Ottawa started as a humble lumber town called Bytown, named after Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal (now a UNESCO World Heritage site which doubles as a giant skating rink in the winter), much of which was done by hand between 1826 and 1832. Lumber mills were built along the Ottawa River in the mid-19th century, and brought employment and wealth to the growing population. The centre of action then, as now, was the Byward Market. While it is still the centre of the city's nightlife, it has changed appreciably from the rough–and–tumble early days of brothels and taverns.

In 1857, Ottawa was chosen (in the legend by Queen Victoria, really on the advice of Canadian politicians) as the capital of Canada. The choice was made to avoid a controversy, because it sidestepped the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal (then, as now, Canada's largest cities). But the new capital was still a tiny outpost in the middle of nothing much — an American newspaper famously commented that it was impregnable, as any invaders would get lost in the woods looking for it.

Unlike many federal capitals such as Canberra in Australia or Washington, D.C. in the United States, Ottawa is not part of a special federal district. There is an official National Capital Region containing Ottawa, Gatineau, Quebec across the Ottawa river, and surrounding areas in both provinces. However it is not a separate administration; the two cities have just regular municipal governments and are parts of their respective provinces. Each has its own Wikivoyage article.

During the latter half of the 19th century, the telephone was demonstrated to the Canadian public for the first time here and the city was electrified. The first electric streetcar service was started in 1891. A menu from 1892 states that, "the first instance in the entire world of an entire meal being cooked by Electricity" was in Ottawa.

Today, the major economic sectors are the public service, travel and tourism and the high-tech industry. Ottawa has remained a green city and is situated at the confluence of three rivers (Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau) and of the Rideau Canal. Many residents make regular use of Ottawa's parks and green spaces, bikeways and cross country ski trails. Many national attractions are in Ottawa: Parliament Hill, the National Library and Archives, the National Gallery, and the Museums of History, Contemporary Photography, Nature, War, and Science & Technology.

Ottawa has a humid continental or hemiboreal climate, featuring four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation, falling mostly as snow in winter and as rain in the rest of year, is plentiful year-round. The city is neither particularly sunny or cloudy, though spring and summer are sunnier than autumn and winter.

In summer, which lasts from the beginning of June to early September, the average high is around 27 °C (81 °F) and the average low around 16.5 °C (61.7 °F). During heatwaves, temperatures can approach or exceed 33 °C (91 °F) and not go below 21 °C (70 °F) at night, although there are also cooler and often rainier periods. The sun is up from 5:15AM to 8:45PM.

Winters in Ottawa are long, cold and snowy. There is an average of 225 cm of snowfall per winter, which usually begins falling in late October, with the ground typically being blanketed in snow from late November to the end of March, while the last of the snow falls in April. Average temperatures in the winter months are between -7 and -10 °C (14 and 19 °F), although there are thawing periods where they can rise to above 0 °C (32 °F) in addition to cold snaps where they can drop to below -20 °C (-4° F). Most bodies of water in and around the city freeze over during the winter, notably the Rideau Canal, which transforms into world's largest skating rink. Daylight hours last only between 7:30AM and 4:30PM.

Spring (which begins in April and lasts until the end of May) and autumn (which lasts from September to mid November) generally see pleasant conditions, although both (especially spring) can sometimes be prone to rapid swings in conditions.

In addition to the Capital Information Kiosk, the tourist office's eager helpers can be found in public places, ready to answer questions in French or English. You can identify them by their blue uniforms with white question marks ("?").

• 45.42332-75.698081 Capital Information Kiosk, 90 Wellington Street (opposite Parliament Hill), ☏ +1 613-239-5000, toll-free: +1-844-878-8333, [email protected]. 9AM-5PM daily. Excellent first stop for all kinds of tourist information, in friendly and fluent English and French. (updated May 2022)
• Local information from the City of Ottawa

• Autobus Gatineau, toll-free: +1-888-880-0439. Operates a weekday bus service from smaller regional centres in the Outaouais region of West Quebec (to the north of Ottawa). The route travels between Ottawa and Grand-Remous including stops in Gatineau, Wakefield, Kazabazua, Gracefield, and Maniwaki. Travel time to Ottawa from Wakefield is 50-60 minutes and from Grand-Remous is 2.75-3 hours. (updated Jun 2020) In Grand-Remous, there is service under the Autobus Maheux brand from Montreal, Rouyn-Noranda, and Val-d'Or.
• Autobus Maheux, toll-free: +1-866-863-6066, [email protected]. Operates bus routes within Quebec with some connections to Ontario. (updated May 2022) Operates a bus route between Montreal and Ottawa including stops in Laval and Gatineau. Travel time to Ottawa from Montreal is 3.5 hours.
• FlixBus. Service from Windsor, London, Chatham-Kent, Hamilton, Toronto, Whitby, Peterborough, and Kingston. (updated Aug 2022)
• Megabus, toll-free: +1-866-488-4452. Ottawa-Kingston-Toronto, twice daily Th-Su, leaving Toronto at 10:30AM and 5PM. Departures from Ottawa (OCTranspo St Laurent) at 10:30AM and 4:30PM. Toronto from $52 (5 hours 10 min), Kingston from $32 (2 hours). (updated May 2021)
• Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. Offers service to Ottawa from Toronto via Kingston and Belleville. Travel time to Ottawa from Toronto is 5.25 hours and from Kingston is 2 hours. There is also service from Peterborough two days a week. (updated Mar 2021)
• Ontario Northland (Buses depart from Ottawa VIA station (see below)), toll-free: +1-800-461-8558. Connects Ottawa to a number of smaller regional centres in Northern Ontario. (updated Jun 2020)
  • Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.

• Orléans Express, ☏ +1-450-640-1477, toll-free: +1-833-449-6444. Operates bus routes primarily in Quebec. A bus route operates to Ottawa from Montreal (2.25-2.5 hours). (updated Jul 2021)
• Tour Express, ☏ +1-514-228-2303, [email protected]. Intercity service Montréal-Ottawa and Montréal-Gatineau. Travel time to Ottawa from Montreal is 2 hours. (updated Jul 2021)
• 417 Bus Line. Commuter bus service from Cornwall, Embrun, Russell, Casselman, and Limoges. Tickets must be purchased in cash from the bus driver. (updated Apr 2023)

See also: Rail travel in Canada

The Ottawa River is navigable to Ottawa from Montréal, but is blocked to the west by rapids in Ottawa-Hull. There are no ferry services to Ottawa. However, there is a tourist-oriented water taxi that runs between Ottawa and Hull for about $6 one way.

The city is also accessible via the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which runs from the St. Lawrence River at Kingston to the Ottawa River at Ottawa where it empties via a series of locks. It is possible to dock at Dow's Lake Pavilion and at points along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River near downtown.

Ottawa can be reached from Sudbury and North Bay by traveling east on Highway 17 and 417, which are part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Highway 17 is the non-freeway part of the highway and Highway 417 is the part that is a freeway.

Ottawa is about a 4½-hour trip from Toronto via the 401 and 416 highways. Traveling on Highway 401, Highway 7, then Highway 417 is shorter (405 km (252 mi) vs. 450 km (280 mi)) but this more scenic route through Peterborough is two lanes almost all the way, saving you no time.

Montreal is 2-3 hours away along Autoroute 40 (in Quebec) and Highway 417 (in Ontario), which are both part of the Trans-Canada Highway.

From the American border at Prescott-Ogdensburg, it is 45 minutes to Ottawa's western suburbs (at the opposite end of Highway 416). Interstate 81 is 60 km (40 miles) further upriver in the Thousand Islands.

OC Transpo, ☏ +1 613-560-5000. Operates the city's bus service and the O-Train, a light rail system consisting of three lines. (updated Mar 2025) The Confederation Line (Line 1, red in maps), which began service in 2019, runs west-east with an underground segment through the city centre. The Trillium Line (Line 2, green) runs from the south to Limebank. Lines 1 and 2 meet at Bayview station. Line 4 (blue) runs to the airport from South Keys (connecting there to Line 2). The bus rapid transit (BRT) system, called the Transitway, has service as frequent as 1 to 2 minutes at rush hour.

The O-Train Confederation Line runs east-west under the downtown area served by Lyon, Parliament, Rideau and uOttawa O-Train stations. If you are going to the Byward Market, get off at Rideau O-Train Station. To go north-south, take bus route 6 or 7 along Bank Street from either Parliament or Rideau O-Train stations.

OC Transpo has a webpage to look up schedules and maps for all the O-Train and bus routes mentioned above. It also has a Customer Service Centre on the 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre, above the corner of Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive in downtown Ottawa. There are others at major bus stations: Lincoln Fields in the west end, Place d'Orleans and St. Laurent in the east.

Taxis are easy to find downtown; elsewhere, phone for a cab. All taxis should have a meter and the base charge is $2.45, and overall rates are quite high compared to most other North American cities. A ride from downtown to the airport will be costly, running between $25 and $35 for a trip that will take less than a half-hour outside of peak traffic periods. Cabs will not take credit cards for fares below $10. Most cab drivers know Ottawa well, but have clear instructions if you're going anywhere in the suburbs as many developments in the outskirts are relatively new. Ottawa cabs aren't supposed to pick up customers off the street on the Quebec side; the converse applies to Quebec cabs in Ottawa. You may phone a Quebec cab if you are in Ottawa and vice versa.

• BlueLine Taxi, ☏ +1 613-238-1111. (updated Jul 2022)
• Capital Taxi, ☏ +1 613-744-3333. (updated Jul 2022)
• Executive Cabs, ☏ +1 613-799-3353. (updated Jul 2022)
• Rides Are Us, ☏ +1 613-858-9060. (updated Jan 2023)

• Lyft. (updated Jul 2022)
• Uber. (updated Jul 2022)

Parking at most attractions is convenient, though on-street parking in downtown areas is at a premium (more expensive than most other cities in North America). If you are driving to downtown on the weekend, parking is free in Gloucester Garage (210 Gloucester St). A map is useful if you are going to be driving around downtown as many of the streets are one-way. Drivers in Ottawa are rated as some of the worst in Canada, often failing to signal for lane changes or making illegal turns into far lanes rather than the closest lane.

Most major car rental companies have several offices in Ottawa with all of them represented downtown and at the airport.

Driving while talking on your cell phone is illegal in Ontario unless you use a hands-free system.

Ottawa is a great city to explore on foot, though in winter you need good clothes and warm boots to consider it. With pedestrian-friendly streets and the density of attractions, a car is expensive and unnecessary for the most part. An excellent place to start any tour of Ottawa is the Capital Information Kiosk, at 90 Wellington Street, directly across from the Parliament buildings. They have maps and brochures for most tourist attractions in Ottawa, many of which are within walking distance.

Popular pedestrian areas, especially during spring and summer months, are the various streets in the Byward Market. Sparks Street, running through downtown parallel to the Parliament Buildings, is a popular pedestrian area during the day and night, particularly in the spring and summer months.

Guided walking tours are available with Ottawa Walking Tours, which include some history and other tidbits of trivia not commonly known. Especially popular is the Haunted Walk of Ottawa that provides a variety of walking tours focusing on the city's darker and more offbeat past.

Ottawa is a city with a truly continental climate. In winter, exposed skin can freeze in minutes or less, so layer up on the clothing and protect yourself by wearing a hat (toque or hunters cap), gloves and boots. Despite being slightly closer to the North Pole than the equator, summer temperature and humidity can be oppressively high, so bring water if you're doing any amount of walking or cycling. If you are on the public pathways near the canal or the river, there are drinking fountains to refill your bottles. Also, don't forget the mosquito repellent.

Bicycling is one of the best ways to see Ottawa up close. You can cover a lot of ground, stop anywhere to sight-see, and enjoy the ambiance of the city. The downtown is very well-served by protected cycling infrastructure, and paths run along the canal and the rivers, including into Gatineau on the Quebec side. In the summer, the downtown bike corridor on Laurier Ave counts 70,000 bike rides a month. The bike routes along the canal see around 350,000 bike rides a year. Again, you may want to start immediately opposite Parliament Hill to pick up a map of the area (in the World Exchange Plaza's NCC booth in the main hallway) or find a bicycle rental. Cycling to the attractions around downtown Ottawa is a great way to get around, but don't ignore the Gatineau side of the river. The city has several attractions along the river including the Museum of History and if you want to really stretch your legs, Gatineau Park has many great cycling paths; the Champlain Look Out has a wonderful view over the Ottawa Valley.

The primary attraction for most visitors is 45.42415-75.699081 Parliament Hill.   Parliament Hill is in the middle of downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Not only is the building a fine example of the Gothic revival style, it makes an excellent starting point to visit all other points of interest in the area.

• The Changing of the Guard takes place daily on the lawns of Parliament at 9AM from late June to late August. The Governor General's Foot Guards can also be seen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at Rideau Hall.

Tours of the building are available daily with multiple tours (in English and French) available at staggered times throughout the day. If you have a group of greater than 10 people, you must make a reservation in advance by reserving online or by calling the reservations office at +1 613-996-0896. The admission is free, but you need tickets (one for the House of Commons at West Block, one for the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building) which you get online at visit.parl.ca. There is also a free 45-minute immersive experience that can be booked on the same official booking website.

• The Centre Block and the Peace Tower are closed for renovation, and are expected to remain closed until 2031.
• Tour guides take you through the House of Commons Chamber or the Senate Chamber and explain the history, roles and architecture of the respective buildings. Each tours lasts about 45 min and free same-day tickets can be booked online at visit.parl.ca depending on availability. Keep the order confirmation number, which can be used in lieu of tickets if they are never received by email.
• If there are no more tickets available, or you have to wait for your time, a fine self-guided walking tour around the grounds of Parliament Hill will keep you busy. Free booklets are available at the Capital Information Kiosk at 90 Wellington St.
• One of the nicer, unexpected views, looking from the bottom up, can be accessed at the back of the Parliament Buildings—that vantage point also provides a river view of the Canadian Museum of History, across the river in downtown Gatineau (the former city of Hull).
• Behind the Parliament Buildings at sunset is a sight to remember. You can walk by the Rideau Canal locks (at the east corner) and visit the Bytown Museum at the level of the canal.
• The locks separate Parliament Hill from the Chateau Laurier, a former railway hotel (see below).

There are many national museums and galleries in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau. All museums in Ottawa have free admission on Canada Day, July 1, although they are generally very crowded then.

• 45.42068-75.702832 Bank of Canada Currency Museum, 30 Bank St, ☏ +1 613-782-8914, [email protected]. Th-M 10AM-5PM. A collection of historic and current currencies from Canada and around the world, history of Bank of Canada and the application of interest rate in the society and economy. Free. (updated Mar 2024)
• 45.42582-75.697653 Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Ln (at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and Chateau Laurier), ☏ +1 613-234-4570. Victoria Day weekend-Thanksgiving Day: F-W 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM. Rest of year: Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. A small museum at the foot of Parliament Hill with a focus on Ottawa's early history. $5 adults, $4 seniors/students/youth, $2 children 5-12. (updated May 2022)
• 45.38728-75.709374 Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 861 Prince of Wales Dr, ☏ +1 613-991-3044, toll-free: +1-866-442-4416. Exhibitions: 9AM-5PM daily late Feb-late Nov. Animal barns: 9AM-5PM daily all year. A working animal farm in the city. You can visit animal barns, see various demonstrations and exhibitions, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. The museum also has a playground and picnic area. It is very popular with young children and a welcome change of pace for kids who have seen enough history after visiting some of the other sights. $7 adults, $6 students/seniors, $4 children 3-14, $16 families (2 adults and 3 children), free for children under 3. Seniors free on Tuesday. Admission to animal barns is by donation during time of year when the exhibitions are closed. (updated Jul 2021)
• 45.45896-75.643925 Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11 Aviation Parkway (at Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport), ☏ +1 613-993-2010, +1 613-990-7530 (TTY), toll-free: +1-800-463-2038, fax: +1 613-993-3655. W-M 10AM to 5PM, closed Tuesdays. Former RCAF base with civilian and military aircraft ranging from pre-World War I to modern, including 1920s-1940s bush planes, war planes from both World Wars and the Cold War, surviving components of the 1950s' Avro Arrow interceptor and Space Shuttle Endeavor's Canadarm, a Canadian-built robotic arm. Guided tours, boutique. $15, student/seniors $13, Youth (ages 3-17) $10. (updated Jul 2021)
• 45.41278-75.688636 Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. K2P2R1, ☏ +1 613-566-4700, toll-free: +1-800-263-4433. W F-Su 10AM-4PM; Th 10AM-7PM. Open on some holiday Mondays. Galleries of fossils, mammals, birds and geology among others. Free admission Thursdays after 4PM and all day Canada Day (July 1st). $17 adult (general admission), $15 senior/student, $13 child (3-12). (updated May 2022)
• 45.41699-75.717387 Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, ☏ +1 819-776-7000, toll-free: +1-800-555-5621. Sep–Jun: M–W F–Su 9:30AM–5PM, Th 9:30AM–8PM. Jun–Sep: M–W F–Su 9:30AM–6PM, Th 9:30AM–8PM. The museum presents Canada's involvement in armed conflict beginning with battles between the French and British, through to the World Wars, Korea, and the country's current involvement in NATO and UN operations. $12 for adults. A joint War Museum and Museum of History ticket $18 (good for one entry into each museum in a three-day period). Free on Th after 6PM, and on November 11.  
• 45.3875-75.69838 Carleton University Art Gallery, St. Patrick's Building, 1125 Colonel By Drive, ☏ +1 613-520-5611. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su noon-5PM (closed M). Art exhibitions and educational events to explore and activate the ideas that shape contemporary society. Free. (updated Mar 2024)
• 45.5177-75.39139 Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Ch. Old Montréal Rd (about 25 km east of downtown Ottawa, bus 221 to stop: Old Montréal / Ad. 2907). A museum village featuring buildings from the early 20th century including a railway station. (updated Sep 2021)

• 45.35136-76.0479610 Diefenbunker — Canada's Cold War Museum, 3911 Carp Rd, Carp (from Ottawa, take Hwy 417 west to exit 144, then go north on Carp Rd, watch for the sign on the left side of the road), toll-free: +1-800-409-1965. Self-guided tours 11AM-4PM daily. Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada. "Diefenbunker" is a play on "Diefenbaker", the Canadian prime minister in the 1950s who authorized the construction of the facility. In addition to preserving and promoting Canada's Cold War history, the museum offers a variety of visitor programs and services. You can learn, play or shop as you discover the bunker's secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. Guided tours by reservation only. If you do not have access to a vehicle and are willing to do a 50 minute bus ride plus pay a $30 taxi, you can # take the OcTranpo #95 or #97; # Transfer to the #93 at Lincoln Fields; # Get off at the Legget / Ad. 515 stop; # Walk 3 minutes to Brookstreet Hotel; # Take a taxi to the Diefenbunker. $14 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students, $8 youth 6-18, $40 families (2 adults plus 3 youth), free for children 5 and under. (updated Jan 2017)

• 45.4277-75.677911 Laurier House National Historic Site, 335 Laurier Ave., ☏ +1 613-992-8142, toll-free: +1-888-773-8888, [email protected]. May 1-Jun 30: Th-M 10AM-5PM. 1878 house that is the former residence of two Canadian prime ministers: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (for whom the house is named) and William Lyon Mackenzie King. Adult $3.90, senior (65+) $3.40, youth (17 and under) free. (updated Apr 2018)
• 45.42946-75.6986312 National Gallery, 380 Sussex Dr, ☏ +1 613-990-1985. Photography, traditional and modern art from Canadian and international artists. Housed inside a glass building with a giant spider structure on the outside. Free admission Th after 5PM. (updated Jan 2017)

• 45.4033-75.620313 Science and Technology Museum. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Several displays are popular with children, including massive locomotives inside the building and electricity demonstrations. Re-opened on November 17, 2017, after years of renovations because of a mould problem, this museum is even more family-friendly than it was before its forced closure. Adult $17, youth (3-17) $11, senior (60+) or student $13. (updated Nov 2017)
• 45.425981-75.68838514 Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, ☏ +1 613-233-8699, [email protected]. Tu W Su 10AM-6PM, Th-Sa 10AM-9PM (closed M). Municipal art gallery. Free. (updated Mar 2024)

• 45.398886-75.68412215 Ottawa 67's, TD Place Arena, 1015 Bank St, ☏ +1 613-232-6767. Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 
• 45.398178-75.6836516 Atlético Ottawa, TD Place Stadium, 1015 Bank St. Replacing the city's former Ottawa Fury FC is this club owned by Spanish soccer giants Atlético Madrid. Unlike Fury FC, which played at the second level of US soccer (the USL Championship), Atlético Ottawa plays in the domestic Canadian Premier League.  
• 45.2037-75.795417 Ottawa Harlequins, Twin Elm Rugby Park. Rugby Canada Super League  
• 45.398178-75.6836518 Ottawa Redblacks, TD Place Stadium, 1015 Bank St, ☏ +1 613-232-6767, [email protected]. Canadian Football League (CFL) 
• 45.296944-75.92722219 Ottawa Senators, Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr, Kanata, ☏ +1 613-599-0250. National Hockey League (NHL) 
• Ottawa Charge, TD Place Arena, 1015 Bank St. Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). (updated Sep 2024)

Ottawa has dozens of neighbourhood parks and other parcels of green space in the urban core.

• 45.4221-75.692520 Confederation Park, Elgin St (at Albert St, west of the Rideau Canal). Downtown park, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, featuring a fountain, totem pole, statues. (updated Sep 2021)
• 45.430001-75.70336721 Kiwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point), Alexandra Bridge (behind the National Gallery). closed until 2024 for redevelopment. A quiet place to watch the sun set, or to take photos of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the Museum of History, and the Royal Canadian Mint from angles that don't usually end up in the tourist brochures. Nepean Point is also home to a statue of Samuel de Champlain, and the Astrolabe Theatre (one of the better places to watch the fireworks from on July 1). However, the point is not accessible if you're in a wheelchair. (updated Mar 2024)
• 45.4275-75.672622 Strathcona Park, 25 Range Rd. Strathcona Park is at the eastern end of the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, and is the centrepiece of "Embassy Row". Be sure to see the Lord Strathcona Fountain at the park's north end, and Stephen Brathwaite's play structure (which looks like a ruined building in miniature) in the middle of the park. (updated Feb 2017)
• 45.3983-75.703123 Commissioners Park (at Preston Street & Queen Elizabeth Drive near Carling O-Train station). Located adjacent to Dows Lake, where you can rent boats, it features the Festival of Tulips in May. In summer, there are a number of flower beds with flowers arranged by colour in attractive patterns. (updated Sep 2017)
• 45.3844-75.700224 Hartwell's Lockstation (west side of Carleton University, 400 m from Carleton O-Train station). Pictoresque lock station within a park along the Rideau Canal. One could walk across the locks and continue north to Dows Lake near Carling O-Train station, or northwest to the Canada Agriculture Museum. (updated Sep 2017)

• 45.44431-75.6854825 Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr, ☏ +1 613-991-4422, toll-free: +1-866-842-4422. Residence tour (without reservations): Apr 30-Jun 26: Sa Su 10AM-4PM, Jun 27-Sep 5: 10AM-4PM daily (unguided open-house tours available Jul-Aug afternoons), Sep 6-Oct 30: Sa Su noon-4PM. Advance reservations required for tours at any time from Nov-Apr, and weekdays May-Jun and Sep-6-Oct 30.. The official residence of His Majesty King Charles III and his representative the Governor General of Canada. The grounds and the residence are open to the public for tours. Reservations are recommended during the low season (September 1 - April 30). Free. (updated Jan 2017)
• 45.4315-75.6992126 Royal Canadian Mint, 320 Sussex Drive (a five-minute walk north of the National Gallery), ☏ +1 613-993-8990, toll-free: +1-800-276-7714. 10AM-5PM. Canada's commemorative and collectable coinage is minted here (circulation coinage is minted in Winnipeg), as were the medals for the 2010 Olympics. Tours are available, and there is no charge if you only want to visit the boutique. Price varies depending on the age of person, group discount rates available. (updated May 2022)
• 45.42193-75.7053527 Supreme Court of Canada. Canada's highest court and the best example in Ottawa of Art Deco architecture. Its marble Grand Entrance Hall is particularly impressive. The visit includes a tour in the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada hearing room. The visits last about 30 minutes and are provided by law students hired at the Court. The Court is a 5-minute walk from Parliament. Tours are offered in French on the half hour and in English on the hour. No reservations are needed between May 1 and August 30. Visitor reservations are required between September 1 to April 30. Free. (updated Jan 2017)
• 45.444348-75.69393428 24 Sussex, 24 Sussex Drive. The official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. While you cannot enter the building, you can look through the fence from the outside. (updated Apr 2019)

Ottawa has many movie theatres to choose from, but there are also a few that specialize in "foreign" films (i.e., not American), early releases, old returning films and specialty films. The Mayfair Theatre is at 1074 Bank St. near Sunnyside. In addition, the Canadian Film Institute screens films at several venues for the specialist film crowd.

Ottawa has lots of live entertainment, including music and theater from small shows to large productions.

• 45.419376-75.6936561 The National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, ☏ +1 613-947-7000, toll-free: +1-866-850-ARTS (2787). Also provides a major venue for dance and orchestral performance.  
• 45.3998-75.731752 The Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC), 1233 Wellington St W (corner of Holland), ☏ +1 613-236-5196, [email protected].  
• 45.428172-75.6879523 Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave (one block south of Rideau), ☏ +1 613-233-8948, [email protected].  
• 45.40381-75.715224 GigSpace, 953 Gladstone Ave (Little Italy), ☏ +1 613-729-0693, [email protected]. A more intimate jazz and blues venue, away from Downtown's beaten path.  

Winter officially begins in December, but daylight is already noiceably shorter by then, and holiday light displays and snow arrive in late November. Cold winters don't keep most locals inside - in fact, many people wish for an early freeze and lots of snow so that conditions are perfect for some annual traditions and winter hobbies.

• 45.42415-75.693045 Rideau Skateway. 24 hours daily (when frozen). When the temperatures are at their coldest, go skating on the largest outdoor skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal. Skates, sleighs and ice "tricycles" can be rented, and refreshments purchased from vendors right on the ice. This is also a great place to enjoy a "BeaverTail" (see the listing under "Eat"). Rest areas with heated changerooms, washrooms, firepits, picnic tables, snacks and warm drinks are on the ice at various points. At the end of the boating season, the canal is drained, stairs, chalets, and temporary structures lifed in, and the water level raised just enough to provide .3 m (0.98 ft) of ice thickness. The ice surface is at the bottom of the canal, so it can only be accessed where stairs or ramps have been installed. Professinonal crews plow snow, fill cracks, and maintain the ice surface around the clock as soon as the ice is thick enough. The "skateway" can stretch for 7.8 km (4.8 mi) from the locks next to Parliament Hill to Carleton University, though some sections may be closed if ice conditions are too poor. It's possible to walk along the skateway if you want to visit a fire pit or snack bar. The ice surface is open 24 hours every day, but the vendors and amenities close in the evening. The 2023 season was cancelled due to high temperatures. 
• 45.36802-75.692226 Mooney's Bay Ski Centre, 2960 Riverside Drive, ☏ +1 613-247-4883. The city's trail system serves as an excellent cross-country ski trail system. The city-run ski centre at Mooney's Bay Park is a good starting point if you want classic cross country or skate skiing lessons or need to rent equipment. Trails along the Ottawa River (the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail or Britannia Winter Trail, Rideau River (the Rideau Winter Trail) are other public and scenic routes that are groomed and maintained by volunteers. 
• Winterlude. For about two weeks each February, Winterlude (French: Bal de Neige) is the national capital's annual winter festival featuring ice carving and snow sculptures. The festival is spread throughout both Ottawa and Gatineau. Sparks Street is home to the ice-carving competition and public art installations. The Byward Market hosts food experiences, winter activities, and additional locations for interactive art. Other locations throughout the city offer special events throughout the festival, focusing on family activities, Indigenous culture, and the LGBT community. Some museums offer special programming during the festival. The snow playground, with tubing, ziplining, slides and obstacles courses is in Gatineau. 

• Maple Syrup. In early spring (typically peaking in March), when the daytime temperatures are above freezing and night temperatures are below freezing, consider visiting a sugarbush (or sugar shack) for fresh maple syrup, tours of orchards, and demonstrations of the maple syrup boiling process. Taffy on snow is a sugary treat made with freshly boiled maple syrup on fresh snow. There are many to choose from on farms in the countryside. Maple products are also sold at vendors in the Byward Market, and some bars will serve seasonal maple-infused craft beers from local breweries. Ontario's sugar shacks focus less on the culinary aspects of maple syrup than the Cabanes à Sucre found in Quebec, where you could expect a feast of hearty dishes alongside the season's syrup harvest. 
  • 45.443858-75.6617717 Vanier Museopark Sugar Shack, 200- 300, avenue des Pères Blancs, Vanier, ☏ +1 613-842-9871, [email protected]. Sa Su 9AM-2PM, March and April only. The Vanier Museopark's "Sugar Shack" offers the sugarbush experience without needing to leave the city. Reservations can be made at the website. (updated Jan 2023)
• 45.39823-75.703148 The Tulip Festival. During the Second World War, the Government of Canada sheltered exiled members of the Dutch Royal Family in Ottawa, and even declared part of the Ottawa Hospital as "extraterritorial" so that Princess Margriet of the Netherlands would not be born a British citizen (making her ineligible for the throne of the Netherlands). After the end of the war and every year since, the Dutch royal family has sent thousands of tulip bulbs in gratitude. Each May, they blossom into a spring bonanza of flowering bulbs, and a concert series features well-known Canadian rock and other popular music groups. The festival activities focus on Commissioner's Park, but over a million tulips bloom in public gardens in parks throughout the city.  
• International Film Festival of Ottawa. Known as the IFFO, occurs for 12 days in March and showcases a selection of contemporary Canadian and international films. 
• Ottawa Black Film Festival. Occurs in late March for two days and showcases a selection of African and Afro-diasporic films. 

• Ottawa Jazz Festival. In late June. 
• Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. In late June.
• Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. In summer, one of the largest in the world. 
• Bluesfest. Also in summer: The largest blues festival in Canada. It also features rock, pop and world music, and attracts visitors from Atlantic Canada and New England. 
• The Fringe Festival. Another summer offering with theatre performances. 
• Ferrari Festival. In June, on Preston Street. 
• Canada Day. Celebrate Canada's birthday in Ottawa on July 1. While the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings is being renovated, the official spot to gather on Canada Day is Major's Hill Park. As of 2022, the events have been moved to LeBreton Flats Park. (updated Apr 2024)
• Capital Pride. Ottawa's annual LGBT pride festival, taking place at Somerset Village (Bank & Somerset), the core of Ottawa's LGBT community. (updated Jan 2022)
• The Ottawa International Animation Festival. One of the largest animation festivals in the world, the OIAF is held in September. (updated Jan 2022)
• Yoga on the Hill. W noon. During the summer months, a free weekly yoga class is offered on Parliament Hill most Wednesdays beginning at noon. The class is very popular—sometimes attracting more than a thousand people—so it's recommended to arrive a bit early to claim a spot on the grass. Yoga mat recommended but optional; bring your own. free. 
• Doors Open Ottawa, [email protected]. Doors Open Ottawa, the second-largest Doors Open architectural event in North America, takes place during the first weekend in June. Over 100 buildings (many of which are normally closed to the public, such as embassies, official residences, museum storage buildings, and city infrastructure facilities) open their doors to the public, offering free admission to part or all of the premises. Most participating buildings also allow photography. While the event takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM, not all buildings are open both days. It is a hybrid event, with virtual and physical visits. (updated May 2023)
• Jane's Walk Ottawa. An annual festival of free neighbourhood walking tours organized by volunteers. Jane's Walk is a pedestrian-focused event that improves urban literacy by offering insights into local history, planning, design, and civic engagement through the simple act of walking and observing. They are a lot of fun and you will hear stories that you won't find in any guide book. (updated Jan 2023)