Historic Sites • Government Buildings
Things to Do in Ottawa
Popular things to do
- Self-guided Tours
- Cultural Tours
- Parks
- City Tours
- Top Picks
- Nature & Wildlife Areas
- Day Trips & Excursions
- Likely to Sell Out
- Speciality Museums
- Transfers & Ground Transport
- Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
- Monuments & Statues
- Luxury & Special Occasions
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Holiday & Seasonal Tours
- Food, Wine & Nightlife
- Government Buildings
- Multi-day & Extended Tours
- Kayaking Tours
- Theatres
- Museum Tickets & Passes
- Ports of Call Tours
- Historic Sites
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Ottawa.
Top Attractions in Ottawa
Military Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Admission tickets from CA$21.00
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Government Buildings
Byward Market Area
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Open now
Religious Sites
Byward Market Area
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Open now
Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
Byward Market Area
Flea & Street Markets
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
The Glebe / Dow's Lake
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- EliFin24119Vestal, NY47 contributionsOnly downside is that the ornate buildings are currently closed for renovations for the next decade.
Guides were very knowledgeable and approachable.
Security was effective without being intrusive.
Do carry actual COVID 19 vaccine card to keep things straightforward.
Maybe we will return when the renovations are complete.Written June 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - John ROntario's Near North, Canada11 contributionsTook longer than I expected. Good exhibits and lots of space. But the efforts to murder each other over the years made me sadWritten June 3, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Roger SL'Orignal, Canada35 contributionsThe skating surface of the canal was excellent on the 1st of Feb. 2022. It was our 5th or 6th time, skating on the canal, after 4 to 5 years of absence, The surface and the relatively milder temperature -4 to -3 Celsius with a breeze.
Having said this, the disappointing thing was the Beaver Tails. No cheese and garlic, and they were smaller, but tasty and quite costly at $7.50CAN. After all, although they are a tradition of ours to savor after a long 5.5 KM and back for a total of 11 KM skating from Dow's lake to downtown Ottawa in view of the parliament building, remembering paying $3.50CAN for a larger version and more to it.
If you go skating good, its wonderful experience...however as for the Beaver Tails, well, save your money. SORRY!Written February 2, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Jeff Y40 contributionsI'm not a huge fan of spending time indoors, at a non-art museum, when I've visiting a place new to me --- I want to be out and about, seeing the place, rather than "artifacts" I can see elsewhere or research online. But this is a beautiful old building, with the exhibits well laid out and with just the right of information to be useful and enjoyable, without being overwhelming. Two hours was just right to see the collection. Highly recommended.Written June 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- operalover939Toronto, Canada2,643 contributionsAlthough we would normally have spent at least two hours in the NGA, we were short of time because of a looming lunch date with friends. I saw the Impressionism in Canada exhibition, which we had seen in Munich in the fall of 2019. It more than merited a second visit. My wife went to the General Idea exhibition, for which I lacked time. We met in the Rideau Chapel to hear the recorded performance Thomas Tallis's Spem in alium, with forty speakers for the 40 voices that were recorded. Gorgeous music in a highly suitable setting.
One criticism: the admissions desk has been moved into the second-floor space that used to be the location of a restaurant with a superb view of Parliament Hill. This is decidedly not an improvement.Written June 8, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - John ROntario's Near North, Canada11 contributionsThe arrangement means you focus on one period at a time which real absorbed us. Great for a rainy day visit and decent hiking and biking trails right there. 9km from Parliament
Seeing the CF 16 was coolWritten June 10, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - puckstopper31Edmonton, Canada689 contributionsImpressive landmark and well maintained. Easy to walk to. These really are buildings of our heritage.Written November 10, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Laura KNew York City, NY36 contributionswe were greeted by friendly folks and sampled delicious beers, that go down more like cider with strong fruit notes.Written July 1, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- 1mammamiaWoodbridge, Canada145 contributionsThis facility offers guided tours for a fee, well worth the price. You are guided to the underground corridors overlooking the laboratories where silver and gold coins are made. Through the windows you can see a few meters from you, hundreds of gold and silver coils ready to be melted and stamped. Literally hundreds of millions in value are in the vault for you to see.Written June 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rod TOttawa, Canada30 contributionsOver the last 50 years I have visited many churches both in Europe and North America and Notre Dame Basilica is one of the best.Written June 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- George BMontreal, Canada5 contributionsAt my wife's insistence who learned about the waterfalls on her cell phone ( it is not mentioned as a mainstreem Ottawa tourist attraction ) we were pleasantly surprised by the quiet natural beauty ,lack of crowds.. Took a very peaceful walk along the shoreWritten May 27, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- John ROntario's Near North, Canada11 contributionsThe park is lovely and spacious on the sunny days but at the northern tip are the best free washrooms in Ottawa. Great views from the parkWritten June 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- MeshStratford-upon-Avon, UK194 contributionsFree to enter, inter action as you go. Extremely interesting and informative. Plenty to see and do, great fun to create your own note and able to keep as mementoWritten June 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Kevin P1 contributionSmall craft brewery that was part of our tour with great beers and very nice people make it well worth a visit if you are in the area.Written October 12, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- CYFoodLoverOttawa, Canada594 contributionsThis past Saturday was my first ever visit to the Carp Farmers’ Market and it was very enjoyable although the grounds were muddy from an early morning rainstorm. Sure, I have been to the Carp Fair grounds once for the garlic festival and another time for an outdoorsman & fishing show; but there is nothing like shopping for fresh pastries, vegetables and grabbing something to eat while you are enjoying a day’s outing with your wife!
Since she had been there more often and she informs me that a number of vendors had not shown up likely due to the weather. However we were kept busy sampling kimchee, preserved meat and homemade delicacies. There were still scores of concessions both indoor (a sort of barn) and outdoors; displaying their local farm products, home-made pastries, handicrafts and locally raised flowers to keep us occupied. Let’s say that there is something here for everyone!
Like many customers, my wife came for one particularly item that she could only find grown locally here and ended up going home with one or more shopping bags of goodies! A wonder Saturday well spent!Written September 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ottawa
- The top attractions to visit in Ottawa are:
- Parliament Hill and Buildings
- Canadian War Museum
- Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- National Gallery of Canada
- The best outdoor activities in Ottawa according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- Major's Hill Park
- Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway
- Hog's Back Falls
- Arboretum (Experimental Farm)
- The best day trips from Ottawa according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Ottawa Private Day Tour from Montreal
- Ottawa 1 Day Tour
- Ottawa City & Cruise VIP Day Tour
- Private 8-hour Tour to Ottawa from Montreal - Hotel pick up and drop off
- Canadian Tulip Festival-Ottawa May 12-22nd '23 private day tour from Montreal
- The most popular things to do in Ottawa with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Ottawa on Tripadvisor