Ottawa Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget mealCA$15.00≈ $10.60
- Mid-range mealCA$32.00≈ $22.61
- CappuccinoCA$4.00≈ $2.83
- Domestic beerCA$7.00≈ $4.95
- Taxi (per km)CA$2.00≈ $1.41
- Public transport ticketCA$3.75≈ $2.65
- Museum entryCA$20.00≈ $14.13
- Mid-range hotel (night)CA$190.00≈ $134.24
Food & Drink
- ByWard Market building eateriesMarket/Canadian · $
The historic ByWard Market hall hosts numerous vendors and eateries including the famous BeaverTails pastry stand.
- Play Food & WineContemporary Canadian · $$$
A ByWard Market small-plates restaurant known for creative Canadian dishes paired with an extensive wine list.
- The WhalesboneSeafood · $$$
A sustainably focused seafood restaurant in Centretown known for daily-changing fresh catch menus.
- RivieraContemporary Canadian · $$$
An elegant restaurant set inside a former 1932 bank building on Bank Street, known for its Art Deco bar and modern Canadian menu.
- Shawarma PalaceLebanese · $
A long-running, popular Ottawa spot for Lebanese shawarma and falafel.
- The Manx Pub
A cozy Centretown pub known for craft beer, comfort food, and a mellow local crowd.
- Le Nordik Spa-Nordik
Technically outside downtown, though Ottawa's real nightlife draw is ByWard Market's cluster of bars like Lieutenant's Pump.
- Zaphod Beeblebrox
A ByWard Market live music venue that has hosted emerging and established Canadian bands for decades.
Culture & History
- National Gallery of Canada
Moshe Safdie's glass-towered museum housing Canada's premier art collection, including the Maman spider sculpture out front.
- Canadian Museum of History
Located across the river in Gatineau, this is Canada's most visited museum, known for its Grand Hall of totem poles.
- Canadian War Museum
A striking museum on LeBreton Flats documenting Canada's military history, including a hall housing Hitler's staff car.
- Canada Science and Technology Museum
An interactive museum covering Canadian innovation, including a large steam locomotive collection.
- ByTowne Cinema
A beloved independent repertory cinema showing arthouse, foreign, and classic films since 1982.
- Landmark Cinemas Cineplex Ottawa
Mainstream multiplex options in downtown Ottawa showing current releases.
- Canada Day on Parliament Hill
Ottawa hosts the country's largest national-day celebration, with concerts and fireworks on Parliament Hill.
- RBC Ottawa Bluesfest
One of the largest music festivals in Canada, held on the LeBreton Flats grounds.
Nature & Outdoors
- Mooney's Bay Beach
A supervised sandy beach on the Rideau River, popular with families in summer.
- Rideau Falls
Twin waterfalls where the Rideau River drops into the Ottawa River, visible from a riverside park near the French Embassy.
Active & Fun
- GoodLife Fitness Elgin Street
A major Canadian gym chain with a well-located downtown branch.
- Plant Recreation Centre pool
A public indoor pool facility in the Glebe/Centretown area with lane swimming and family hours.