Things to do in Ottawa

Activities, attractions and tours

Major\'s Hill Park which includes snow and a church or cathedral
Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa featuring ice skating, snow and a bridge
Rideau Canal showing a city, a river or creek and a bridge

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.

Most popular experiences in Ottawa

Tours & day trips

See all 46 activities
Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.4 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$55 per adult
Ottawa City Tour by Land and WaterOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 16 activities
Ottawa City centre Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour

Ottawa City centre Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 10 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is S$10 per adult
Ottawa City centre Historic Smartphone Guided Walking TourOpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 5 activities
Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.4 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$55 per adult
Ottawa City Tour by Land and WaterOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 4 activities
Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical

Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 7 reviews
Price is S$98 per adult
Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner MusicalOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 4 activities
Ottawa: River Zipline Adventure

Ottawa: River Zipline Adventure

Activity duration is 30 minutes
9.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$41 per adult
Ottawa: River Zipline AdventureOpens in new tab

What to do in Ottawa

Popular places to visit

Parliament Hill which includes an administrative building and heritage architecture

Parliament Hill

Spend a day enjoying the lively debates, artworks, library and Gothic Revival architecture of Canada’s political heart.

Parliament Hill
Byward Market showing outdoor eating, signage and markets

Byward Market Square

Fresh local produce, artisanal handicrafts and historic courtyards are some of the many features of Ottawa’s oldest and busiest market.

Byward Market Square
Carleton University

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.

Carleton University
Rideau Canal showing a city, a castle and a river or creek

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.

Rideau Canal
Canadian Museum of History showing modern architecture and skyline

Canadian Museum of History

Traverse 20,000 years of Canadian history in just one day at Ottawa’s treasure house of culture.

Canadian Museum of History
National Arts Centre

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.

National Arts Centre
Canadian War Museum showing modern architecture and a city

Canadian War Museum

The country’s museum of military history features collections of weapons and vehicles that cover hundreds of years of conflict.

Canadian War Museum
Confederation Square showing an administrative building, heritage architecture and a monument

Elgin Street

Take the family on an outing to Elgin Street during your trip to Ottawa. Visit the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Elgin Street

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.

Canadian Tire Centre

Areas of Ottawa

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica featuring heritage elements, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Downtown Ottawa

4/5(47 area reviews)

Discover art, delve into history and savor natural beauty in the heart of Canada’s national capital, a delightful blend of old and new.

Downtown Ottawa
Default Image

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.

Kanata
Default Image

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.

Nepean
Byward Market showing outdoor eating, signage and markets

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.

ByWard Market
Ottawa which includes snow

Centretown

4/5(15 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Elgin Street and Canadian Museum of Nature are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Centretown
Canadian Museum of History showing modern architecture and skyline

Hull

4/5(2 area reviews)

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.

Hull

 

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.

 

 

Photo by Linda Gratton

Casselman

Merrickville which includes a house

Merrickville-Wolford

Frequently asked questions

Is Ottawa worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Ottawa is visit Canadian Museum of History. Tick this major attraction off your list, then experience more of the area's culture and history.
How do I spend a day in Ottawa?
Kick your day off with a visit to Canadian Museum of History and Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Then, explore other parts of Ottawa for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ottawa?
Canadian Museum of History is one of the top tourist attractions in Ottawa and should be high on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Ottawa?
Three days in Ottawa is more than enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travellers book for two days on average. Canadian Museum of History, Canada Aviation and Space Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature are among the top-rated sights. Want to discover more? Hang around a little longer to explore nearby hotspots like Gatineau.
Is Ottawa a walkable city?
It all depends on what you want to do and see in Ottawa. Several attractions, like Canadian Museum of History and Canadian Museum of Nature, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Ottawa's neighbourhoods, Downtown Ottawa is 2 kilometres away from downtown, while Byward Market - Parliament Hill is 0.97 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Ottawa with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all ages, take a look at these terrific ideas for what to do in Ottawa with kids.

What to do in Ottawa for adults?
Funhaven Entertainment Centre and Parliament Hill are just two of the things to do in Ottawa. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Ottawa?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in Ottawa is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching for your wallet. Major's Hill Park is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.