Things to do in Ottawa
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Most popular experiences in Ottawa
Tours & day trips
See all 28 activitiesOpens in new tabOttawa: Haunted Night Walking Tour
Private & custom tours
See all 10 activitiesOpens in new tabGems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 5 activitiesOpens in new tabOh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical
Popular places to visit
Parliament Hill
Spend a day enjoying the lively debates, artworks, library and Gothic Revival architecture of Canada’s political heart.
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.
Byward Market Square
Fresh local produce, artisanal handicrafts and historic courtyards are some of the many features of Ottawa’s oldest and busiest market.
Canadian War Museum
The country’s museum of military history features collections of weapons and vehicles that cover hundreds of years of conflict.
Canadian Museum of History
Traverse 20,000 years of Canadian history in just one day at Ottawa’s treasure house of culture.
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.
National Gallery of Canada
Explore art through the ages in this impressive collection of national and international works of art.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Sit at the controls of beautifully preserved vintage aircraft, take off in a flight simulator and discover Canada’s contribution to space exploration.
National Arts Centre
You can get tickets for a performance at National Arts Centre during your trip to Ottawa. Experience the acclaimed art galleries or attend a sporting event in this walkable area.
Areas of Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa
Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Ottawa. Check out top attractions like Rideau Centre and Byward Market Square, and jump on the metro at Rideau Station or uOttawa Station to see more of the city.
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 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.
Hull
Hull is a destination visitors seek out for its interesting museums, casinos and stunning river views. You might want to check out attractions like Canadian Museum of History or Casino du Lac Leamy while you're exploring the neighbourhood.
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