10+ Best Things to Do in Ottawa in 2023 (A Local’s Guide)

Have you been wondering about things to do in Ottawa? I’ve got you covered!

I’m not sure why, but Canada’s capital city of Ottawa can often be overlooked. Most travellers set their sights on Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, or Vancouver. However, with so many activities in Ottawa, it really is a great sightseeing destination. It’s a vibrant, diverse, and walkable city with all the Ottawa attractions located in the downtown core. Not to mention how picturesque it is with the Gothic-style Parliament Buildings dominating the skyline. Lastly, it’s a cultural and historic mecca with lots of fun things to see and do. 

Most visit Ottawa during spring, summer, and fall- but if you truly want to experience a quintessential Canadian winter Ottawa is one of the best cities in Canada to visit. Yes, it’s cold, but the warmth of the city and the winter activities will make you forget the frigid temperatures.

Now, I might be biased. I love Ottawa. I lived in Ottawa. It’s one of my favourite cities. To me, Ottawa always feels like I’m returning home. So, come home with me – let’s explore these amazing Ottawa things to do.

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Fun Things to Do Ottawa: Top-Rated Tours

Before we jump right into the 10 Ottawa things to do, I can’t think of a better way to get to know Ottawa than some of these popular tours that visitors to Canada’s coolest capital city love.

10 Best Things to Do in Ottawa

1. Tour the Parliament Buildings

Of all the places to visit in Ottawa- the Parliament Buildings are a must! Overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill consists of three buildings: the East, the West, and the Centre Blocks. This is where representatives from across Canada gather to make laws that affect every single Canadian.

Take a self-guided tour of the exterior. Wander the grounds to take in the amazing Gothic architecture. The buildings were built between 1859 and 1927 and the details are impressive – the soaring columns, spires, stained glass windows, and peaked arches. At the back of the buildings, you will have river views straight across to the province of Quebec. 

The guided tour of the interior will take you to the Senate, the House of Commons, and what is notably known as, the most beautiful room in Canada, the Parliament Library. 

On July 1st Canada Day birthday celebrations are held on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings. This is Canada’s biggest celebration featuring live entertainment and fireworks. The gardens on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings are also one of the areas where you can see the spring display of the world’s largest Tulip Festival.   

• Tulip Festival – Fri, May 12, 2023 – Mon, May 22, 2023 (free event)
• Canada Day – Sat, July 1, 2023 (free event)

2. Stroll Sparks Street

This historic street is chock full of 19th buildings. It became where parliamentarians would live and work and where commercial banks and businesses set up their offices in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. It was named after Nicholas Sparks, a farmer from Ireland, who purchased this land unseen. He ploughed a path through this barren landscape which allowed for the development of Ottawa to begin.

In the 1960s, the city decided to make it a pedestrian-only zone, and it turned into a large outdoor mall full of shops and restaurants. It’s also where the city hosts festivals year-round – Poutinefest and Ribfest – just to name a few.

• Ottawa PoutineFest April 27 – April 30, 2023
• Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street May 31 – June 4, 2023

3. Wander on Elgin Street

Take a stroll down Elgin Street full of historical monuments and amazing architecture. At the top of the street is the National War Memorial originally built to commemorate Canada’s sacrifice in the First World War (1914–18). It now honours all who have served Canada in wartime.

Just beyond you will come across the Central Chambers National Historical Site, built in 1890 with its striking red brick in Queen Anne Revival style. A little further down, you will come across the Lord Elgin Hotel built in 1941. It’s a modern adaptation of the French Chateau architectural style. Across the street sits Confederation Park, a small but lovely park with fountains and statues. 

Lastly, end your stroll with a stop in at The Scone Witch, where their sweet or savoury scones are the best I’ve ever had!

4. Walk the Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal is the waterway that connects Ottawa to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River. At 202km in length, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historic significance. Opened in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.

Along the canal, there are 45 operational locks that function from May to October. Valves open letting the water out of the lock, and as the water drains, the boat floats down. When the water in the lock matches the water level of the downstream water, the gates open and the boat moves out and follows down the canal. It’s one of the Ottawa tourist attractions worth watching.

Locals and tourists alike enjoy the canal all year long. Whether it’s out for a stroll, run, or cycle along the paths. Kayaking down it in the summer or ice skating along it in the winter it is always full of people enjoying the city.

5. Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Known as the city’s castle, this French Renaissance-style architecture, with a touch of Gothic Revival style is an attraction in itself. It’s more than just a place to stay, find out all the things you can do here.

Here are the top 10 reasons why you need to stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier.

1. The hotel is pet-friendly. Any chance to travel with my dog will always be top of my list.  
2. It’s where royalty stays. Past guests include Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, King George IV, and Nelson Mandela to name a few.
3. Enjoy an afternoon tea service in their exquisite Jasper Team room. 
4. Get the best night’s sleep of your life. Enjoy the lux bed and bedding making it hard to get out of bed in the morning.  
5. See all of the exquisite design details of the hotel’s interiors, like the Tiffany stained glass windows, Belgian marble floors, conical turrets and elaborate staircases.
6. Savour a delicious meal at Wilfred’s fine dining restaurant. 
7.  Enjoy the spacious rooms. Or even better, upgrade to a King Suite and you get double the space – including two full bathrooms, two separate closet spaces, and two separate views. 
8. Land yourself on the best outdoor patio at La Terrasse – a secluded terrace with scenic views of the Parliament Buildings.
9. The views. Request Room 324 and treat yourself to double windows with views of the War Memorial, The Parliament Buildings and the Rideau Canal.
10. It’s a central location. All of the main attractions are within walking distance.  

6. Hang Out at Major’s Hill Park

Take a stroll through the capital city’s very first park. What was supposed to be the site for the Governor General’s residence (our country’s representative of the Queen or King of England), locals petitioned hard to designate it as a public park unsuccessfully for decades.

It was even the site for a huge party and bonfire to welcome the birth of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Not until 1874, was when the government finally liked the idea of a dedicated park and it was formed.

Today, Major Hill’s Park remains an integral part of Ottawa’s life. It offers a beautiful and quiet space for locals and tourists alike to visit. It’s a popular hang-out spot for families and continues to be the focus of the city’s events and celebrations. In particular the annual Canada Day festivities on July 1st.

7. Eat, Drink and Roam the Byward Market

One of Ottawa top attractions is the historic and wonderfully vibrant ByWard Market area which houses one of Canada’s oldest year-round farmers markets. It’s a major tourist attraction by day and a popular hot spot at night. That makes this one of the fun things to do in Ottawa for young adults.

Seek out the cool vibes at Clarendon Court, an inner courtyard with secluded cobblestone squares filled with small restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries. Some of my favourites are Oz Café, Sidedoor, and Planet Coffee. Stroll along Colonel By Drive for some of the best architecture and shops. 

Another great way to explore ByWard Market is through its food! Come hungry as you’re going to want to sample as sweet and savoury restaurants as you can! This is where you’ll find the famous Beaver Tails – a deep-fried pastry sprinkled with your favourite toppings (yes, it’s shaped like a Beaver’s tail).

Discover the food scene in Byward Market by taking a guided food tour. A knowledgeable guide will give you a behind the scenes tour, where you’ll meet chefs, producers, and food artisans taking you to some of the best places to eat.

Byward Market 2.5-hour Food Tour: check prices and book your dates (includes 6 food stops – 4 savoury and 2 sweet)

8. Visit the Museums

An interesting thing to do in Ottawa is to visit some of the city’s best museums. Ottawa’s newest museum is Canada War Museum which takes you through the country’s role from pre-confederation to the present day.

Canada War Museum: book your dates and get your entry ticket

Have an interest in flying, then a stop at the Canadian Aviation Museum is a must. A surprisingly fascinating and interactive experience all about money and the economy can be found at the Royal Canadian Mint at the Bank of Canada Museum. A popular museum for families is the Canadian Museum of Nature where you can discover natural history and sciences all rolled into one.

Canadian Museum of Nature: book your dates and get your entry ticket

 Lastly, visit North America’s largest art museum at the National Gallery of Canada.

Or why not enjoy the temporary public art that is all around the city? One of the top things to see in Ottawa is this spectacular one called Birds of a Feather. Look for the sign where it tells you about the artist and the story behind the piece. 

The last museum worth visiting is across the bridge in Gatineau Quebec – the Canadian Museum of History. Set in a cool architectural building with scenic views of the Ottawa River and the Parliament buildings learn about the 15000-year Canadian history honouring indigenous peoples.

Canadian Museum of History: book your dates and grab your entry ticket

9. Gaze upon Notre Dame Basilica

Visit Ottawa’s oldest and largest church completed in 1846. It offers dual-language services in English and French.

The cathedral is open for self-led and guided tours, as well as, hosting concerts throughout the year. It’s situated right across the street from the National Gallery of Canada and is a beautiful cathedral to see. 

10. Watch a Sunset

Does anyone else love watching a sunset, especially when on holiday? Well, I’ve got you covered. Some of the best Ottawa beautiful places to do just that.

• Rockcliffe Lookout Point
• Rideau Falls Park
• MacKenzie Papineau Monument on Green Island
• Major Hill Park

How to Get Around Ottawa

Fortunately, Ottawa is a very walkable city. Once you arrive here (by car, train or plane) you can park your car and walk to all these amazing sites.

But to add to your experience, there are countless ways to explore this city and all it has to offer. From walking tours to boat rides and hop-on-hop-off buses, there are plenty of options to see and experience the best of Ottawa.

• By Private Walking Tour. Get to know Ottawa through the eyes of a local on a 2, 3 or 4-hour private tour takes you to Ottawa’s top attractions but also the hidden gems. Check prices and book your dates.
• By Bike. Join a biking tour of 2-3 hours visiting all of the top sites. This is a popular one for families. Check prices and book your dates.
• By Hop on-Hop off Bus. Use the ease of the popular hop-on-hop-off bus to quickly get around the city to see all the top sites. Check prices and book your dates.
• By Helicopter. See the city from up above and take in stunning aerial views of the Ottawa River, the city of Gatineau, and many other incredible landmarks on a scenic private helicopter experience. Check prices and book your dates.

FAQ About Places to Visit in Ottawa

More Inspiration

If you are looking to add to your road trip from Toronto to Ottawa why not consider a stop along the way to Prince Edward County? The best of Prince Edward County includes charming towns and scenic beaches. This area boasts numerous vineyards, breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants, making it a food and wine lover’s sought-after destination.

If after you’ve explored Ottawa you want to extend your trip, don’t miss the chance to visit Montreal, known for its thriving arts and culture scene, stunning architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine. One of my areas is exploring Old Montreal, it’s a little piece of Europe.

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Be sure to check out my Canada home page where there are endless options for day trips near Toronto to small towns, like Niagara on the Lake or Creemore, as well as resources for accommodations.

As a Holidaymaker

The culturally rich city of Ottawa is such a fun, family-friendly destination. From its top attractions all year long this list highlights the best of things to do. Despite being a large city, it has a small-town feel. Especially within some of the amazing ethnic neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy. There are so many interesting things to see and do but this top 10 list was focused on the must-do when in Ottawa.