“You’ll die of boredom, what are you going to do there?”, I heard the minute I told my friend I was moving to Ottawa.
Canada’s capital has -unfairly- carried this sticker on its back. Maybe because you won’t find the endless rows of bars and nightclubs you’ll see in bigger cities like Toronto or Montreal. What you’ll find is a thriving art scene, museums, historical buildings, and cultural attractions to keep you busy in every season.
And you’ll still find a good selection of bars and restaurants. You won’t die of boredom after dark.
I ended up living there for a year and change, right before starting my travels. My friend’s opinion? I threw it in the river.
So, is Ottawa worth visiting? Yes! Oui!
Most of the attractions I list here are around the downtown area, within walking distance. If you want to visit all the sites, spend some time at the museums, and relax sipping a cocktail while having a taste of the city, you’ll need at least three full days. You can always pick and choose depending on how long you want to stay.
You can mix this itinerary with the many outdoor activities available. There’s always plenty to do!
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These are the best museums and cultural attractions in Ottawa
Table of Contents
Visit Parliament Hill
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Let’s start with the star of the show. You have to visit Parliament Hill while you’re in Ottawa.
If you don’t, it’s like having pancakes without syrup. Or Cinco de Mayo without Margaritas.
Inside The Hill, you’ll find three monumental Gothic Revival-style buildings that serve as headquarters of the federal government.
You can spend hours gazing at the ornamentation on the facades. Check out the statues scattered around the complex, take a free tour of the facilities, or enjoy seasonal outdoor activities.
But here’s one thing you need to know.
The Centre Block (where the Peace Tower is located) is closed as the government is currently working on a massive renovation that will last several years.
But you can still take free tours of the East and West Blocks and walk around the complex.
Parliament Hill is an excellent site to see the beautiful details typical of the Gothic style. Click here to learn more about its history and ornamentation.
See the Monuments and Statues on the Grounds of Parliament Hill
Other than the buildings you can check out the life-size statues and monuments scattered around the lawn.
You’ll see statues of former prime ministers, Queen Victoria, and other prominent figures in Canadian history. You’ll find monuments honouring soldiers and the bell that fell from the Victoria Tower Bell during the fire of 1916 (it was later replaced by the Peace Tower).
Some are installed along the walkway ending behind the Centre Block. From there you’ll have an excellent view of the Ottawa river shoreline and other iconic buildings such as the National Gallery, and the Canadian Museum of History.
One of the most popular monuments is the Centennial Flame, an ever-flowing granite fountain with an ever-burning flame. It was lit up for the first time in 1966 to commemorate the 100 years of the Confederation. There were plans to remove it after the celebration, but it’s there to stay.
Go now across Wellington Street and head west to discover a beautiful mosaic.
Discover a Hidden Gem in the Wellington Building
Right across The Hill, you’ll find the Wellington Building, housing offices for members of Parliament.
Peek through the doors’ glass panels and look up. Covering the vaulted ceiling lobby, you’ll see a restored masterpiece by muralist Barry Faulkner: a breathtaking ceramic mosaic titled “The Great Metropolitan Mother”.
Why the unusual name? Back in 1927, these were the headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
The byzantine-style artwork depicts a well-being theme with “Mother” protecting policyholders from multi-headed snakes and dragons (what I think a nasty cold must look like), on a shiny gold background.
Take a few steps further west on Wellington Street to have a “capital” experience.
180 Wellington Street, Ottawa
Play with Money at The Bank of Canada Museum
After Andre suggested a visit to this museum I thought: A museum about the economy? Meh… Sounds blah, doesn’t it?
Well… surprise! This small, highly interactive museum turned out to be a masterclass on how to take a subject drier than the Sahara from Meh! to Yay!
You’ll see a unique and interesting collection of artifacts that will teach you about the history of currency. On display are jewelry, artwork, even shells that have been used as proto-currency, and objects of value used by tribes for commercial trade.
One of the most impressive items is a tiny clay rectangle with intricate markings, used to record a Sumerian transaction in early Mesopotamia, dating back around 5400 B.C. You can learn more about curious objects like this on the touch screens installed around the museum.
There’s an exhibit with bills and coins from around the world where you can find fascinating designs on the face of some bills. The colours, the dimensions, and the unique features are a showcase of cultural symbols.
Follow the evolution of money from ancient times up to the present day on the interactive walls, surrounded by light installations, vivid colours, and game-like content packaged in pods that seem to emerge from a space movie.
Now head south to Sparks Street for a trip in Ottawa’s history.
30 Bank Street (within walking distance of Parliament Hill train station)
1.613.782.8914; Tue. to Sun.: 10AM-5PM (open every day during summer); FREE admission
Walk Among the Historic Buildings on Sparks Street
Walk one block south of Wellington and you’ll be on Sparks Street Mall, a pedestrian street that used to be the place to be in Ottawa at the beginning of the 20th century. Plenty of historic buildings have been preserved as part of the cultural heritage of the city and will tell you about its glorious past.
Nowadays…well, let’s just say that Sparks is missing some spark. A much-needed multi-year revitalization project is in the works to liven up the area.
But I still encourage you to take a stroll (go east), and have a drink or bite at any of its bars and restaurants. You’ll see some great examples of architectural styles with a Canadian twist and you’ll learn interesting facts about the history of Ottawa.
From Sparks Street cross Elgin Street and walk East to see the monuments at Confederation Square.
Pay Your Respects at The National War Memorial at Confederation Square
At Confederation Square, you’ll see The National War Memorial, also known as The Response (short for The Great Response of Canada), by Vernon March.
The monument honours the Canadian soldiers who served in wars.
Two statues, Peace and Freedom, stand triumphantly on top of a tall granite arch. Freedom’s cloak floats in the wind. Peace’s wings are widespread as if she landed right after the soldiers, represented by 22 full-size bronze statues, started crossing the arch below.
The magnificent piece was unveiled by King George VI in 1939.
You can also see the Change of Ceremonial Guards and pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located in front of the monument.
Now walk northeast towards Wellington Street to see an engineering marvel from the 19th century.
Marvel at the Rideau Canal Locks Engineering
East of Parliament Hill, on Wellington Street, the bridge standing over the Rideau Canal gives you an aerial view of the first eight locks of the canal, which raise the boats a whopping 24 metres.
It’s the largest number of consecutive locks you’ll find along the 202-kilometre waterway. This brilliant work of engineering behind this waterway, built in the 19th century, is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ontario.
Keep walking East to learn about an iconic hotel steeped in history.
Step Back in History at the Chateau Laurier
How can we get more passengers to travel our routes?, asked Charles Melville Hays, president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.
Easy peasy! Let’s build fancy hotels along the way, they said.
And the Fairmont Chateau Laurier was born, with construction starting in 1908. It was named after Canada’s Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a big supporter of the project.
Not everything was easy peasy, though.
Some Ottawans weren’t happy with the proposal, the original architect was fired, and Hays died on the Titanic a few days short of the grand opening.
But the luxurious hotel, designed in Chateau style sprinkled with Gothic Revival, quickly became an icon in Ottawa.
The guest list includes celebrities, royalty, and politicians (Shirley Temple, Roger Moore, Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, to name a few).
The famous photographer Yousuf Karsh lived and worked here for 19 years starting in the early 1970s, after relocating his Hardy Arcade studio (the one you saw on Sparks Street). You can still see some of his pictures around the hotel.
This National Historic Site has a strong connection to Parliament Hill and government life. During the 1916 fire at the Centre Block, the Prime Minister and his cabinet met here to plan the next steps, and many other plans have been finalized between these walls.
Check out the beautiful interiors and stop for the afternoon tea, a cocktail, or a meal. Or maybe splurge and book a stay.
An expansion is in the works and after years of rejecting less than stellar proposals the city approved the revised plans, settling for, let’s say less offensive alternatives. I’ll leave it at that.
(Architect: Ross and MacFarlane)
1 Rideau Street
Now head East to see where the city (as we know it today) started.
Explore the ByWard Market Area
If you’d be standing here before 1827 your feet would be soaked and you’d be surrounded by cedar trees.
But that year things changed. Lt. Colonel By was building the Rideau Canal and he had to put the workers somewhere so there went the cedar bog.
As commercial activity started to flourish, Bytown was born and Colonel By would plan the streets of what we know as Ottawa today.
The area covers the streets surrounding the Market Building (55 ByWard Market Square), between George Street and St. Patrick, and MacKenzie Avenue and Dalhousie Street.
The Market Building, one of the oldest in Canada, has been standing since 1865. Am I impressed with the interior of this building in particular? Not much, but you’ll find many historical buildings in the vicinity, as well as bars and restaurants for whenever you want to take a break.
I give you some recommendations further below in the Best Places to Eat in Ottawa section.
Some of the most interesting buildings with brick facades, arched windows and cornices typical of the commercial Italianate style stand along the adjacent streets surrounding the main market. You’ll also find great examples of signage on historical buildings.
As you head north towards the National Gallery, check out the Connaught Building (550 Sussex Drive), a gorgeous example of Tudor Gothic style completed in 1916.
Visit The National Gallery of Canada
North of Major’s Hill Park you’ll find a Post-Modern style building, by Moshe Safdie, with pyramidal tops that pay homage to the surrounding architecture. Maman, Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture of a giant egg-carrying spider (a tribute to her mother), will welcome you to the site.
Temporary exhibits including photography, classic art, and contemporary art from Canada and around the world share the floor with artwork from the museum collection.
I’ve spent hours looking at the masterpieces from indigenous artists in the Canadian and Indigenous Galleries. From art enriching everyday life and adornment of utilitarian objects to sculptures and painting, the skills and creativity inherited from the first inhabitants of Canada will blow you away.
Brace yourself for a moment of glory at the Rideau Chapel installation. The exquisite interiors of this chapel -that ceiling! -, originally located in a girl’s school and dating back to the late 1800’s, were saved from demolition and granted heritage status.
Every piece was restored and reconstructed in its new location and the result is magnificent.
If you visit while Janet Cardiff’s audio installation is on, you’ll feel you entered heaven surrounded by 40 speakers channeling the angelic voices of a choir.
As a bonus, you can enjoy great views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa river from the Great Hall.
Now go across Sussex Drive to visit Ottawa’s oldest church.
380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa; 1.613.990.1985
Open daily (closed on Mondays, Oct. to Apr. -varies according to Holidays-): 10AM-5PM (Oct. to Apr.)–10AM-6PM (May to Sep.); Admission: CAD$20 + tax; The gallery is free on Thursdays: 5PM-8PM (timed tickets required)
See the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica is Ottawa’s oldest and largest church. A Gothic Revival style restored building from 1885, with a shiny metal roof and stunning interiors.
The wood carvings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, and stained-glass windows make you pause, but my preferred detail is the ceiling: it’s like looking into a starry night, with its deep blue paint, gold stars, and gold intersecting arches forming a stunning vault
If you’re interested in visiting the interiors, check the opening hours online, as they vary.
Now keep walking north on Sussex Drive to look at some cool coin designs.
Click here for information on guided visits.
Sussex Drive (between St. Patrick and Guigues); 1.613.241.7496
Admire the Coins’ Designs at the Royal Canadian Mint
Not a coin collector here, but as a design enthusiast, I got lost in the colours, the cool “glow in the dark” features, the intricate design, and the range of themes of the collectible coins on display and for sale in the gallery/shop.
The engravings featuring Star Trek, Disney, Swarovski-encrusted symbols, and multicolour nature-inspired images -all made in this historic building resembling a medieval castle- are mesmerizing.
You can also discover how it feels to hold a (heavily anchored) 28-pound gold bar, under the watchful eye of a security guard.
Plan a visit around the behind-the-scenes guided tour schedule. You’ll see where and how the collectible coins are made, and a gallery with other interesting and unique items on display. Did you know that Canada prints bills for many other countries?
Now walk west and cross the Alexandra Bridge to learn more about Canada’s history.
320 Sussex Dr., Ottawa; 1.800.267.1871; Days and hours of operation vary according to the season; Tour cost: CAD$8
Learn about Canada at the Canadian Museum of History
Interested in knowing about the threads that weave the complex fabric of this great nation?
Head straight to the building with cascading curves designed by internationally acclaimed Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, who also designed the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The nature-inspired shapes are carried inside, framing an engaging display of artwork, objects, and images that paint the lives of the Indigenous peoples, the power struggle during the colonization era, and the challenges and achievements of the Canadian society in the most recent years.
Although Canada is at the centre stage of the main exhibits, special exhibitions cover a wide variety of interesting historical and cultural subjects from around the world.
The museum (formerly known as the Museum of Civilization) is also an art gallery filled with beautiful sculptures and murals.
One of my favourite spaces is the Grand Hall. The organic shapes, the larger-than-life totem poles, and the views of the Ottawa river and Parliament Hill through the glass enclosure are impressive.
The see-through wall is an invitation to step outside and explore the garden. Check out Personnages (People), the steel sculptures (painted white) by Louis Archambault – originally created for the Canadian Pavillion at Expo67 -, To Travel in a Boat Together by Mary Anne Barkhouse, and the Zen Buddhist Meditation Garden.
You can also check the movies -with a focus on history and culture- projected on a ginormous screen (or a dome screen), either 2D or 3D, at Cine +.
Canadian Museum of History
100 Laurier St., Gatineau; Hours of operation vary per season; General admission: CAD$20 + taxes; Free admission every Thursday: 5PM-7PM (tickets required), on Canada Day and Remembrance Day.
Check Out the National Arts Centre Events
Add more pizazz to your visit by watching live performances at The National Arts Centre, an art venue that hosts artists from Canada and abroad.
I saw Broadway shows on tour, ballet performances, and other performing arts events. During your visit check what’s on, including free events available. Grab a drink after a show at any of the bars and restaurants along Sparks Street.
Click here for current events at the National Arts Centre
1 Elgin St.
Visit the Governor General’s Residence at Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is the complex where the Governor General (GG) of Canada lives and works.
Of course, you won’t see the actual home (its location within this large complex isn’t accessible), but you can take a free tour around the beautiful villa where the government holds official receptions and see the artwork and detailed woodworking.
You may be wondering who’s the GG, so I’ll briefly explain. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and Her Majesty The Queen is the Head of State (the Prime Minister is the head of government). They’re separate.
The Governor General is the representative of the Queen in Canada, the Commander-in-Chief, and also represents the nation at home and abroad in different events.
Thomas McKay, a rich guy who worked on the construction of the Rideau Canal, built the villa as a private residence in 1830 and sold it to the government in 1868.
The most memorable room is the aptly named Tent Room. Up to 1960, it was a tennis court by day and a party room by night, using colourful fabric to cover walls and ceilings.
The striped fabric became a permanent fixture, making you feel like Cirque du Soleil will storm the room anytime. Today it’s used for receptions, with portraits of former Governor Generals hanging on the wall.
The property is surrounded by beautiful gardens, making it a great stop to enjoy some outdoor activities in Ottawa.
The Rideau Hall is only a 30-minute walk away from the Royal Canadian Mint (or a bus/taxi ride away).
Click here for free tours’ schedule (varies by season)
1 Sussex Dr., Ottawa; 1.866.842.4422
Learn about Mother Earth at the Canadian Museum of Nature
Learn about the wonders of nature and deepen your understanding of its complexity by visiting the Canadian Museum of Nature, only a 20-minute walk from Parliament Hill.
The exhibits cover a wide range of subjects: birds, land and marine ecosystems, fossils, live insects, minerals, and rocks.
I loved the Arctic Gallery, which paints a picture of life in this tough but gorgeous environment; its history, its inhabitants, and how they have managed to survive and live from the land in a sustainable way. It also brings to light the threats we all face in light of climate change and “progress”.
But there’s more to explore beyond the interesting exhibits.
The building itself, a National Historic Site, is known as the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, and the first one to be built as Canada’s first national museum, opening its doors in 1912.
After housing several national institutions (the Parliament moved here temporarily after the 1916 fire), it’s now the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Your eyes will wander across this structure resembling a medieval castle, with Tudor-Gothic style features. You’ll spot carvings of animals and plants and other decorative elements on the exterior.
But all this rough and smooth stone aesthetic screeches to a halt when you see a 65-foot tall glass tower enclosing a sculpture suspended from the ceiling.
How did all that glass end up there? The original stone tower had to be removed within a few years of the building opening due to issues with its weight.
Then, in 2010 and after extensive renovations, the Queen Lantern’s (because Her Royal Highness herself inaugurated it) emerged above the main entrance, giving the museum a face-lift and additional staircases.
160 panes of face glass give you great views from the inside along with the chance to take a closer look at century-old architectural details and the nature-inspired stained-glass windows.
The lantern is also an exhibit space for enormous hanging sculptures you can see from the street.
Check the event schedule at the on-site theatre, including 3D movies.
240 McLeod St., Ottawa; 1.800.263.4433; Tue. to Sun. 9AM-5PM (till 8PM on Thursdays); Summer hours: Open daily 9AM-6PM (till 8PM on Thursdays); General admission: CAD$16 + tax; Admission is free on Thursdays: 5PM-8PM and on Canada Day (July 1st).
Look for the Cultural Events at The Glebe
Walk 30 minutes south of Parliament Hill and you’ll be in The Glebe, a trendy neighbourhood with a solid calendar of cultural events, parks and pathways, and only minutes away from the Rideau Canal.
You can attend festivals, art shows and performances, and browse markets around the public spaces at Lansdowne Park. Don’t miss the farmer’s market happening every Sunday.
One of the spaces, the Horticulture Building (on Princess Patricia Way), will remind you of Frank Lloyd Wright because the architect, Francis Sullivan, was his apprentice. The historic place was built in 1914 and designed following a Canadian version of the Prairie Style.
Another space, the Aberdeen Pavilion (1000 Exhibition Way), is the only remaining building from the 19th century that was designed for exhibitions. It looks unique and it’s the only one in its style in Canada.
Click here to check what’s going in Lansdowne while you’ re in Ottawa.
Reach for the Stars at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Micro-gravity makes mundane tasks (sleeping, showering, going to the bathroom, checking your laptop) quite more challenging than what we’re used to on our blue planet.
The Life in Orbit: The International Space Station exhibit gives you a peek into the specialized design required to conduct life out there, floating outside the earth’s atmosphere.
I loved the video shot by the astronauts while circling the globe showing different cities, with dots and lines created by their night lights.
In addition to learning about the role of Canada in the space race, you will get a visual tour of the history and achievements of commercial and military aviation -focusing on Canada- with aircraft dating back to the birth of aviation and items related to flying (clothing, engines, propellers).
In lieu of artwork, Identified Flying Objects hang from the ceiling and sit on the floor in a hangar-like setting.
If you don’t have a car you can reach the museum by public transit or by bicycle (The Aviation Pathway connects with the Ottawa River Pathway).
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa; 1.800.463.2058; Wed. to Mon.: 10AM-5PM (Sep. to Apr.); Open daily: 9AM-5PM (May to Aug.); Admission: CAD$15 + tax; Admission is free every day: 4PM-5PM
Show your Salsa Moves at the Ottawa-Gatineau Salsa Festival and the City Hall
Got Salsa?
I like dancing, and I love dancing Salsa.
Try Salsa, take some lessons, practice your moves, and add some Latin flavour to your visit.
If you visit Ottawa around November don’t miss the chance to brush up your skills at the Ottawa-Gatineau International Salsa Festival. Three days of workshops, shows, and social dancing to keep you moving at the rhythm of salsa, bachata, kizomba, and other Latin beats.
During July and August, you can have fun practicing all you’ve learned at Salsa at City Hall free event, taking place every Wednesday.
Best Places to Eat in Ottawa
These are my favourite cafes and restaurants in the city, all of them vegetarian-friendly. In search of the perfect dessert? I have some suggestions for that too.
E18ghteen
Even though their menu is heavy on steaks and seafood you’ll also find delicious salads and vegetarian dishes, with a Canadian twist. As a fine dining place right in the heart of the ByWard Market area they’re on the pricey side, but it’s worth every penny.
18 York St. (in the ByWard Market vicinity)
Aroma Small Plates & Wine
Small place (reservations recommended), but big in flavour. They serve an array of small plates for sharing with a heavy Greek influence, carrying tons of vegetarian options.
239 Nepean St. (in the downtown area)
Beckta
This is the perfect place to go if you want to splurge on a special occasion and have a fine dining experience. Every spoonful is full of heavenly flavour. Vegetarian options available.
150 Elgin St. (in the downtown area)
Cacao 70
I love this chain! I still dream of their chocolate fondue with fruits and their chocolate pizza. You’ll find them at the ByWard Market and at Lansdowne Park.
Le Moulin de Provence
Home of the famous and delicious Obama Cookies. He was visiting the ByWard Market and after seeing the shortbread cookies, shaped like a maple leaf and with “Canada” written on the icing he said, I have to get some for my daughters!
Their desserts (and definitely the cookies) are good, but I’m more a fan of their specialty bread.
55 ByWard Market St. and 30 Metcalfe St.(in the downtown area)
Pure Kitchen
Awesome vegetarian restaurant (vegan options available) with fresh food made from scratch. If you’re not vegetarian their delicious dishes may turn you.
They have several locations around Ottawa
340 Elgin St. and 345A Preston St.
The Green Door
Vegetarian and vegan heaven! Delicious vegetarian buffet (by weight) with a huge selection of dishes and organic ingredients, all made from scratch every day. Tons of vegan options. One of my favourite places in Ottawa.
198 Main St. (within the vicinity of The Glebe)
Wild Oat Bakery and Café
Vegetarian dishes (vegan options available) with a farm-to-table concept. I still dream of their cardamon, hazelnut and date balls.
You can order food to go or enjoy a glass of wine and relax in a bohemian atmosphere while getting inspired by the artwork display.
Crepes, pies, soups, cookies, muffins, smoothies, veggie burgers, wraps and more, right in the heart of The Glebe.
817 Bank St. (at The Glebe)
BeaverTails
Not-so-healthy Canadian classic dessert, but so-typical-good comfort food. Fried dough in the shape of, you guessed it, a beaver tail. I just kept coming back to try the different toppings.
You’ll find their stands throughout the city; I used to go to the one in the ByWard Market. During winter you’ll also find them along the Rideau Canal when it turns into the largest skating rink in the world.
Boring who?
You’ll see Ottawa’s rich history in its heritage buildings. You’ll learn about the past and present culture in its museums. You’ll enjoy interesting exhibits on life and art throughout its galleries.
Not to mention the many outdoor activities available all year round!
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BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
I want to travel to many places whenever I can. You provide very good information fir travelers. I added Ottawa to my list.
Thank you! Ottawa is a perfect destination for a long weekend getaway.