Things to do in Ottawa
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Top 10 attractions in Ottawa
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River atParliament Hill, a Gothic Revival architectural complex consisting of the Centre Block, East Block, West Block, and the Library of Parliament. Construction began in 1859 and was largely completed by 1876. A fire in 1916 destroyed the Centre Block, and the rebuilt Peace Tower was completed in 1927 to commemorate Canadians who sacrificed their lives in World War I. The towering clock tower is now a prominent landmark on the Ottawa skyline. The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony and light shows in the summer add a sense of historical depth and modern vitality to this famous Canadian landmark. The Centennial Flame, the open plaza, the towering Peace Tower, the lifelike sculptures, and the Parliament buildings, which are open to the public, attract visitors from all over the world year-round.Ottawa · 371m from downtown
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is an artificial canal that runs through downtown Ottawa. Construction began in the 1820s to create a military supply route away from the border, and it was completed in approx. six years. It runs from Ottawa to Kingston, spanning a total length of approx. 200 km. Dozens of stone locks along the route are still in operation today, and the entire canal is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to the strategic value provided by this waterway, Ottawa was later chosen as the capital of Canada, and the canal is often regarded as one of the contributors to the capital's success. In summer, you can paddle a canoe along the canal to enjoy the beautiful city scenery. In winter, the ice surface turns into a natural skating rink, where you can skate to get around.Ottawa · 2.9 km from downtown
Maple Leaf Viewing in Ottawa
The beauty of Ottawa's maple leaves is a precious gift bestowed on the city in autumn. Walking through the streets and alleys of Ottawa, you will find that both the banks of the ancient canal and the quiet park paths are covered with layers of colorful maple leaves. These maple leaves gradually transition from emerald green to golden yellow, orange-red, and finally turn into deep purple-red, just like the paint on the palette. Here, tourists can take a cruise ship to travel on the Rideau Canal. The maple leaves on both sides are as hot as flames, reflected on the sparkling water, and set off the ancient bridges and buildings; or you can choose to hike through the greenway, enjoy the various forms of maple leaves along the way, and feel the wonders of nature.Canada · Ottawa
ByWard Market
ByWard Market dates back to the 1820s, when British military officer John By decided to build a market on George Street in the Lower Town, marking its beginning. This area is a well-established commercial hub along the Ottawa River, making it perfect for a stroll or leisurely shopping. Today, it has evolved beyond a simple farmers' market into a bustling, mixed-use area. During the day, it is a shopping district selling fresh produce, flowers, and handicrafts. At night, it transforms into a dining and entertainment area, with bars and restaurants brightly lit. It blends historical heritage with modern urban vitality, serving as a window into the pulse of Ottawa.Ottawa · 941m from downtown
National Gallery of Canada
Located in downtown Ottawa, the National Museum of Canadian Art is a historic art museum. The museum houses the most valuable works of art from Canada and Europe. Not only that, in addition to static paintings and artworks, there are also dynamic performances in the museum. For example, piano performance, orchestral performance, vocalist singing performance, etc., these are also a kind of art. There is also a library in the museum, so that tourists can consult some information about the art collection.Ottawa · 900m from downtown
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall has been the workplace and residence of successive Governors General since Canada's founding in 1867. The residence still frequently hosts state ceremonial events, such as investiture ceremonies and cabinet swearing-in ceremonies, serving as a window into Canadian ceremonial traditions. The main building is a three-story gray structure with a simple and dignified style. The grounds, covering dozens of acres, are a highlight for visitors and offer something to see in every season. The grounds continue a century-old tradition of commemorative tree planting, where visiting royals and heads of state have personally planted saplings. These have now grown into a forest, and strolling through it feels like reading an open-air history of diplomacy. Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson was the first Chinese-Canadian to reside here.Ottawa · 2.7 km from downtown
The National War Memorial
The National War Memorial is a war memorial in Canada. The entire monument is built of granite and, including the twin statues of "Peace" and "Freedom" with wings spread at the top, stands approx. 21 m tall, making it a striking feature of the downtown cityscape. Completed in 1939, the centerpiece of the monument is 22 bronze figures passing through a granite arch—they are not 22 specific martyrs, but represent different branches of the military that participated in World War I, symbolizing the entire nation answering the call to battle. Each figure is approx. 2.4 m tall, slightly larger than life-size, with distinct poses and expressions. The area is surrounded by tulips, cedars, and other plants, making it look solemn and beautiful.Ottawa · 310m from downtown
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint opened in 1908. Its main limestone building is in the Tudor Revival style, with a rustic, imposing stone exterior, and it still produces actual coins today. It does not mint coins for daily circulation here, but rather commemorative coins, bullion coins, and various medals—the medals for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics were produced in this facility. Guides will explain the coin production process, from design and mold-making to stamping, take visitors to overlook the production floor, and provide an up-close look at the gold and silver refining process. The actual Winter Olympics medals are also on display, a spot where many visitors stop.Ottawa · 1.1 km from downtown
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica was built starting in 1839 and completed in 1885. The entire structure is grand and imposing; its impressive twin towers, interior columns, wall carvings, and statues of saints are all the meticulous work of 19th-century artists. The stained-glass windows inside the church are particularly exquisite. Visitors may enter to tour the church when mass is not in session. A brochure is available at the church entrance, outlining many of the church's special features, including the intricate wood carvings and the dazzling purple-blue ceiling.Ottawa · 935m from downtown
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature is located in Ottawa and is an ideal place to explore natural history. The museum building itself is a historic Gothic Revival-style building with a magnificent exterior and rich and diverse exhibitions inside, covering a variety of fields from geology to biodiversity. There are several permanent exhibition halls in the museum, including the Dinosaur Hall, the Mineral and Gem Hall, and the Canadian Nature Hall. The Dinosaur Hall displays many dinosaur fossils, which is especially suitable for family tourists and dinosaur enthusiasts. The Mineral and Gem Hall attracts the attention of geology enthusiasts with its rich collection of minerals and gems. The Canadian Nature Hall introduces Canada's ecosystems and wildlife through interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. The museum also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and educational activities suitable for visitors of all ages. Visitors can learn about recent exhibition information and event arrangements through the museum's official website. There is a cafe and gift shop in the museum for visitors to rest and buy souvenirs. The museum is conveniently located in the city center and is accessible by many bus routes. It is an important stop on the cultural exploration tour of Ottawa.Ottawa · 1.2 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Ottawa
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Free things to do in Ottawa
Parliament Hill
Ottawa · 371m from downtownRideau Canal
Ottawa · 2.9 km from downtownByWard Market
Ottawa · 941m from downtownRideau Hall
Ottawa · 2.7 km from downtownThe National War Memorial
Ottawa · 310m from downtownNotre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Ottawa · 935m from downtown
Peace Tower
Ottawa · 453m from downtown
Centennial Flame
Ottawa · 270m from downtown
Major's Hill Park
Ottawa · 664m from downtown
Rideau Falls
Ottawa · 2.2 km from downtown
What travelers say about Ottawa
YoYo_1I8Q7O5OOctober 1, 2026
5.0
Visiting the Canadian Parliament was a great experience. The building's exterior is exquisite with delicate stone carvings, and the interior chambers feature spectacular dome paintings. The guided tours provided clear explanations of federal history, and the free reservation system made it easy to book admission.
Parliament Hill
_TI***dvOctober 12, 2026
5.0
A must see and do if you are in Ottawa. It is very relaxing and peaceful stroll. We are here in the fall and with the colourful leaves, it felt fresh and beautiful scenery.
Rideau Canal
M25***40December 12, 2020
4.0
Byward Market is very interesting. Friends who like to visit the market and see local life should not miss it. There are many things on sale here, fresh and inexpensive. It is very interesting and you can buy a lot of delicious and fun things.
ByWard Market
圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃December 27, 2022
5.0
The National Gallery of Canada is not very large, with two floors, divided into modern art, indigenous culture and art, American, French, and Dutch galleries; even if you just want to browse, it is best to set aside 3 hours. The gallery houses works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, and Renoir.
National Gallery of Canada
BetTerDAYJuly 28, 2020
4.0
I went to the Governor General's Palace of Canada twice. The first time was just to check in, and the second time was because I saw in a travel note that there were trees planted here by two Chinese leaders, so I went there specifically to look for them one by one, but still couldn't find them.
Rideau Hall
gbvikingJanuary 9, 2022
4.0
Canada first followed Britain and later followed the United States, and they also fought many wars.
The National War Memorial
小思文May 17, 2021
4.0
The Royal Mint is also a place you can visit. It is an important coinage place in Canada. It cannot be visited here. The external buildings are quite old. Currently, paper money is the main currency. The previous metal currency is becoming less and less common inside this foundry.
Royal Canadian Mint
zhulei831230August 6, 2020
3.0
This church is really large, and the space inside is also spacious, but for some reason there are very few people, even tourists. You can quietly visit the beautiful arrangements inside.
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
tedbaker33April 16, 2020
5.0
This is not the first time I have played here. I feel different every time.
Canadian Museum of Nature
