https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/ottawa/best-things-to-do/100000031126
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Ottawa [2025]
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Parliament Hill
4.5
/5
253 reviews
7.2
371m from downtown
Phone +1 613-992-4793
Address: Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.1 of Night Attractions in Ottawa
Highlights:
Summer daily guard change ceremony
Watch daily summer guard ceremony
29% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Parliament Hill is the office of the Canadian government and is usually closed to the public. Now there is a light show every night at 5:30, which projects pictures with constantly changing colors and music. The whole show is about 10 minutes long and is played in a loop all night.
Parliament Hill in Ottawa is also one of Canada's political institutions. There are quite a lot of buildings in this place, all of which are government agencies. It is also a Western model. This place is also the political center area, and the surrounding facilities are very sound.
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National Gallery of Canada
4.4
/5
119 reviews
6.6
Based on 3,136 reviews
900m from downtown
Phone +1 613-990-1985
Address: 380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Canadian & European art treasures
Piano & orchestral vocal performances
25% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
When visiting Ottawa, the capital of Canada, the National Gallery is a must-visit, a feast of art.
The European Pavilion is the most worth staying in, with masterpieces by Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh and other famous artists on display in the museum.
[Value for money]
The National Gallery of Canada is not very large, with two floors, divided into modern art, indigenous culture and art, American, French, and Dutch galleries; even if you just want to browse, it is best to set aside 3 hours. The gallery houses works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, and Renoir.
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Thousand Islands
4.8
/5
132 reviews
6.3
>100 km from downtown
Address: Leeds and Grenville United Counties, ON, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-6 hours
No.1 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Ottawa
Highlights:
5-language tours on cruise
Over 1800 islands create unique lakescape
32% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Canada's Thousand Islands, also known as the Thousand Islands, is a beautiful landscape in North America. Various small islands stand in the blue water of the Thousand Islands. It is a great feeling to take a cruise in the lake.
We didn't really know what to expect but our family was mesmerized by the city, the scenery and the area. We planned for a quick overnight stay but ended up staying 2 nights and it was a blast!
No.
4
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Rideau Canal
4.6
/5
104 reviews
5.7
Based on 5,335 reviews
2.9 km from downtown
Phone +1-613-3173919
Address: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
World-class outdoor ice rink
Historic canal replaces St. Lawrence
26% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The canal is a landmark of Ottawa. When you come to Ottawa, you must check in here. The surrounding buildings are beautiful and record the history of Canada. The canal is a landmark of Ottawa. When you come to Ottawa, you must check in here. The surrounding buildings are beautiful and record the history of Canada. The canal is a landmark of Ottawa. When you come to Ottawa, you must check in here. The surrounding buildings are beautiful and record the history of Canada.
The Rideau Canal is also the central river of Ottawa. This river has a long history and you can experience many projects here. The canal is very long and passes through several cities. It is also an important means of transportation. The canal is very wide and there are many bridges here.
No.
5
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Rideau Hall
4.3
/5
111 reviews
5.5
Based on 640 reviews
2.7 km from downtown
Phone +1-613-991-4422
Address: 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1M 2B5, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
79-acre park with seasonal beauty
Governor's Mansion tour experience
30% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Governor General of Canada is the highest leader of the country and the representative of the British monarch in Canada. The Governor General's Palace is free to visit, but reservations are required in advance. There are staff to guide you through the tour and give explanations, which takes about an hour. There is a bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II riding a horse on the roundabout outside the gate.
Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada. It is free and there are guided tours every day in English and French. It is a very unique place with many beautiful areas to explore. I highly recommend a tour as you learn a lot and would miss out if you don't. We were also very impressed with the gardens.
No.
6
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ByWard Market
4.8
/5
33 reviews
5.5
Based on 5,047 reviews
942m from downtown
Address: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Historic district market by Ottawa River
Vibrant nightlife & fresh produce
48% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Byward neighborhood is centered around the Byward Market, which is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and a Quanjude store. The stalls in the Byward Market are small, and they sell food, clothing, handicrafts, and tourist souvenirs. On one side of the market is Obama's Internet celebrity bakery, and on the other side is a cafe and chocolate chain Rocky Mountain.
Byward Market is very interesting. Friends who like to visit the market and see local life should not miss it. There are many things on sale here, fresh and inexpensive. It is very interesting and you can buy a lot of delicious and fun things.
No.
7
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Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
4.0
/5
12 reviews
5.2
Based on 1,380 reviews
936m from downtown
Phone +1 613-241-7496
Address: 385 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J9, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Blue dome & golden stained glass
Stained glass windows & Bible stories
Verified User Reviews
The building is ancient and magnificent, and it was awe inspiring. We were lucky that the Basilica was hosting a female choir, so we had the opportunity to listen to their joyful singing while exploring the amazing stained glass windows and ornate columns. Although there was a long queue to enter, we waited for 20 minutes, but it was worth it.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa is located near Parliament Hill, opposite the Canadian Museum of Art, and across the street from the big spider in front of the museum. Every time I wander around Sussex Street, I pass by this church, but unfortunately I have never gone in to see it.
No.
8
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The National War Memorial
4.7
/5
28 reviews
5.0
Based on 1,055 reviews
311m from downtown
Phone +1 866-522-2122
Address: Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5A4, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Join rallies at Federation Square
Honoring Canadian martyrs' sacrifices
47% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The National War Memorial is a must-see when visiting downtown Ottawa. It only takes a few minutes, but this great memorial to those who have died in Canada's wars is worth a visit to express our gratitude.
The National War Memorial is located in downtown Ottawa, near Parliament Hill. Whenever I walk from my apartment to the Parliament Building, most routes will pass by this monument. Watching the snow beneath it melt week by week is quite emotional.
No.
9
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Canadian Museum of Nature
4.8
/5
37 reviews
5.0
Based on 2,215 reviews
1.2 km from downtown
Phone +1 800-263-4433
Address: 240 McLeod St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2R1, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Ottawa
Highlights:
Dinosaur fossils & ancient relics
Victorian architecture & Canadian history
43% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
After visiting the War Museum, it is natural to visit the Natural History Museum. For children, this is really a good place to understand and get close to nature. Many things in books appear in reality, and there are intuitive and scientific explanations.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is open to the public free of charge every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. This benefit is certainly not to be missed, after all, buying tickets still costs a lot of money. The Art Museum of Canada also has this benefit, which is really great.
No.
10
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Royal Canadian Mint
4.6
/5
52 reviews
5.0
Based on 1,200 reviews
1.1 km from downtown
Phone +1 613-993-0949
Address: 320 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Pure gold maple leaf coin
Make & take home coins
36% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Royal Mint is also a place you can visit. It is an important coinage place in Canada. It cannot be visited here. The external buildings are quite old. Currently, paper money is the main currency. The previous metal currency is becoming less and less common inside this foundry.
Both the exterior and interior of the building are very beautiful, full of history and age. The mint is still very well protected, and every corner is spotless, as if it is still in operation.
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