Things to Do in Ottawa
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Parliament Hill and Buildings, Rideau Canal National Historic Site, City Tours, Speciality Museums. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Parliament Hill and Buildings, Rideau Canal National Historic Site, City Tours, Speciality Museums. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Ottawa.
Extreme Sportsfromper adultC$190
Cultural Toursfromper adultC$29
Street Food Toursfromper adultC$88
Dinner and Show Ticketsfromper adultC$105
Duck Boat Toursfromper adultC$46
Museumsfromper adultC$21- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$295
Sporting Event Tickets & Passesfromper adultC$26
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$12
Bike Toursfromper adultC$59
Historic Sites
Bodies of Water
Historic waterway meandering through downtown, lined with scenic paths; features relaxing boat cruises and transforms into a skating rink in winter.
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Military Museums
Admission tickets from C$21
Interactive museum with a focus on historical exhibits and personal narratives from global conflicts, featuring hands-on activities and kid-friendly areas.
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Speciality Museums
Museum with a focus on Canadian and Indigenous art, set in a futuristic building. Features outdoor dining, the 'Maman' spider sculpture, and a diverse art collection.
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Churches & Cathedrals
Historic basilica showcasing intricate stained glass, serene ambiance for reflection, and an impressive organ. Hosts bilingual masses and cultural events.
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Speciality Museums
Interactive museum showcasing a blend of live displays, historic artifacts, and engaging activities across Earth's history and ecosystems, set in a historic building with ever-changing exhibits.
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Observation Decks & Towers
Architectural gem with historic Peace Tower, captivating light shows, and First Nation's history. Despite renovations, presents photo-worthy European-inspired design.
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Speciality Museums
Aviation museum with a rich array of aircraft spanning wars and eras, interactive displays for children, and a deep dive into Canadian aviation heritage.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Guided tour through the meticulous art of coin and medal crafting, with interactive displays on the history and technology behind minting. Features a diverse coin shop.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic locks with scenic views, connecting a canal to a river amidst landmarks. Enjoy watching boats and exploring nearby cultural sites like the Bytown Museum.
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Monuments & Statues
Reflective war memorial in downtown, marked by a poignant ceremony with a bagpiper. Showcases educational exhibits and honors sacrifices with a powerful "unknown soldier" tribute.
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Other Top Attractions around Ottawa
*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
- 80237travelDenver, CO2,139 contributionsI knew Parliament was under renovation and restoration.
Much of the parliamentary estate, including the chambers for Senate and House of Commons, is closed and/or temporarily relocated. And by temporarily located, it's going to be until at least 2032 until Parliament is back to normal and everything is open. So, expect to see construction for a long, long time.
Despite the renovation and restoration, they've done a very good job at ensuring there is some sort of visitor experience. The immersive experience is informative and worth booking. I believe you can also do a guided tour of the temporary chambers for the Senate and House of Commons. The gift shop, of course, is also open though finding it is a little difficult.
My only complaint is access to the grounds. Much of the parliamentary estate grounds, which include numerous outdoor monuments, is closed to the visiting public. You have to be staff, a politician or have a pass to walk around the full estate. The police are everywhere and will stop you unless you have a pass. I couldn't figure out why that is happening as walking around the exterior of the buildings on sidewalks should be allowed.Written December 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kate MOttawa, Canada19 contributionsBeautiful area and scenery particularly in summer! Relaxing and calm! Lays to explore and discover! Make sure you try the restaurants by the canal!Written December 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Flyer146824561671 contributionThe museum was very butiful and i had fun with my friends. The tank reproductions were really cool and well done. The models were very well done too. It was the best museum I have visited in my life.Written November 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Yumiko10 contributionsWe wish they had audio tour available since their guide tour was full and an audio tour could increase the experience but it is not available as this facility.Written January 1, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Wendy LaforestAlexandria, Canada966 contributionsDate night with the husband and I got tickets to the gallery.
It’s always a great time to come back too as there’s always something different to see in the special exhibit. Such a beautiful place.
Parking is easy to get to and it’s within walking distance of some great restaurants in Ottawa
Definitely a place to return too often .Written December 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - iCruzer2010Toronto, Canada45 contributionsVery nice place. Extremely beautiful. We all kept looking at the intricate architecture of this place. Would love to visit again.Written December 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Valise83 contributionsAfter a 10 year absence this was a flying visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa on a Thursday evening (5-8pm being free). Started at my favourite part - the video of the dinosaur extinction which has had some improvement to the sound and light show part of it. Bring on the lightning! Up to the top floor to see the Arctic exhibit: ecology, culture and 6 slabs of ice, real ice, with images projected onto it, that people could touch. Down to the birds, a temporary exhibit on wolves (which frankly could have been better), the mammal dioramas (which I love but the routing needs to be improved and why are people allowed to eat in galleries), the earth (the globe that showed Pangea and tectonic movements is gone as are the bats in the cavern - I was not the only one looking for them) and then the water.... miss the now gone weather section, much was ecology and climate change the "touching pool". The last we did not do as I think the creatures in the mock Pacific "rock pools" must be traumatised by all these humans invading their space.Written August 23, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dardura IToronto, Canada2 contributionsThe Peace Tower Carillon is such a special spot in Ottawa, nice placed for photos! It was inaugurated on Canada Day to honor the Armistice and Canadians in the World War one.Written January 5, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 80237travelDenver, CO2,139 contributionsThe Aviation and Space Museum is a little ways removed from downtown Ottawa and where many of the others things to do and see (at least for out-of-town visitors) are located. Still, it's worth the drive or Uber ride -- especially for anyone with an interest in aviation.
The main part of the museum is, as expected, an assorted collection of aircraft from throughout Canadian aviation history. While nothing can really be touched or explored first-hand, it is still interesting. Perhaps most interesting are some of the military aircraft that you might not see unless you were in the military in a given era.
There's also the opportunity to book a separate 15-minute plane ride on a small aircraft. This was fun, although you have to know Ottawa and the assorted landmarks since the pilot doesn't provide any kind of commentary. Still, it's pretty cool to see the city from the vantage point of a bird.
I didn't have a problem getting an Uber ride from the museum, although the wait time was almost 15 minutes. Keep that in mind.
All things considered, it's a nice museum.Written December 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PBPGYorkshire, UK8,490 contributionsA huge edifice along Sussex Drive. It looks like a castle. Costs about $12 to get in and takes about an hour. Fantastic and very informativeWritten September 22, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PBPGYorkshire, UK8,490 contributionsThese are a must see. There are historically very significant and look splendid as they step down into the river. The chambers are all full in the morning but as craft go through some are empty some full. You can walk across the top of the pock gates to get to the other sideWritten September 22, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Chris DNew Westminster, Canada3,366 contributionsI've been to Vimy, Passchendaele, Ypres, Juno, and numerous military cemeteries in France. How great to finally be able to attend here on Remembrance Day! A must for every Canadian who values their freedom.Written November 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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