old tour ottawa

Haunted Ottawa Jail Tour

• 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
• Mobile ticket
• Offered in: English and 1 more

Don’t worry—here are some similar options

• Ghost tour of Old Carleton County Jail in Ottawa
• Suited to travelers interested in the supernatural
• Tour the reputedly haunted Carleton County Jail, a spooky 19th-century structure
• Hear tales of faceless ghosts, levitating coins, and unlawful hangings
• Choose from two evening departure times

What's Included

• Local guide
• Professional guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point.

Haunted Walk's ticket office, located just steps from Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa

• Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel 75 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9, Canada Open in Google Maps

What To Expect

The Haunted Walk

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Rideau Canal National Historic Site ( Pass By )

Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Show 1 more stop

Additional Info

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Minimum age is 10 years
• Near public transportation
• Most travelers can participate
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.

Product code: 31824P6

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Historically important and architecturally unique, the reddick mansion anchors  washington square, the site of the first lincoln-douglas debate.  built in 1855, this lovely 22-room italianate mansion was possibly the most expensive and ornate private home built in illinois before the civil war., take a step back into the 19th century and visit the reddick mansion, where numerous rooms have been restored to their previous grandeur., hours and fees - summer tour schedule.

Tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Doors will open at 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. prior to each tour.   Reservations are not required but are appreciated.    To reserve tours, visitors should call the Reddick Mansion at 815-433-6100 or send an email to [email protected].  Download a PDF Copy of the Summer Tour Schedule  

Closed on Tuesday , Wednesday, and Thursday.

New or Recent Closure Notices: Friday, August 9 - The Mansion will be closed for tours so that our volunteers may have time to prepare for the Golf Outing on Saturday, August 10.   Saturday, August 10 - The Mansion will be closed for tours due to the Putt for History Golf Outing.  

TOUR  PRICE  SCHEDULE

Adults: $15   students (k-12): $10.

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

18 of the Best Ottawa Tours

July 4, 2023 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for the best Ottawa tours to enjoy on your next visit, we’ve got you covered.

Welcome to Ottawa, the charming capital city of Canada where history, culture, and maple syrup converge! As you stroll through the picturesque streets, you’ll be captivated by the harmonious blend of old-world elegance and modern vibrancy. Ottawa’s iconic landmarks, including the majestic Parliament Hill and the enchanting Rideau Canal, proudly showcase the nation’s rich heritage. There are many things to do in Ottawa , from incredible museums and cool attractions to amazing food and outdoor activities.

There are also many cool Ottawa tours for those looking to enhance their visit to Ottawa, Ontario . Whether you’re looking for a fun boat ride down the Rideau Canal, a biking tour that takes you through scenic neighbourhoods, or a helicopter ride over the city, these are the best 18 Ottawa tours to consider.

Our Top 3 Picks: Ottawa Tours

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Small Group Tour with River Cruise

✔️ See a lot in a short time ✔️ River Cruise + Parliament Hill

Ottawa Highlights 3.5-hour Bike Tour ✔️ See a lot of the city ✔️ Bike, helmet, and guide included

Wine and Cider Tour Day Trip

✔️ See the countryside ✔️ Wine, cider, and lunch

Ottawa tours Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, we get a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use and they help keep these travel guides free. It’s a win-win! For more information, visit our  privacy policy.

1. Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (77+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 – 6 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Short on time but hoping to see as much of the city as possible? As Canada’s capital city, there are so many important landmarks, interesting architecture, and fascinating history to indulge in. Although this tour of Ottawa offers lots of sightseeing of popular areas, it also includes a visit to Parliament Hill and a Rideau Canal River Cruise to end your five-six hour tour in a nice relaxing way.

It was very handy being picked up and dropped off. I enjoyed it was a small group. Andrew was very knowledgeable and helpful. Melody, sorry not 100% sure her name, she was fantastic, knowledgeable. She made the cruise entertaining and pleasant. Bartender was also great. Thank you to the captain. -Sandra ( see more reviews )

This 4-hour Ottawa tour includes:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

2. Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Ottawa

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (60+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 10-30 Minutes | 🚀  BOOK NOW

While Ottawa has many star attractions you should visit, it’s an entirely different experience to soar over the capital of Canada in a helicopter , snapping breathtaking photos and enjoying marvellous views. Gaze out of the panoramic and curved windows and spot the serene Meech Lake and the Champlain.

In addition to the flight itself, we’ve been told that admission to the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum is included, so you’ll want to ask about that and book your tour accordingly. This is where you’ll find Rockcliffe Airport to begin your flight. See Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, and so much more from the sky. This activity also makes for one of the best date ideas in Ottawa as well!

Had a great experience. Our pilot Martin was very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. Great views, smooth ride, so much fun. -Travis ( see more reviews )

Choose between Ottawa tours such as a 10-minute flight covering 30 KM, a 20-minute flight covering 60 KM, or a 30-minute flight covering 90 KM.

This helicopter tour over Ottawa includes:

• Helicopter flight
• Safety briefing

3. Ottawa Highlights 3.5-Hour Bike Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (70+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Experience the beauty and history of Canada’s capital city on this half-day bike tour around Ottawa . See the major attractions and must-see sites while enjoying the natural pathways and waterways of Canada’s capital city. Overall, this is a great tour to get some exercise and get a taste of one of Canada’s most beautiful cities.

Did the 3.5 hour bike tour with Escapes & it was fabulous. We saw so many sites in both Ottawa & Quebec. Also learned a lot about Canadian history. Our guide, Sparky was the best. Want to go back & do the 5 hour tour. -Mary ( see more reviews )

This 3.5-hour biking tour of Ottawa includes:

• Local tour guide (in English, French, German, and Spanish)

4. Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (30+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3+ Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

As a relatively small and compact city, Ottawa is a great place to explore on a bike. If that sounds like fun, take part in this 3-hour bike tour to experience the beauty and history of Ottawa , including some of the city’s trendiest and most vibrant neighbourhoods, most of the major sites, and the natural pathways and waterways of Canada’s capital city. This tour is offered by the same company above but focused on the area outside of the busy downtown core.

My husband and I had an amazing time! The shop was easy to find. Our guide was easy going, very informative, and accommodating. Saw much more than we thought we could in our short stay in Ottawa. Great city for biking. The five hours were not strenuous nor stressful. Highly recommended! -Rochelle ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour bicycle tour of Ottawa includes:

• Use of bicycle

5. 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (218+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

With more than 200 5-star reviews, this is one of the most popular Ottawa tours. This small-group bike tour is perfect for families and those wanting a safe and leisurely way to see Ottawa in a very short timeframe of just two hours. Most of the route is on designated bike paths or quaint backroads that take you to some of Ottawa’s cultural and natural highlights, such as Rideau Hall, the Rideau Canal path, the War Memorial, Byward Market and more. Stop along the way to learn more about certain locations and get local tips from your guide.

The tour was a great way to explore Ottawa, understand its neighborhoods, green spaces, art museums and culture, while engaging all our senses. Our guide took us to places we would never have normally gone to. She was knowledgeable and very engaging. Highly recommended. -Michele ( see more reviews )

This 2-hour biking tour of Ottawa includes:

• Local guide

6. City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (46+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Beer is so much better when you have transportation taken care of. So jump aboard the beer bus for an afternoon of fun. This 4–5 hour beer tour will take you to 3 (or more, depending on time) local Ottawa craft breweries for a tour and tasting, giving you time to learn about the ingredients and beer-making process, as well as taste the creations. If you like beer and you’re in Ottawa, this is one of the best Ottawa tours you can take.

Our tour guide, Vincent, was very entertaining and spent time with us on the bus chatting. The breweries were very interesting, learning a lot about the production of beers and especially about the different hops that were used and where they come from. The selection of beers at all the breweries was very good and plentiful -Wendy ( see more reviews )

This 4-hour tour of Ottawa breweries includes:

• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• All sampling and tour fees
• Transport by school-style bus
• Alcoholic Beverages

7. Ottawa Private Tour with a Local

⭐️  RATING:  4.4 out of 5 Stars (63+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2-6 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

This walking tour of Ottawa is perfect for those looking to customize their own experience and not be with other guests. It’s your chance to explore the city with a friendly local who is passionate and knowledgeable about Canada’s capital city and ready to help you make the most of your trip. Learn about the best places to eat and buy groceries, the easiest ways to get around, and the top things to see and do. Choose between a 2, 3 or 4-hour private tour.

I had a fabulous afternoon in Ottawa and. Especially enjoyed visiting the national art gallery Guillame was a very interesting and engaging person who was a great conversationalist – I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the various highlights around Ottawa. -Happy customer ( see more reviews )

This private tour of Ottawa includes:

• Customized private tour

8. Floating Tiki Bar (Boat Tour) on the Ottawa River

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (31+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for one of the most unique Ottawa tours to do with your friends and family, this is it. Experience a slice of tropical paradise on the Ottawa River when you join a 90-minute floating tiki bar cruise . Connect your own music to the onboard speakers via Bluetooth, and bring your own food and drinks to enjoy along the way. The boat can accommodate up to 12 people, making it ideal for birthday parties or other celebrations. See the sights along the Ottawa River while enjoying a cold beverage. There’s even a restroom on board for your comfort.

We had a very good time. Staff is very friendly and it is a very original activity to do to have a drink or two in Ottawa ! -Nancy ( see more reviews )

This 1.5-hour unique tour of Ottawa includes:

• Restroom on board
• Bluetooth Audio Hookup
• Incredible Memories
• Bring Your Own Food

9. Full-Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (25+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  7 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Is there really a better way to discover a region than through its local products? That’s why we recommend this tour to discover the magnificent Pontiac region , travelling along Route 148 to visit three family-owned wineries and a cider mill. This unique wine and cider tour allows you to taste delicious local products while learning about the history of the region and the process of making these high-quality products. Spend the afternoon This tour includes lots of wine and cider tastings, food, your guide, transportation from Ottawa and Gatineau, and perhaps most importantly, a lot of laughs!

We had a great time tasting Canada’s cold climate grape varietals with Jacob and Lynn! Our guides were fantastic and funny, providing commentary along the drive. The wineries were small and quaint and delicious. The cider mill (and its owner Greg) was our favorite stop. Such a cute place! Definitely recommend this tour to see some Canadian countryside and taste some wine and cider -Erin ( see more reviews )

This Full-Day Winery Tour from Ottawa includes:

• Wine tastings
• Cider tasting
• Free pickup and drop-off from Gatineau & Ottawa

10. Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Bus Tour Pass

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (475+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1-2 Days | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Explore Ottawa at your own pace with this popular hop-on hop-off city bus tour of Ottawa that’s filled with fun, facts, and history! Stay on the bus for the complete 1.5-hour round-trip tour or hop on and off throughout the validity of your ticket. See the sights of Ottawa from a classic open-top, double-decker bus or sit on the lower deck and enjoy the inside comfort. Either way, you’ll get to see Ottawa’s main sights like the Canadian Parliament buildings, Byward Market, and more as your knowledgeable, bilingual guide points out landmarks and shares the city’s history with you.

I enjoyed the tour very much and learned a great deal about the city of Ottawa. I saw some beautiful sights and got great photo. You need at least two days to get everything in. I found that the bus was not on schedule according to the times per stop, so I found myself waiting for the bus a few times. Best time to do this tour in July and Aug is mid week days, Friday and weekends are busy. -Happy Traveller ( see more reviews )

This Ottawa hop-on-hop-off bus tour includes:

• 1-or 2-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket (depending on the option selected)

11. Bilingual Guided City Tour by Amphibious Bus

⭐️  RATING:  4.4 out of 5 Stars (601+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 Hour | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Can’t decide between a river cruise or a boat tour? Combine a little bit of them both on this unique Ottawa tour that consists of an amphibian-style bus that can travel on land and water to discover the historical attractions of Ottawa and the Ottawa River from different perspectives. Spend 40 minutes on land and 20 minutes on the water, admiring landmark monuments and attractions such as Lake Dow, Landsdowne Park, and Byward Market. This activity is both fun and educational for the entire family, and ideal for those who are short of time but want to get a taste of the city.

Very educational and fun. The guide and captain were wonderful. We enjoyed our trip on the water. -Sandra ( see more reviews )

This 1-hour Amphibian-bus tour of Ottawa includes:

• Bilingual guide
• Transportation in an amphibious vehicle

12. Ottawa Boat Cruise – Paul’s Boat Line

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars (399+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re simply looking for a tour along the beautiful Ottawa River while admiring various landmarks and getting insight via live narration, this tour is for you. Cruise by the Parliament Buildings and marvel at the mix of natural beauty and modern, urban development while enjoying refreshments or cocktails from the boat’s canteen (fees apply).

Great experience – the Crew was amazing. Beautiful scenery, great history about places. I will do it again and recommend it to my friend and family -Soleil ( see more reviews )

This 5-hour biking tour of the Niagara wine region includes:

• Bilingual commentaries
• All Fees and Taxes

13. Ottawa Boat Cruise – Rideau Canal Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars (494+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Linking Canada’s capital city with Lake Ontario, the Rideau Canal is one of Canada’s most famous landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed waterway cuts right through the city, offering a unique way to see the city. Jump aboard the world’s-largest, certified, 100%-electric, passenger vessel and cruise the canal to admire views of the Canadian Museum of Nature, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, the National Arts Centre, and more. As you look out at Ottawa, listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of colourful Canadian history and interesting facts.

Our Tour Guide was outstanding. She had a great personality. Her job skills are unparalleled. Going from English to French seamlessly, keeping the group engaged and extremely knowledgable. The entire experience was was first rate from start to finish. Reserving online to boarding and departing was very simple. Nice job. -Victoria ( see more reviews )

This 1.5-hour tour of the Rideau Canal includes:

14. Oh Canada Eh?! Dinner Musical

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (64+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

It can be hard to learn about Canada’s culture and history in just two hours, but you won’t find a more interesting way to do so than with this Canadian dinner musical ! Spend the evening getting to know Canadian culture through its music and folklore. You’ll dine on a 5-course meal while meeting characters such as a lumberjack, a Mountie, and even Anne of Green Gables. Buying admission in advance means you’ll have an evening planned out in Ottawa ahead of time with no scrambling for last-minute plans.

It was all memorable. The food was great. The music was great and the service was spectacular. I would recommend this to all my friends. This is a great night out. The energy was high. -Anne ( see more reviews )

This 1.5-hour dinner musical includes:

• Dinner & Show

15. Self-Guided Biking in Ottawa-Gatineau

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (73+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2-4 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Sometimes it’s great to just break free of the guided Ottawa tours and explore the city on your own. If that sounds like you, and you like biking, this self-guided tour of Ottawa via bicycle is for you. Choose your own itinerary and pedal your way through the city like a local, using the provided map to reach the sites that most interest you. Safe and scenic bike paths keep you away from car traffic and let you see the green areas of the region.

Very amazing experience. The way they explain the route to you really helps, plus they provide a map that guides through it. Although our map flew in water, but they explained well enough. Overall very memorable experience. -Daman ( see more reviews )

This self-guided biking tour of Ottawa includes:

• Use of helmet

16. Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (211+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

You’ve already learned about the brighter side of Ottawa, so now it’s time to take a spooky stroll through Downtown Ottawa on this guided haunted walking tour and learn about the darker side of Canada’s capital. Hear tales of the city’s haunted heritage as told by a professional storyteller.

Enjoyable and spooky tour. Nice to see some unique parts of downtown Ottawa. Our guide was very energetic, with a strong voice. She did a great job making sure everyone could hear (over traffic, and over rushing water at canal). -Omar ( see more reviews )

This unique Ottawa tour includes:

• Professional guide

17. Haunted Ottawa Jail Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (213+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Let Ottawa’s supernatural history capture your attention on this ghost walk and tour of the Old Carleton County Jail . Alongside a costumed guide, visit haunted spots such as Canada’s last functioning gallows and Carleton County Jail—now a haunted hostel—and listen to terrifying tales of unlawful hangings, faceless ghosts, and infamous assassinations. Choose from two departure times.

Olivia was knowledgeable, humorous, and her presentation was informative. Olivia patiently and kindly answered all of our groups questions. Despite living in Ottawa numerous years, we did not know of it’s harrowing history. It was eye opening! -Katherine ( see more reviews )

This haunted tour of Ottawa includes:

18. Canadian Museum of History Admission

⭐️  RATING:  4.6 out of 5 Stars (68+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 Day | 🚀  BOOK NOW

The Canadian Museum of History is one of the most beautiful and interesting museums in the country. Located in Gatineau, Quebec, along the scenic riverfront across from Parliament Hill, the Museum is housed in an iconic building designed by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal and features a collection of more than 4 million items — including archaeological material, cultural objects, works of art, documents, and audiovisual material.

Visiting museums is always the best way to take in rich cultural backgrounds with the limited time we all have. This particular visit was especially memorable since this museum was dedicated to make visitors learn about the fascinating history of Canada. I wouldn’t mind second visits as there are special exhibitions too! -Happy Traveller ( see more reviews )

This self-guided museum tour includes:

• Admission to the Canadian Museum of History
• Access to Canadian Children’s Museum
• Access to Ciné+
• Access to permanent galleries
• Access to special exhibitions
• Multilingual Museum Guide app (available for download)
• Complimentary coat check

Looking for More Than Just Ottawa Tours?

While Ottawa is easily one of the top destinations in the province, there’s so much more to see and do. For more Ontario travel guides, see below:

• Best Brunch in Ottawa
• Best Toronto Tours
• Best Niagara Falls Tours
• Best Niagara Wine Tours
• Best Montreal Tours
• Day trips from Toronto

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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The Perfect Self-Guided Walking Tour of Ottawa (2024)

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. Please refer to my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Table of Contents

Ottawa is the humble capital city of Canada, quietly nestled between Montreal and Toronto. Brimming with charm and history on every corner, the best way to explore it is through a self-guided walking tour of Ottawa.

I’ve visited Ottawa numerous times throughout my life, and I’ve always left hungry for more. And, as my dad was born-and-raised in Ottawa, I got to discover this enchanting gem through the eyes of a local.

And today, I am going to share this experience with you! On this Ottawa walking tour, I will guide you through Parliament Hill, introduce you to the best cafés and restaurants in the ByWard Market, and take you to one of the best parks in Ottawa (offering fabulous views of Quebec!).

So, if you’re ready to discover Ottawa, then let’s dive right in.

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Ottawa

While this self-guided walking tour of Ottawa only covers a small portion of the lovely city, you’ll get to experience its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes (and I’ve also provided some extra essential Ottawa sights down below!).

This walking tour might also take you all day to complete, but don’t worry; you can take things out if they don’t fit your schedule. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Parliament Hill

• Cost : Free
• Hours : Open 24 hours/day
• Time Estimate : 60 to 90 minutes (not including a guided tour)
• Website : https://visit.parl.ca/sites/Visit/default/en_CA

First, let’s start our Ottawa free walking tour at its biggest and most gorgeous attraction: Parliament Hill.

With its soaring Peace Tower, breathtaking, European-influenced architecture, and vast, delightful grounds, Parliament Hill is hands-down one of the most beautiful spots in Ottawa.

Whenever I visit Ottawa, whether it’s for a week or a weekend, I always stop by Parliament Hill.

I personally love admiring the majestic views of the Ottawa River from the hill. And in the summer, you can even see the changing of the guard!

Needless to say, even if you’re planning an Ottawa 1 day itinerary, Parliament Hill has to be at the top of your list.

Some of the top things to see and do include:

• Admire the Peace Tower , Centre Block , and Centennial Flame (while they are currently under renovation, they’re still worth checking out!).
• Book one the free guided tours . Right now, tours are being offered at the Senate of Canada Building , House of Commons at West Block , and East Block . They are 30 to 60 minutes long. They also fill up fast, so book in advance!
• Explore the main Parliament Building on a self-guided tour , which takes around 45 minutes.
• Check out some of the statues scattered around the hill. My favorites statues are Terry Fox, the Famous Five (who won the “Women are Persons!” case in 1929), Lester B. Pearson, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
• Appreciate the War of 1812 monument.

You can easily spend a whole day at Parliament Hill. However, we’re going to continue on our Ottawa walking tour.

After you’ve soaked in all of the charming views and sights, head northeast on Wellington Street (near the Centennial Flame) to our next destination: the National War Memorial.

2. The National War Memorial

• Time Estimate : 15 minutes
• Website : https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/national-inventory-canadian-memorials/details/9429

The National War Memorial commemorates all Canadian Armed Forces personnel who have sacrificed in times of war. Also referred to as “The Response,” it is a solemn and powerful monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at its center.

Unveiled in 1939, it was initially built to pay respect for the soldiers in World War I. However, it has since evolved to commemorate all Canadians who have served in time of war.

As this is one of my favorite monuments, it is an essential stop on all walking tours in Ottawa. To truly appreciate the National War Memorial, I recommend taking a moment to read the inscriptions and reflect.

When you’re ready, you can head to our third destination: the Rideau Canal Locks. Only 260 feet (80 meters) away, you can get there by continuing northeast on Wellington Street.

3. The Rideau Canal Locks

• Time Estimate : 20 minutes

The third stop on our walking tour of Ottawa are the Rideau Canal Locks. Built in the early 19th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a marvel of engineering and a must-see Ottawa attraction.

The Rideau Canal covers around 125 miles (202 kilometers) of the Rideau and Cataraqui Rivers, and it’s probably one of my favorite Ottawa walking routes. With the picturesque and idyllic views, I always find it meditative to wander along the canal.

And in the winter, a portion of the Rideau Canal turns into the world’s largest skating rink! While I’ve never had the pleasure to skate on the Rideau Canal, it definitely sounds like an extraordinary experience and one of the best things to do in Ottawa in winter.

Nevertheless, on this walking tour of Ottawa, we’re just going to quickly stop and admire the locks. The canal locks allow boats to travel up or down the steep hill by filling or emptying a chamber with water. While there are 47 locks total, our stop showcases locks 1-8.

Once you’re ready to move forward, it’s time to head to the ByWard Market. Head northeast on Rideau Street, then turn left onto Dalhousie Street; it should take around 10 minutes to complete the journey.

4. ByWard Market

• Cost : Free to enter (but the amount you spend depends on the amount you eat!).
• Hours : Most vendors are typically open from 9 am-5 pm, but it depends on the business.
• Time Estimate : 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Website : https://www.byward-market.com/

This stop on our self-guided Ottawa walking tour is essentially an Ottawa food tour. The Byward Market is a bustling and vibrant outdoor market with over 600 vendors selling a wide array of goods – from fresh produce and local meats to delicious pastries and artisanal cheeses.

It’s also home to numerous restaurants and cafés, making it the perfect spot for foodies (and for our lunch break!). I personally love gorging myself on some iconic BeaverTails (a Canadian fried dough pastry with a ton of sweet toppings) and bubble tea.

However, you can treat yourself to any sort of cuisine: poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), pizza, pub food, Thai, Mexican, French, Italian… the list goes on and on.

So, take a break and have a delicious bite to eat! And don’t forget to explore the market as well, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells while sampling some of the tasty treats on offer. Don’t forget to pick up some maple syrup to take home as a delicious souvenir!

And if you’re interested in booking a ByWard Market Food Tour that takes you to all of the best spots, click here.

When you’re ready to get moving again, head northwest on Dalhousie Street to our next stop: the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

5. Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

• Hours : Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm.
• Website : https://notredameottawa.com/

The next stop on our Ottawa travel itinerary is the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Not only is this stunningly beautiful church free to visit, but it’s also one of the most iconic and beloved landmarks in Ottawa.

As you step inside, the grandeur of the cathedral will take your breath away. The intricate details and vibrant colors of the stained glass windows are truly a sight to behold. Take a moment to admire the ornate altar and intricate ceiling, and feel free to snap some photos (without flash, of course).

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica is also a functioning church, so be sure to check their website for mass times if you’d like to attend a service. And don’t forget to take a moment for quiet reflection or prayer while in this beautiful space.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica also offers guided tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 pm to 5 pm. Tickets cost $10, and you can buy them in the Café des Tours in the church.

After you’ve absorbed all the beauty and history of the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, it’s time to head to our next destination: the National Gallery of Canada.

6. Optional: The National Gallery of Canada

• Cost : $20 for adults, $18 for adults ages 65+, $10 for students and those 24 and under, and free for children ages 11 and under.
• Hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Time Estimate : 2 to 3 hours.
• Website : https://www.gallery.ca/

Next, the National Gallery of Canada is home to a vast collection of Canadian and international art. From traditional paintings to contemporary sculptures, this museum has something for every art lover.

While I’ve listed this stop as optional (due to the time it takes to tour and appreciate all the art), it’s an essential visit on any Ottawa itinerary. I personally love art galleries, so I make sure to visit at least one gallery every trip.

Once inside, I recommend taking your time exploring the various galleries and exhibitions. Don’t miss out on the Canadian and Indigenous art collections, which includes pieces from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists.

And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry – the National Gallery has plenty of free options as well. Every Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm, you can visit the Gallery for free! But you still have to book a ticket, so plan your trip in advance.

After you’ve appreciated the stunning artwork, it’s time to proceed to the final stop on our walking tour Ottawa: Major’s Hill Park.

7. Major’s Hill Park

• Time Estimate : 30 to 60 minutes
• Website : https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/majors-hill-park

Last but not least, the final stop on our Ottawa self guided walking tours is Major’s Hill Park. Located next to the National Gallery of Canada, Major’s Hill Park is an enchanting downtown oasis that offers breathtaking views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

This is one of my favorite parks in Ottawa, and I love to simply wander around its grounds (especially at sunset!).

While the park has been used since 1826, it wasn’t officially established as a park until 1875. Covering 5.06 hectares of land, this historic park is perfect for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or simply taking in the stunning views. Needless to say, visiting Major’s Hill Park is one of the best things to do this summer in Ottawa.

As you stroll through the park, take a moment to check out the various monuments and sculptures, from the Anishinabe Scout to the Rideau Canal Celtic Cross.

And after you’ve had your fill of Major’s Hill Park, feel free to head back to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal Locks, or even the Byward Market for dinner; you are officially done my self-guided walking tour of Ottawa.

Thinking of taking a day trip from Ottawa to Montreal, and wondering what to do? If so, click here for my self-guided Montreal walking tour !

Other Things to Do in Ottawa

Now that we’re done our walking tour, you may be wondering… other than the Ottawa free walking tours, what else is there to do in Ottawa?

Well, I like to split the rest of the sights into two categories: the absolute best tours in Ottawa, and the most insightful and incredible museums.

These are the most awesome Ottawa tours that you have to check out:

• Admire the Breathtaking Views of Ottawa by Helicopter : If you’re interested in marveling Ottawa’s beauty from up high, then you have to book this scenic helicopter tour.
• Book an Exciting Night Tour with a River Cruise and Light Show : Starting with a lovely sunset cruise on the Ottawa River, this tour provides charming views of the bustling city of Ottawa and offers front-row seats to the “Northern Lights” show on the parliament buildings!
• Fill your Growling Stomachs on a ByWard Food Tour : If you’re looking for the best Ottawa food tours, then you have to book this 2.5-hour tour. Guiding you through the vibrant ByWard Market, you’ll get a true taste of Ottawa.
• Explore Ottawa through a City Bike Tour : One of the best Ottawa city tours, this 2-hour bike ride is the perfect way for families, couples, friends, and solo travelers to get a feel of the quaint city.
• Experience Ottawa on Water with a Rideau Canal Cruise : If you’re interested in exploring Ottawa and Gatineau City by water, then this tour is the way to go.

And here is my list of the absolute best museums in Ottawa:

• Canadian Museum of Nature : At the top of our list is my favorite museum in Ottawa! From dinosaur fossils to marine mammals, this museum is a great pick if you want to learn more about natural history.
• Canadian War Museum : This fantastic museum outlines Canada’s rich military history, including World War II, the War of 1812, and more.
• Canadian Museum of History : Located across the river in Gatineau City, the Canadian Museum of History focuses on anthropology, culture, and ethnology (which includes special exhibitions on the First Nations people).
• Canadian Aviation and Space Museum : If you’re interested in Canada’s history of flight and space exploration, then you have to check out this museum.
• Canada Science and Technology Museum : Another great museum that’s part of the Ingenium family, this one focuses on science and technology throughout Canada’s history.
• Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum : Located 25 miles (40 km) west of downtown Ottawa, this Cold War museum is located in a large, underground concrete bunker.

Accommodation in Ottawa

After spending all day on your feet on my Ottawa walking tours, you may be craving for a comfortable and homey place to rest. So, you may be wondering, where should I stay in Ottawa?

Well, here are my top picks!

Luxury Options :

• Fairmont Chateau Laurier Gold Experience : The most famous, luxurious, and stunning hotel in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. This majestic castle is also conveniently located next to Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal Locks.
• Le Germain Hotel Ottawa : Located in downtown Ottawa, Le Germain Hotel Ottawa is a modern and sleek hotel with accommodating staff and spacious, beautiful rooms.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• The Business Inn : For a comfortable stay filled with great amenities, from a free continental breakfast to a 24-hour fitness room, the Business Inn is the place to go.
• ByWard Blue Inn : If you’re looking for a homey and comfortable hotel offering daily breakfast and afternoon tea, then I recommend the ByWard Blue Inn.

Budget Accommodations :

• Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel : Interested in sleeping in a restored jailhouse? Then the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel is the place to stay! With clean and (very) secure rooms, I highly recommend this unique hostel.
• Auberge des Arts Bed and Breakfast : For a bed and breakfast located around 650 feet (200 meters) from the ByWard Market, the Auberge des Arts Bed and Breakfast is the perfect choice.

And That’s It for our Walking Tour of Ottawa!

I hope you enjoyed this walking tour of Ottawa. It’s one of my favorite cities in all of Canada , and I’m not biased (even though my dad and grandmother are proud Ottawans).

The city has so much to offer, from stunning architecture and history to delicious food and outdoor adventures. So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, I hope this tour gave you a fresh perspective on Ottawa and all it has to offer.

Now go out there, explore, and don’t forget to grab some tasty poutine while you’re at it!

Thanks for reading the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and if you want to see more self-guided walking tours and travel itineraries, make sure to check out my other articles.

Photos by Mia and Pixabay.

If you’re interested in my other self-guided walking tours around Canada, check out my Vancouver walking tour!

About to embark on an incredible trip around Canada? Here are some of my favorite Canadian destinations:

• The Ultimate Self-Guided Montreal Walking Tour
• The Ultimate Self-Guided Vancouver Walking Tour
• The Perfect 7-Day Canadian Rockies Road Trip: How to Drive from Calgary to Vancouver
• The 15 Best Hikes in Vancouver
• 22 Incredible Hikes Near Vancouver
• The 6 Best Hikes in Whistler, Canada
• 18 Spectacular Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

And here are some helpful articles and additional links to make your trip as awesome and stress-free as possible:

• Click here for my walking tours
• Click here for my travel itineraries
• Click here for my hiking guides
• Click here for more posts on North America
• Click here for more posts on Canada
• Click here for more resources

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Mia is the founder of Walk a While with Me, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the best self-guided walking tours, travel itineraries, and hikes for destinations around the world. A keen traveler, she has visited more than 20 countries in the past six years. She is excited for you to follow along on her adventures!

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Ottawa in a Day – A Walking Tour of the Best Sites

Visit Parliament Hill and all the major sites around downtown Ottawa on our one-day walking tour. We visit the best that this world-class city, Canada’s Capital , had to offer.

Table of Contents

What to See in Ottawa

One day in Ottawa is perfect to easily visit the city’s main attractions. With a second day, explore Ottawa’s fantastic national museums.

1 Day in Ottawa

• Explore Parliament Hill’s buildings and walkways. This is Canada’s seat of government.
• See the Ottawa Locks on the Rideau Canal and the historic Château Laurier .
• Take a break in Major’s Hill Park and explore the monuments and buildings in the neighbourhood.
• Visit the ByWard Market , a popular area for both visitors and locals.   Sparks Street is another option for shopping and dinner.
• After dark , many downtown sites are brightly lit.  See the beauty of Parliament Hill, the National War Monument, the Rideau Canal and Château Laurier at night.

2 Days in Ottawa

• Complete the Day 1 itinerary above.
• Visit a few of Ottawa’s National Museums .
• Walk the Ottawa River Pathway , part of the Capital Pathway , from the Rideau Canal Locks to Richmond Landing, near Victoria Island, OR Visit beautiful Rideau Falls and the parkland to the northeast of downtown.

Ottawa Walking Tour Map

This self-guided walking tour of Ottawa is about 3.5 kilometres long and can easily be covered in one day.

The settlement around where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River was originally called Bytown. Founded in the 1820s during the construction of the canal, its name was changed to Ottawa in 1855.

In 1857, Ottawa was chosen over Kingston, Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto as the capital city of Canada.

Our walking tour starts on Parliament Hill, the seat of the Canadian government.

Parliament Hill

The Hill is 22 acres of land bounded to the north by the Ottawa River, the east by the Rideau Canal, the south by Wellington Street and the west by Kent Street. There are a number of interesting things to see here.

Centennial Flame

The Centennial Flame monument and fountain is one of the first spots people stop when visiting the Hill. On the southern edge of the lawn along Wellington Street, the fountain base is 13-sided, one for each province and territory of Canada. Each side shows the provincial or territorial coat of arms, its floral emblem and the year that it joined Canada.

The Flame was built for Canada’s Centennial Year festivities and meant to be temporary. However, Canadians liked it so much that it became permanent. The flame burns year-round and the fountain’s water never freezes.

Looking north from the Flame, there are three, large, neo-Gothic buildings around the lawn. From left to right, they are the West, Centre and East Blocks . Their construction began in the 1850s. All were complete by 1866 to welcome the first Parliament of Canada after confederation in 1867.

Centre Block and the Peace Tower

In 1916 a huge fire destroyed the Centre Block. The current Centre Block and the Peace Tower were built in the 1920s.

Over 90 metres tall, the Peace Tower is a freestanding bell tower connected to Centre Block. Centre Block contains the Senate Chamber, the House of Commons and the offices of a number of members of parliament, senators, and senior administration.

In 2019, a multi-billion dollar restoration project began to remove hazardous materials, repair and modernize Centre Block for completion in 2031.

Library of Parliament

The circular library at the back of Centre Block is topped with a dome 40 metres above the floor. The wood-panelled walls are carved with over 1,600 designs.

It opened in 1876. It has a hallway separating it from Centre Block with fire-proof, iron doors. These doors allowed the library to survive the 1916 fire which destroyed Centre Block.

Tours of Canada’s Parliament

During the renovation of Centre Block, tours of the Peace Tower and the library are not available.

Free guided tours of Canada’s Parliament are available at the temporary locations of the Senate Chambers and the House of Commons and the East Block. While the renovation is underway, the Senate will sit in the Senate of Canada Building , formerly Union Station, and the House of Commons sits in the West Block. Be sure to plan your visit in advance, as visits are not allowed when the chambers are in session. Only 1 small bag is allowed and will be screened prior to entry. Lockers are not available.

Monuments on Parliament Hill

There are many monuments on Parliament Hill honouring important figures in Canadian history.

Walk the path behind Centre Block to see the Statue of Queen Victoria and the Victoria Tower Bell. From the path enjoy the view over the Ottawa River to Gatineau, Quebec and the beautiful Canadian Museum of History . Find the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald , Canada’s 1 st Prime Minister.

Continue along past the monument of Robert Baldwin and Sir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine , important figures in the work toward Canada’s confederation. Three monuments face Wellington Street in front of the East Block. From west to east, they are the War of 1812 Memorial and statues of Sir Wilfred Laurier 7 th Prime Minister and William Lyon Mackenzie King , Canada’s 10 th Prime Minister.

As you reach Wellington Street, turn left and walk toward the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rideau Canal Locks

The Ottawa Locks, numbers 1 through 8 on the Rideau Canal, are the largest single set of locks on the entire Rideau system, providing a lift of 24 metres. Transiting this set of locks takes about 1.5 hours.

The 202-kilometre-long Rideau Canal, joining Ottawa and Kingston, was completed in 1832. A series of natural lakes and rivers make up ninety percent of the system. They are linked by hand-dug canals, dams and locks. The canal is operated by Parks Canada for the use of pleasure craft only.

In the winter, the canal from these locks to Hartwells Locks (7.8 kilometres) is drained almost dry. When the remaining water freezes solid, the world’s longest skating rink is opened for FREE public skating, 24 hours a day. Typically the skateway is open from January to late February.

The Bytown Museum is on the west side of the locks. 

For a great road trip from Ottawa, be sure to check out our article, Rideau Canal Towns – A Scenic Road Trip to Ottawa . Discover more locks and beautiful towns along the famous Rideau Canal.

On the east side of the locks is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

Château Laurier

Built for the Grand Trunk Railway between 1908 and 1912, the hotel was designed to look like a chateau in France’s Loire Valley. Over the years this luxury hotel has hosted royalty, politicians from Canada and around the world, celebrities and Canada’s wealthy. Today the hotel welcomes guests to over 420 rooms.

When the Grand Trunk Railway became part of Canadian National Railways (CN) in the early 1920s, Chateau Laurier was one of its most important hotels. CN’s hotels were purchased by Canadian Pacific Hotels (CP) in 1988. The hotel was renamed Fairmont Chateau Laurier in 1999 when the CP chain merged with and became Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

To the north of the hotel is one of Ottawa’s popular green spaces.

Major’s Hill Park

During the construction of the Rideau Canal, the area was a military reserve. Lieutenant-Colonel By, canal construction supervisor, and his family lived on site. When construction was complete, the hill became a park and was named for By’s successor, Major Bolton.  It’s always been a popular place for outdoor relaxation, hosting many of Ottawa’s major events.

Enjoy a lovely walk through the park. The paths on the west side of the park offer expansive views of the Ottawa River over to Gatineau, Quebec.

Leave the park at the intersection of Mackenzie Avenue and Murray Street at the northeast corner of the park.

Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument is on the large traffic island at this intersection. Canada has a long history of peacekeeping. This monument honours the thousands of Canadians who’ve served and continue to serve as peacekeepers in the world’s conflict zones.

Continue across Murray Street to Maman, a spider sculpture by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, and the National Gallery of Canada .

The Royal Canadian Mint is on the north side of the art gallery. Tours must be arranged in advance to this Victorian-style building, home of the mint for over a century.

From the Maman sculpture, walk across Sussex Avenue to the beautiful, twin-spired church.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, a Roman Catholic minor basilica, is the oldest, and largest, church in Ottawa. It was listed as a Canadian National Historic Site in 1990.

The cathedral was constructed between 1841 and 1846. A design change in the middle of construction led to different architectural styles between the lower and upper levels. On the lower level, the doorways and windows are simpler and less ornate, typical of neo-classical style. The upper window openings are more typical of neo-gothic style.

The steeples were completed by 1862. Originally covered in tin (as was typical of many French-Canadian churches), today they are covered in steel.

The beautiful, painted interior is filled with many wooden statues of religious figures.

Walk east along St. Patrick Street, the boundary of the ByWard Market neighbourhood.

ByWard Market

The ByWard Market Heritage District is bound by St. Patrick, Dalhousie, Rideau and Sussex Streets. The area includes some of Ottawa’s oldest heritage structures.

York Street is the commercial core of the district. ByWard Market Building is an indoor public market, popular with locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the area’s shops, eateries and bars.

Before the 1820s, this area was a bog. It was drained when construction began on the Rideau Canal to build housing for construction workers. The resulting town was called Bytown in honour of Colonel By. Along with the housing, there was a commercial district and an outdoor market area. The first formal market building was built in the 1840s.

Over the years the market and area served the neighbouring farming communities and the lumber industry of the Ottawa Valley. It was the core of the French-Canadian and Jewish communities.

After exploring the market, grab a selfie by the Ottawa sign at the west end of York Street. Get a picture the funky stairs which connect Sussex Street and Mackenzie Avenue in the background.

Walk back toward Parliament Hill. Across from the Chateau Laurier, on the southwest corner of Sussex and Rideau Streets is the old Union Station building.

Senate of Canada Building

This is the temporary home of the Canadian Senate Chambers, while Centre Block on Parliament Hill is under renovation. When the building opened in 1912, it was the Grand Truck Railway’s Central Station. It was later renamed Union Station.

Continue west on Rideau Street which becomes Wellington Street.

National War Memorial

The War Memorial reminds visitors of the sacrifices of Canadians in wars around the world. It stands 21 metres high. The arch and base are granite and the figures are bronze.

The original memorial only noted the years of World War I. It was dedicated in 1939. Nothing changed until 1982 when the memorial was updated to include the years of World War II and the Korean War and rededicated. In 2014, the years of the South African War and the mission in Afghanistan were inscribed.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added in 2000. It contains the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier from a war cemetery near Vimy Ridge, France.

The National Arts Centre is to the southeast of the memorial, along Elgin Street. See theatre productions in both English and French, opera and other musicals, and classical and contemporary dance performances.

Confederation Park , an urban park with sculptures and fountains, is across the street from the Arts Centre. Created in 1967 as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations, the park hosts many of Ottawa’s festivals.

The walking tour ends at Sparks Street.

Sparks Street

From Elgin Street on the east to Lyon Street on the west, Sparks Street is a pedestrian zone. End the day by grabbing a bite to eat at one its many restaurants.

Ottawa at Night

Ottawa is a stunning city at night as many of the buildings and monuments are illuminated.

A great place to start is the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. It is impressive at night.

Continue east on Wellington Street to see the National War Monument, the Rideau Canal and Château Laurier, all beautifully lit.

Best Museums in Ottawa

On your second day in Ottawa, visit a few of these great museums.

National Gallery of Canada

Canadian museum of nature, canadian war museum.

• Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau)

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Diefenbunker museum, bytown museum, bank of canada museum.

The gallery displays Canadian artwork, including works by Inuit and First Nations artists, as well as some European artworks.

National Gallery tickets can be purchased in person or online.

Discover Canada now and through time from coast to coast to coast in six natural history galleries. There are also live creature exhibits.

Timed-entry tickets to the Museum of Nature are required and can be purchased in person or online

Opened in 2005, the museum has a number of exhibitions on Canadian and world history.

Timed-entry tickets to the Canadian War Museum are required and can be purchased online, in advance.

Canadian Museum of History

The museum’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions explore Canadian and world history.  There is also a world class Children’s Museum.

On the banks of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, this beautiful building is over 25,000 square metres on 4 floors. Opened in 1989, it was designed by Metis architect Douglas Cardinal.  The first documented Canadian history exhibit was a small exhibit in part of the geological museum in 1856.  

Timed-entry tickets to the Canadian Museum of History are required for both general admission and the children’s museum. They must be purchased online, in advance.

The exhibitions, demonstration stage and Exploratek bring Canada’s history in science and technology innovation to life. There’s so much to discover in the museum’s 7,500 square metres of fun. Built in 1967, an $80 million renovation of the whole building was complete in 2017.

Timed-entry tickets to the Canadian Science and Technology Museum are required. It is recommended that they be purchased online, in advance.

This 9,300-square-metre, 4-storey, underground bunker was completed in 1961. Built to shelter top government officials during a feared nuclear attack, thankfully, it was never used. It was decommissioned in 1994.

Tickets to the Diefenbunker Museum can be purchased in person or online for both self-guided and guided tours. 

This well-maintained museum is in the oldest stone building in Ottawa. It houses many interesting exhibits about building the Rideau Canal. It was the supply house for food and equipment to Colonel By and the Royal Engineers.

Check the museum website for opening hours and ticket information.

The museum is the home of the Canadian Currency Collection, the most complete collection of Canadian coins, tokens and paper money in the world. Every denomination of Canadian bank note from every series up to today is part of the collection. There are also international currencies and trade items.

Learn about the economy, inflation and the history of money itself. From using seashells as money, to tree bark bank notes, it’s all here.

Check the Bank of Canada Museum website for opening hours and ticket information.

Are Ottawa Museums Free to the Public?

Unfortunately, unlike the museums in Washington DC (the United States capital), most of Ottawa’s National museums are not free.  Almost all charge admission.

Beyond Downtown Ottawa

These are some great options if you want to explore some of Ottawa’s green spaces.

Rideau Falls and Green Island

At Rideau Falls, the water of the Rideau River drops 12 metres to the Ottawa River. Rideau Falls is actually two waterfalls with Green Island between them. This area was once dense, red-and-white pine forest.

For millennia, the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers were the highways for Indigenous traders and hunters. The name Rideau (curtain in French) was given to the river and falls by Europeans arriving in the 1600s.

New arrivals to Bytown in the 1830s saw the falls as a way to generate power. By the end of the 19th century, several mills were producing many products including flour, timber and cloth. Much of it was exported to the United States and Europe.

Power is still generated at the falls but the mills are long gone. In the 1920s some were converted into government buildings.  In the 1950s, the government reclaimed the land around the falls, adding it to the system of parkland along the Ottawa River. It remains open for all to enjoy.

This is also the heart of the international sector of Ottawa where many international embassies are found. The Prime Minister’s residence and Rideau Hall are just north of the falls along Sussex Drive.

Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Canada

24 Sussex Drive is the official residence of the Canadian Prime Minister. Built in the 1860s for a lumber baron, it was acquired by the Canadian government in 1943. It’s been the Prime Minister’s residence since 1949 and is NOT OPEN to the public.

Rideau Hall

1 Sussex Drive is the Governor General’s residence and workplace. Stonemason Thomas McKay completed it in 1838. He worked on the Rideau Canal and built several mills at the falls. Originally there were 11 rooms. Expanded over the years, there are now 175 rooms and the building is over 5200 square metres. Less than 10% is dedicated to living quarters with the rest used for affairs of state.

The hall and the grounds including many heritage gardens are open to the public.  Free guided tours of the residence and the grounds are available.  See the Rideau Hall website for further details of the tours and security protocols in place.

Capital Pathway

The pathway, one of the most extensive in North America, has more than 200 kilometres of off-road multi-use paths in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. These connect with on-road cycling routes, municipal trails, sidewalks, and walkways in urban parks, and hiking trails in Gatineau Park. Part of the pathway is on Canada’s cross-country Great Trail.

The Pathway is for everyone; pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, in-line skaters, people with a mobility impairments, skiers, snowshoers and snow bikers.  Visit the Capital Pathway website for maps and further details.

Victoria Island

This island is located on the Ottawa River. Two bridges linking Ottawa and Gatineau span the island but access by car is only available from the Chaudiere Bridge. Non-vehicular traffic can access the island by the Capital Pathway system.

The island was important to the development of industry in Ottawa and Gatineau due to the power generation from Chaudiere Falls. Much of the island is now green space. Ruins are all that’s left of the first mill to produce acetylene gas from calcium carbide. The process was invented by Thomas Wilson in the late 19th century.

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One-Hour Walk: Old Ottawa South

When it comes to urban walks, Old Ottawa South has so much to offer: Rideau River parks, Rideau Canal views, coffee shops and more. If you’re looking to shake up your daily stroll, check out this 55-minute loop around one of Ottawa’s most charming central districts.

When I say “walking around Old Ottawa South,” I mean it quite literally: This route takes you roughly around the perimeter of this downtown neighbourhood tucked between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River. The map above is a basic option, but you can tweak it as you like (I tried tweaking it on Google Maps, but the embedded version shows Google’s default route).

A few route notes

If doing the route counterclockwise, I’d turn north off Aylmer Avenue via Rosedale rather than Leonard, to enjoy an extra block of gorgeous homes overlooking the Rideau Canal.

Normally, I’d take Canal Woods Terrace south from Colonel By Drive (rather than Seneca Street, as shown on the map), then cross Sunnyside Avenue and continue along Sloane Avenue to cut through Brewer Park. That makes the route a bit longer, for more of a workout.

Finally, I’d choose to take Wendover Avenue south from Cameron Avenue to Linda Thom Park, rather than busier Bank Street. However, the advantage of taking Bank Street is that you can do a little window or actual shopping along the way.

Why do this walk?

• You can say hi to the many, many ducks that converge on the Rideau River near Billings Bridge.
• You can enjoy a nice view of Lansdowne Park from a high point above Colonel By Drive at the corner of Avenue Road and Echo Drive.
• You can fuel up with a hot drink and a treat from all sorts of cafés (including Black Squirrel, Happy Goat, Life of Pie, Oat Couture, Bridgehead and Dessert First) by taking a quick detour onto Bank Street.
• If you bring your skates and the Rideau Canal Skateway is open, you can hit the ice from the stairs just west of the Bank Street Bridge. For universal access to the canal, keep heading west; there’s a ramp just past the Bronson Bridge.
• And you can extend your walk by wandering into Brewer Park from the corner of Seneca and Cameron.

Getting to Old Ottawa South

If you’re driving to the neighbourhood, you can park on most side streets for three hours, but DO check the signs to be sure; some streets have a one-hour parking limit. There’s also a small parking lot for Windsor Park at the end of Windsor Avenue, and a bigger parking lot at Brewer Park.

If you’re coming by bus, OC Transpo routes 5, 6 and 7 go right through Old Ottawa South, or you can take a Transitway bus to Billings Bridge Plaza and walk about 10 minutes north.

For more details on what to see and do in the neighbourhood, check out my in-depth guide to Old Ottawa South .

Looking for more ideas for things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter or pick up a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide .

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First , a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.

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Heads up: photo contest, kingston tour discount, meteor..., escape to these gorgeous lavender farms near ottawa, enjoy a scenic drive from spencerville to kemptville.

I have in the past organized scavenger hunts (for visitors from Ottawa) that included what I think are interesting places to see and notice in the downtown and also in Ferguson Forest. Be sure to visit Grahame’s Bakery (not open on Monday), Rotary Park where you can see many murals of early days in Kemptville, Al Capone’s home and many more.

[…] For more tips on visiting the neighbourhood, see my more extensive guide to New Edinburgh. And if you’d like to try another one-hour walk in Ottawa, check out my walking route through Old Ottawa South. […]

[…] in the first post in the series, I laid out a 55-minute walk through parks and side streets in Old Ottawa South. This week’s one-hour stroll meanders through New Edinburgh and takes you to Rideau Falls and […]

[…] If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy this one: One-Hour Walk: Old Ottawa South. […]

[…] Old Ottawa South, just south of Lansdowne Park, is another neighbourhood that’s easy to reach by bus or bike. Stroll along the Rideau River in Brewer Park and Windsor Park, keeping your eye out for the herons that like to fish where the water breaks over rocks. From late spring through early fall, rent a kayak or a standup paddleboard from Ottawa SUP. Then reward yourself with some tasty scones from Life of Pie. You’ll find tips on all that and more in my post about a one-hour walk through Old Ottawa South. […]

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Historical highlights walking tour.

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Our most popular tour is the 2-hour Historical Highlights Walking Tour. This guided walk includes stops at Parliament Hill, The National War Memorial, Major's Hill Park, and much more!

The Sussex Drive- Lowertown Walk

The Sussex Drive- Lowertown Walk focuses on the highlights and dramatic sights found along this historic drive and within the vibrant Lowertown community. This tour is a perfect follow-up to the Historical Highlights walking tour!

Try our wonderful new "Downtown Art" Walk led by Julie Hodgson. Join us for a fascinating tour of some of the many works of art in public spaces in downtown Ottawa. Learn about the art and the artists who made the works, the role of public art, and some of the materials used.

Our new "Path of Heroes" tour is specifically designed for elementary students in grades 3 through 8 (ages 7-13). This 2 hour tour features fun, interactive games and activities to facilitate students' learning of local and Canadian history. The content of the tour covers many strands of the social studies curriculum. The “Path of Heroes” tour features fascinating stories about the lives of many famous Canadians and their impact on our country.

The Perfect Ottawa Itinerary: 2 and 3 days (2024)

Looking for an Ottawa itinerary for two days or three days? You’re in the right place. 

Ottawa is a beautiful city, the capital of Canada and has a lot of fascinating history behind it. There is lots to do right city centre, which you can explore most of on foot. The downtown is pedestrian-friendly and very scenic, with year-round changing beauty.

I live about 5 hours away from Ottawa, and have been there a number of times as a tourist, and to visit friends. I’ve spent several weekends in Ottawa. I was also lucky to be selected for a citizenship conference that allowed me to explore all of the government and politic buildings.

Being familiar with Ottawa and the surrounding area, I know how to craft an Ottawa itinerary that is perfect for a weekend (2 or 3 days.) Of course, this itinerary can be used any time of the week.

I’ve designed a 2-day Ottawa itinerary, with an optional 3rd day add-on to use if you have the extra time.

So, let’s walk through a great Ottawa itinerary to show you the best of what Canada’s capital has to offer.

2-Day Ottawa Itinerary

This 2-day Ottawa itinerary is perfect for a weekend getaway in Ottawa.

Here are a few things to know about this Ottawa itinerary:

✅  It’s suitable for all ages

This itinerary can be done with young couples, families, and seniors.

✅  There is quite a bit of walking.

You will need good, comfortable shoes because you will be doing a minimum of 1 hour of walking each day.

If you want to reduce the amount of walking you’re doing, then you can opt for the hop on hop off bus to make it easier.

✅  The itinerary can be used year-round

Ottawa is one of the best places to visit in winter , and its beautiful from spring to fall too. I have been to Ottawa in all seasons, so you will see photos from different times of the year through the photos on the itinerary.

Ottawa Itinerary : Day 1

There are a few optional activities to book in advance for your first day in Ottawa:

We will be passing by the following attractions on the first day, which will give you an option to visit the inside (if you choose.) They are:

• The National Gallery of Canada . If you decide to go inside, then tickets can be purchased here .
• The Parliament buildings , which can be viewed from the outside only or free private tours can be booked their website.

1. National Gallery of Canada

To start off your first day in Ottawa, head to the National Gallery of Canada. This is a short walk from the downtown core.

Get photos of the building, and the large spider-looking sculpture just outside of it. This sculpture is called the Maman, and its a giant spider carrying an egg – it is meant to symbolize fertility and protection.

You can also see the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in the background, a church from the 1800s. Its not common to see churches like this in Ontario.

If you are choosing the visit the inside of the National Gallery, then you’re in for a treat. I really enjoyed it. It will take about an hour to 90 minutes to see everything inside.

After seeing either the inside or just the outside of the National Gallery, head over to the Alexandra Bridge Lookout (its only about 10 minutes from the gallery.)

2. Alexandra Bridge Lookout

From the Alexandra Bridge Lookout you can get beautiful views of the Ottawa River, and parliament buildings along the shore.

You will only need a few minutes to enjoy this lookout, and the great view.

After taking your photos, walk over to the Byward Market.

The Byward Market is about 15 minute walk from the Alexandra Bridge lookout.  

3. Byward Market

The Byward market is open 7 days a week, every day of the year except for Christmas – so its likely to be open when you’re there.

In the summer at the Byward Market, there will be outdoor stalls, but in the cold months it will be mostly indoor. I definitely recommend taking a stroll through the Market. It’s a great place to find local handicrafts and Canadian souvenirs .

Not only is the Byward market a foodie area, but its an artsy part of town too. There are statues and public art displays throughout the Byward Market , and the OTTAWA sign which is just outside the market.

If you’re hungry, this is a great place to grab a bite to eat. You can grab something from the market, or there are ethnic options nearby (Gyupee Japanese Grill or Khao Thai) or a French restaurant called Chez Lucien.

There is a lot to take in at the Byward market; inside and outside, so give yourself at least 30-45 minutes in this area, to take it all in and get something to eat if you choose to.

After having enough of the Byward market, walk off your meal by heading over to Parliament Hill.

Parliament Hill is about a 12 minute walk from the Byward Market.

4. From Byward Market to Parliament Hill 

During your 12 minute walk over to Parliament Hill, you will be passing a few interesting things to see. (So, it may take longer than 12 minutes, as you’ll want to stop, take photos and admire the landscape.)

First, you will Rideau Canal Locks. At the locks, you will see the Chateau Laurier, Ottawa’s most luxurious hotel which has been open for over 100 years.

Be sure to stop here, take in the views and take some photos.

If you’re in Ottawa in winter (and if its cold enough) you can skate on the Rideau canal for free. In the warm months, you can simply admire the views from the lock.

You will then pass through Confederation Park, where you’ will ‘ll see the National War Memorial. The memorial commemorates Canadians who have died in all the major world wars, from the First World War and beyond.

Snap some photos of the war memorial, and then continue on to Parliament Hill (only another 2 minute walk from the war memorial.)

5. Parliament Hill 

You’ve now reached Parliament Hill. You can see three buildings in front of you (known as the parliament buildings.)

The tallest building in the centre is known as the Peace Tower , also known as Centre Block. The ones beside it are East Block and West Block.

You can spend a good half an hour at the Parliament buildings, or more, depending on your preferences.

You can walk right up close to the parliament buildings, or admire them from a distance. Most tourists simply view the Parliament buildings from the outside, but I would highly recommend booking a tour to see the inside.

Tours of the parliament buildings are offered in English and French, and are free of charge. Currently, at the time of writing, tours of Centre Block are not available, but will likely be reinstated in the future once the construction is finished.

Tours of East and West Block are currently available and can be booked online.

After touring the inside of the Centre Block, you can take some time to walk around Parliament Hill, as there are some interesting monuments to look at: The Lester B. Pearson Monument, and the Victoria Bell Monument

If you still have some energy to walk around after seeing the parliament buildings, then I recommend heading over to Sparks’ street for dinner (one block away from Parliament Hill.)

Sparks street is a pedestrian-only street lined with lots of restaurants and shops.

7. Day 1 Wrap up:

Your first day in Ottawa has been a busy, but hopefully a fun day. You’ve been able to tour the downtown core and enjoy a lot of the old town views. 

You will have done quite a bit of walking, so be sure to grab a hearty meal and rest your feet.

If you still have some energy left later on, then I recommend doing the Haunted Walk of Ottawa. It’s fun way to see Ottawa by night and hear about some of Canada’s more sinister past.

If not – get some rest, to be ready for the 2nd day of your Ottawa itinerary.

Ottawa Itinerary: Day 2

There will be quite a bit of walking today – probably about double the amount of yesterday, (depending on how much time you spent touring the national gallery and parliament hill.)

If you want a break from walking , then I recommend grabbing tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus tour for your 2nd day in Ottawa. It costs $39.99 for adults, and $27.00 for kids.

If you’re doing the 3-day Ottawa itinerary, then buy a 2-day pass. If today is your last day (and you don’t want to go on a long walk, then buy a 1-day pass.)

In addition, booking tickets to the Canadian Museum of History online in advance will save you time.

Although Ottawa is a very walkable city, the walking distance between attractions plus the walking inside attractions can really add up.

So, let’s jump into the 2nd day of your Ottawa itineratry:

1. Cross Portage Bridge into Gatineau

The first thing you’re going to do this morning is take a walk across Portage Bridge over to Gatineau, Quebec. You will get more beautiful views of the river and of Ottawa from a different perspective.

The area is very popular with joggers. After the Portage bridge, turn right onto Rte Verte 1, and follow signs that bring you to Voyageurs Path.

Voyageurs path (Sent des Voyages) is a beautiful walkway along the river, that will give you scenic views of the city.

Voyageur’s Path paved and a very easy walk, and it soon turns back into Rte Verte 1 again.

Once you’re on the Gatineau side of the portage bridge, it will take 15 minutes to walk to the next stop, the Canadian Museum of History.

Good to Know: In total, you should plan for a total of 45 minutes of walking time between downtown Ottawa where you started to the Canadian Museum of History.

2. Canadian Museum of History

The next stop on your 2nd day in Ottawa is to visit the Canadian Museum of History (CMH), which is on the other side of the Ottawa River, in Gatineau, Quebec. 

Ottawa has many great museums, but in my opinion, the CMH is one of the most fascinating should be at the top of your list. You could spend all day here. (I recommend a bare minimum of 2 hours.)

At the CMH, you learn about human civilization in what is now Canada, dating back to the prehistoric era, up until modern times. You will see artifacts from Canada’s earliest groups of people, and up until more recent times.

There are some Canadian treasures, which any Canadian millennials and Gen Xers will remember seeing on TV when they were young.

While its fascinating for those of us who grew up in Canada, its very interesting for international visitors too.

There’s an IMAX theatre on site as well. If you’re in Ottawa with kids, then there’s also a really cool children’s museum attached to the museum that you’ll want to visit.

Pro Tip: From the museum, you can see a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Ottawa. Be sure to leave some time to take pictures before heading back.

2. Walk back to Ontario

After visiting the museum and enjoying the views of Ottawa from the other side of the river, it’s time to head back to Ottawa.

You can either walk, or take the hop on hop off bus back to Ottawa.

If you choose to walk, then you can walk across the Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge. (And then be able to say that you walked from Quebec to Ontario!)

The Alexandra bridge is long and wide, and you can see beautiful views of the river and the parliament buildings.

As you cross back into Ontario, you will also pass the Royal Mint, which looks like a mini castle.

To wrap up your 2nd day in Ottawa, you have a few options. Your choice will depend on how long you spent at the museum, and how much energy you still have.

Here are your options:

• Option # 1: You can do a 45-minute guided tour of the Royal Canadian Mint (which I would recommend) and it can be booked on their website here .
• Option # 2: Head to back Sparks street for dinner
• Option # 3: If you opted to buy the hop on hop off bus pass, then you could have the bus take you to some other attractions, such as Rideau Hall (residence of the governor general in Canada) or the Canadian Museum of Nature.

If day 2 is your last day in Ottawa, then you can select one of the above options to conclude your Ottawa itinerary.

If you’re opting for a 3-day Ottawa itinerary, then you’ll have time tomorrow to do some of the above, plus more.

Ottawa Itinerary: Day 3

If you’re staying in Ottawa for a 3rd day, then you have a bit more time to see more of what makes Ottawa unique, and get to know some of Canada’s history.

If you didn’t use the hop on hop off bus tour today, then I recommend getting it today .

You have seen the circle of the downtown core, but there’s so much to see just outside of that, that it would be hard to do all on foot and still have time to appreciate each attraction.

1. Get on the Hop on Hop off Bus

After grabbing breakfast, head to Sparks street to grab the Hop on Hop Off Bus. You can find it at 44 Sparks St, at the corner of Elgin and Sparks.

It takes 50 minutes for the bus to loop around all the landmarks in Ottawa, so if you hop off, then you can catch it 50 minutes later when it comes back around.

Here are some of the stops I recommend making, (or at least taking a look at) while you’re on the bus:

Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall is the residence of the Governer General. It has beautifully landscaped grounds.

You can do a tour of the inside, or you could take a walk around the green spaces surrounding it, which include Stanley Park or Rideau Falls Park which has a little waterfall.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is where decisions are made about the most controversial cases where agreements couldn’t be reached elsewhere.

You can do a 30-minute guided tour the inside (free of charge) if you’re interested.

Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is a fascinating science museum that could keep you several hours.

I would definitely recommend getting off the bus to explore the Canadian Museum of Nature, and giving yourself at least a couple hours. Even 2 hours won’t be enough to see everything, but you’ll see a lot of it.

You can buy tickets in advance to the museum here.

Pro Tip: If your 3rd day in Ottawa happens to fall on a Thursday, then entrance to the Canadian Museum of Nature is free of charge between 5-8 pm.

3. Have a leisurely afternoon or evening

The Hop on Hop off Bus Tour is likely to give you a full day of things to visit, so I don’t imagine that you’ll have too much time left over (if any.)

If you do didn’t get off at any of the stops and you have some time left over, then here are your options for the last day of your 3-day Ottawa itinerary:

• Do an Ottawa River cruise, if you’re visiting between May and October. They can be booked here .
• Walk along the pedestrian-only Sparks street (especially if you didn’t do so yesterday or the day before) and grab dinner

Where to Stay In Ottawa

• Budget: Byward Inn -Located right downtown, and offers a delicious free breakfast
• Mid-Range: Novotel Ottawa City Centre -Trendy 4-star hotel with an indoor pool in downtown Ottawa, steps from the Byward Market and Rideau Canal.
• Luxury: Fairmont Chateau Laurier Right next to the Ottawa River, and Parliament Hill and steps away from the Byward Market.

How to Get Around Ottawa

The downtown area of Ottawa is very pedestrian friendly and walkable, but there are a few ways to get around both the downtown core and the outer neighbourhoods

The downtown of Ottawa is very walkable, and you can see quite a bit on foot.

However, when you total up everything to see, it adds up to quite a bit of walking, especially if you’re going to be walking around museums too – be sure to wear good, comfortable shoes for exploring Ottawa.

Hop on Hop off Bus

There is a hop-on-hop-off bus tour which can make it easy to get around to different attractions around the city.

Ottawa has a bus system called OC Transport .  It’s easy to use their map and set the destinations you want to find bus routes that can take you there.

Driving or Uber

You don’t need a car to get around most of the attractions in the downtown core of Ottawa. However, if you want to see anything that is beyond the heart of the city, then a car might be useful (especially if you aren’t booking the hop on hop off bus.)

Additional Things to Do in Ottawa

Besides what was mentioned above, there are a lot of things to do in Ottawa, and the surrounding areas.

You may wish to add them to your 2 or 3-day Ottawa itinerary, but I think you will need more time in the area if you want to include any of these things.

Here are more things to do in Ottawa and the surrounding area:

• Do a tour of Ottawa’s breweries
• Visit the Diefenbunker Cold War Museum , which is just 20 minutes outside Ottawa
• In winter, go skiing at Calabogie Peaks (tallest hill in eastern Ontario) or ice skating at the Lac De Loops Forest Trail
• The town of Arnprior is one of the cutest small towns in Ontario , and located along the Ottawa river, just 45 mins from Ottawa

Ottawa Itinerary FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about visiting Ottawa, and how much time to spend there

How many days in Ottawa is enough?

You need about two days in Ottawa to really enjoy the downtown core, with the parliament buildings, Byward Market and riverfront views of the Rideau Canal and Ottawa skyline. Two days also gives you enough time for a few museums, tours and experiences.

How to spend 3 days in Ottawa?

For three days in Ottawa, you can spend the first few days in the downtown core visiting most of the attractions on foot. (There may be one or two where the hop on hop off bus will come in handy.) For the third day, use the bus system or a car to take you to attractions beyond the city limits.

Is it easy to get around Ottawa without a car?

It’s very easy to get around downtown Ottawa without a car. The city is very walkable, and small; especially compared to Toronto.

Final Thoughts on an Ottawa Itinerary

There is quite a lot to see in Ottawa in terms of museums, but its also a beautiful walkable city with a lot of scenic beauty. From historical sites, famous landmarks, interesting museums and outdoor activities, Ottawa has a lot to offer, whether you’re visiting in summer, winter or in between. 

I hope that you enjoy our beautiful capital city, and are able to take in the picturesque scenery of the historic buildings along the Ottawa river, and learn some fascinating details about Canadian history.

How To Spend One Day In Ottawa: An Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here

Got One Day in Ottawa? Here’s What To Do, See, Eat, and Drink!

Interested in exploring Ottawa but a little short on time? Whether you’re visiting Ottawa on a day trip from Kingston , have a stopover flight, or are spending a day and a night in the city passing through, we’ve got you covered!

We really like Ottawa and – having explored the city many times now – we have a pretty good idea of what a first-time visitor might be looking for if they are exploring Ottawa in a day.

There are top attractions like ByWard Market and Parliament Hill, plenty of activities and museums to visit, lesser-known places to eat and drink, and much more.

So, here’s our version of an Ottawa day itinerary (for both the summer and winter seasons)!

Oh, and if you are staying one night, check out the ByWard Blue Inn or The Business Inn . Both are very popular accommodations in good, central areas.

Ottawa Tour Options

Being the capital of Canada, Ottawa is a popular destination to explore. Luckily, there are several tour options to help you discover Ottawa in different ways!

• Ottawa Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• 2-Hour Express Sights Bike Tour
• Ottawa Brewery Tour (via Bus)
• Ultimate Ottawa Sightseeing Tour (w/ Canal Cruise)

Table of Contents

Breakfast at Wilf and Ada’s

Address: 510 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Z4, Canada

Alright – so it’s breakfast time in Ottawa. You’re going to need a  big  breakfast to fuel up for this day. 

We got up from our accommodation in Centretown, did a quick Google search, and walked right to Wilf and Ada’s . We are very, very glad we did!

This tiny diner near Highway 417 is on Bank Street, so it’s really easy to get to from downtown.

Inside, we found a small diner that was already packed (it was like 9 am on a weekday!). Luckily, we were only two people, so we got seated at what was the last table. 

The menu is really good – with brunch classics that are sweet and savoury to meet all tastes. Eric had a Classic Breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans (and more) while Lisa had an Eggs Benedict Florentine.

She HIGHLY recommends hers if you go because she really liked it. The server was also super nice, so that’s always a plus!

In any case, head there for breakfast – coffee was a free refill and the food was delicious!

Getting Around Ottawa The city of Ottawa is pretty spread out, but the best attractions are basically all within walking distance close to downtown (a few exceptions apply). Also, the city is relatively flat – with hillier areas if you walk down towards the Ottawa River from Wellington Street or if you walk down to ByWard Market from Parliament Hill.  You can check out the  Ottawa Transport (OC Transpo) website  for city buses and look into different rates. They have a day ticket available if you want to rely on the bus. Cycling is also an option – bike rentals are available and popular in the warmer months. We wouldn’t recommend using a car to get around Downtown as parking and re-parking would be a hassle.

Morning Activities: Explore Canadian History, Culture, and Art

Okay, so once you are done with breakfast, it’s time to head back downtown along Bank Street. Basically, walk as far as you can and you’ll hit Parliament Hill.

This is where we started the morning – and we basically checked out the following attractions/hot spots downtown or close to downtown. Read below for the things that we got up to – all before lunchtime!

Parliament Hill

Address: 111 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4

Of course we visited Parliament Hill first thing so that we had enough time. As the centre of Canadian politics, the whole area is full of history and things to see.

We actually visited right after Canada Day, so they were just disassembling the stage from the concerts and celebrations.

In any case, there is a lot to see on Parliament Hill such as the Centennial Flame and many statues.

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We also walked behind the Centre Block along a pathway that gives you great views of the Ottawa River and other attractions below.

Even though renovations were happening all around, that path was still open to freely enjoy so be sure to do so.

You get great shots of the Library of Parliament – the historic circular structure at the rear of the Centre Block. It’s stunning to look at!

The buildings on Parliament Hill are the Centre Block with the clock tower called the “Peace Tower” and then the East and West Blocks flanking the middle building.

You can tour the buildings – but they are currently under extensive renovations for many years so the tours are all moved around. 

If you want to learn more about Canadian politics and history, you can check out the updated tour schedule here . Tours of the Senate and House of Commons are free but must be reserved in advance.

National War Memorial

Address: Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5A4, Canada

We walked down from Parliament Hill down Wellington Street towards the top of Elgin Street.

Here you’ll find the famous Locks of the Rideau Canal. We only took a quick photo of them because we explored them later in the day but you could check them out now.

Instead, we headed to the square across from the Locks to the large monument that you cannot miss.

This is the National War Memorial – a tribute to those Canadians who have served in armed conflicts. It also includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

It’s interesting to look at and a quiet, respectful place – we even caught it at a time when the guards were changing their posts.

To the south of the memorial, you can find Confederation Park – a large green space by the Rideau Canal.

It was a nice place to relax because we were waiting for our tour which started in the area!

Lady Dive Amphibus Tour

Address: Lady Dive leaves from 44 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1A 0R7

The next thing we did was a guided tour – but not just any tour: the Lady Dive “Duck Boat” Tour !

Yes, we went on the tour that drives you around on land and then drives into the water and becomes a boat tour!

We actually bought our tickets online beforehand but they have a booth close to the pick-up/drop-off so it would be easy to just show up.

The tour itself was actually really fun – the live guide spoke in both English and French and pointed out many attractions.

If you’ve never been to Ottawa before, it’s a great tour for orientating yourself.

We then crossed into Quebec on the tour and drove into the Ottawa River – which was such a strange feeling but completely safe!

Exploring Ottawa from the water was a different perspective that you can’t get many other ways so we liked that, too. Kids on the tour got to take a photo with the captain which made for a fun atmosphere.

After a big loop, the boat left the water and became a bus again and we got to see places further out like Rideau Hall. Overall we’d recommend the Lady Dive Boat Tour for the experience.

We also decided to do a morning tour as it was not as hot yet. This ended up being a good decision.

If you want to explore the Ottawa River on a tour, but the Lady Dive doesn’t sound like something for you, you can also take a regular boat cruise with Capital Cruises .

This tour boat leaves from the bottom of the Locks down at the river level so it’s easy to get to/find from downtown.

We actually passed this boat while we were on our tour and it looked like a nice boat (see above).

Sparks Street

Location: 45°25’23.8″N 75°41’47.1″W

Once we got off the Lady Dive Tour, we were already getting hungry so we walked towards lunch through Sparks Street.

Sparks Street – fun fact – is considered the oldest pedestrian mall in Canada.

It crosses the whole downtown core from west to east (sort of) and is loaded with shops, stalls, restaurants, souvenirs, etc to check out.

Lisa bought postcards here to send to family – so wander through and see what you can find!

Lunch: The SconeWitch on Elgin

Address: 150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4, Canada

We only walked for about 10 minutes max from where we got off the tour before we got to lunch. Remember, everything in the downtown core is pretty close together.

Lunch was at another place we looked up online that had great reviews: The SconeWitch on Elgin.

Known for making their own scones and other fresh items, we went on an Ottawa workday just after 12:00 pm. It was BUSY – but the line moved surprisingly fast!

As for food, SconeWitch was awesome. We got one “SconeWitch”- it was with goat cheese and was really, really good.

We also got an iced coffee and a hibiscus iced tea – both of which were also great. We’d recommend checking it out for a lighter lunch that still fills you up.

Afternoon Activities: Explore Gatineau/The ByWard Market Area

Alright, so now it’s the afternoon – what do you get up to now? It was a hot summer day when we visited, so we decided to stay in the shade as much as possible and/or explore the water.

Since we had already seen the Parliament Hill area, we decided that the afternoon should be dedicated to the ByWard Market area and perhaps maybe some museums across/near the Ottawa River.

Here’s a handful of things we checked out and stuff that you might also be interested in adding to your one-day itinerary!

Rideau Canal/Bytown Museum

Address: 1 Canal Ln, Ottawa, ON K1P 5P6, Canada

One of the most famous sites in all of Ottawa (and Canada for that matter) is the Rideau Canal.

The Rideau Canal – and the Ottawa Lockstation (shown above) – are Ontario’s only UNESCO Heritage Site for the category of “Culture”.

The whole waterway is over 200 km long and stretches all the way to Lake Ontario in Kingston!

In Ottawa, stretches of the waterway are great for boating in the summer and it turns into the famous ice skating rink in the wintertime .

Close to the Ottawa River entrance to the Locks, you’ll find the  Bytown Museum , which takes visitors through the history of Ottawa as it developed over the decades!

If you want to cross the river and head to the Canadian Museum of History in Hull/Gatineau, you could do so at this point.

To get there, you can walk across the bridges – but if you are already at the Locks, you might want to take the water taxi to Gatineau.

Tickets are cheap and it’s an eco-friendly way to get across (it has an electric motor)! You can check schedules and prices on their website .

If you don’t want to head for the Museum of History, then you can just walk to the National Gallery of Canada (see both below) on the same side of the river as you are now. You’ll still have more than enough to keep you busy.

Canadian Museum of History

Address: 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, QC K1A 0M8, Canada

Across the river from the Locks and Parliament Hill, you’ll find one of the most famous museums in all of Canada – the Canadian Museum of History.

This museum is huge, features a massive Grand Hall with incredible works by Indigenous Peoples, and walks visitors through over 20,000 years of Canadian human history!

We didn’t get a chance to visit on this trip but Eric went years ago and we want to go back next time. If you want to visit, you can  get your Museum of History ticket here . 

National Gallery of Canada

Address: 380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada

If you don’t want to cross the river, you can also check out the National Gallery of Canada.

Known for the beautiful glass structures and the very large spider out front, you can see loads of Canadian art inside!

The Gallery has an inner courtyard and a cafe onsite. If you want to visit, make sure you have a few hours to spare!

It’s also a great place to visit if it’s too hot out or too cold in the winter! Here is the  official website to learn more .

ByWard Market

Address: 55 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3

After you finish up at the Gallery, a final area that you have to explore in Ottawa (if you are only around for a day) is ByWard Market.

If you are staying late, you can have dinner here and even go out for drinks here, so don’t worry if you don’t visit during the day. 

That said, ByWard Market is full of things to do, see, eat, and drink at all hours of the day!

The market area is packed with bars, restaurants, and shops that surround the original Market Building – which has a few food places and shops itself.

In the summer, stalls fill some streets and sell everything from fresh produce to flowers.

We wandered around and ended up stopping for a drink at one of the many bars in the area  (El Furniture Warehouse). You could have a sweet treat and opt for a “BeaverTail” which is deep-fried dough covered in sugar and more!

In any case, you can just hang out in ByWard for a little bit and take in the sights and sounds, do some window shopping, eat something, and even have a beverage. Up to you!

Afternoon Break: High Tea at The Chateau Laurier

Address: 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, Canada

Now that you’re done with the main part of your afternoon wander, you might need a break.

You can stay in ByWard Market for longer and have a beer or a sweet treat – or you can have a truly Ottawa experience: Afternoon Tea at the Chateau Laurier! (If high tea is not for you, then skip to the next section.)

This historic hotel is an Ottawa landmark and a very popular place to stay , too. That said, it’s also known for its food/dining experiences – and Zoe’s Lounge is where you head for a lovely high tea experience. Tea, sweets, mini sandwiches – what’s not to like?!

It’s important to book a table online in advance – especially for afternoon tea since it can fill up. You can learn more about tea and reservations at Zoe’s Lounge here .

Early Evening Activity: Explore Major Hill’s Park

Address: 1223 Alexandra Bridge, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada

Once you’re done at Afternoon tea (or in ByWard Market), there’s one more place you should visit because of the amazing views: Major’s Hill Park.

You could even have a drink at Tavern on the Hill which is located here.

Our local buddy said that we had to stop by and we are very glad we did. The park was a great way to rest for a bit before walking over to where we were having dinner. 

We went to the park at the end of our day but didn’t have a drink since we had just had a beer in ByWard.

In any case, you come here for the views over the river and the setting sun (depending on the time of year).

You COULD also just have dinner here if you wanted to. Check out the website for  hours and menus for Tavern on the Hill here .

Dinner at the Aulde Dubliner & Pour House

Address: 62 William St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7A3, Canada

Now it’s dinner time – and you must be pretty hungry given that you’ve covered quite a bit of ground today!

For dinner, we headed back into ByWard (wasn’t far from the last stop) and went to the Aulde Dubliner & Pour House.

This classic Irish pub is huge and beautiful from the outside. We got a patio table overlooking the main part of ByWard Market which was so nice.

The server was super friendly, the beer/drinks were local so that was nice to try, and our food (burgers and salmon grilled sandwich) were all really good.

If you aren’t in the mood for pub-style food, there are lots of other restaurants in the area. That said, the menu did have other non-pub food items! You can check the menu and hours for the Aulde here .

Evening: Drinks, Live Music or Evening Tour

Alright, so it’s the evening now and if you are still in Ottawa looking to round out the day, you’ve got options!

For this post, we wanted to provide you with a handful of options to match all interest levels.

So, at the end of the day in Ottawa, you just have to stay in the ByWard Market area for the famed Ottawa nightlife. However, you’ve got options for what you want to do: a night tour, live music, or rooftop terrace drinks.

Ottawa Night Tour

If you have a bit of explorer energy left, you might consider hopping on an Ottawa tour by night .

This tour starts at 6:30 pm so be sure to have dinner before but then you have the rest of your evening planned with a cruise, a light show, and more!

Live Music at Heart & Crown

Address: 67 Clarence St, Ottawa

If live music is your thing, head into the heart of ByWard where there’s music (pretty much) every night!

The Heart and Crown is a very lively Irish pub with loads of seating and a great atmosphere – whatever the night of the week.

Eric has been there for drinks and music and it was super fun. You can check out who is playing on their website . They have live music every single night from 10 until close basically. 

Rooftop Terrace Drinks at the Andaz

Address: 325 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7G1, Canada

Finally, if you just want to sit, relax, and have a nice drink with a stunning view, then you should head to the top of the Andaz Hotel.

Here, you’ll find the famous terrace bar called Copper Spirits and Sights. Known for the views overlooking Ottawa towards Parliament Hill, a great cocktail menu, and the occasional live DJ, the Andaz is definitely a place to be in the evening.

You can book a table and learn more on their website .

Related Articles

We love exploring Ottawa – so check out our other Ottawa posts to help you plan:

• Great Things to Do in Ottawa (for All Seasons)
• Where to Stay in Ottawa – Hotels and Best Areas
• Toronto to Ottawa: All Ways
• 13 Ottawa Pubs and Bars (As Told by a Local)
• Day Trips from Ottawa (+ Directions)

And there you have it, our sample itinerary for one day in Ottawa. In the end, it’s impossible to see everything in Ottawa in one day – but you can definitely plan your visit to see lots of great attractions.

This itinerary covers lots of the things that we did during our time in Ottawa and we had a blast. Let us know what you get up to – we’d love to add great activities to this Ottawa itinerary!

As always, Keep Exploring, eh? – E&L

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Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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Ultimate Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour | See the Iconic Landmarks

I recently went for a social distance photo walk with a friend downtown and I realized there are so many great spots to take photos or enjoy the view in such a small area of Ottawa! There are tons of places to visit in Ottawa and with a total walking time of about an hour, you can see so many of Ottawa’s top attractions. Most of these locations are also included in my Photography Locations in Ottawa/ Gatineau: Your Ultimate List . Read through the rest of this Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour post including things to do along the way.

It’s a total walking distance of about 5 km or 1 hour and you could definitely stretch it for an afternoon/evening for an Ottawa staycation.

Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour: Start at City Hall and walk along the Rideau Canal

Parking at city hall is about $2 on evenings and weekends and almost always has capacity so it’s the perfect place to start. to get to city hall you can: drive and park underground; take the bus and hop off at confederation park; or bike to lock up your bike outside. walk across the street to confederation park and head east to the multi-use trail..

Head north to the Rideau Canal Locks/Bytown Museum

Keep following the multi-use path to the rideau locks. this is a great spot to stop at the bytown museum or bring a picnic and sit by the locks to watch boats pass through. you can also grab a drink at la terrasse but i recommend waiting until the end for an amazing sunset view..

Follow the multi-use trail around the Ottawa River

By following the trail, you’ll catch a glimpse of some of ottawa’s iconic views including: the alexandra bridge, the museum of history (in gatineau), the national art gallery and nepean point. there are a few benches for rest stops or stop along the river bank to enjoy the sounds of nature. suggestion: this trail is also a beautiful bike ride in the warmer months. be careful of flooding in the spring.

Walk up the stairs and look back at the Ottawa River

I both wanted to look back for the view and needed to look back for a break. as part of the rehabilitation of the hill, the 298 stairs up from parliament were recently (2019) reconstructed. i was very impressed at both the people walking and running up those stairs.

Walk behind Parliament for some stunning views and a gazebo

The views from behind parliament across the ottawa river are majestic. the gazebo is a perfect setting for a picnic, to watch the sunset or to take a leisurely stroll..

Downtown Ottawa Walking Tour around Parliament Hill

Take a stroll around parliament hill (but note that centre block is under construction for the next 10-15 years). you can still see the peace tower (for now) and the newly renovated west block. if you’re still feeling adventurous, grab a free tour ticket across the street to see west block. the centennial flame is still lit..

Walk down Sparks Street

There are tons or bars and restaurants to visit along sparks street and if you’re lucky you might happen upon poutinefest, ribfest, winterlude, or another type of festival. check out the ottawa sign for a photo op (the first t is missing: become a part of ottawa and everything it has to offer), walk to the war memorial, walk down elgin street to see the nac and war memorial. you can stop for a bite to eat at 1 elgin restaurant (currently open) or equator coffee. the chamber’s building is also an iconic historic downtown building..

Walk to Major’s Hill Park for a drink at La Terrasse, to hangout in the park or bite to eat at Tavern on the Hill

This was the best sunset i’ve seen in a while and you might be lucky enough on this downtown ottawa walking tour to be out when the sky is on fire the shot below was taken from chateau laurier which leads to major’s hill park..

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One comment.

DiariesOfASpaceCase

OMG so many great pictures of this beautiful city!! And I totally agree with these recommendations 🙂

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8 Amazing Ottawa Food Tours (2024 Guide)

Table of Contents

Looking for the best Ottawa food tour?

I’ve got you covered!

If you are a foodie then you’ll know that one of the best things about exploring a new city is sampling the local cuisine, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to find the best food when you’re only just getting to know a new place. 

Guided food tours are an awesome way to really sink your teeth into a destination (pun intended!) and get to know the local food scene whilst exploring the city. 

Ottawa has some fantastic food tours to choose from. I live in Ottawa and love food tours and I’ve also taken food tours in tons of other destinations, so I know what makes for a good and tasty experience. 

I’ve rounded up some of the best tours in Ottawa for food lovers – guaranteed to leave you hungry for more!

Let’s get stuck in!

My Top 3 Picks

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ByWard Market Food Tour ✔️ 2.5 hours ✔️ 1 Tourist Attraction

Pontiac Farm Tour ✔️ Pro/Feature ✔️ Pro/Feature

Foods Of The World Exploration ✔️ Self-guided Tour ✔️ Solving Game

1. Ottawa: Taste Of The ByWard Market Food Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This is one of the best Ottawa walking tours.

On this Ottawa food tour, You’ll get to explore Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market and its food scene. 

ByWard Market is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction . The market is full of amazing food vendors and a farmers’ market. It’s one of the best places to eat in Ottawa. 

“Delicious food, animated guide, great experience. Highly recommended.” – A GetYourGuide Reviewer (Read more reviews)

During the tour of the market, you will learn about the history of the ByWard Market and enjoy a  wide variety of local foods. You’ll even have the experience of meeting local chefs, producers,  and food artisans. This is one of the best food experiences in Ottawa!

🍔 Check Prices and Availability!

2. Pontiac Farm Tour: Day Trip From Ottawa And Gatineau

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  7 hours | ✅  Book it!

This tour is one of the more unique foodie Ottawa experiences. It’s great for those who want to try something a little different from the usual walking tours. 

On this food tour, you’ll visit 4 farms throughout Ottawa Valley and the Pontiac region of the Outaouais. 

“Absolutely fantastic and a great way to explore and enjoy the Pontiac region with friends. At every stop we learned something new from the family entrepreneurs. Lunch is provided and we sampled wines, cider, charcuterie and apple pie.” – Flevert (Read more reviews)

At the farms, you can enjoy some delicious honey, savor some of the best apple pie, and try some yak meat. You will also meet the passionate farmers responsible for all these fantastic products.

This is a great tour for families, the kids will love meeting the animals and the parents will enjoy sampling the products at a family-run cider mill! 

Visiting a farm and learning exactly where some of Ottawa’s most delicious produce is made is a really fun experience and will make a nice change from just checking out the local restaurants.

3. Ottawa: Foods Of The World Exploration Game

⭐️  RATING:  3/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This is a fun self-guided Ottawa city tour and game . 

You’ll need to solve the clues and complete the challenges in order to learn about 11 of Ottawa’s most interesting eateries. Each clue will take you somewhere new to eat and you’ll get to experience some of Ottawa’s best restaurants . 

“I really enjoyed the variety of food I discovered. I managed to taste the Bakhlavas and they were great! It is best to do this on a bicycle as the walk is too long. Also, do it in the daytime or early when the restaurants are open in case you want to eat at one of them!” – Maya (Read more reviews)

The game can be paused as much as you want so you can take your time to complete the tour and even spread it out over a few days if you need to. 

As this is a self-guided tour, I suggest combining it with a bike rental . That way you can easily get between the different stops. Plus, all the cycling will help you to work up an appetite!  If you find that you enjoy cycling through the city, there are plenty of Ottawa bike tours that you could also do.

Wine And Cider Tours Ottawa

4. Full-Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau

This is one of the best food and wine tours in Ottawa! 

On this full-day trip , you’ll visit four locations in the beautiful Pontiac region, three family-owned wineries, and a cider mill. 

As well as the wine and cider tastings you’ll also get to eat lots of delicious local produce. 

This tour includes lots of wine and cider tastings, food, your guide, and transportation from Ottawa. 

“I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone. 10/10.” – Jamal_G (Read more reviews)

The guides are fantastic, not only will they provide you with lots of interesting facts but they will also keep you laughing all day! 

This is a small group tour so you will get a more intimate and personal experience and you will likely make some new friends too.

5. Petite-Nation Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau

⭐️  RATING:  4/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  8 hours | ✅  Book it!

Wine tasting in Ottawa is one of the best things to do here and one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. 

On this full-day wine and cider tour around Petite-Nation , you’ll visit 10 different wineries, bakeries, cafes, and cider mills. You will also be treated to a delicious locally sourced lunch from an excellent non-profit cafe. 

“Just WOW!! Nice organization, great tastings, good meal and attentive guide!!! I recommend to everyone without hesitation” – Melanie S. (Read more reviews)

The tour is limited to only 14 travelers, so you’ll get a fun, small-group experience and will likely make some new friends too.

All the transport is provided so you won’t have to worry about finding a designated driver!

6. Outaouais Craft Beer Tour – From Ottawa & Gatineau

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This craft beer tour will help you to discover Gatineau’s ever-growing craft beer scene. Gatineau has many fantastic microbreweries, each offering something unique.

“What a fun experience and best buck for your money!” – A TripAdvisor Reviewer (Read more reviews)

You’ll get to sample 13 tastings of beer from across 4 different locations, and you’ll also get some amazing poutine and beer from one of the most well-known beer institutions in Gatineau, the Bistro L’Autre Oeil.

Overall, this is a really fun tour. The guides are knowledgeable and really passionate about craft beer – plus you get unlimited snacks throughout the tour!

7. City Beers: Bus Tour Of Ottawa Breweries

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✅  Book it!

This is a popular and fun bus tour that will take you to three or four local Ottawa craft breweries. 

You’ll be transported around Ottawa by bus and your guide will make sure that you are thoroughly entertained in between stops! 

“Great tour and good customer service.” – avklevens2019 (Read more reviews)

One thing I like about this tour is that you get given tasting note cards, so you can track your tastings. Perfect for helping you to remember your favorite beers so that you can try them again in the future. 

The breweries are very interesting and you will learn all about the behind-the-scenes workings and manufacturing of beer. 

Overall, this is a great tour for anyone who wants a fun day out with a few drinks thrown in!

Ottawa Cooking Classes

8. C’est Bon Cooking

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:   hours | ✅  Book it!

This isn’t a food tour but it is a great experience for foodies in Ottawa. 

Taking a cooking class is a fantastic way to really immerse yourself in the culinary scene of any new destination. Ottawa has many great cooking classes to choose from. 

“We’ve visited C’Est Bon three times. Each time Chef George has surpassed himself with new and interesting recipes. The experience has always been educational, entertaining, delicious and wrapped in a healty dose of humour. ” – Ms. H (Read more reviews)

C’est Bon Cooking offers all kinds of cooking classes, from helping you to learn basic knife skills to teaching you how to make gourmet food and Ottawa food specials. There’s even an Inuit cuisine class where you can learn some indigenous recipes.

What Food Is Ottawa Known For?

Canada’s capital city has many famous and tasty dishes, but you may be wondering what is its signature dish. 

Shawarma is one food item that is often associated with the city . Ottawa is even known as being the ‘shawarma capital of Canada’. Sometimes it seems like there are more shawarma stands and restaurants than there are grocery stores ! 

Another firm Ottawa favorite is the Beaver Tail , a yummy deep-fried doughy pastry that is often topped with chocolate and other sweet treats. 

Beaver tails have been an Ottawa staple for over 40 years. Chomping down on a beaver tail in Ottawa is a quintessential Canadian experience.  Ottawa is also a great place to sample other Canadian treats such as poutine, ice cream , and

What Food Is Ottawa Famous For?

Ottawa is famous for many delicious and unique foods. One of the most famous is the BeaverTails pastry, a flat, fried dough dessert topped with a variety of sweet toppings. Another famous Ottawa food is Poutine, a classic Canadian dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese and gravy.

Can You Drink Alcohol In Ottawa?

Yes, you can drink alcohol in Ottawa, provided that you are over the legal drinking age. The legal drinking age in Canada is 19. There are plenty of wineries within easy reach of Ottawa and a growing craft beer scene. Remember to drink responsibly and always use a designated driver.

Why Should I Go On A Food Tour?

You should go on a food tour because it is a great way to discover new foods, flavors, and local cuisine. Food tours allow you to experience a destination through its cuisine, history, and culture in a fun way. You can sample some of the best dishes, as well as learn about the history and traditions behind the food.

What Happens On A Food Tour?

What happens on a food tour is that you get a guided experience that takes you to some of the best restaurants and food vendors in the city. The guide will explain the history and traditions behind the food and you’ll get a chance to sample some of the local delicacies.

Do You Tip On Food Tours?

Yes, It is customary to tip on food tours, although it is not required. Generally, a good rule of thumb when tipping is 15-20%, depending on the quality of service.  This amount should be adjusted accordingly, depending on how satisfied you were with the tour guide and their services.

What Is Ontario’s Signature Food?

Ontario has many signature foods including Maple syrup, Beaver tails (fried dough coated with butter and of a range of toppings), and Pickerel fish. Maple syrup is one of Ontario’s most iconic foods, produced using the sap of maple trees during the early spring months and used in everything from pancakes to cocktails.

Final Thoughts

Ottawa is a great city for food lovers, offering delicious local delicacies and unique flavors. 

Taking a food tour in Ottawa is an excellent way to get the most out of your visit, as you can explore the culinary scene with knowledgeable guides who will introduce you to some of the best restaurants and vendors in town. 

Whether it’s sampling Beavertail pastries or learning about indigenous recipes, there are plenty of things to do that make taking a food tour worthwhile. 

I love food tours and always try to take one whenever I get the opportunity. Food tours are such a great way to get to know a city and satisfy your taste buds! 

So if you want to experience all that Ottawa has to offer when it comes to its amazing cuisine, from exploring the ByWard market to visiting farms or taking a tour around a family-run winery, don’t hesitate to book yourself on an Ottawa food tour!

If you’re still hungry after your food tour then you can check out the best brunch spots in Ottawa or book yourself onto an Ottawa wine tour . 

More fun things to do in Ottawa

• 60 Epic Things to Do in Ottawa in Summer (Local’s Guide)
• 25 Best Beaches in Ottawa From a Local!
• 35 Best Restaurants in Ottawa Ontario From a Local
• 35 Best Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario (Local’s Guide)
• 33 Best Brunch Spots in Ottawa by Neighbourhood (Local’s Guide)
• Best Places to See Tulips in Ottawa at the Canadian Tulip Festival
• 8 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Ottawa and Get in the Festive Spirit
• 17 Wonderfully Fun Things to Do in Ottawa in Winter
• 47 Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Ottawa (Including Dog Friendly Hikes)
• 15 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Ottawa
• Ottawa Zipline Experience: Why You Need to Zipline Between Provinces!
• Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience
• 17 Best Museums in Ottawa to Visit (Local’s Guide)
• 16 Best Indoor Ottawa Activities for Rainy Days
• Ottawa Trip Budget Calculator to Plan Your Dream Trip
• 7 Best Ottawa White Water Rafting Tours
• Hop On Hop Off Ottawa: Local Guide to Seeing Ottawa in 1 Day
• 33 Best Gluten-free Restaurants in Ottawa From a Celiac
• 29 Best Things To Do in Ottawa in the Fall

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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide

🚑  Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?

100% YES!  — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.

💧 Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?

Yes – ish  — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle . ( Read more )

🚙💨  Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?

Yes  — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.

📲  Do I need to know French in Ottawa?

Nope!  — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. ( Read more )

🏩  What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?

For Ottawa hotels,  Booking  is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check  VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

✈️  What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?

For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend  Skyscanner . You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.

🎫  Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?

Likely Not  — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.

📍  Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec . It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto . You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Ottawa Things to Do. Nina has lived in 18 countries before deciding to settle in Ottawa, nearby Toronto where she grew up. She has spent years proving that Ottawa isn't the town "fun forgot" and helping locals and tourists alike find fun things to do. She helps over 60,000 people a month discover the amazing activities in Ottawa, Canada.

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13,600-year-old mastodon skull excavated from iowa creek in ‘goldmine’ discovery after 12-day excavation.

Tusk me, this is a big deal.

Archeologists unearthed an ancient mastodon skull from an Iowa creek this month — marking the first ever discovered in the state.

It took 12 days for excavators to slowly recover the massive fossil, which was so well preserved that it still had a significant section of its once-curved tusk.

“This is the first-ever well-preserved mastodon (primarily the skull) that has been excavated in Iowa,” said the state Office of the State Archaeologist.

Radiocarbon dating shows that the mastodon died in the Paleoindian period — and had been buried undetected for 13,600 years.

Mastodons — a 6-ton distant cousin to modern-day elephants — went extinct in North America around 10,500 years ago, likely due to climate change and hunting.

Though other remains of the mastodon were recovered, the skull was the most well-preserved piece of the skeleton, with archeologists calling the 2-foot section of tusk a “goldmine.”

“Apparently there are techniques now to determine how many calves a female mastodon had that get recorded as a chemical signature because of the changes in the body chemistry during the pregnancy and the birth. And that gets recorded in the tusks,” State Archeologist John Doershuk told Iowa Public Radio.

Scientists also hope that the remains can help answer burning questions about human history as well, including how involved our ancestors were in the mastodon’s demise.

The age of the fossil lines up with the time Native Americans would have migrated into south-central Iowa.

“ The last glaciation probably still had the northern part of Iowa under ice. But the southern part was ice-free at the time and was starting to vegetate. Animals like mastodons were coming in to browse and human hunters would have also found that a hospitable place, as well,” Doershuk said.

The OSA did not find any stone tools near the bones, but scientists will analyze whether any human-made cut marks were left on the skeleton.

Although the bones were only excavated this month, the eroding site was brought to the OSA’s attention in 2022.

Once the mastodon bones are thoroughly studied and analyzed, the bones will become part of a new exhibit at the nearby Prairie Trails Museum.

Wayne County is located along Iowa’s southern border with Missouri and is 80 miles south of Des Moines.

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World's largest steam engine 'Big Boy' to visit Oklahoma on US tour: See the schedule

This fall one of the largest and most historic steam engines in the world will speed through the Sooner State as part of a tour across America.

Union Pacific No. 4014, better known as "Big Boy," will start its 2024 tour on Aug. 28 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and will work its way across nine states, including Oklahoma in October.

According to a press release, 25 Big Boys were built during World War II, but only 8 survived. No. 4014 is the only one still in operation and remains the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. It was retired in 1961, having traveled more than 1 million miles.

Big Boy was put in a museum after retirement and, in 2013, the railroad bought back the unit to restore it. It toured the country for months starting in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion. Though first derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Boy took a second tour in 2021.

Big Boy train schedule: Whislestops in Oklahoma

According to Union Pacific's train schedule, Big Boy will reach Oklahoma in October. It will leave Fort Worth, Texas, and arrive in Oklahoma on Oct. 13 for a stop in Durant, then the train will stop in Muskogee and Claremore on Oct. 14 before departing for Kansas.

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 8 a.m.: Depart Fort Worth, Texas
• 1:15 p.m.: Arrive Durant, Oklahoma
• 1:45 p.m.: Depart from Durant at Louisiana St. Crossing

Monday, Oct. 14

• 11 a.m.: Arrive at Muskogee, Oklahoma
• 11:30 a.m.: Depart from Okmulgee St. Crossing
• 1:15 p.m.: Arrive at Claremore, Oklahoma
• 1:45 p.m.: Depart from Florence Ave. Crossing

Union Pacific officials remind spectators to stand at least 25 feet back from the tracks at all times, and they urge viewers never to trespass on railroad property, including tracks and train yards.

For more information about Big Boy and the steam tour, visit www.up.com.

Captured First World War pilot's note reunited with family in Ottawa

Squadron commander's grandson travelled from london to recreate decades-old photo.

Pilot’s WWI letter reunited with Ottawa family 107 years later

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In May 1917, a German fighter plane made an unusual delivery to a British airfield in France.

A brick fell from the sky. It carried two folded notes, one in German, the other in English.

"Herewith a German patrol sends you news of Lieut. Mactavish and Captain Allen," the first note read.

Capt. Arthur Spencer Allen was dead, but Duncan Mactavish survived after the Germans shot down the BE2e reconnaissance plane he piloted during the Battle of Arras.

It was his first and last flight; Mactavish was captured. But before he headed to Germany as a prisoner of war, his captors allowed him to write a few lines in pencil.

"In the First World War, there was a much more genteel custom whereby if an aircraft was shot down, the pilot, if he survived the shooting down, was allowed to write a note and send it across to his squadron commander," said Anthony Inglis Howard-Williams, the grandson of Mactavish's commander.

One hundred and seven years later, Inglis Howard-Williams still has Mactavish's note. He recently brought it across the ocean from London to Ottawa to recreate a tradition tying together two families.

The tradition started when Inglis Howard-Williams' grandfather, the former squadron commander, died in the late 1960s.

"My father was going through his effects and found one of these notes and he thought, wouldn't it be wonderful if some of his family were still alive?" he said. "Wouldn't they like to hear this story?"

After a lengthy search, he said, his father learned that Mactavish himself was still alive and living in Winnipeg. They met in 1976. Inglis Howard-Williams still has the photo of his father with Mactavish, then in his 80s, holding his note.

That could have been the end of the story, had Michael Payne not started digging into the papers of his mother-in-law, Barbara Welch, Mactavish's daughter.

"We discovered this material, my wife and I," said Payne. "When I looked at it, I thought, this is an amazing story."

He had a copy of the note. As a trained historian, he wanted to know more.

'Expect tears'

Inglis Howard-Williams isn't hard to find. He's a famous orchestra conductor in London and an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Association. Payne said he thought there was an "outside chance" he might still have the letter.

"I wrote to him an e-mail," said Payne. "I was absolutely astonished when he responded in about 15 minutes, saying, 'I know exactly what it is that you're talking about and I could tell you a lot more about this letter — and I still have it.'"

Inglis Howard-Williams said he was astonished to learn that Welch, Mactavish's daughter, was still alive and living in Ottawa at age 92.

"It took me about 15 minutes to book a flight to Canada to come over and see her and recreate the photograph that was taken in 1976," he said.

He arrived in Ottawa on Thursday. Sitting in the Château Laurier cafe, preparing to head to Welch's seniors home, he shared his excitement.

"Expect tears. Being a musician, it's one of the curses we have to suffer," he said. " We are very emotional people."

'He refused to eat sauerkraut ever after'

Welch was waiting with her family on Thursday when Inglis-Howard Williams knocked on the door.

"What a thrill to meet you," she said.

Inglis Howard-Williams greeted Mactavish's granddaughter and his great-great grandson before sitting down to ask Welch what she knew about her father's military service and his time in the POW camp.

She didn't remember much. It had been so long, and her father said little about his time in the war.

"I suspect it was a traumatic enough experience for him that he didn't talk about it a great deal," Payne explained. "The only story that I have heard was that, based on his experience in the prisoner of war camp, he refused to eat sauerkraut ever after."

"You've never seen the actual original note that your father wrote from the battlefield?" Inglis Howard-Williams asked.

Welch replied that she'd only heard stories, seen copies. "Would you like to see it?" Inglis Howard-Williams said.

"Oh sure. Have you got it? Wow," she said. "That's amazing. Look how old it is."

Taking the paper in her hands, Welch began reading the faded first words of the note, which reads in full as follows:

Dear Williams, Just a line to let you know that we were brought down this morning. Poor Allen was killed and I was wounded in the right foot and left leg. We got five German Albatross on us and they gave us hell. The fellows who brought us down are here and are very decent to me. They are taking this across. Would you write to my brother and see about sending my kit home? We were brought down on fire and hit the floor with a hell of a whang.  Allen was killed when we hit.  Good bye old thing.  Give my love to everyone.

Yours to a cinder, Mactavish

"He had very nice penmanship," Welch noted.

She told Inglis Howard-Williams that, as far as she knew, her father never piloted a plane again after his ill-fated first flight.

Inglis Howard-Williams asked her to pose with him to recreate the photograph almost 50 years after that Winnipeg visit.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if it became sort of a family tradition every 50 years?" he said. "My father would be absolutely thrilled."

"I wish he was alive," Welch said of her own father. "He would have been thrilled to know what went on, to meet Anthony and all the rest of it. It really would have made his day. But unfortunately, you know, it's all in the past."

WATCH: First World War letter reunited with Ottawa family after 107 years  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur White-Crummey is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has previously worked as a reporter in Saskatchewan covering the courts, city hall and the provincial legislature. You can reach him at [email protected].

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