Ottawa, Ontario — Where to Go
Ottawa Sightseeing Overview
Ottawa wears an elegant charm as Canada's capital. Ornate gothic buildings with steep spires and turrets overlook the easygoing pace of the city built along the River Ottawa.
The Rideau Canal transforms from a popular skating location and winter wonderland to a quiet waterway plied with canoes and canal boats in summer.
The world-famous tulip festival marks the beginning of summer, as tourists, students, families and politicians stroll the gardens, cycle the paths and visit the many museums.
The neo-gothic Parliament Buildings atop Parliament Hill attract crowds to the outdoor summer concerts or the thrilling pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. Daily tours allow visitors a view of Canada's House of Commons and the Senate.
Across the river in Gatineau, Québec, is the Canadian Museum of Civilization, exploring 1,000 years of Canadian history. West of parliament is the new, state-of-the-art Canadian War Museum, featuring interactive exhibits of past great wars.
The National Gallery, guarded by a monstrous bronze and steel spider sculpture, is home to one of the country's finest art collections, including native Canadian art.
Not to be missed is the Stray Cats of the Hill, an open access kitty condo (run by volunteers) that offers food and shelter for the stray cat (and raccoon, squirrel and groundhog) population of the city.
Ottawa Tourist Information
Ottawa Tourism
130 Albert Street, Suite 1800
Tel: (613) 237 5150 or 1 800 363 4465.
Website: www.ottawatourism.ca
The main tourist office provides information in both English and French.
Ottawa Sightseeing
Museum Passports that last for seven days offer discounts at 10 museums and performances at the National Arts Center.
Ottawa Sightseeing
Museum Passports that last for seven days offer discounts at 10 museums and performances at the National Arts Center.
Key Attractions in Ottawa, Ontario
Canadian Museum of Civilization
This museum boasts 1,000 years of Canadian history, life-size totem poles overshadowing the magnificent First People's Hall, and an IMAX Theater with constantly changing features.
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Québec
Tel: (819) 776 8600.
Website: www.civilization.ca
Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (May-June); Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs-Fri 0900-2000 (Jul-Sept); Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (Sept-Oct); Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1700, Thurs 0900-200 (Oct-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Canadian War Museum
Poignant and interactive exhibits reveal Canada's military past, with a stunning collection of artifacts and airplanes from the world's major wars.
1 Vimy Place
Tel: (819) 776 8600.
Website: www.warmuseum.ca
Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (May-June); Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs-Fri 0900-2000 (Jul-Sept); Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (Sept-Oct); Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1700, Thurs 0900-200 (Oct-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Diefenbunker Cold War Museum
Descend 27.5m (90ft) underground into Canada's once-secret Cold War bunker, now a museum after being decommissioned in 1997. Visitors can discover some of the mysteries of this huge, four-story bunker built to house the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear attack.
3911 Carp Road, Carp
Tel: (613) 839 0007.
Website: www.diefenbunker.ca
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug);
Admission charge: Y.
Rideau Canal
This canal is cruised by boats in the summer, but then transforms into the world's longest ice-skating rink in the winter, with a 7.8km (4.8-mile) channel of ice winding through downtown Ottawa. The canal extends over 200km (124 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, and links the River Ottawa with Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence Seaway. Requiring 24 dams and 46 locks, it was one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century.
Tel: (613) 283 5170.
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/rideau
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1630, Fri-Sun 0830-1930 (May-Jun); Daily 0830-1930 Jun-Sept); Tues-Thurs 0930-1530, Fri-Mon 0830-1430 (Sept-Oct).
Admission charge: Y.
Parliament Hill
Perched on a rise next to the fairytale Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, the neo-gothic Parliament Buildings with their pointed copper roofs overlook the River Ottawa and neighboring Québec. Sit in on question time at the Legislature, tour the newly refurbished library or enjoy the sound and light show on the illuminated Parliament Hill.
Parliament of Canada, Parliament Hill
Tel: (613) 992 4793.
Website: www.parl.gc.ca
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Further Distractions
National Gallery
Located near the vibrant ByWard Market, the National Gallery is an architectural landmark with its striking glass towers, spacious galleries, quiet courtyards and gardens. It is the country's finest art museum, showcasing the world's largest collection of Canadian art.
380 Sussex Drive
Tel: (613) 990 1985.
Website: www.gallery.ca
Opening hours: Daily Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2000 (May-Sept); Tues-Sun 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2000 (Oct-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Canada Agriculture Museum
Visit a working farm in the heart of the capital city, where the sights and sounds of farm animals express Canada's agricultural heritage. There are interpretive activities for children, demonstrations and rides in a horse-drawn wagon.
Prince of Wales Drive
Tel: (613) 991 3044.
Website: www.agriculture.technomuses.ca
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (Mar-Oct).
Admission charge: Y.
