Things to see in Ottawa

Museums & galleries

National Gallery of Canada

This is the national art gallery in Ottawa, Canada, home to a wide range of artworks. It's well worth a visit if you're traveling in Ottawa.

Museums & galleries

Canadian Museum of History

This national museum covers Canadian history, culture, and anthropology, and is notable for its striking building designed by Douglas Cardinal. It offers a broad look at Canada's heritage.

Museums & galleries

Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's national natural history museum in Ottawa, with its galleries and programs housed in the Victoria Memorial Museum Building. Its administrative and research facilities are located separately in nearby Gatineau, Quebec.

Museums & galleries

Canadian War Museum

This is Canada's national war museum in Ottawa, presenting the country's military history through a range of exhibits and memorial spaces. Located in a large building near the Ottawa River, it houses a wide array of artifacts and records to explore.

Castles & palaces

Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall is the official residence of Canada's Governor General and the monarch, set on spacious grounds on the outskirts of Ottawa. Visitors can tour the mansion, with its more than 170 rooms, along with its gardens.

Temples & religious sites

Archdiocese of Gatineau

This is a Catholic archdiocese located in Gatineau, in Quebec, Canada. It serves as the metropolitan see overseeing the dioceses of Amos and Rouyn-Noranda.

Temples & religious sites

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

A Roman Catholic cathedral near Ottawa's Lowertown. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990 in recognition of its historical significance, it's a wonderful place to admire fine cathedral architecture.

Museums & galleries

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

This national museum showcases Canada's aviation history and is located on the grounds of Rockcliffe Airport in Ottawa. Visitors can explore a wide range of aircraft and space-related exhibits tracing the country's aviation heritage.

Shopping & districts

Orléans

A suburban residential area at the eastern edge of Ottawa, Canada, along the Ottawa River. Set a little away from downtown, it makes for a peaceful place to explore.

Nature

Pink Lake

A unique lake in Gatineau Park near Ottawa, its water turning deep green in summer due to algae. Swimming is prohibited to protect the ecosystem, so it's best enjoyed on a stroll along the wooden boardwalk.

Museums & galleries

Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa is the country's national museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing its scientific and technological heritage. Its large galleries let visitors see a wide range of inventions and technological artifacts up close.

Museums & galleries

Bank of Canada Museum

This is a museum operated by the Bank of Canada in Ottawa. Formerly known as the Currency Museum, it has long explored the history of money and finance.

Shopping & districts

Nepean

A district west of downtown Ottawa that was an independent city before merging into Ottawa in 2001. It's a good place to experience everyday local life up close.

Attraction

Dominion Observatory

The Dominion Observatory was a former observatory on the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, operating from 1902 to 1970 and leading Canada's astronomical and geodetic research. Its Romanesque Revival main building still stands, offering a glimpse into its history.

Heritage & monuments

National Holocaust Monument

A memorial site about 1.5 km from Ottawa's Parliament Hill, located across from the Canadian War Museum. Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, it's a quiet place to reflect on history.

Shopping & districts

Rockcliffe

Rockcliffe Park is a residential neighborhood near downtown Ottawa with a history dating back to 1864. It's a pleasant place for a leisurely walk through streets that still retain their 19th-century atmosphere.

Heritage & monuments

Valiants Memorial

A memorial honoring 14 figures from Canadian military history, made up of fourteen life-size busts and statues. It was dedicated in 2006 in the presence of the Governor General.

Shopping & districts

New Edinburgh

A neighborhood a short way northeast of downtown Ottawa, situated between the Rideau River and the Ottawa River. It's a pleasant spot for a stroll through a quiet residential area.

Nature

Chaudière Falls

These falls form where the Ottawa River narrows, near the Canadian War Museum. Being close to downtown, it's a great spot for a stroll while taking in the refreshing rush of water.

Shopping & districts

Centretown

Centretown is a neighborhood in downtown Ottawa, Canada, bordering the Rideau Canal. The name was once used to refer to all of Ottawa west of the canal.

Shopping & districts

Vanier

An Ottawa neighborhood on the east bank of the Rideau River, long home to a working-class Francophone community. Having been an independent city until its amalgamation in 2001, it retains a distinct local character.

Parks & gardens

Confederation Square

Confederation Square is a downtown Ottawa plaza built around the National War Memorial, forming one of Canada's most iconic commemorative spaces. Ranked just behind Parliament Hill as a top attraction, it's a great spot for a reflective walk through history.

Views & landmarks

Peace Tower

A bell and clock tower rising from the center of Canada's Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, and one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Its majestic look makes it a popular spot for photos.

Museums & galleries

Canadian Children's Museum

A children's museum operated under the Canadian Museum of History, offering Canada's largest exhibition space for children under 14 and their guardians. Drawing around 500,000 visitors a year, it makes for a great experience for families traveling together.

Nature

Lac Leamy

Lac Leamy is a lake between the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers, connected to both by waterways. It also links to a former quarry lake to the south, making the two easy to explore together.

Nature

Rideau Falls

A pair of waterfalls in Ottawa where the Rideau River meets the Ottawa River. It's a spot to enjoy a refreshing cascade right in the heart of the city.

Shopping & districts

Gloucester

This area lies east of downtown Ottawa. It was once an independent city before being amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001.

Temples & religious sites

St Joseph Cathedral

St. Joseph's Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Gatineau, located on Boulevard Saint-Joseph in the former Hull district. Its quiet atmosphere makes it a great place to admire the cathedral's architecture.

Temples & religious sites

St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa

This Roman Catholic basilica on Nepean Street in downtown Ottawa is the city's oldest English-speaking parish church. It opens its doors for Doors Open Ottawa, making it worth a visit for anyone interested in architecture.

Heritage & monuments

Memorial to the Victims of Communism

A memorial in Ottawa honoring the victims of communism, officially unveiled in December 2024. It commemorates Canada's history as a refuge for those who fled communist regimes.

Shopping & districts

Hintonburg

A neighborhood west of downtown Ottawa, where distinctive shops and cafés line Wellington Street West. With Parkdale Public Market nearby, it's a great spot to stroll through one of the city's trendiest areas.

Parks & gardens

Andrew Haydon Park

This park sits along the Ottawa River and is a pleasant spot for a stroll or relaxing outdoors. Named after a former mayor of Nepean, it was designed with input from landscape architect Donald Graham.

Shopping & districts

Lower Town

This is Ottawa's oldest neighborhood, dating back to 1826. Its southwest side, home to the ByWard Market, is a lively commercial district, while the northeast is a quiet residential area.

Museums & galleries

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

This national agriculture museum sits on the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa and is set up as a working farm. Visitors can explore exhibits and programs covering the history and science of Canadian agriculture.

Shopping & districts

The Glebe

The Glebe is a residential neighborhood south of downtown Ottawa, part of Capital Ward. It's a great place to stroll along quiet streets and take in the local atmosphere.

Views & landmarks

Chaudière Bridge

This bridge crosses the Ottawa River, connecting Gatineau, Quebec, with Ottawa, Ontario, about 1 km west of Parliament Hill. Traces of the original bridge, first built in the 1820s, still remain, giving it historical significance.

Shopping & districts

Beechwood Cemetery

Canada's national cemetery, located in eastern Ottawa, is the resting place of more than 80,000 people, including former prime ministers and governors general. Visiting the graves of notable figures offers a way to reflect on Canadian history.

Nature

Lac Deschênes

A 44-km-long lake formed by the Ottawa River, marking the border between Ontario and Quebec, with Ottawa to the south and Gatineau to the north. It's a great place to take in sweeping lake views along the riverbank.

Nature

Rideau River

This river flows through eastern Ontario, starting at Upper Rideau Lake and running north to join the Ottawa River at Rideau Falls in Ottawa. At 146 kilometers long, it's a great place for a leisurely riverside walk.

Temples & religious sites

St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine

A Ukrainian Catholic shrine in Ottawa, regarded as one of the city's leading religious sites. It's a peaceful place to explore and experience Ukrainian Catholic tradition.

Temples & religious sites

St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral

This Antiochian Orthodox cathedral is located near Mooney's Bay in Ottawa, just south of Hog's Back Falls. It's a quiet spot a little outside downtown where you can experience Orthodox church architecture.

Shopping & districts

Little Italy

The heart of Ottawa's Italian community, lined with shops and restaurants along Preston Street. It's a great place to stroll and dine while soaking up the Italian atmosphere.

Temples & religious sites

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is Ottawa's oldest church, belonging to the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Its historic building lets visitors experience a sense of history in the heart of downtown.

Shopping & districts

Heron Gate

A residential neighborhood in south Ottawa. Its quiet, low-key atmosphere offers a glimpse into everyday local life.

Shopping & districts

Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is a district in the heart of downtown Ottawa, situated between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal. It's close to City Hall, making it a convenient base for exploring downtown on foot.

Temples & religious sites

Christ Church Cathedral

This Anglican cathedral sits on a hill at the west end of Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. It's a peaceful stop to take in during a walk through downtown.

Shopping & districts

Blossom Park

A quiet residential neighborhood south of Ottawa, with parks and trails winding throughout that make for leisurely walks. Nearby large shopping malls and retail streets offer plenty of everyday conveniences to explore.

Nature

Hog's Back Falls

This man-made waterfall near Mooney's Bay marks where the Rideau River branches off from the Rideau Canal. It's a refreshing sight, easily reached from downtown.

Shopping & districts

Tunney's Pasture

Located in Ottawa, this area is home to a cluster of Canadian federal government office buildings. Walking past the rows of government buildings, you can sense the atmosphere of an administrative hub in the heart of the city.

Shopping & districts

Sandy Hill

Sandy Hill is a neighborhood east of downtown Ottawa, nestled between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River, with hills and sandy soil true to its name. It's home to numerous embassies and stately old houses, making it a pleasant area to explore on foot.

Shopping & districts

West Centretown

West Centretown is a neighborhood in downtown Ottawa, home to Little Italy and Chinatown. It's a place where you can enjoy a variety of food and cultures together.

Shopping & districts

Riverview

Riverview is a residential neighborhood southeast of downtown Ottawa, along the Rideau River. It's a quiet spot for a stroll while taking in the riverside scenery.

Shopping & districts

Old Ottawa South

Old Ottawa South is a quiet residential neighbourhood between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River. It's a pleasant place for a riverside walk, with views of the nearby Carleton University campus along the way.

Shopping & districts

Old Ottawa East

This central Ottawa neighborhood sits between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River, south of Nicholas Street. Crossing the Flora Footbridge, built in 2019, lets you walk on to the neighboring Glebe.

Views & landmarks

Tour Eiffel Bridge

This small bridge in Gatineau, Canada, stands out for its intricate decorative details. Its modest yet eye-catching design makes it a nice stop on a walk.

Shopping & districts

Beacon Hill

A residential neighborhood in eastern Ottawa that once belonged to the city of Gloucester before being amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001. Its quiet streets are a good place to take in the unpretentious feel of everyday local life.

Views & landmarks

Portage Bridge

The Portage Bridge spans the Ottawa River, connecting Ottawa, Ontario, with Gatineau, Quebec. Crossing Victoria Island, it offers views of both riverside cities.

Views & landmarks

Chief William Commanda Bridge

A pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Gatineau, originally built as a railway bridge. Crossing it offers views of both riverbanks.

Parks & gardens

Major's Hill Park

Major's Hill Park sits on a hill in downtown Ottawa where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River. Parliament Hill is visible across the canal, and the National Gallery, ByWard Market and the Fairmont Château Laurier are all nearby, making it a great stop on a downtown walk.

Heritage & monuments

Peacekeeping Monument

This monument in Ottawa, Canada's capital, honors soldiers who took part in international peacekeeping operations. It's a fitting place to reflect on the sacrifices of those devoted to peacekeeping missions.

Shopping & districts

ByWard Market

ByWard Market is Ottawa's iconic market district, located near Parliament Hill in the downtown core. Open year-round, it's a great place to stroll past stalls of fresh produce, flowers, crafts and souvenirs.

Nature

Gatineau River

This 386-kilometer river flows through western Quebec before joining the Ottawa River. It's a great spot to take in the natural scenery along its broad watershed at a relaxed pace.

Shopping & districts

LeBreton Flats

This neighborhood lies in Somerset Ward in downtown Ottawa, near Centretown and Chinatown. It borders the Ottawa River to the west and north.

Nature

Lemieux Island

This small island sits in the middle of the Ottawa River, crossed by a bridge linking Gatineau and Ottawa. Though home to a water treatment plant, it's still a pleasant spot for a riverside stroll.