10 Best Things to Do in Ottawa

You can catch a sense of Canadian pride in the capital at Parliament Hill. It’s a complex of beautiful Gothic revival buildings on the southern banks of the Ottawa River. You can admire its architecture with the striking Peace Tower’s bells chiming at each quarter-hour, as well as the many statues around its manicured grounds. All these are set against the wonderful riverside landscape – it might be your most memorable snap. Free guided tours are offered for exploring inside the parliament buildings. 

This canal system spans over 200 km and was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, partly for its historical significance. The Rideau Canal retains most of its hand-operated locks and blockhouses but has become a popular recreational site since the 19th century. Pleasure boats continue to cruise its waters to offer a different sightseeing angle of Ottawa, with sightings of wildlife and impressive landmarks along the way. In the winter, the canal turns into the world’s largest outdoor skating rink. 

This is Ottawa’s buzzing outdoor marketplace where local farmers showcase their freshest produce. It’s also where you can pick up local gift items and handicrafts. Byward Market comprises historical tree-shaded cobblestoned courtyards connected by alleys. The neighbourhood around it reflects the market vibe with its collection of specialty snack bars and cafés, as well as art galleries and fashion boutiques. A trip to the market also offers you some bonus sightseeing, with some of Ottawa’s historical buildings such as Clarendon Court nearby.

This cathedral dates to 1841 and stands tall as the largest and oldest church in Ottawa. Its towering spires dominate the skyline, best seen from cruises along the Ottawa River. Inside Notre-Dame Cathedral, you’ll find columns lining the aisles that lead you through its beautiful terraced galleries and stained-glass windows. You can find more of the basilica’s Gothic revival designs in the sanctuary, adorned with original iconography and medieval-inspired sculptures. You can visit the church daily between masses and services, or book ahead for a guided tour. 

Reminiscent of a castle in the Scottish Highlands, this impressive building on McLeod Street houses world-class natural history exhibits. Among the best exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Nature is its paleontological gallery, which features awe-inspiring and life-size fossils in a swamp-like setup. Most of the other exhibits are detailed dioramas, ranging from hundreds of bird and insect specimens, a real blue whale skeleton, and a rich collection of earth minerals and rocks. There’s also a butterfly garden with live specimens and a 3D movie theatre where you can watch HD documentaries. 

Ottawa is the birthplace of BeaverTails, a flat fried dough pastry that really resembles a beaver’s tail. It’s an original Canadian treat that you should try on your visit to Ottawa. It comes topped with your choice of sweet confections. The most popular toppings include cinnamon and sugar, chocolate hazelnut, cheesecake spread and caramel sauce, and vanilla and crushed Oreos. There are a few spots where you can find BeaverTails around Ottawa. The one at Byward Market is one of our favourites. 

As the towering centrepiece at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Peace Tower is hard to miss. Best thing is, you can climb up to the top for breathtaking views over Ottawa and the surrounding landscape by the riverbank. Inside, there’s the 53-bell carillon that chimes every 15 minutes. You can see the huge bells on your elevator trip up. The Dominion Carillonneur also does some memorable tunes occasionally. The tower might not always be open but is usually part of the free parliament tours. 

You can learn about Canada’s military history at the Canadian War Museum. The museum’s impressive wartime exhibits are housed inside a modern building at Vimy Place. It houses a rich collection of artefacts spread throughout 8 galleries. Items span from the tumultuous times of the First Nations through the American Revolution, as well as WWII and the Cold War. You can get up close with WWI tanks and artillery, Hitler’s car, and even a McDonnell CF-1010 Voodoo interceptor that served the Canadian forces in the ‘60s.

Don’t let its compact look from the outside mislead you. Step inside Ottawa Little Theatre, and you’ll find a large auditorium with comfortable seats surrounding the stage where a good variety of live plays and musical performances take place. Productions range from children’s classics such as Peter Pan and Wendy to dramas such as A Streetcar Named Desire. Fun trivia: the Ottawa Little Theatre’s community claims that its most dedicated patron is Martha, a resident ghost from the Eastern Methodist Church that once stood here. 

The capital of Canada comes to life after dark, especially in its livelier neighbourhoods. York Street features Ottawa’s highest concentration of hip bars, Irish pubs, and nightclubs. York Street is practically alongside Byward Market Square, a shopping and dining focal point in the city. For booze and a great party scene, you can start off at Liquor Store Party Bar with its warehouse-style club. For a more relaxed evening sipping wines, there’s Vineyard’s Wine Bar Bistro, which often throws in live jazz.