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Things to do in Ottawa

Our most recommended things to do in Ottawa

Ottawa: Hop On Hop Off Winter Tour by Vintage Bus

1. Ottawa: Hop On Hop Off Winter Tour by Vintage Bus

Step into a cozy, vintage bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of Ottawa and Gatineau. Listen as a live guide provides fascinating context about the sights you pass along the way. Take in Ottawa’s historic scenery in the national capital area like the Rideau Canal. Hop aboard a bus that looks like an old-fashioned red trolley. Take a seat on a wooden bench and travel through Ottawa and Gatineau in this well-preserved piece of nostalgia. See as much of the city as you can in a short period of time. Experience Ottawa from the local perspective with a live guide on board. This unique multilingual tour of Canada’s capital lets you appreciate Ottawa’s historic scenery from every possible angle. Pass by sites like the Rideau Canal which connects the city to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River. Cruise by the lush Confederation Park and take in the Modern architecture of the Canadian War Museum. View where the money is printed as you pass the Royal Canadian Mint.

Ottawa: Haunted Carleton County Jail Tour

2. Ottawa: Haunted Carleton County Jail Tour

Come along on a frightening tour of the 19th-century Carleton County Jail, where you will meet your cloaked and lantern-carrying guide on a scary storytelling journey through the facilities. Find your way around by lantern light and enter Ottawa’s famous haunted jail, which now functions as a hostel. See some of the intact jail areas, which once housed some of the city's most infamous criminals, before they were hanged on the on-site gallows. Some say that their souls still haunt the site. Visit the jail's eeriest spots as your guide shares spooky stories of levitating coins and faceless ghosts. Learn about the gruesome assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee and tour the cellblocks where inmates were once imprisoned. Lastly, retrace the final footsteps of the condemned as you walk from Death Row to the last working gallows in Canada.

Ottawa: Bilingual Guided City Tour by Amphibious Bus

3. Ottawa: Bilingual Guided City Tour by Amphibious Bus

Climb aboard a unique vehicle that can travel on land and water and discover the historical attractions of Ottawa and the Ottawa River from different perspectives. Spend 40 minutes on land and 20 minutes on the water. Admire landmark monuments and attractions such as Lake Dow, Landsdowne Park, and Byward Market. Get a magnificent view of the city as you cruise along the river aboard the amphibious vehicle. See all the important sights of Ottawa and the city of Gatineau, located just across the water. Avail of an activity that is both fun and educational for the entire family, and ideal for those who are short of time but want to see it all.

Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

4. Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

Discover the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer Samuel de Champlain. Climb aboard the 'Paula D' for a 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on the Ottawa River. This must-do experience offers an entertaining glimpse of the region's rich history and leaves you with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your stay. For your convenience, there are two departure docks, one located in Gatineau and another in Ottawa. Once boarded, sit back and relax as you cruise down the river. Enjoy spectacular views of the city and learn about the river's past life as a watery highway for transporting resources with your guide's engaging and informative commentary in both English and French. During your cruise, you'll have the opportunity to see the Parliament Buildings, the Rideau Canal Locks, and the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau from the river. You'll also be able to spot some sights that are only visible from the water or from Gatineau. While you're taking in the sights, savor a nice cold beverage (at your own expense) on the large open-air upper deck. Alternatively, escape the elements and visit the closed-in lower deck to take advantage of the on-board canteen with a bar.

Ottawa: Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Day Ticket

5. Ottawa: Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Day Ticket

All aboard for this popular hop-on hop-off city bus tour of Ottawa that’s filled with fun, facts, and history! Stay on the bus for the complete 1.5-hour round-trip tour or hop off and back on throughout the validity of your ticket. Explore Ottawa's main sights like the Canadian Parliament buildings, Byward Market, and more en route. See the sights of Ottawa from a classic open-top, double-decker bus. Sit on the lower deck and enjoy the inside comfort or ride on the top deck and enjoy the fantastic views as your knowledgeable, bilingual guide points out landmarks and shares the city's history with you. Hop off at sites you want to explore and hop back on to resume your city tour. Do this at your own pace, and visit as many of Ottawa’s top sites as you like. See museums, parks, galleries, the Byward Market, the Canadian Parliament buildings, and lots more. Explore, dine, and shop throughout the capital city!

Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

6. Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal aboard a brand-new electric vessel. Admire top attractions like the Canadian Museum of Nature, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, and the National Arts Centre from this iconic waterway. The cruise departs from the heart of downtown Ottawa. Step aboard North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel, the only one of its kind. Your experienced and friendly crew will answer your questions and ensure your safety. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as your live guide shares entertaining insights into the region, its history, and rich cultural heritage. Discover the Rideau Canal from the Chateau Laurier to Dow's Lake. Learn about 30 different sites that have marked the history of Ottawa including the Trans-Canada Highway, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canal Ritz, Lansdowne Park, Bank Street Bridge, Dow’s Lake, Commissioners Park, Dominion Arboretum, and many more.

Ottawa: Scenic Helicopter Flight

7. Ottawa: Scenic Helicopter Flight

Soar over Ottawa city, the capital of Canada, snap breathtaking photos, and enjoy the view on this picturesque helicopter flight. Gaze out of the panoramic and curved windows and spot the serene Meech Lake and the Champlain. Start at the Rockcliffe airport at the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum. Have a quick safety briefing before boarding your helicopter. See Parliament Hill, the home of the Parliament of Canada, and Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Canadian monarch from above. Take-off in a Robinson R44 aircraft and fly at a cruising speed of 180 km/h. Choose between a 10-minute flight covering 30 KM, a 20-minute flight covering 60 KM, or a 30-minute flight covering 90 KM.

Ottawa: Canadian War Museum Admission

8. Ottawa: Canadian War Museum Admission

The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Designed by Japanese–Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, the Museum’s structure and surrounding grounds reflect the concept of regeneration. From windows spelling out “Lest We Forget / N’oublions jamais” in Morse code, to uneven floors and rough concrete walls, the building acknowledges the price of conflict, while also showing hope for a more peaceful future. The Museum brings Canada’s military history to life for visitors of all ages through thousands of personal stories, objects, works of art, photographs, interactive presentations, and immersive environments. In addition to a series of galleries exploring Canadian military history from early wars in Canada to contemporary conflicts, the Museum features an impressive collection of large artillery and military vehicles in the LeBreton Gallery, as well as thought-provoking temporary exhibitions on everything from the First and Second World Wars to art produced by women in conflict zones. Memorial Hall and several additional spaces in the Museum encourage quiet reflection on the cost of war. To stand in the presence of the headstone of Canada’s Unknown Soldier in Memorial Hall is a powerful and moving experience, as is experiencing the Moriyama Regeneration Hall and visiting the Royal Canadian Legion Hall of Honour. The Canadian War Museum’s collections are among the finest military holdings in the world, comprising rare vehicles, artillery, uniforms, medals, small arms, and rare books and archives, as well as the outstanding Beaverbrook Collection of War Art. In addition to showcasing exhibitions from around the world, the Museum hosts vehicle demonstrations, scholarly lectures, engaging family programming, and a wide range of special events.

Ottawa: River Zipline Adventure

9. Ottawa: River Zipline Adventure

Try out a completely unique activity that demands to be tried at least once. Try the world's only interprovincial zip-line flying across the mighty Ottawa River, separating Canada's capital, Ottawa, from the city of Gatineau. Arrive at the Welcome Desk on the Gatineau side to register and sign the liability waiver. Collect your equipment and head to the launch tower in Ottawa, an 8-minute walk from the Welcome Desk, across the Chaudière Bridge. Climb the steps to the tower and get ready to cross from one province to the other. Soar from Ontario to Quebec in less than a minute at an average speed of 40 km an hour, 120 feet above the water. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the National Capital Region with historic landmarks such as the Parliament of Canada, the historic district of Old Hull, and the Chaudière Falls, classified as a natural monument and national heritage site. Capture the whole experience and keep it as a souvenir for you and your loved ones with the Kool Replay video capture system. Quickly upload the full video of your zip line ride for your social media and watch your friends go wild.

Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission

10. Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission

The Canadian Museum of History is Canada’s national museum of human history. Located in Gatineau, Quebec, along the scenic riverfront across from Parliament Hill, the Museum is housed in an iconic building designed by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal. The Museum is one of Canada’s most popular cultural institutions, with a collection of more than 4 million items — including archaeological material, cultural objects, works of art, documents, and audiovisual material. In collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, the Museum shares the stories of the resilience and diversity of Indigenous cultures and histories across Canada. The Museum has the world’s largest indoor display of monumental poles, six traditional Native house fronts arranged in the shape of a 19th-century Northwest Coast village, contemporary works of Indigenous art, and a gallery dedicated to the achievements and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. The Museum is also home to the popular Canadian History Hall — a stunning showcase that provides access to 15,000 years of social history through personal stories and 1,500 authentic artifacts, many of which are national treasures. The Museum’s exhibitions examine the events, personalities and cultures that have shaped Canada. Sharing stories through multiple perspectives and voices, the Museum celebrates Canadian achievements while also exploring some of the country’s darker chapters. The Museum is also a destination of choice for major international exhibitions, which are often produced in partnership with the world’s most renowned institutions. In addition, you can explore the world through play with your children at the Canadian Children’s Museum and watch an inspiring, larger-than-life documentary films at Ciné+.

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What people are saying about Ottawa

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,549 reviews

Super informative, and fun? The guide was humorous and we felt as though we could have gone for another half hour, honestly! There was a lot going on in the city with Winterlude and the bed making charity event — there was a lot to see and the trolley is quite insulated so it wasn’t cold at all! We definitely recommend going while traffic is still light!

We were able to “hop on” part way through the route which meant less walking to start location. Guide and driver were friendly and helpful. Information was interesting. Bus seats were a little uncomfortable. The cost was well worth it.

It was a very enjoyable, informative tour, I enjoyed every minute of it, learning a lot about the history of Ottawa, and how it is today

Was just amazing the driver and the guide was so professional and entertaining . Thank you

Delicious food, animated guide, great experience. Highly recommended.