What to do in Ottawa
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Most fun & popular experiences in Ottawa
Tours & day trips
See all 55 activitiesOpens in new tabOttawa: Bilingual Guided City Tour by Amphibious Bus
Adventure & outdoor
See all 6 activitiesOpens in new tabCycling the Nation's Capital, self-guided
Private & custom tours
See all 12 activitiesOpens in new tabGems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 4 activitiesOpens in new tabOttawa: Floating Tiki Bar Cruise on the Ottawa River
Popular places to visit
Parliament Hill
Spend a day enjoying the lively debates, artworks, library and Gothic Revival architecture of Canada’s political heart.
Carleton University
Explore the campus of Carleton University as part of your travels around Ottawa. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Byward Market Square
Fresh local produce, artisanal handicrafts and historic courtyards are some of the many features of Ottawa’s oldest and busiest market.
Canadian Museum of History
Traverse 20,000 years of Canadian history in just one day at Ottawa’s treasure house of culture.
Canadian War Museum
The country’s museum of military history features collections of weapons and vehicles that cover hundreds of years of conflict.
Rideau Canal
This engineering and scenic marvel fills with pleasure craft in summer and transforms into the world’s longest naturally frozen skating rink in winter.
National Gallery of Canada
Explore art through the ages in this impressive collection of national and international works of art.
National Arts Centre
You can get tickets for a performance at National Arts Centre during your trip to Ottawa. Experience the acclaimed art galleries or attend a sporting event in this walkable area.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Sit at the controls of beautifully preserved vintage aircraft, take off in a flight simulator and discover Canada’s contribution to space exploration.
Explore areas of Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa
Discover art, delve into history and savor natural beauty in the heart of Canada’s national capital, a delightful blend of old and new.
Kanata
Kanata is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Canadian Tire Centre and Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre while you're in town.
Nepean
Nepean is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Nepean Sportsplex and Bayshore Shopping Centre while in the area.
Orleans
Orleans is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Princess Louise Falls and Petrie Island Park.
Centretown
Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Elgin Street and Museum of Nature are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.
Hull
Hull is a destination visitors seek out for its interesting museums, casinos and stunning river views. You might want to check out attractions like Canadian Museum of History or Casino du Lac Leamy while you're exploring the neighbourhood.
- Ottawa sightseeing tours & attractions
- Hotels near popular Ottawa Attractions
- Cities to visit near Ottawa
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Canadian Tire Centre
- Parliament Hill
- Carleton University
- Byward Market Square
- Canadian Museum of History
- Canadian War Museum
- National Gallery of Canada
- Algonquin College
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre
- St. Laurent Centre
- Canada Science and Technology Museum
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Queensway Carleton Hospital