Things to do in Ottawa
Activities, attractions and tours
Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.
Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.
Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.
What to do in Ottawa
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elgin Street
Take the family on an outing to Elgin Street during your trip to Ottawa. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Canadian Tire Centre
Catch an event at Canadian Tire Centre during your trip to Ottawa. Discover the top-notch restaurants and great live music in this family-friendly area.
Areas of Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa
Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Ottawa. Check out top attractions like Parliament Hill and Rideau Centre, and jump on the metro at Rideau Station or uOttawa Station to see more of the city.
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.
Centretown
Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Parliament Hill and Elgin Street are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.
ByWard Market
A noteworthy feature of ByWard Market is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Byward Market Square and Rideau Centre.
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.
Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.
- Hotels near Parliament Hill
- Hotels near University of Ottawa
- Hotels near Casino du Lac Leamy
- Hotels near Carleton University
- Hotels near Rogers Centre Ottawa
- Hotels near Canadian Museum of History
- Hotels near National Gallery of Canada
- Hotels near Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Hotels near Queensway Carleton Hospital