Things to do in Ottawa
Activities, attractions and tours
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Most popular experiences in Ottawa
Tours & day trips
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Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise
Private & custom tours
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Ottawa City centre Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour
Cruises & boat tours
See all 5 activitiesOttawa: Rideau Canal Cruise
Food, drink & nightlife
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Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical
Adventure & outdoor
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Ottawa: 4-Hour Bike Rental
What to do in Ottawa
Popular places to visit
Parliament Hill
Spend a day enjoying the lively debates, artworks, library and Gothic Revival architecture of Canada’s political heart.
Byward Market Square
Fresh local produce, artisanal handicrafts and historic courtyards are some of the many features of Ottawa’s oldest and busiest market.
Carleton University
Explore the campus of Carleton University as part of your travels around Ottawa. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Rideau Canal
This engineering and scenic marvel fills with pleasure craft in summer and transforms into the world’s longest naturally frozen skating rink in winter.
Canadian Museum of History
Traverse 20,000 years of Canadian history in just one day at Ottawa’s treasure house of culture.
National Arts Centre
You can get tickets for a performance at National Arts Centre during your trip to Ottawa. Experience the fascinating museums or attend a sporting event in this walkable area.
Canadian War Museum
The country’s museum of military history features collections of weapons and vehicles that cover hundreds of years of conflict.
Elgin Street
Take the family on an outing to Elgin Street during your trip to Ottawa. Visit the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.
Canadian Tire Centre
Catch an event at Canadian Tire Centre during your trip to Ottawa. Discover the top-notch restaurants and great live music in this family-friendly area.
Areas of Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa
Discover art, delve into history and savor natural beauty in the heart of Canada’s national capital, a delightful blend of old and new.
Kanata
Kanata is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Canadian Tire Centre and Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre while you're in town.
Nepean
Nepean is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Nepean Sportsplex and Bayshore Shopping Centre while in the area.
Centretown
Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Elgin Street and Canadian Museum of Nature are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.
ByWard Market
A noteworthy feature of ByWard Market is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Byward Market Square and Rideau Centre.
Orleans
Orleans is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Place D'Orleans Shopping Center and Princess Louise Falls.
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