Visit Ottawa
As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is the perfect place to experience some of the country's best attractions, festivals, and flavors.
Just steps from your hotel, you can visit the legendary Parliament Hill and the many national museums, and take an epic paddle, cruise or skate trip on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On every street corner, both on the Ontario side and on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, lively neighborhoods invite you to savor delicious craft beer and fresh local products, and experience unique local shops.
Useful links and maps
Ottawa's official website has up-to-date tourist information, including transit information and maps.
What to do in the region
Have you ever visited a new place only to find that you missed the best of it when you got home? Have you been to Ottawa and Gatineau before but would like to think outside the box and discover something new? If so, you will find below a list of activities to do during your stay in the city. You can also visit the Ottawa Tourism and Outaouais Tourism websites.
ByWard Market – Ottawa
ByWard Market Square is full of food counters and unique shops. The year-round outdoor market offers handcrafted goods, seasonal produce, and fresh flowers. And don't forget to try the sweets of ByWard Market Square and the pastry shop where Barack Obama bought maple leaf cookies.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Learn about Canada's aviation and aerospace history - from the 1909 Silver Dart to the International Space Station - at one of the world's best museums in this field. Admire more than 130 aircraft and civil and military artifacts, relive the history of aviation through demonstrations, tours, and other activities. For more information, click here.
Canadian Museum of History
The goal of the Museum is “to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of events, experiences, people and objects that reflect and have shaped Canada’s history and identity, and also to enhance their awareness of world history and cultures.”
In the heart of the National Capital Region, the famous Canadian Museum of History building welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year, a traffic that makes it the most visited museum institution in Canada. For more information, click here.
Canadian Museum of Nature
With its historic castle-like setting, modern amenities, and engaging exhibits, the Canadian Museum of Nature is an ideal meeting place in one of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities.
Located steps away from major Ottawa attractions and convention centers, this century-old Gothic-style building is the result of superb architectural design and attention to detail. Historic rooms blend effortlessly with a newly renovated interior where Canada's natural treasures such as dinosaur fossils, animals and geological wonders are displayed. For more information, click here.
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, is one of Canada's premier museums. Located on Sussex Drive, the glass and granite building enjoy superb views of the Canadian Parliament and Parliament Hill. It was designed by Moshe Safdie and opened in 1988. For more information, click here.
Parliament Hill
In 1857, Queen Victoria established that the permanent capital of the province of Canada would be Ottawa. The government asked the Department of Public Works to construct 4 federal buildings in Ottawa:
- One building that will house the Parliament (Center Block)
- Two administrative buildings (the East and West buildings)
- One residence for the Governor General.
This construction project was among the most important to have been undertaken to date in the young nation of Canada.
Today, the Hill represents much more. A place of meeting and celebration, it is also the symbolic heart of our nation. For more information, click here.
Visit Gatineau
Gatineau, recognized for its quality of life, offers all the amenities of a large city. It is a young, dynamic, and growing city. Located opposite Ottawa, it stretches east and west of the Ottawa River and is features many large, open spaces.
A few kilometers away you will find Gatineau National Park, an oasis of more than 360 square kilometers of hills and forest, takes root in the heart of this city. Offering 165 kilometers of hiking trails and over 200 kilometers of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, Gatineau Park is one of the largest trail networks in North America. With four rivers and countless lakes and streams, rivers are an integral part of Gatineau's landscape.
Gatineau's official website and official government tourism site have up-to-date tourist information, including transit information and maps.
Jacques Cartier National Park
Jacques-Cartier Park is a park located in Gatineau, on the edge of the Ottawa River. It sits at the foot of the Alexandra Bridge, across from the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. It is one of the capital’s main parks and it hosts national celebrations such as Canada Day and Winterlude.
It’s also a great place to go for a bike ride. From here, you can take the recreational trails to the capital downtown, see the natural beauties of Leamy Lake, or explore Gatineau Park and beyond. Also located there is the Hull marina where the wharf is accessible to the public and it also offers boat trips.
Cultural trail in downtown Gatineau
The Cultural Trail offers a public art route that links works of urban art, points of interest, and places of exhibition and entertainment. Follow the route for a fun walk in the heart of downtown Gatineau. The start is at the intersection of the Alexandra Bridge - Laurier Street. For more information, click here.
Downtown Gatineau
Downtown Gatineau is the place to be for entertaining activities, cultural events, and celebrations of all kinds. Laval Street, which is closed to vehicular traffic from May to November, provides a safe and enjoyable route for pedestrians and cyclists. Discover the Laval-Aubry-Kent and Brewery Creek tourism sectors, with their microbreweries, great restaurants featuring everything from bistro to epicurean fare, and lively urban buzz. Don’t forget to check out the unique shops and businesses along Eddy Street! For more information, click here.