The notebook of Ottawa
Slow down where everything seems to go fast.
Canadian capital organized around Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and major national museums.
At your own pace
Identity summary
3 to 6 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Possible without car depending on area
Metropolis area · Heritage · River
Good accessibility
Sweet rhythm
General presentation
Ottawa
Canadian capital organized around Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and major national museums.
The Ottawa Discovery is built around Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and the National Gallery of Canada. The stay thus alternates between the big city, heritage and riverscapes, which gives a concrete picture of the destination beyond its only best known site.
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For a stay of 3 to 6 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: variable influx depending on the season. The trip can be organised without a car if the drop point and local connections are selected in advance. The main sites are generally easy to access.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Parliament Hill
- Canal Rideau
- National Gallery of Canada
Before you choose
- Variable frequency depending on season
- Parking to anticipate in the center
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Place indismissible
Colline du Parlement
Parliament's neo-gothic buildings dominate the Ottawa River and give Ottawa Its most recognizable silhouette. The lawns, visits and views of Gatineau allow to mix architecture, political life and urban panorama.
Place indismissible
Canal Rideau
The Rideau Canal crosses the centre of Ottawa A succession of historic locks prior to continuing to Ontario lakes. You can walk or cycle along your banks; in winter, when conditions permit, the waterway becomes a huge ice rink.
Museum
Musée des beaux-arts du Canada
A large glass nave leads to the Canadian, Aboriginal and international collections of the Museum of Fine Arts. The visit is as much for the works as for the squares of the building on Notre Dame Basilica and Parliament Hill.
Museum
Musée canadien de la guerre
The Musée canadien de la guerre Addresses conflicts at the height of men and women, through testimonies, objects and imposing vehicles. Its sober scenography helps to understand the choices, losses and human consequences far beyond a simple military chronology.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
