of youth and educational activities, offering artist training, programs for children and youth, and resources for teachers in communities across Canada.
The NAC is also a pioneer in new media, using technology to teach students and young artists around the globe, by creating top-rated podcasts, and providing a wide range of NAC Orchestra concerts on demand.
The NAC is the only bilingual, multidisciplinary performing arts centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.
The Royal Canadian Mint, founded in 1908, produces hand-crafted collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. This is where the master tooling is done to create the dies that strike coin designs for both circulation and commemorative issues. The Mint's gold refining and advanced engineering operations are also located here in Ottawa.
Visit the Mint's Ottawa boutique to add to your coin collection, or take a guided tour to learn more about the exacting skill that goes into precision coin design.
70 moradores locais recomendam
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex DrThe Royal Canadian Mint, founded in 1908, produces hand-crafted collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. This is where the master tooling is done to create the dies that strike coin designs for both circulation and commemorative issues. The Mint's gold refining and advanced engineering operations are also located here in Ottawa.
Visit the Mint's Ottawa boutique to add to your coin collection, or take a guided tour to learn more about the exacting skill that goes into precision coin design.
The Parliament of Canada, locally known as The Hill, is located downtown on the banks of the Ottawa River and is home of Canada's federal government.
In the summer, catch the evening Northern Lights Sound & Light show, which tells the story of Canada's history. During the months of July, August and early September there are free bilingual night shows.
As Centre Block undergoes complete renovations over the next 15 years, free daily tours of the House of Commons and the Senate are offered.
Originally the site of a military base in the 18th and early 19th centuries, development of the area into a governmental precinct began in 1859, after Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as Canada's national capital.
Following a number of extensions to the parliament and departmental buildings and a fire in 1916 that destroyed the Centre Block, Parliament took on its present form with the completion of the Peace Tower in 1927.
116 moradores locais recomendam
Parliament of Canada Free Tour Ticket
111 Wellington StThe Parliament of Canada, locally known as The Hill, is located downtown on the banks of the Ottawa River and is home of Canada's federal government.
In the summer, catch the evening Northern Lights Sound & Light show, which tells the story of Canada's history. During the months of July, August and early September there are free bilingual night shows.
As Centre Block undergoes complete renovations over the next 15 years, free daily tours of the House of Commons and the Senate are offered.
Originally the site of a military base in the 18th and early 19th centuries, development of the area into a governmental precinct began in 1859, after Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as Canada's national capital.
Following a number of extensions to the parliament and departmental buildings and a fire in 1916 that destroyed the Centre Block, Parliament took on its present form with the completion of the Peace Tower in 1927.
This UNESCO World Heritage Sight is a true must-see.
Connecting Ottawa with Canada’s previous capital, Kingston, the canal covers 202 km and is one of the most famous geographical features of the province of Ontario. Along this length there are 45 operational locks which function from May to October. The canal was constructed in order to secure a safe route for British supply ships in the 1800s.
Today, the canal is most commonly used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and boating enthusiasts who enjoy taking advantage of its beautiful scenery. It can also be explored by watercraft - kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are available to rent at Dow's Lake. In the winter the Canal frozen surface becomes the largest skating rink in the world!
215 moradores locais recomendam
Canal Rideau
This UNESCO World Heritage Sight is a true must-see.
Connecting Ottawa with Canada’s previous capital, Kingston, the canal covers 202 km and is one of the most famous geographical features of the province of Ontario. Along this length there are 45 operational locks which function from May to October. The canal was constructed in order to secure a safe route for British supply ships in the 1800s.
Today, the canal is most commonly used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and boating enthusiasts who enjoy taking advantage of its beautiful scenery. It can also be explored by watercraft - kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are available to rent at Dow's Lake. In the winter the Canal frozen surface becomes the largest skating rink in the world!
Food Scene & Restaurants
Ottawa’s culinary scene is about as diverse as Canada itself. Canadian cuisine is cooked alongside ethnic foods; food trucks are as popular as fine dining; historic markets and modern chefs work in tandem. It’s really something to behold — and enjoyed.
Whole Foods Market, is a grocery store with something for everyone. Easy meal solutions. High quality standards. Local, organic and non-GMO choices. Paleo-friendly, vegan, vegetarian and special diet options. Baked goods, fresh salads, flowers, coffee and more.
47 moradores locais recomendam
Whole Foods Market
951 Bank StWhole Foods Market, is a grocery store with something for everyone. Easy meal solutions. High quality standards. Local, organic and non-GMO choices. Paleo-friendly, vegan, vegetarian and special diet options. Baked goods, fresh salads, flowers, coffee and more.
When Pure Kitchen opened its first location it was love at first bite for vegetarians as well as omnivores. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are all made from scratch. Favourites include cauliflower wings, hot or cold bowls, poutine, and mushroom walnut patty burgers. You can also order freshly made juices and smoothies, inventive cocktails, local beer and wine.
64 moradores locais recomendam
Pure Kitchen Elgin
340 Elgin StWhen Pure Kitchen opened its first location it was love at first bite for vegetarians as well as omnivores. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are all made from scratch. Favourites include cauliflower wings, hot or cold bowls, poutine, and mushroom walnut patty burgers. You can also order freshly made juices and smoothies, inventive cocktails, local beer and wine.
The Green Door Restaurant located in the Old Ottawa East neighbourhood, is a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
Follow your cravings and choose from the many savoury and sweet dishes served in the pay-by-weight buffet, like tofu broccoli stir fry, quiche and avocado salad. Dishes are all labeled to indicate which are organic, vegan, gluten-free, or contain dairy, egg, gluten, wheat, nuts, soy, or sesame and can be enjoyed with beer and/or wine.
62 moradores locais recomendam
The Green Door Restaurant
198 Main StThe Green Door Restaurant located in the Old Ottawa East neighbourhood, is a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
Follow your cravings and choose from the many savoury and sweet dishes served in the pay-by-weight buffet, like tofu broccoli stir fry, quiche and avocado salad. Dishes are all labeled to indicate which are organic, vegan, gluten-free, or contain dairy, egg, gluten, wheat, nuts, soy, or sesame and can be enjoyed with beer and/or wine.
Parks & Nature
You don't have to travel far from downtown Ottawa to enjoy the great outdoors! Snowshoe, cross-country ski or skate during the winter. Hike, swim, kayak, canoe, cycle or go rafting further up the Ottawa River. Whatever your outdoor passion, you can enjoy it in the Capital Region!
Covering 36,131 hectares (361 square kilometres), Gatineau Park lies in an area where the Canadian Shield meets the St. Lawrence Lowlands and where the Gatineau River meets the Ottawa River.
Extend your outdoor adventure and spend the night in Gatineau Park – just minutes from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau. Nestled in the heart of this vast conservation park, campsites and ready-to-camp units are the perfect getaway from the daily routine, in every season.
522 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Gatineau
33 Chem. ScottCovering 36,131 hectares (361 square kilometres), Gatineau Park lies in an area where the Canadian Shield meets the St. Lawrence Lowlands and where the Gatineau River meets the Ottawa River.
Extend your outdoor adventure and spend the night in Gatineau Park – just minutes from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau. Nestled in the heart of this vast conservation park, campsites and ready-to-camp units are the perfect getaway from the daily routine, in every season.
About Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic showcase city of more than one million people. Located in Ontario at the Quebec border, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets; where you can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national sites and famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
It’s a city steeped in culture, with world-class museums and galleries displaying stunning national collections and special exhibitions from Canada and around the world.
Ottawa is a destination alive with celebration, beginning each year with February’s Winterlude, continuing through May’s Canadian Tulip Festival, heating up July 1 with the biggest Canada Day celebration in the country, and going all-out with headliner summer music festivals.
Ottawa
You can't visit Ottawa without a tour of Parliament Hill.