Ottawa Travel Guide

An avant-garde dining experience offering a multi-course tasting menu with molecular gastronomy techniques. Reservations essential.

Located in a former bank building, Riviera offers sophisticated Canadian cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and an impressive wine list.

A beloved Ottawa institution famous for its generously portioned, delicious shawarmas, falafel, and other Middle Eastern delights.

Explore numerous food stalls and casual eateries within the historic ByWard Market, offering everything from BeaverTails to international street food.

The heart of Ottawa's nightlife, with numerous pubs, bars, clubs, and live music venues concentrated in one vibrant area.

Known as 'The Legendary Laff', this historic pub offers live music (often blues and folk), a lively atmosphere, and classic pub fare.

A sophisticated club known for its diverse music selection, including electronic, funk, and soul, with a stylish ambiance.

Houses an extensive collection of Canadian, Indigenous, and international art, with impressive architecture.

Located across the river in Gatineau, this museum explores Canadian history and features the Grand Hall with towering totem poles.

Dedicated to Canada's military history, from ancient times to modern conflicts, featuring a vast collection of artifacts.

Showcases Canada's natural heritage with exhibits on dinosaurs, mammals, birds, and minerals.

A large multiplex cinema showing the latest blockbuster films with multiple screens and amenities.

An independent cinema offering a curated selection of art-house films, foreign movies, and documentaries in a classic setting.

One of Canada's largest and most prestigious music festivals, featuring a wide array of international and local artists across multiple genres.

An annual festival showcasing jazz artists from around the world, with performances held in various venues across the city.

Massive national celebrations on Parliament Hill and across the city, featuring concerts, family activities, and spectacular fireworks.

A free, spectacular sound and light show projected onto the Parliament Buildings, telling stories of Canada's history and heritage.

A popular sandy beach on the Rideau River, offering swimming, picnic areas, a playground, and volleyball courts.

Located on the Ottawa River, this beach features a long stretch of sand, a park, picnic tables, and a children's play area. Ideal for families.

A large natural area on the Ottawa River with two sandy beaches, walking trails, and a rich ecosystem. Great for birdwatching.

A series of artificial waterfalls where the Rideau River plunges into the Rideau Canal, creating a scenic cascade. Features a park and walking paths.

Two waterfalls where the Rideau River empties into the Ottawa River. Best viewed from the surrounding parks, offering views of the official residences.

While Ottawa itself is relatively flat, Gatineau Park, just across the river in Quebec, offers numerous hills and trails suitable for hiking and cycling, providing mountain-like terrain and scenic lookouts.

Multiple locations across Ottawa, offering a wide range of fitness equipment, group classes, and personal training.

Community-focused fitness centers with pools, gyms, fitness classes, and programs for all ages.

An indoor Olympic-sized pool open to the public for lane swimming and recreational use.

A popular outdoor public swimming pool, often busy in summer, offering recreational swimming and swim lessons.

Numerous free splash pads and wading pools are operated by the city in parks across Ottawa, perfect for young children on hot summer days.

Canada's largest outdoor waterpark, featuring over 35 waterslides, a wave pool, and various aquatic attractions for all ages.