Ottawa Things to Do

  • Roof of war museum -City in background
      Roof of war museum -City in background
    by PeterVancouver
  • Sign board on the Rideau Skateway
      Sign board on the Rideau Skateway
    by kenHuocj
  • Beavertail, an Ottawa Foodie Institution, deelishh
      Beavertail, an Ottawa Foodie...
    by kenHuocj

Most Viewed Things to Do in Ottawa

  • Parliament Hill, Ottawa

    1. Parliament Hill

    Here on Ottawa's Paliament Hill there are various statues of prominent Canadian statesmen(plus a couple of English queens). The most interesting, to me at any rate, is Barbera Paterson's relatively...   more
  • Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa

    2. Canadian Tulip Festival

    In 2011 I visited the Tulip festival again both by Dows Lake and on Majors Hill Park on several occasions. On Majors Hill Park were the main events, there were international booths in a big tent on...   more
  • Byward Market, Ottawa

    3. Byward Market

    In hidden away courtyards by Byward market are several lovely works of art. My first photo is of the Tin House (2003), which I find awesome. It is the facade of a house of tinsmith Honoré Foisy. He...   more
  • Rideau Canal, Ottawa

    4. Rideau Canal

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal starts (or ends) at the Ottawa River, between the East Block of the Parliament Buildings and the Chateau Laurier Hotel. It's a pleasant stroll in the...   more
  • National Art Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

    5. National Art Gallery of Canada

    At the National Gallery of Canada is the world´s largest Canadian collection of art. What I didn´t know, but read up on later, is that 1.200 art works are distplayed on rotation, so that every time...   more
  • Parliament Hill - Changing of the Guard, Ottawa

    6. Parliament Hill - Changing of the Guard

    Don't miss this ceremony that is held from late June to late August on Parliament Hill, no matter how the weather is. Get there early in order to have a good view as the ceremony gets underway at 10...   more
  • Ottawa and area Museums, Ottawa

    7. Ottawa and area Museums

    The Garden of the Provinces and Territories is such a beautiful park, with two lovely fountains, one of which is called The Great Lakes Fountain (Emil G. van der Meulen, 1962). It symbolyzes the Great...   more
  • Views of Ottawa, Ottawa

    8. Views of Ottawa

    There are several lovely view platforms by Ottawa river. There is one especially nice with ornate information signs on the history of the Ottawa river. I love sitting here with this great view of...   more
  • Ottawa and area Parks, Ottawa

    9. Ottawa and area Parks

    Major's Hill Park is a lovely park in Ottawa. And I must compliment Ottawa's National capital commission on their great work in putting up elaborate information all over the city. It is especially...   more
  • Ottawa Locks, Ottawa

    10. Ottawa Locks

    The Ottawa Locks in Rideau Canal are a UNESCO World Heritage site. These beautiful locks with 8 locks (in flight) are located in the very center of Ottawa next to the Parliament buildings - connecting...   more
  • Inside the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

    11. Inside the Parliament Buildings

    I went on a guided tour of the Centre Block of the Parliament building - they are free of charge. The Centre Block is where the Senate and the House of Commons are located. And the beautiful Library...   more
  • Rideau Hall, Ottawa

    12. Rideau Hall

    Rideau Hall is the residence of the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston (2013). Rideau Hall has been the residence and workplace of the Governor Generals of...   more
  • Ottawa and area Churches, Ottawa

    13. Ottawa and area Churches

    The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica is Ottawa's oldest surviving church. I had somehow expected to see a bigger church, so I had dismissed this church as being an ordinary church, being used to the...   more
  • Sparks Street, Ottawa

    14. Sparks Street

    Sparks Street is one of the most interesting streets in Ottawa. It is Canada´s first pedestrian mall, so to speak. It is right down-town and stretches for several streets "cutting into" it - like...   more
  • Ottawa River/Rideau River, Ottawa

    15. Ottawa River/Rideau River

    There are so many lovely river and canal walks in Ottawa. One of them is the walk by the Ottawa River with a starting point from the War Museum. I love what they have done with this path by the...   more
  • Parliament Hill - Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa

    16. Parliament Hill - Supreme Court of Canada

    The Supreme Court of Canada was established in 1875. It is Canada´s highest court. There are guided tours, free of charge, of the Supreme Court of Canada. The guided tours are offered from early May...   more
  • Rideau Canal - Skating in Winter, Ottawa

    17. Rideau Canal - Skating in Winter

    Not sure if this should fall under "Must see activity" or "Tourist Trap". I tend to think it's both. The Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa's top attractions and a lot of fun to skate on -- although it's...   more
  • National War Memorial, Ottawa

    18. National War Memorial

    The National War Memorial (also known as The Response) stands in Confederation Square. The memorial, from grade to the tip of the surmounting statue's wings, is approximately 21.34 m (70ft). The...   more
  • RCMP Musical Ride, Ottawa

    19. RCMP Musical Ride

    During the last week of June (Monday through Friday), one can get a chance to see the famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride for free. This takes place at the RCMP stables located at...   more
  • City Tours/Bus Tours, Ottawa

    20. City Tours/Bus Tours

    Take a boat tour of the Ottawa River. Beautiful little islands, charming cottages, nice vies of the Parliament hill and Chateau Laurier from the water. Get to know how some people live around this...   more
  • General city Information, Ottawa

    21. General city Information

    There is a big spider in front of The National gallery in Ottawa - not for the arachnophobic like me. It carries a sack of marble eggs. I ventured under it and took a photo of its 26 marble eggs (see...   more
  • Haunted Walks, Ottawa

    22. Haunted Walks

    What a great way to discover the city and learn about its darker history! Follow the lantern of your tour guide to Ottawa’s numerous haunted buildings, some of which are supposed to be among the most...   more
  • Winterlude, Ottawa

    23. Winterlude

    The official opening, the Ice scultures at work, photos of the Kids enjoying Jacques Cartier PArk, Unesco Rideau Skateway, lots and lots of Photos for that unsual one, but my Flu Shot did not work, a...   more
  • Hotel Chateau Laurier, Ottawa

    24. Hotel Chateau Laurier

    On our first morning in Ottawa, Sue and I struck out on foot for the short walk toward the impressive buildings on Parliament Hill. However, the first majestic sight that caught our eyes was the...   more
  • Parliament Hill - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Ottawa

    25. Parliament Hill - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    The National War Memorial on Confederation Square is the federal memorial for all those who died in WW1, WW2 and the Korean war. The Response was unveiled in 1939. 22 figures are on the monument, they...   more

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Regina1965 profile photo

CANADA - OTTAWA

 Ottawa is Canada's capital city, although it is not the biggest nor the most cosmopolitan city in Canada. It stands by the Ottawa river in the English province of Ontario. On the other side of the... 

Greggor58 profile photo

My Home town.....a work in progress : o ]

 Ottawa is a city of 812,129 according to the Census of 2006.....this does not include the population on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River which technically has to be omitted from the population... 

kris-t profile photo

O t t a w a

 A population of over 1.2 million makes the Ottawa region the fourth-largest urban area in Canada. Canada's Capital region welcomes over 7.3 million visitors per year. 

johngayton profile photo

Definitely A Tale Of Two Cities!!

 A mere 200 years ago Ottawa didn't even exist as a placename, far less as a city, with the only settlement in the area being Wrightsville (which became Hull and is now Gatineau) on the northern bank... 

jamiesno profile photo

Ottawa, Ontario! The Canadian Capital!

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