Whether you are looking for a gallery or a park or a museum, you have so much to choose from. You can see some of them in the day time and some of them at night time. Your opportunities are endless.
To start with, we would love to tell you about a couple of our favourite Ottawa attractions:
Rideau Canal
It is over 200 kilometres long. A 7-kilometre section of it makes up the world’s longest skating rink in the winter months. In the summertime you can bike or walk along the paths or take a boat down the canal. Read more about the Canal on our Rideau Canal page.
Gatineau Park
This unbelievable park is a 363-square kilometre park that offers activities for the entire family. You can drive through the park and stop at the various lookouts overlooking the Ottawa valley or you can get out and try one of the many walking or hiking trails which vary in difficulty. Learn more about Gatineau Park.
Parliament Hill
This houses Canada’s Parliament. The architecture of the different blocks is quite amazing and is definitely worth a visit. Read more about Parliament Hill.
Ottawa Sugar Bushes
Lanark County (west of Ottawa) is known as the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario. Learn more about our Ottawa Sugar Bushes.
Here are some other Ottawa attractions that we suggest:
Arts Court:
2 Daly Avenue
613-564-7240
More than 20 local art groups hold various exhibits throughout the year. The building was actually built in the 1800’s and was a provincial courthouse.
Central Experimental Farm:
613-759-1837
Hundreds of acres of farm land just a short distance from downtown features the Arboretum which is breathtaking and has thousands of different varieties of trees and shrubs. It is so nice to take a short walk and then sit down and take in all the beauty.
Casino du Lac Leamy
1 Boulevard du Casino
1-819-772-2100 or 1-800-665-2274
Large casino & hotel complex situated right over the Quebec border in Gatineau (a short drive from downtown). It has slot machines, game tables, restaurants and bars.
Dow’s Lake and Pavilion
1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive
1-613-232-1001
Perfectly situated off of the Rideau Canal. There are restaurants with spectacular views.
Hog’s Back Falls
This is the area where the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River separate. You can get here by car or you can walk or bike along the trails.
Jacques-Cartier Park
This beautiful park is located in Gatineau and offers great views of the Ottawa skyline. Don’t forget your camera!
Lafleche Caves
Val-des-Monts, Quebec
1-819-457-4033
Large, natural underground caves.
Laurier House
335 Laurier Avenue East
1-613-992-8142
Former residence of two former Prime Ministers (Laurier and Mackenzie King).
Major’s Hill Park
1 Rideau Street (behind Chateau Laurier)
This is Ottawa’s oldest park. Many events take place here throughout the year.
Mackenzie-King Estate
In Gatineau Park
It used to be the summer home of one of Canada’s Prime Ministers, William Lyon Mackenzie King.
National Arts Centre
53 Elgin Street
1-613-947-7000
Performing Arts Centre that presents operas, dance, theatre and musicals.
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex Drive
613-990-1985
The Gallery has an extensive collection of art and features paintings by the Group of Seven, Rembrandt and many others.
National Library and National Archives
395 Wellington Street
613-996-5115
The library, which was established in 1953 collects, preserves and promotes the published literature of Canada. The National Archives has acquired more than 60 million manuscripts and government records.
National Peacekeeping Monument
Across from the National Gallery
It is the world’s only monument to peacekeepers.
National War Memorial
At Confederation Square
Dedicated to King George VI in 1939.
Nepean Point
Concerts are held here at the Astrolabe Theatre in the summer months. The point is a great place for taking pictures.
Notre Dame Basilica
Sussex Drive
613-241-7496
This is the oldest church in Ottawa.
Ottawa International Hostel
75 Nicholas Street
613-235-2595
This used to be the local jail but is now the Hostel. Even if you aren’t staying here you can still take a tour.
Rideau Falls
Along Sussex Drive and can sometimes be overlooked by tourists to the city. The falls are quite spectacular to look at due to the volume of the water that flows over the rocks.
Rideau Hall
Sussex Drive
613-991-4422
Home to the Governor General this magnificent residence is situated on over 70 acres. You can come here and take a tour of the house itself, the grounds and the gardens.
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
1-800-267-7000 (Canada)
1-800-242-9071 (U.S.)
Canadian money is made here.
Supreme Court of Canada
301 Wellington Street
1-613-995-4330
The courtroom and lobby are open to visitors on weekdays.
Upper Canada Village – an 1860s Historical Village that offers something for the entire family
If those Ottawa attractions weren’t enough for you and you would like to visit a museum then here is a list of Ottawa Museums.
Or you may want to take the whole family out to one of the local Ottawa Berry Farms to pick some fresh strawberries, raspberries or blueberries. There are plenty farms to choose from.
Whatever Ottawa attractions you choose, we hope you enjoy them and take lots of pictures to remember them by.
Enjoy!
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