Ottawa Attractions
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National Gallery of Canada
+3 attractions
The National Gallery of Canada is an outstanding piece of architecture, which contains a fine collection of works by Canadian artists, as well as collections from around the world.
Ottawa Locks
A flight of eight locks at the north end of the Rideau Canal, at the entrance to the Ottawa River, were completely overhauled some years ago, and an interpretive trail runs alongside the canal.
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Rideau Canal
+1 attraction
The Rideau Canal runs through Ottawa, adding to the city's character. In summer the canal and locks are an active waterway, and in winter the frozen canal becomes a recreational area for skating and festivals.
Bank of Canada
Probably the most striking architecture of the Upper Town is the Bank of Canada building, by the famous architect Arthur Erickson. The atrium behind the twelve-story tinted glass façade has the feeling not so much of a bank as of a great greenhouse, with works of art, plants the height of trees, and the splashing of fountains.
Bank of Canada
234 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0G9
Canada
234 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0G9
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 782-8111
Fax 1 (613) 782-7713
Basilica of Notre Dame
On Sussex Drive in Ottawa, at St Patrick Street opposite the new national gallery, Notre Dame is the church of the Catholic bishopric. Consecrated in 1846 it contains beautiful mahogany carving by Ph. Parizeau, figures of the four evangelists, prophets and apostles by Louis-Philippe Hébert, and some particularly fine stained glass.
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ByWard Market
ByWard Market is a popular tourist area, with shops, restaurants, and food stalls in the main market building.
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Canada Aviation Museum
(Ottawa - Outskirts)
The Canada Aviation Museum details the history of Canadian aviation, including planes from WWI and WWII.
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Canada Science and Technology Museum
(Ottawa - Outskirts)
This museum looks at the history of technology with many Canadian exhibits. Although most are historical there are displays on space exploration and modern physics.
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Canadian Museum of Nature
(Ottawa - Outskirts)
The Canadian Museum of Nature resides in a 1910 structure resembling a palace. The museum features an impressive permanent display, along with temporary exhibitions.
Château Laurier
An ornate building, with the air of a medieval castle but actually built in 1912, the Château Laurier, at the upper end of the canal locks, is a prime example of the grand hotels built by the big Canadian railroad companies, which is what it still is today.
Visitors don't need to stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier to appreciate this imposing building. It is a striking landmark.
Visitors don't need to stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier to appreciate this imposing building. It is a striking landmark.
Fairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N8S7
Canada
1 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N8S7
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 241-1414
Fax 1 (613) 562-7030
Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada
The Currency Museum is inside the original Bank of Canada building in Ottawa, and has a cross-section of coinage ranging from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Byzantium, through medieval Europe and the Renaissance, to the detailed evolution of currency in North America as it is today. This includes playing cards from "Nouvelle France" and the tokens used for payment by the Hudson's Bay Company.
Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada
245 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0G9
Canada
245 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0G9
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 782-8914
Fax 1 (613) 782-7761
Hours
May 1 to October 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
October 2 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Sparks Street
Canada's first pedestrian mall, Sparks Street, can be said to be the Upper Town's shop window, a string of top department stores and smart boutiques, together with banks and business houses, interspersed with gourmet eating places.
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
Museum of Contemporary Photography displays the works of Canada's photographers. The diverse collection features over 160,000 works.
All values are in Canada Dollars
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
380 Sussex Drive
Box 465, Station A
Ottawa, ON K1N9N6
Canada
380 Sussex Drive
Box 465, Station A
Ottawa, ON K1N9N6
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 990-8257
Fax 1 (613) 990-6542
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
October 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
| Family | $ 18.00 |
| Adult | $ 9.00 |
| Students | $ 7.00 |
| Senior | $ 7.00 |
| Youth 19 & under | $ 4.00 |
| Child 12 & under | FREE |
Discounts on
Thursday
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Wheelchair loan or rental
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature takes visitors through the world of the dinosaurs all the way up to today's animal population.
All values are in Canada Dollars
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Always closed on:
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Family | $ 25.00 |
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Senior | $ 8.00 |
| Students | $ 8.00 |
| Child | $ 6.00 |
| Child 3 & under | FREE |
Canadian Ski Museum (CLOSED)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.
The museum traces the history of skiing from it's earliest European beginnings to the introduction of the sport to Canada. Exhibits include a collection of photographs, memorabilia, skis, poles and ski clothing donated by Canadian and European skiers.
The museum traces the history of skiing from it's earliest European beginnings to the introduction of the sport to Canada. Exhibits include a collection of photographs, memorabilia, skis, poles and ski clothing donated by Canadian and European skiers.
Canadian War Museum
On Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canadian War Museum concerns wars fought on Canadian soil and others that Canadian forces took part in, including the fighting between the French and the Iroquois in the 16th c. and the Canadian contribution to the First and Second World Wars (e.g. diorama on the Normandy landings).
Special exhibitions are also held at the Canadian War Museum so check to see what is happening during your visit.
All values are in Canada Dollars
Special exhibitions are also held at the Canadian War Museum so check to see what is happening during your visit.
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, ON K1R1C2
Canada
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, ON K1R1C2
Canada
Phone 1 (819) 776-8600
Fax 1 (819) 776-8623
Hours
May 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
July 1 to September 5
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 6 to October 11
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 12 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Family | $ 30.00 |
| Adult | $ 12.00 |
| Students | $ 10.00 |
| Senior | $ 10.00 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 8.00 |
Admission is free on Thursdays between 4pm and 8pm. Free admission on Canada Day (July 1) and Remembrance Day (November 11).
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Capital Double Decker and Trolley Tours (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.
Capital Double Decker and Trolley Tours offers tours of Ottawa stopping at about 15 attractions. Passengers are allowed to visit the attraction at each stop.
Capital Double Decker and Trolley Tours offers tours of Ottawa stopping at about 15 attractions. Passengers are allowed to visit the attraction at each stop.
Confederation Square
The principal square of the city is Confederation Square at the upper end of the Rideau Locks staircase, below the Parliament Buildings. It is also the eastern gateway to the Upper Town. The main post office is situated here.
Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum
Diefenunker Canada's Cold War Museum is a unique museum located outside of Ottawa. This is a large underground facility designed to protect important items of the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear war. It was built during the cold war and today it is a museum open to the public.
All values are in Canada Dollars
Hours
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 21:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Family | $ 40.00 |
| Adult | $ 14.00 |
| Senior | $ 13.00 |
| Students | $ 10.00 |
| Child 6-18 | $ 8.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Dows Lake Pavilion
The Dows Lake Pavilion has a beautiful location, jutting out into and overlooking the lake. This facility has a number of different restaurants, including an outdoor patio that is very popular in summer. The pavilion also looks over the docks where it's possible to rent paddleboats, canoes, kayaks or bikes. In winter you can also rent skates or sleds.
Dows Lake Pavilion
1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S5K7
Canada
1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S5K7
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 232-1001
Fax 1 (613) 232-1245
Fête di Canada (Canada Day)
Fête di Canada / Canada Day: this lively event takes place in July, complete with flower parade and waterborne procession and entertainment to suit every taste.
Garden of the Provinces
Garden of the Provinces features the provincial flowers from all across Canada as well as flags of the provinces. The garden contains monuments, pathways and flowers, and in the spring, comes alive with flowering trees.
Lower Town (Major's Hill)
Ottawa's busy Lower Town, the city's market place, full of food stores and market stalls, lies to the north of the Rideau Canal, with Rideau Street its main thoroughfare.
Major's Hill Park
Major's Hill Park, south-west of the basilica, aflame with thousands of tulips in May and June, is where the "12 O'Clock Gun" stands, an old ship's cannon that since 1869 has been fired at noon on weekdays and 10am on Sundays and public holidays.
National Archives of Canada
The National Archives of Canada feature exhibits pertaining to the history of Canada. The archives also house important documents related to the history of Canada.
National Archives of Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0N3
Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A0N3
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 996-5115
Fax 1 (613) 995-6274
National War Memorial
The National War Memorial was originally dedicated to those Canadians who served in World War I and has since been rededicated to all Canadians who served in war.
Nepean Point
Protruding into the river at the southern end of Alexandra Bridge, Nepean Point has a fine view over the river, and on clear days it is sometimes possible to see as far as the Gatineau hills to the north.
On the point stands an idealized version of a statue to Samuel de Champlain, who passed this way in 1613 to 1615.
On the point stands an idealized version of a statue to Samuel de Champlain, who passed this way in 1613 to 1615.
Old City Hall
Ottawa's Old City Hall is built on Green Island and noted for it's architectural design, the city's offices have moved, but the building is still open for tours.
Ottawa International Airport
The Ottawa International Airport is located 10 km / 6.2 miles south of Ottawa city center.
Ottawa International Airport
1000 Airport Parkway Private
Ottawa, ON K1V9B4
Canada
1000 Airport Parkway Private
Ottawa, ON K1V9B4
Canada
Phone 1 (613) 248-2000
Fax 1 (613) 248-2100
Place de Ville
Place de Ville is at the south-west end of Sparks Street and contains a number of highrise buildings, including the highest one in Ottawa. There is an underground shopping mall below.
Reconciliation Memorial
Erected in 1994 the bronze Reconciliation Memorial provides a fitting monument to the dedication of Canadian Blue Caps in fulfilling a peace-keeping role - in Korea (1947), Palestine (1948) and more recently the Golan Heights, the former Yugoslavia and Somalia.
Royal Canadian Mint
Although the manufacturing of currency has taken place in Winnipeg since 1976, the factory in Ottawa continues to make special commemorative coins, tokens, medals and bullion investment coins. Visitors can tour the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa.
All values are in Canada Dollars
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Family | $ 13.00 |
| Adult | $ 5.00 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 4.00 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 3.00 |
| Child 4 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Stables
The RCMP Stables in Ottawa are home to training grounds for both horses and officers. The Stables also train horses for the Musical Ride which is an equestrian show that travels across the country annually.
Hours
May 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
September 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Canada Day (July 1)
Civic Holiday - ON, BC, AB, MB, SK, NB, NWT (Canada) (1st Monday, August )
Labor Day - Canada (1st Monday, September)
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Victoria Day - Canada (May 21)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Canada Day (July 1)
Civic Holiday - ON, BC, AB, MB, SK, NB, NWT (Canada) (1st Monday, August )
Labor Day - Canada (1st Monday, September)
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Victoria Day - Canada (May 21)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Parking
Free
Facilities
Gift shop
Saunders Farm
The Saunders Farm in Ottawa has an interesting assortment of fun things to do for kids, families, and the young at heart. The farm has a water spray zone for those hot days, a barnyard treehouse, wagon rides, slides, ice cream shop, bakery, and pirate ship, One of the unique features on the property is the variety of creative hedge mazes. There are also seasonal events at Saunders Farm so be sure to check in to see what's going on.
Hours
June 4 to June 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 30 to September 5
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Tin House Court
Just north-west of the market hall, Tin House Court with a pretty fountain is a delightful little courtyard with some of Ottawa's oldest buildings, including the façade of a house owned by a former tinsmith, and decorated by him with examples of his work.
Upper Town
The fashionable Upper Town of Ottawa extends below Parliament Hill and south-west of the Rideau Canal. The streets are laid out in a checkerboard pattern. The busy thoroughfares are Wellington Street, Kent Street, O'Connor Street, Metcalfe Street and Sparks Street pedestrian precinct.
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