Canada's Capital

Free guided tours (~40 minutes) of Canada’s House of Commons. See the chamber where laws are debated, the Memorial Chamber, and the Library of Parliament.

Free guided tours of the Red Chamber. The Senate building (former Ottawa train station) is an architectural landmark in its own right.

Canada’s most visited museum. Sweeping exhibitions on Indigenous cultures, colonial history, and Canadian identity. Includes the Canadian Children’s Museum.

Four immersive galleries covering Canada’s military history from early conflicts through modern peacekeeping. Tanks, aircraft, and artifacts. Adult $22, Youth $15. Thursdays until 7pm.

Canada’s premier art gallery. Home to the iconic “Maman” spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois at the entrance. Canadian, Indigenous, and international art spanning centuries.

Dinosaur skeletons, fossil galleries, mammal and bird collections, Arctic exhibits, and a butterfly gallery. Housed in a stunning castle-like heritage building. A hit with families.

Over 130 aircraft and artifacts. Cold War exhibition, WWII fighters and bombers, Canadarm, Alouette-1 satellite. Adult $17.25, Family $43.50.

Interactive hands-on STEAM experiences. “Exploratek” tinker lab, daily demonstrations, and tours of the Ingenium Centre with 150,000+ objects.

A four-storey underground bunker built during the Cold War as Canada’s central communications headquarters in the event of nuclear attack. Named after PM John Diefenbaker.

The Rideau Canal stretches 202 km from Ottawa to Kingston — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.

90-minute cruise on the world’s largest certified 100%-electric passenger vessel. Bilingual live commentary. Passes the National Arts Centre, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, Lansdowne Park.

Ottawa’s vibrant central market district. Open-air farmers stalls (seasonal), restaurants, bars, boutiques, and street performers.

Ottawa’s most acclaimed restaurant, ranked among Canada’s best. Chef Marc Lepine offers modernist tasting menus ($250/person). Reservations essential — 60+ days in advance.

Set in a former bank with soaring ceilings and marble finishes. Blends French technique with Canadian sensibility. One of the best dining rooms in the city.

Northern Italian–inspired. Handmade pastas and seasonal ingredients in an intimate townhouse setting.

Polished steak and seafood in a striking heritage space with high ceilings and formal service. In the heart of ByWard Market.

Innovative seasonal dining with shareable plates. Creative, approachable, excellent wine list. Rated 4.6/5.

Middle Eastern cuisine. Mezze platters, shawarma, and falafel done right. A local favourite for lighter dining.

Two locations: City Centre (16 taps, open brewhouse view, massive summer patio) and ByWard Taproom (historic ByWard Market). Diverse beer selection including IPAs and unique flavours. Mushroom poutine and mac & cheese.

Craft beers paired with scratch-cooked comfort food and smoked meats. Full band karaoke and open mic nights. In the heart of ByWard Market.

Highly rated (4.8 stars) Gatineau brewery with taproom, shop, and bistro fare. Known for excellent IPAs, boozy stouts, and seasonal menus. Vinyl Saturdays. Cross the bridge into Quebec for a distinctly different vibe.

Over 200 km of hiking trails just across the river from Ottawa. Popular trails: Pink Lake (2.3 km, stunning turquoise water), Waterfall and Lauriault (4.5 km), and Carbide Willson Ruins (industrial ruins in the forest).