Ottawa is home to some of Canada's most historically significant and famous monuments, as well as must-see national museums, a vibrant culinary scene, and a plethora of bucket-list activities. Best of all, most sites in the downtown area are within a 20-minute walk of one another, making getting around a breeze. Ottawa, like any good capital city, is a location to learn about and experience Canada's history, but there's also room for some world-class urban and outdoor fun. Find out why the nation's capital is one of the greatest locations to visit in Canada by reading our list of the top attractions in Ottawa.
1. Parliament Hill:
On the 50-meter-high Parliament Hill (Colline du Parlement)
overlooking the Ottawa River, the Parliament Buildings, in all their Victorian
Gothic sandstone glory, are quite a striking sight. The Parliamentary Library
is a beautifully furnished octagon in the back of the building, opposite the
entrance, that was spared from the 1916 fire. In the summer, personnel of the
Canadian Mounted Police patrol the lovely grassed area in front of the
Parliament buildings, dressed dashingly in scarlet jackets, Stetsons, riding
breeches, and knee boots. The Changing of the Guard, with its regimental band and
pipers, always draws crowds on summer mornings.
2.
Rideau Canal:
The Rideau Canal is well-known as the world's largest
naturally frozen skating rink (at 7.8 kilometers long). The Canal, on the other
hand, is a year-round outdoor entertainment destination. Yes, you may ice skate
along the frozen river in the winter, floating your way through downtown
Ottawa. When the ice melts and its t-shirt weather outdoors, you may paddle
down the same waters in a voyageur canoe or rest on a calm boat trip. You can
also walk, run, or cycle along the canal's banks to learn more about it. So, no
matter when you're in town, make a pit stop along the Rideau Canal.
3.
Canadian War Museum:
The Canadian War Museum, which sits on the banks of the
Ottawa River, is difficult to miss. The museum's distinctive structure is
mostly flat, but one side rises 25 meters into the air, like a waving hand
calling you over. You'll walk through exhibitions about Canada's role in
battles throughout history once you're inside. The walls are lined with tanks,
military vehicles, and weaponry, allowing you to observe and study the
equipment used by generations of heroic soldiers on the battlefield. Over 330
works of art, as well as a variety of distinctive features, such as a towering
window that frames Parliament Hill's Peace Tower, round out the experience and
help explain the stories that moulded Canada into what it is today.
4.
National Gallery of Canada:
The National Gallery of Canada (Musée des Beaux-Arts du
Canada), designed by Moshe Safdie, is an architectural wonder with prism-like
glass towers that reflect the lines of the surrounding Parliament Buildings.
Despite the contrast between the glass and the fake medieval Château Laurier,
the attraction blends seamlessly into Ottawa's urban landscape. Galleries
present aboriginal art, chronicle the development of Canadian art from
religious works through the Group of Seven, examine European Impressionism, and
host temporary exhibitions within one of North America's major art museums. The
Inuit art rooms are located on the lower level, beneath the Great Hall, which
is encased in glass.
5.
Canadian Museum of Nature:
Do you want to spend an afternoon studying dinosaur
skeletons? Or spend a few hours learning about the variety of life that exists
in our oceans and lakes? Are you intrigued about the origins of our planet? Or
what about the lives of birds, insects, and bears? If you answered yes to any
of these questions, the Canadian Museum of Nature should be on your radar. In a
handful of exhibitions, the museum tackles the entire natural world, leaving
you wondering where the time went. And if you're looking for that one major
lure, seeing the full skeleton of a blue whale—the world's largest
animal—hanging over your head is hard to express.
6.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum:
Who hasn't imagined what it might be like to live in space at
some point in their lives? You may take a little start toward addressing that
question at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Learn about life aboard the
International Space Station from astronauts who have spent time there, then try
on a space helmet and climb inside the station. After you've fulfilled your
childhood ambition, the museum's remaining exhibits include 130 various
military and civilian aircrafts, as well as a real, full-motion flying
simulator. Come experience everything about flying without having to worry
about legroom.
7.
Peace Tower:
Parliament Hill, the entire city, the river, Gatineau, and
the hills to the north are all visible from the observation deck at the top of
the Peace Tower (Tour de la Paix), Ottawa's highest point. The bells of the
tower may be seen from the elevator, and there is a memorial area for Canadians
who perished in WWI.
8.
ByWard Market Neighborhood:
Farmers and craft merchants have been coming to the ByWard
Market for nearly two centuries to share the fruits (physical and figurative)
of their labor. What used to be a basic market has evolved into a food,
shopping, and entertainment destination. The market has over 260 stands, while
the nearby neighborhood has over 500 enterprises. On any given visit, you might
come across a wonderful brunch location, a quirky boutique full of gift ideas,
or an up-and-coming local musician attracting a crowd. The ByWard Market
Neighbourhood, located near Parliament Hill, is bustling with activity at all
hours of the day and night. Make sure to pay a visit.
Above mentioned tourist attractions are all accessible from
Ottawa Airport. You may simply reserve the transportation outside the terminal
and visit the area. You can easily find affordable taxi services outside the airport. If you are a large number of people,
then you can always request for Airport van service to have you dropped off at your destination after visiting
these places.
