Ottawa

The Rideau Canal, Ottawa River and Parliament Hill showcase very different sides of Ottawa: historic waterways, routes for active days and national culture. The changing seasons have a particular effect on how the city can be experienced. In spring and fall, boaters use the Rideau Canal; in winter, weather permitting, it becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway. When planning your trip, consider whether you’d most like to discover Ottawa by bike, through its cultural offerings or by skating in winter.

Waterways and cycling routes

The historic Rideau Canal runs through the centre of Ottawa and connects to the Ottawa River via impressive flights of locks beside Parliament Hill. In the winter months, roughly from December to February, the frozen canal becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway. It is described as the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, is free and open day and night when weather permits, and stretches 7.8 kilometres through downtown. Since it opens depending on weather conditions, skating is a seasonal experience, not a guaranteed part of a visit.

For a longer bike ride, the Rideau waterways offer a fully paved loop of about 24 kilometres. The terrain is mostly flat, but includes some hills; the route is suitable for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. It runs from Rideau Falls Park and Green Island via the Rideau River Eastern Pathway, Vincent Massey Park, Hog’s Back Park and Hog’s Back Falls, as well as the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway, back to downtown. A detour via Major’s Hill Park and the Mile of History on Sussex Drive passes some of Ottawa’s oldest historic buildings. From May to October, several Ottawa parkways are regularly reserved for active use as part of the NCC Weekend Bikedays program. If you’d like to include cycling in your trip, you can also take this seasonal program into account when planning.

Patterson Creek Park is located between Bank Street and Queen Elizabeth Driveway. Its park paths connect it to the Rideau Canal; during the summer months, runners, walkers and cyclists use the park. Alongside the longer loop, it offers another park with paths and seasonal activities to add to your itinerary.

Parliament Hill, museums and market life

Parliament Hill is home to Canada’s federal government, hosts national celebrations throughout the year and is Ottawa’s most visited attraction. Free tours include the Senate, the House of Commons, the East Block and Parliament: The Immersive Experience. Booking tickets in advance is recommended. Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums; the National Capital Region also has more than 30 local museums and galleries. This gives you a wide choice of cultural destinations when planning your trip, from a visit to Parliament Hill to other museums and galleries in the region.

ByWard Market, east of Parliament Hill, is a historic farmers’ market and shopping district by day. It is also known for handcrafted goods such as jewellery, artwork and home accessories, as well as specialty food shops and spice stores. In the evening, the market is a popular gathering place with restaurants and clubs. A guided food tour from Ottawa Food Tours visits local food shops, farmers’ markets and restaurants, bringing together several stops on one outing. For your trip, you can choose between visiting the market, shopping or taking a guided tour with several food stops.

Riverside paths and outdoor activities

Multi-use paths run along both banks of the Ottawa River in Ottawa, leading to urban beaches and sculptures made from balanced rock formations. Stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing are possible in calmer stretches of water near Parliament Hill, Rideau Falls and the Ottawa Locks. Whitewater kayaking is also available in Ottawa and the surrounding area. If you’re looking for other activities, Ottawa and its surroundings offer options such as climbing, hiking, caving, outdoor running, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

ByWard Market, as well as the Rideau Street and Sandy Hill areas in central Ottawa, are accessible by car, bus, O-Train, bike and on foot. When choosing a vacation rental in Ottawa, you can consider whether a stay focused on these central areas suits your plans and which mode of transport you prefer.

More locations

Other location pages include Carp, Vars, Riverside South - Greely and Greenbelt.

See the main travel overview: Ottawa Division.

More destinations

More places in the same destination:

Kanata.