Ottawa Ontario Parliament Hill Rideau Canal and Tulips

Why visit Ottawa

Ottawa began as the lumber town of Bytown, named for Colonel John By, who oversaw construction of the Rideau Canal.

It is also a bilingual city, with English and French heard everywhere and many services available in both. The city sits among rivers, bikeways and parks, so you can pair culture with time outdoors in every season.

Parliament Hill and downtown

Parliament Hill

A group of Gothic revival buildings stands on a limestone bluff above the Ottawa River. The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 after a fire destroyed the Centre Block in 1916.

Major's Hill Park

This park sits above the point where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River, with views across to the Parliament buildings and toward the National Gallery. It was once the site of Colonel By's residence.

ByWard Market

East of Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market is a historic district of market buildings, restaurants and shops. Outdoor vendors along George, York, ByWard and William streets sell produce, flowers and crafts when the weather allows. Spend a morning browsing, then stay for lunch.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

Located on Sussex Drive in Lower Town, this is the oldest and largest church in Ottawa, recognized by its twin spires and gilded Madonna. It is a National Historic Site. Visit outside service times, and dress respectfully.

National Gallery of Canada

The country's national art museum is one of the largest in North America by exhibition space and holds a large art collection. A first visit takes two to three hours. Look up the current exhibitions on the official website.

Canadian Museum of Nature

Housed in the old Victoria Memorial Museum building, which briefly hosted the House of Commons after the 1916 fire, this museum is a hit with families. Allow two hours, and arrive early on weekends and school holidays.

Museums beyond the core

Canadian War Museum

Located at LeBreton Flats, this museum covers Canadian military history and works as a place of remembrance. Plan two hours, and note that some exhibits address difficult subjects.

Canadian Museum of History

Across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, this large museum was designed by Douglas Cardinal and focuses on Canadian history, culture and Indigenous peoples.

The canal, the lakes and the parks

Rideau Canal

Opened in 1832, the 202 km canal links Ottawa with Kingston and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In summer, boats pass through its locks between May and October, and paths along the banks suit walkers and cyclists.

Dow's Lake and the Tulip Festival

A small lake on the canal, Dow's Lake hosts the Canadian Tulip Festival each May, when over a million tulips bloom across the city, including displays at Commissioners Park and along the canal. The festival began as a thank-you from the Netherlands for Canadian help during World War II.

Gatineau Park

Just across the river in Quebec, this park spans 361 square kilometres of forest and lakes with hiking, cycling and, in winter, cross-country skiing. The main entrance is about 4 kilometres north of downtown.

Food and local flavors

The city's signature treat is the BeaverTail, a fried dough pastry stretched by hand into the shape of a beaver's tail and topped with cinnamon sugar or other toppings.

For a classic Canadian bakery stop, try butter tarts, small pastries with a sweet, runny filling of butter, sugar and egg. The ByWard Market and the neighbourhood restaurants around it are the best places to sample all three.

Where to stay

ByWard Market is the busiest base, with restaurants and nightlife on the doorstep and Parliament Hill a short walk away.

Centretown is quieter and close to the museums, the National Arts Centre and the canal, and it works well for business travelers and anyone who wants a central location with calmer evenings.

The Glebe lies along the canal and has a neighbourhood feel with shops and cafes, suiting families and longer stays.

Sandy Hill, near the University of Ottawa and the river, offers a residential setting with stately streets and easy access to the market.

Best time to visit

Ottawa has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, with average highs around 27 degrees Celsius, and winters are long, cold and snowy, with an average of 225 cm of snowfall.

May brings the Tulip Festival, summer brings patios, festivals and cycling, and early autumn offers cooler days for museums and walks. Winterlude, in February, is the most important winter event, with the Skateway at its center.

Getting there and getting around

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport lies roughly 10 km south of downtown and has regular flights to major Canadian and many American cities. Trains and buses link the city with Montreal and Toronto, and many travelers arrive by road on Highway 417.

Downtown is compact and walkable, and a good bus and light rail system covers the wider city. Cycling paths follow the canal and rivers, and bikeshare is available in warmer months. Taxis and ride-hailing services are widely available.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at Parliament Hill and Major's Hill Park, walk through the ByWard Market for lunch, then visit Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the National Gallery.

Second day

Spend the morning at the Canadian War Museum, then cross to the Canadian Museum of History for riverside views, and finish with a stroll along the Rideau Canal.

Third day

Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature in the morning, then walk or cycle to Dow's Lake for the evening light.

Fourth day

Take a full day in Gatineau Park for hiking or cycling in summer, or skiing in winter.

Practical tips

• Check which Parliament buildings are open for tours before you travel.
• Book popular tours and museum timed entries in advance during summer and school holidays.
• Carry layers, as Ottawa weather changes quickly in spring and autumn.
• Bring warm boots and gloves if you plan to skate on the Rideau Canal.
• Speak a little French, since service is available in both English and French.