Things To Do
| No Time Commitment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Excursion | Details | How to book |
| ByWard Market | This outdoor market is the number one tourist attraction in Ottawa. It offers an eclectic shops, restaurants, and food and flower markets. This market is located within walking distance of the Westin Ottawa (conference hotel). | No reservation needed. |
| Rideau Centre Shopping Mall | The mall is connected to the Westin Ottawa (conference hotel) and has 180 stores selling the biggest names in fashion. The mall is also host to the Empire Movie Theatre. | No reservation needed. |
| Half-day (2-4 hours) | ||
| Excursion | Details | How to book |
| Changing of the Guard ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill | Audio presentation begins at 9:45 a.m. in English and French that explains the symbolism, history and proceedings of the ceremony, then listen. In the distance you’ll hear soldiers and their band parading from the Cartier Square Drill Hall and along Elgin street. With military precision, they’ll arrive on the Hill at precisely 10am. Then, the Band of the Ceremonial Guard ill provides music while the guards are inspected, and the Old Guard becomes the New Guard. The Ceremonial Guard may cancel the ceremony due to inclement weather.
Time Commitment: Daily Show is about 45 minutes long. Cost: Free |
No reservation needed. |
| Rideau Canal (World Heritage Site) to get great views of Ottawa’s top monuments.) | Glide along the Rideau Canal, and admire views of city attractions, including Chateau Laurier, the Canadian Museum of Nature, University of Ottawa campus, German Embassy, Armenian Embassy, Trans-Canada Highway, Pretoria Bridge, St. Patrick Statue, Canal Ritz, Lansdowne Park, TD Place Stadium, TD Place Arena, Bank Street Bridge, Dow’s Lake, Commissioners Park, Dominion Arboretum, and the National Arts Center.
https://www.ottawaboatcruise.com/tour/rideau-canal-cruise 1 Elgin st Ottawa, ON K1P5W1 (Google Map) Departures are on the National Art center side, below the Plaza Bridge (Rideau Street Bridge) Time Commitment: 1.5 hours Cost: $28.70 |
Online: https://tickets.ottawaboatcruise.com/rideau-canal-cruises |
| Self-Guided Biking Tour 79 Sparks St. |
Pedal your way through the city like a local, using the provided map to reach the sites that most interest you. Safe and scenic bike paths keep you away from car traffic and let you see the green areas of the region. Operated by Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $28.70 |
https://escapebicycletours.ca/book-bike-tour-rental-now/ |
| Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals
Three popular scheduled tours to choose from:
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Explore the city with this fun, leisurely ride along the beautiful bike trails, around the Rideau Canal, and through the picturesque neighborhoods and lush parks. Don’t miss out on visiting the top downtown Ottawa landmarks on the flat, safe bike paths at a relaxed pace for all. This is a small-group guided bike tour for riders of all levels and when your time in Ottawa is limited.
We called this tour Ottawa 101, but guests like you told us they have never visited so many places and heard such interesting history and stories in just two hours! This small-group tour travels on the beautiful bike trails around the Rideau Canal, the expansive parks, and through the picturesque neighbourhoods. Even for regular visitors of the city, you will discover something new while biking on Ottawa’s impressive bike paths. Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $47.95/$69.95 CAD |
https://escapebicycletours.ca/book-bike-tour-rental-now/ |
| The Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill – Northern Lights | A free, 30-minute multimedia light show presented against the backdrop of the Centre Block and Peace Tower. Show start times vary by month due to sunset times approximately 9:30 – 10 p.m. Weather dependent.
Time Commitment: 1/2-hour show. Arrive early for best viewing Cost: $0 |
No reservation needed. |
| Aqua-Taxi Water shuttle service in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau | Discover the heart of the National Capital by the river with its electric boat service providing Continuous shuttles between must-see sites in the heart of the capital city Ottawa and in Gatineau, along the Ottawa River Ottawa and Gatineau.
Daily 11a.m. to 7 p.m. Time Commitment: 7-10 minutes Cost: $6 one way; $12 Round trip or 2 destinations |
https://aquataxi.ca/en/aqua-taxi/ or pay on board (no reservation required). |
| Oh Canada Comeback, Eh? Dinner Musical | This two-hour show features all-Canadian music, from maritime folk songs to modern pop. You'll dine on a 5-course meal while meeting characters such as our singing Mountie, Hockey Player, Anne of Green Gables, Klondike Kitty and more. (2 hours)
Time Commitment: 2-hour show Cost: $65 |
https://www.totallylegitproductions.com/ohcanadaeh
Call the number below and use the product code: 143308P2 Call +1 855 275 5071 |
| Full day (4-6 hours) | ||
| Excursion | Details | How to book |
| Ultimate Ottawa Tour
https://www.seesight-tours.com/tours/best-of-ottawa-tour |
Narrated drive passing; the Supreme Court, Parliament Hill, Rockcliffe Park, Notre Dame Cathedral, Prime Minister’s Residence, and the Governor General’s house. Tour to discover all the capital holds, including Parliament Hill, a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Canadian Mint, and a river cruise to end your 4-6 hour tour.
Time Commitment: 4-6 hours Cost: $110.95 |
1 888-961-6584
or book ticket online https://www.seesight-tours.com/ottawa-tours |
| Natural Museum of Canada
https://www.historymuseum.ca/ |
The National Gallery of Canada brings together more than 200 works exploring General Idea’s career, from their early days emerging from late 1960s counterculture to the acclaimed IMAGEVIRUS series that permeated the media landscape in the late 1980s, culminating in the deeply moving works of their final years.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Thursday Time Commitment: 3-4 hours Cost: $21 |
Toll free: 1-800-555-5621 or
Book ticket online at https://www.historymuseum.ca/visit/admission-fees/#tabs |
| Canada Museum of Nature
http://www.nature.ca/ |
Just minutes from Parliament Hill, the Museum features world class galleries representing Canada’s diverse nature. Planet Ice Age: Mysteries of the Ice Ages (May 20-September 5). Step back in time and learn how ice and cold have shaped our world.
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $28.70 |
You must purchase ticket in advance.
Email: tickets-billets@nature.ca Online: http://www.nature.ca/en/home |
| Canadian War Museum https://www.warmuseum.ca/ (no children) |
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Thursday. Timed online ticketing every 15 minutes, with access limited to 75 people at a time.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $18 |
Contact us at
819-776-7000 or information@warmuseum.ca to book your tickets. |
| National Gallery of Canada | Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours Thursday until 8 p.m.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $28.70 |
Online: https://www.gallery.ca/ |
| Canada Aviation and Space Museum | Explore the history of aviation by touring one of the world’s finest collections of military and civilian aircraft. Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Time Commitment: 2-4 hours Cost: $16 |
Online: https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/tickets |