Your Trip to Ottawa: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Best Attractions Best Museums Best Restaurants Nightlife in Ottawa Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Guide Neighborhoods in Know Best Hotels 48-Hour Itinerary Day Trips From Ottawa Top Things to Do Your Trip to Ottawa: The Complete Guide close Overview Canada Ottawa The Top 15 Things to Do in Ottawa By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Facebook Instagram Twitter Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Tatler Asia, Robb Report Singapore, MAXIM, and other websites and publications. Born and raised in Canada, she has been writing Canadian travel guides for TripSavvy for the past two years. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 12/08/20 f11photo / Getty Images While Ottawa may be on the smaller side compared to neighboring Toronto and Montreal, the government town is full of fun and unique experiences all year round. Whether you’re captivated by the rich history of the capital city or you’re hoping to take advantage of Ottawa’s wide variety of all-season outdoor activities, festivals, and markets, here are the top 15 things to do in Ottawa—from the best shopping to the must-visit sightseeing spots. 01 of 15 Visit the Prime Minister at Parliament Hill Marius Gomes / Getty Images View Map Address Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-992-4793 Web Visit website While the chances of catching a glimpse of Justin Trudeau are pretty slim (unless you’re in town for Canada Day, in which case, head to the parade!), a trip to Ottawa isn’t complete without paying a visit to Parliament Hill. Whether you’re into political science, architecture, or you’re just chasing a great Instagram shot, this hilltop estate comprises a set of Gothic revival government buildings where most of the inner workings of the Canadian parliament take place. Free guided tours are offered on a daily basis—but you’re also welcomed to simply pop a squat on the grassy hill and take in the view of the city. 02 of 15 Skate on the World's Largest Ice Rink Murray McComb / Getty Images View Map Address Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON, Canada Get directions Planning a trip to Ottawa in the wintertime? While temperatures drop well below freezing and stay that way for most of the winter months, don’t let the cold deter you—it brings with it one of the coolest outdoor winter activities in Canada. An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal Skateway is considered the largest naturally-frozen outdoor skating rink in the world at 4.8 miles (7.8 kilometers) in length and is open 24 hours a day. Many Ottawa residents actually use the stretch of frozen water to commute downtown—but rental skates and more leisure skaters are usually clustered around the downtown core by the Rideau Centre. 03 of 15 Wander Through the Open-Air ByWard Market Valerie Loiseleux / Getty Images View Map Address 55 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-244-4410 Web Visit website There’s something to be said about visiting the public market of a new city—and the open-air ByWard Market comes as no exception. Whether you’re shopping for fresh produce to snack on back at the hotel or you’re hoping to score a local lunch, this perfectly central downtown market features everything from local farmer stands and restaurant stalls to artisan booths and charming patios to kick back and enjoy your refreshments in the sun. 04 of 15 Spend the Day Museum Hopping aimintang / Getty Images Caught in Ottawa on a rainy day? You’re in luck! The capital city boasts an impressive amount of museums and galleries for all interests. If you’re into history, be sure to check out the Canadian Museum of History or the Canadian War Museum. More into art and science? The National Gallery of Canada and the Canada Science and Technology Museum are not to be missed. Continue to 5 of 15 below. 05 of 15 Sample Dim Sum in Chinatown Patrick Donovan / Getty Images The Chinatown neighborhood in Ottawa, marked by an ornate gate, may be compact in size but it’s mighty; with plenty of dim sum restaurants within a two-block radius. Oriental Chu Shing Restaurant is one of the top options in the city and serves up dozens of traditional plates on circulating trolleys while Hung Sum Restaurant is slightly more homey in feeling and also offers a variety of other Chinese dishes available to order. 06 of 15 Get Spooked During the Haunted Walk of Ottawa View Map Address 46 1/2 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-232-0344 Web Visit website Always wanted to check into a so-called haunted hotel but never had the guts? The Haunted Walk of Ottawa may be a more palatable option. Ottawa is one of the oldest cities in Canada, dating back more than 170 years, and its storied history includes a dark, ghost-flooded past. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa takes participants on an eerie trip back in time that’s certainly not for the faint of heart. 07 of 15 Grab a Drink at the Fairmont Le Château Laurier Michael Runkel / Getty Images View Map Address 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-241-1414 Web Visit website If you have the resources to check into the Fairmont Le Château Laurier for the night, do it. If you prefer to spend your vacation funds on dining and drinking, consider stopping in for a drink at one of the hotel’s public bars instead. This way, you’ll have an excuse to peep the storied chateau up close—including its unmatched views of the city from the opulent bar and lounge. Dating back over a century, the hotel (called the Grande Dame of Ottawa) features a French gothic revival chateau-style architecture that has garnered recognition as a National Historic Site of Canada. 08 of 15 Pay a Visit to Rideau Hall Pgiam / Getty Images View Map Address 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1, Canada Get directions Phone +1 866-842-4422 Web Visit website To this day, Canada is still a part of the British monarchy and the Rideau Hall is evidence of the Queen’s continual presence in the country. Located just steps outside of the downtown core, the historic mansion and accompanying grounds is the official residence and workplace of the Governor General but it remains open to the public for guided tours of the staterooms and beyond. Continue to 9 of 15 below. 09 of 15 Jam Out at One of the City's Festivals ChristopheLedent / Getty Images Whether you’re planning to visit in summer or in winter, chances are your time in Ottawa will overlap with an annual festival. The massive Winterlude festival takes place in the heart of winter, while the Ottawa Bluesfest—the largest Blues festival in Canada—takes place in July. It’s also worth planning a visit on Canada Day when the whole city comes alive to celebrate the country’s birthday in the downtown core. 10 of 15 Walk Between Province Lines Stefan Cristian Cioata / Getty Images View Map Address Gatineau, QC, Canada Get directions The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge is a great walk on a sunny day in its own right, but it’s also one of the only spots in Canada where you can toe the provincial lines on foot. Starting from the Ontario side, you’ll make your way to Gatineau, a quaint but charming Quebec town with great restaurants and wine bars. 11 of 15 Indulge Your Inner Beach Bum View Map Address Westboro Beach, Ottawa, ON, Canada Get directions Web Visit website While you may not have anticipated heading to the beach during your Ottawa vacation, Westboro Beach—about 15 minutes outside of the city center by car—is a must-visit for beach bums looking to indulge in a little sand and sun. The sand beach on the Ottawa River shoreline has public swimming areas with lifeguards, a bar and lounge, and even indoor change rooms and bathrooms. 12 of 15 Shop Until You Drop at CF Rideau Centre PaulMcKinnon / Getty Images View Map Address 50 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-236-6565 Web Visit website Tucked into the very heart of the city, CF Rideau Centre is a surprisingly comprehensive shopping complex despite its proximity to the downtown core with everything from clothing and jewelry boutiques to bookstores and souvenir shops. If you’re visiting from out of the country, be sure to pay a visit to Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest department store, which dates back more than 350 years. Continue to 13 of 15 below. 13 of 15 Cycle Your Way Through the City Marc Dufresne / Getty Images Big into biking? The capital city is extremely cyclist-friendly, with more than 609 miles (980 kilometers) of multi-use pathways, bike lanes, and off-road paths all across the city. While you could book a bike tour with one of the city’s many cycling tour companies, if you’re simply hoping to stretch your legs and get in some cardio, consider riding alongside the Rideau Canal park trail for unmatched views of the city centre and beyond. 14 of 15 Indulge in a Well-Deserved Spa Day Courtesy of Fairmont Le Château Montebello Whether you’re hoping to indulge in a massage after a long flight or you just want to escape the bustle of the city for a few hours, Ottawa has a large variety of spas and treatment centers catering to all types of pampering preferences. The Spa Fairmont Le Château Montebello, about an hour outside of the city center, offers high-end treatments in a luxurious chalet setting, while the Nordik Spa-Nature—North America’s largest Scandinavian spa facility—is just 10 minutes outside of the city. 15 of 15 Go on a Self-Guided Monument Tour f11photo / Getty Images View Map Address 90 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 1A5, Canada Get directions Phone +1 613-236-0044 Web Visit website Not unlike most capital cities, Ottawa is brimming with statues, monuments, and public art that have been erected all over the city to commemorate Canadian history. While you’ll probably come across a few of these while exploring the city, printed guides are available at the Capital Information Kiosk and will lead you to war memorials, monuments, and statues of noteworthy historical figures and representatives, including legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and beloved national hero Terry Fox. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email