Oh Ottawa! Or why we love Canada’s capital

No matter the season, Canada’s Capital is a treasure trove of impressive sights and stimulating activities, combining world-renown historic places, outdoor adventure and everything in between.

However, Autumn is a special time to visit the Ottawa area, as vibrant fall colors provide stunning backdrops to national sites, historic waterways and eclectic neighborhoods. And each year, fall celebrations and activities attract thousands of people to nearby Gatineau Park – a bucolic conservation area just a 15-minute drive from Parliament Hill.

Top things to do while in Ottawa

No matter the season, Canada’s Capital is a treasure trove of impressive sights and stimulating activities. From world-renown historic places to outdoor adventure and everything in between, here are the top ten things you don’t want to miss when you visit Ottawa:

1. Parliament Hill

The seat of Canada’s federal government and the setting for national celebrations the year round, Parliament Hill is the most visited Ottawa attraction. Each morning during summer months, the front lawn of Parliament Hill is the setting of the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony; each evening the public is invited to gather again to witness the awe-inspiring Sound and Light show – spectacular lighting effects and stunning giant images projected on the Parliament Buildings set to words and music. Both events are free. Truly a must-see!

  • Canadian Parliament Buildings in autumn seen from Major's Hill Park in Ottawa, Canada
  • Parliament of Canada, Peace Tower, Canadian Flags, Ottawa
  • Parliament Hill atop a dramatic hill overlooking the Ottawa River in Ottawa, Ontario in autumn. Parliament Hill is home to Canada's federal government and is the centrepiece of Ottawa’s downtown landscape. Ottawa is known for is high-tech business sector, vast array of museums and high standard of living.
  • The Library of Parliament and the Parliament of Canada Peace Tower as seen from the Ottawa River lookout.

2. National Cultural Attractions

Ottawa cultural attractions, museums and galleries invite visitors to experience the best of Canada all in one place. Whether it’s the stunning National Gallery of Canada, with world-class art on display, or the dramatic Canadian War Museum, these are the experiences that bring Canadian culture to life for any visitor. And why not take advantage of the National Museums Passport and save when you visit three of the seven national museums in three days!

  • Ottawa, Canada - October 11, 2014: The outside of the National Gallery of Canada in the morning. People can be seen outside
  • The Library of Parliament and the Parliament of Canada Peace Tower as seen from the Ottawa River lookout.
  • Ottawa, Canada - May 26, 2015: The Canadian Museum of History (formerly the Canadian Museum of Civilization) is a modern building designed by Douglas Cardinal
  • A winter night shot of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

3. ByWard Market

A historic farmers’ market and shopping district by day, a favourite gathering place of restaurants and clubs by night – the ByWard Market, just east of Parliament Hill, is one Ottawa neighbourhood you won’t want to miss.

  • Ottawa, Canada. September 27, 2019: People sit outside the Byward Market in Ottawa.
  • Ottawa, Canada - October 2, 2013: Part of Byward Market in Ottawa showing stalls and buildings. People can be seen near the building.
  • Ottawa, Canada - October 11, 2014: Shoppers at Byward Market in Ottawa during the day. Various fruit and vegetables can be seen.
  • Ottawa, Canada - November 5, 2012: Car Light Trails in front of Ottawa's Byward Market Building on a Clear Night

4. UNESCO Rideau Canal

A historic waterway filled with boaters spring through fall and the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter – the Rideau Canal winds through the heart of Ottawa before connecting with the Ottawa River through dramatic stepped locks right next to Parliament Hill.

  • Ottawa City and River
  • Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal, Canada
  • A beautiful view of the Parliament Hill area in Ottawa in Autumn
  • Ice skating on the Rideau Canal (UNESCO) in Ottawa, Ontario Canada (Ice skating on the Rideau Canal

5. The Outdoors – Adventure

Try whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Ottawa River, some of the continent’s finest, then top it off with some bungee jumping. The Ottawa region is also a cycling enthusiast’s dream destination, with around 800 kilometres (497 miles) of recreational pathways linking natural areas, parks, gardens and national sites.

  • "Gatineau, Canada - June 19, 2012: Two cyclists riding along the scenic cycling path with Parliament Hill in Ottawa in the background"
  • Young man bungee jumping over river.
  • Woman Kayaking
  • Young Girl in Yellow Kayak

6. Culinary scene

The culinary scene in Ottawa is in full bloom, with a thriving community of Ottawa chefs and diverse restaurants making names for themselves both at home and abroad. To experience multiple venues in one outing, book a dining tour of one of Ottawa’s great neighbourhoods – Ottawa Tasting Tours and Experience Food make all the arrangements for you. Or take a guided gourmet food tour to explore food shops, farmers’ markets and restaurants. The tasty options are endless!

  • Full background of colorful roasted autumn vegetables, above view
  • restaurant, gourmet, vegetarian food and drink,
  • Autumn pecan pie, overhead table scene with cut slice on a rustic wood background
  • Tourists are taking pictures with the Ottawa sign installed at Inspiration Village. It's known for its colorful street art and trendy stores in Ottawa,Canada.

7. Performing Arts

The Capital’s premier performing arts venue, the National Arts Centre, presents a full lineup of music, dance and theatre, plus popular touring acts and shows. Ottawa also has a thriving local theatre scene, including the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Little Theatre, The Gladstone and La Nouvelle Scène.

  • Open-air theather in Ottawa
  • Ottawa, Canada - July 3 2017: Phase 1 of the 110.5 million dollar renovation of the National Arts Centre, featuring the new glass atrium. The new building was first made available for public tours on July 1, Canada Day.
  • Group of happy people watching funny movie in the cinema. Close up of faces.
  • Slow motion of actors and actresses bowing to audience in a theater

8. Neighbourhoods/Shopping

Unique Ottawa neighbourhoods offer distinctive shopping, dining and nightlife experiences across the Capital. From the must-see ByWard Market area, to the Glebe’s community feel, to the trendy Wellington West, there’s lots of local flavour to soak up in Ottawa’s varied districts.

  • Ottawa, Canada - September 12, 2011: Ottawa is Canada capital, in the east of southern Ontario. Sitting on the Ottawa River, it has at its centre Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada.
  • "Ottawa, Canada - May 29, 2010: Thousands of people gather at the annual Glebe neighborhood garage sale which takes place for several blocks in the Glebe area of Ottawa."
  • Ottawa, Canada - October 11, 2014: Shoppers at Byward Market in Ottawa during the day. Various fruit and vegetables can be seen.

Source:

Ottawa Tourism, https://www.ottawatourism.ca/