Things to Do In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa has much to offer travelers. The city is vibrant and a must-visit destination for whoever that travels to Canada. There’s everything from food to arts & entertainment and nature in this cosmopolitan city. Here is a list of things to do in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Things to Do In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Ottawa Parliament Hill

The Ottawa Parliament Hill is where a group of government buildings is situated. Three Gothic Revival-style buildings represent the government of Canada. The Canadian Parliament building is also at this location, facing the Ottawa River, in Downtown Ottawa, Ontario. It is also home to the country’s important democratic institutions, the chamber of the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, and chamber of the Senate.

Rideau Canal National Historic Site

The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is one of the oldest landmarks in Ottawa. The purpose of building this canal, between 1826 and 1832, was to facilitate a secure pathway for British ships from Montreal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is 202 km long and is a piece of engineering excellence. The Rideau Canal is filled with boats in the summer. In winter, it turns into the “World’s Largest Skating Rink”.

National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada (Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada) is a glass-and-granite building that houses exclusive art collections from around the world. Famous architect Moshe Safdie designed this museum. The museum contains Canadian and European artworks. It also houses the Rideau Street Convent Chapel that was reconstructed in the 19^th century.

Major’s Hill Park

Major’s Hill Park is over a 12-acre area of landscaped park that is about 5 minutes from the National Gallery of Canada. It is where tulip blooms in spring and fall foliage peaks in autumn. You can catch some of the best views of Ottawa from here. You can also grab something to eat at Tavern on the Hill, which is a seasonal canteen in the park.

ByWard Market

ByWard Market is an outdoor farmer’s market where both locals and tourists go for shopping. Locals buy their produce or grab a beer or meal from here. Visitors can try culinary delights from different parts of the world. Dishes you can try here include Mexican taco, Indian naan, Pizza Margherita, a variety of cheese, and many more.

Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum is a modern building that is located right beside the Ottawa River, a 20-minute walk from Parliament Hill. The museum introduces visitors to Canada’s military history, including its wars. The exhibits at the museum covers various known historical events, like the War of 1812, from a Canadian perspective.

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

Notre Dame Cathedral is a Catholic basilica that is located right opposite the National Gallery of Canada. Consecrated in 1846, the cathedral is notable for its interior mahogany carvings and figures of the four evangelists, apostles, and prophets. It is the oldest and largest church in Ottawa.

Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is worth a visit, although it is located about a 30 minute-drive from downtown Ottawa. It is situated in a spacious underground area that was constructed in the early 1960s. Diefenbunker is one of many radiation-proof, shock-resistant, and self-sufficient underground shelters built in the country during the Cold War. Today, Diefenbunker functions as a museum dedicated to the Cold War era.

Peace Tower

The observation deck at the top of the Peace Tower is the highest point in Ottawa. From this point, visitors can see the entire city, encompassing Parliament Hill, Ottawa River, Gatineau, and more. The way up the Peace Tower gives visitors a view of the tower’s bells and a memorial room dedicated to all Canadians who dies in WWI.

Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is dedicated to animals starting from the dinosaurs up until the animals that live today. It is located in the birthplace of Canada’s national museums. This castle-like building’s construction was completed in 1910.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum is located at Rockcliffe Airport, in the northern tip on Ottawa, Ontario. The museum tells the details of the story of Canadian civil army and military aviation. One of the highlights of the museum is that it has a replica of the Silver Dart, which made the first flight in Canada. It also has exhibits of various fighter planes from the WWI and WWII.

The National War Memorial

The National War Memorial is a memorial sculpture, in Ottawa, that reminds people today of all the Canadians who fought for the country. It is also the place where you can find Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is at the foot of the bronze sculpture of WWI soldiers coming out of an arch made of granite. The base of the statue is called “The Response”, which represents the years of conflict that the Canadian army fought.

Ottawa Locks

The Ottawa Locks link the Rideau Canal with the Ottawa River. It is in use since 1832 and is operated by hand up to date. There are eight Ottawa Locks that regulate the flow of the Rideau Canal. The locks provide a gradient of 24 m on the canal that runs for more than 200 km from Ottawa to Kingston.

Royal Canadian Mint

The castle-like building of the Royal Canadian Mint is Canada’s original mint. It doesn’t produce currency for circulation anymore, which now happens in Winnipeg’s Royal Canadian Mint. However, Canada’s original mint still functions up to a certain level. It releases special-edition collector coins and visitors can go on a tour which shows the coin-making processes.

Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History is a state-of-the-art museum that is located a mere five minutes from downtown Ottawa. It was once called the Canadian Museum of Civilization and went through a name change between 2013 and 2017. The museum’s exhibits tell visitors on the history of the Canadian people from the early days up until today.

Rideau Hall

The Rideau Hall is an important state building in Ottawa, Ontario. The hall is the official residence of the governor general of Canada. It is also a meeting place various foreign ambassadors and dignitaries visiting Ottawa. It is a serene location with a beautifully-maintained lawn, private house, rose garden, and over 10,000 trees.

Conclusion

Ottawa is a beautiful city with a multitude of activities to do. It is a city that has everything for kids, teens, adults, and families, as a whole. The above things to do in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is what attracts millions of visitors, to the city, annually.