Ottawa.
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Overview

Ottawa is Canada's capital. With over a million citizens, it is Canada's fourth-largest city, and Ontario's second-largest city. Visitors often come to Ottawa to see Parliament Hill and Canada's national museums, but the city also has much shopping, many restaurants, and lively nightlife.

Ottawa swallowed the entirety of the former Carleton County that surrounded it in 2001. However, this article deals (primarily) with the central urban area, sometimes called "Old Ottawa". Wikivoyage has separate articles on the suburbs of Kanata and Carp.

While most Ottawans are English-speaking, 15% are native French speakers, making Ottawa Canada's largest Francophone city outside of Quebec. Across the Ottawa River is Gatineau, Quebec, which is also included in Canada's National Capital Region and is predominately French-speaking. Bilingualism is common on both sides of the river and visitors can expect service in their choice of English or French in most restaurants or shops.

Understand

History Ottawa started as a humble lumber town called Bytown, named after Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal (now a UNESCO World Heritage site which doubles as a giant skating rink in the winter), much of which was done by hand between 1826 and 1832. Lumber mills were built along the Ottawa River in the mid-19th century, and brought employment and wealth to the growing population. The centre of action then, as now, was the Byward Market. While it is still the centre of the city's nightlife, it has changed appreciably from the rough–and–tumble early days of brothels and taverns.

In 1857, Ottawa was chosen (in the legend by Queen Victoria, really on the advice of Canadian politicians) as the capital of Canada. The choice was made to avoid a controversy, because it sidestepped the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal (then, as now, Canada's largest cities). But the new capital was still a tiny outpost in the middle of nothing much — an American newspaper famously commented that it was impregnable, as any invaders would get lost in the woods looking for it.

Unlike many federal capitals such as Canberra in Australia or Washington, D.C. in the United States, Ottawa is not part of a special federal district. There is an official National Capital Region containing Ottawa, Gatineau, Quebec across the Ottawa river, and surrounding areas in both provinces. However it is not a separate administration; the two cities have just regular municipal governments and are parts of their respective provinces. Each has its own Wikivoyage article.

The first electric streetcar service was started in 1891. A menu from 1892 states that, "the first instance in the entire world of an entire meal being cooked by Electricity" was in Ottawa.

Today, the major economic sectors are the public service, travel and tourism and the high-tech industry. Ottawa has remained a green city and is situated at the confluence of three rivers (Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau) and of the Rideau Canal. Many residents make regular use of Ottawa's parks and green spaces, bikeways and cross country ski trails. Many national attractions are in Ottawa: Parliament Hill, the National Library and Archives, the National Gallery, and the Museums of History, Contemporary Photography, Nature, War, and Science & Technology.

Ottawa has a humid continental or hemiboreal climate, featuring four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation, falling mostly as snow in winter and as rain in the rest of year, is plentiful year-round. The city is neither particularly sunny or cloudy, though spring and summer are sunnier than autumn and winter.

In summer, which lasts from the beginning of June to early September, the average high is around and the average low around . During heatwaves, temperatures can approach or exceed and not go below at night, although there are also cooler and often rainier periods. The sun is up from 5:15AM to 8:45PM.

Winters in Ottawa are long, cold and snowy. There is an average of 225 cm of snowfall per winter, which usually begins falling in late October, with the ground typically being blanketed in snow from late November to the end of March, while the last of the snow falls in April. In late December, the odds of a snowy white Christmas is about 70%. Average temperatures in the winter months are between -7 and -10 °C (14 and 19 °F), although there are thawing periods where they can rise to above 0 °C (32 °F) in addition to cold snaps where they can drop to below -20 °C (-4° F). Most bodies of water in and around the city freeze over during the winter, notably the Rideau Canal, which transforms into world's largest skating rink. Daylight hours last only between 7:30AM and 4:30PM.

Spring (which begins in April and lasts until the end of May) and autumn (which lasts from September to mid November) generally see pleasant conditions, although both (especially spring) can sometimes be prone to rapid swings in conditions.

Visitor information In addition to the Capital Information Kiosk, the tourist office's eager helpers can be found in public places, ready to answer questions in French or English. You can identify them by their blue uniforms with white question marks ("?").

Capital Information Kiosk. Excellent first stop for all kinds of tourist information, in friendly and fluent English and French.

Local information from the City of Ottawa

Get in

Airport amenities ATMs and a currency exchange booth are available in the arrivals hall (lower level). There is a 24 hour baggage storage facility (Pars 2000) in the arrivals hall. There is also an information booth in the arrivals hall.

There are a number of restaurants and a few bars inside the departures area.

Destinations Direct flights to Ottawa within Canada include from Calgary (3.75 hours), from Edmonton (3.75 hours), from Halifax (1.75 hours), from Iqaluit (3.25 hours), from Montreal (45 minutes), from Toronto (1 hour), and from Vancouver (4.5 hours).

Direct flights to Ottawa from the United States include from New York City (1.5-1.75 hours) and Washington, D.C. (1.5-1.75 hours)

Services to Ottawa from outside North America is a flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Air France (7 hours). Flights can vary from a few times a week to daily in summer. There is also a KLM shuttle bus connection for passengers booked between Ottawa Train Station and Montreal Trudeau International Airport . This trip takes about two hours. Via Rail trains bound for Montreal also connect to Montreal Trudeau International Airport via a free shuttle bus from the nearby Dorval station.

Airlines Canadian airlines operating to Ottawa:

Air Canada. Canada's largest airline with hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. Some flights between Toronto and Montreal involve Toronto Pearson International Airport and some involve Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Air Transat. Canada's third largest airline with some year round destinations and specializing in seasonal flights to vacation destinations (Europe in the summer and warmer, southern international destinations in the winter).

Canadian North. A regional airline primarily operating flights in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and flights traveling between that region and a few large cities in Canada.

Porter Airlines. Operates flights in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and some flights to the United States of America. For flights departing from or arriving in Toronto, the airline's turboprop plane flights land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline's jet plane flights and flights by all other airlines almost exclusively land at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

WestJet. Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in Calgary and Toronto. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.

Ground transportation from airport to downtown Public transit - To reach downtown via public transit, take the Line 4 train to South Keys Station, then the Line 2 north to Bayview Station. At Bayview Station, transfer to the O-Train Line 1 (eastbound to Blair) to the downtown stations Lyon, Parliament or Rideau (west to east). To get to the Ottawa Train Station, take the Line 4 and 2 trains and transfer to the O-Train Line 1 (eastbound to Blair), and get off at Tremblay Station, which is next door to the train station. Rideshare pickup zone is at Pillar 12/13 of the outer curb. Car rental - Most of the major international car rental agencies have a presence in the parking garage across from the airport terminal.

Other airport is closer to downtown but does not have regular service; it is open to general aviation only.

By bus In Grand-Remous, there is service under the Autobus Maheux brand from Montreal, Rouyn-Noranda, and Val-d'Or.

FlixBus. Service from Windsor, London, Chatham-Kent, Hamilton, Toronto, Whitby, Peterborough, Kingston, and Montreal.

Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.

417 Bus Line. Commuter bus service from Cornwall, Embrun, Russell, Casselman, and Limoges. Tickets must be purchased in cash from the bus driver.

VIA Rail Canada. Operates train routes from Canada's west coast and east coast. Routes serving the Ottawa area: Between Ottawa and Toronto including stops in Smiths Falls, Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Napanee, Bellevile, Trenton, Cobourg, Port Hope, and Oshawa. The Ottawa-Toronto route operates daily with numerous trains per day. Travel time to Ottawa from Kingston is 2.25-2.5 hours and from Toronto is 4.75-5 hours. Between Quebec City and Ottawa including stops in Drummondville, Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Lambert, Montreal, Dorval, and Alexandria. Multiple trains per day travel the entire route and some additional trains travel between Montreal and Ottawa. Travel time to Ottawa from Quebec City is 6 hours, from Drummondville is 3.75-4 hours, and from Montreal is 2-2.25 hours. Travellers from Cornwall can reach Ottawa by changing trains in Kingston. It's possible to shorten the trip by instead changing trains at Brockville; however VIA Rail will not guarantee this connection, and both legs have to be booked separately.

To reach downtown from the station, passengers can take the light rail (Tunney's Pasture direction) from Tremblay O-Train Station, next door to Ottawa Station. The trip should take about 10 minutes. Tremblay Station has O-Train ticket vending machines which accept cash and credit cards.

Fallowfield Station is around 10 kilometers to the west of Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, making it the closest railway station to the airport. The airport is accessible by taxi or car in around 15 minutes. By comparison, OC Transpo buses departing from the adjacent Fallowfield bus station head north to downtown before looping back south to the airport and generally take more than an hour.

It is also possible to cycle from Fallowfield to the airport (over relatively flat terrain) in about 33 minutes. The route begins by heading south to Fallowfield Road, turning left and eventually crossing Woodroffe Avenue. Then turn left again and follow the path which bends to the right in front of the Via train tracks. The trail continues along the tracks and through a wooded area to Prince of Wales Drive and Black Rapids Lockstation on the Rideau River.

From there, turn left and cautiously ride up Prince of Wales Drive north to Hunt Club Road and turn right. Be especially careful at the intersection and on the bridge, as traffic moves quite quickly and it is not particularly friendly for cyclists. Continue down Hunt Club, turn right in front of the Days Inn by Wyndham and finally ride down Paul Benoit Drive through the employee parking lot to the lower level arrivals area.

The Ottawa River is navigable to Ottawa from Montréal, but is blocked to the west by rapids in Ottawa-Hull. There are no ferry services to Ottawa.

The city is also accessible via the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which runs from the St. Lawrence River at Kingston to the Ottawa River at Ottawa where it empties via a series of locks. It is possible to dock at Dow's Lake Pavilion and at points along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River near downtown.

By car Ottawa can be reached from Sudbury and North Bay by traveling east on Highway 17 and 417, which are part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Highway 17 is the non-freeway part of the highway and Highway 417 is the part that is a freeway.

Ottawa is about a 4½-hour trip from Toronto via the 401 and 416 highways. Traveling on Highway 401, Highway 7, then Highway 417 is shorter ( vs. ) but this more scenic route through Peterborough is two lanes almost all the way, saving you no time.

Montreal is 2-3 hours away along Autoroute 40 (in Quebec) and Highway 417 (in Ontario), which are both part of the Trans-Canada Highway.

From the American border at Prescott-Ogdensburg, it is 45 minutes to Ottawa's western suburbs (at the opposite end of Highway 416). Interstate 81 is 60 km (40 miles) further upriver in the Thousand Islands.

Get around

The Confederation Line (Line 1, red in maps), which began service in 2019, runs west-east with an underground segment through the city centre. The Trillium Line (Line 2, green) runs from the south to Limebank. Lines 1 and 2 meet at Bayview station. Line 4 (blue) runs to the airport from South Keys (connecting there to Line 2). The bus rapid transit (BRT) system, called the Transitway, has service as frequent as 1 to 2 minutes at rush hour.

The O-Train Confederation Line runs east-west under the downtown area served by Lyon, Parliament, Rideau and uOttawa O-Train stations. If you are going to the Byward Market, get off at Rideau O-Train Station. To go north-south, take bus route 6 or 7 along Bank Street from either Parliament or Rideau O-Train stations.

OC Transpo has a webpage to look up schedules and maps for all the O-Train and bus routes mentioned above. It also has a Customer Service Centre on the 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre, above the corner of Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive in downtown Ottawa. There are others at major bus stations: Lincoln Fields in the west end, Place d'Orleans and St. Laurent in the east.

Children under 12 ride free. Payment is by exact change or the Presto card. Stop-overs and return trips are permitted.

On weekends and holidays, up to two adults and four children (age 11 and under) can share a day pass. Buy the pass from the bus driver using exact cash or Presto card. Day passes are also available from ticket vending machines at O-Train stations and at customer service centres.

O-Train stations (except Bayview station) have ticket vending machines that issue a single-ride ticket. The O-Train ticket acts as a transfer which expires 90 minutes after purchase.

The Presto card is also valid in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.

Presto card readers are available on buses at the front door (and also at the rear door of long, articulated buses) and on O-Train platforms. Tap your Presto card every time you board a vehicle. When you tap within the transfer period, the Presto machine will display the minutes left in the transfer period.

You can board this route at Dow's Lake, Corso Italia, or Pimisi station. Route 13 also goes between Gatineau and Tunney's Pasture station in the morning and evening rush hour.

Many Gatineau buses (marked "STO" - Société de transport de l'Outaouais) come into Ottawa, run along Wellington Street and pass by the Byward Market. They can be caught near Lyon, Parliament and Rideau O-Train stations. The colour schemes for the two transit systems are different, red and white for OC Transpo but blue and white for STO. OC Transpo and STO accept each other's transfers including O-Train tickets. STO accepts the OC Transpo day pass but not as a group pass.

Most cab drivers know Ottawa well, but have clear instructions if you're going anywhere in the suburbs as many developments in the outskirts are relatively new. Ottawa cabs aren't supposed to pick up customers off the street on the Quebec side; the converse applies to Quebec cabs in Ottawa.

By car Parking at most attractions is convenient, though on-street parking in downtown areas is at a premium (more expensive than most other cities in North America). If you are driving to downtown on the weekend, parking is free in Gloucester Garage (210 Gloucester St). A map is useful if you are going to be driving around downtown as many of the streets are one-way. Drivers in Ottawa are rated as some of the worst in Canada, often failing to signal for lane changes or making illegal turns into far lanes rather than the closest lane.

Most major car rental companies have several offices in Ottawa with all of them represented downtown and at the airport.

On foot Ottawa is a great city to explore on foot, though in winter you need good clothes and warm boots to consider it. With pedestrian-friendly streets and the density of attractions, a car is expensive and unnecessary for the most part. An excellent place to start any tour of Ottawa is the Capital Information Kiosk, at 90 Wellington Street, directly across from the Parliament buildings. They have maps and brochures for most tourist attractions in Ottawa, many of which are within walking distance.

Popular pedestrian areas, especially during spring and summer months, are the various streets in the Byward Market. Sparks Street, running through downtown parallel to the Parliament Buildings, is a popular pedestrian area during the day and night, particularly in the spring and summer months.

Guided walking tours are available with Ottawa Walking Tours, which include some history and other tidbits of trivia not commonly known. Especially popular is the Haunted Walk of Ottawa that provides a variety of walking tours focusing on the city's darker and more offbeat past.

Ottawa is a city with a truly continental climate. In winter, exposed skin can freeze in minutes or less, so layer up on the clothing and protect yourself by wearing a hat (toque or hunters cap), gloves and boots. Despite being slightly closer to the North Pole than the equator, summer temperature and humidity can be oppressively high, so bring water if you're doing any amount of walking or cycling. If you are on the public pathways near the canal or the river, there are drinking fountains to refill your bottles. Also, don't forget the mosquito repellent.

By bicycle Bicycling is one of the best ways to see Ottawa up close. You can cover a lot of ground, stop anywhere to sight-see, and enjoy the ambiance of the city. The downtown is very well-served by protected cycling infrastructure, and paths run along the canal and the rivers, including into Gatineau on the Quebec side. In the summer, the downtown bike corridor on Laurier Ave counts 70,000 bike rides a month. The bike routes along the canal see around 350,000 bike rides a year. Again, you may want to start immediately opposite Parliament Hill to pick up a map of the area (in the World Exchange Plaza's NCC booth in the main hallway) or find a bicycle rental. Cycling to the attractions around downtown Ottawa is a great way to get around, but don't ignore the Gatineau side of the river. The city has several attractions along the river including the Museum of History and if you want to really stretch your legs, Gatineau Park has many great cycling paths; the Champlain Look Out has a wonderful view over the Ottawa Valley.

Rentals There are usually a few options for renting bicycles downtown, including:

Rentabike. Well-equipped bike rental service. From this central location, pathways along the Rideau Canal are suitable for cycling south or north.

Capital Pathway The city is criss-crossed by over 170 km of multi-use pathways (MUPs), shared with pedestrians and in-line skaters. Dogs on leash are allowed along many of the paths, but only if the owner is on foot. Many paths are unlit at night, so careful that you don't ride into a leash between the dog and its owner. The maximum speed on the pathways is 20 km/h (13 mph).

The National Capital Commission closes 20 km of roadways to cars summer weekends as Weekend Bikedays from Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September) allowing for cycling, in-line skating and walking on these roadways.

Maps of the Capital Pathway are available, including the Official Cycling Map for Ottawa-Gatineau and the simplified Ottawa Multi Use Pathway Pocket Map created by a local cycling blogger.

For more route suggestions, check out these local cycling blogs:

OC Transpo has bicycle racks on the front of many buses (seasonally). The O-Train will take bikes as well, in the forwardmost car.

The City of Ottawa has bike repair stations in public spaces along paths and across from City Hall, at libraries and community centres. The stations consist of a pump and the most important tools, connected to a base with steel cables.

They also make available information on infrastructure progress. Contact them also with questions about routes, concerns and popular destinations. Although it is a volunteer-run organisation, they are usually fairly fast in responding. #ottbike is the commonly used hashtag on social media.

See

The primary attraction for most visitors is Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill is in the middle of downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Not only is the building a fine example of the Gothic revival style, it makes an excellent starting point to visit all other points of interest in the area. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily on the lawns of Parliament at 9AM from late June to late August. The Governor General's Foot Guards can also be seen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at Rideau Hall.

Tours of the building are available daily with multiple tours (in English and French) available at staggered times throughout the day. The admission is free, but you need tickets (one for the House of Commons at West Block, one for the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building) which you get online at visit.parl.ca. There is also a free 45-minute immersive experience that can be booked on the same official booking website. The Centre Block and the Peace Tower are closed for renovation, and are expected to remain closed until 2031. Tour guides take you through the House of Commons Chamber or the Senate Chamber and explain the history, roles and architecture of the respective buildings. Each tours lasts about 45 min and free same-day tickets can be booked online at visit.parl.ca depending on availability. Keep the order confirmation number, which can be used in lieu of tickets if they are never received by email. If there are no more tickets available, or you have to wait for your time, a fine self-guided walking tour around the grounds of Parliament Hill will keep you busy. Free booklets are available at the Capital Information Kiosk at 90 Wellington St. One of the nicer, unexpected views, looking from the bottom up, can be accessed at the back of the Parliament Buildings—that vantage point also provides a river view of the Canadian Museum of History, across the river in downtown Gatineau (the former city of Hull). Behind the Parliament Buildings at sunset is a sight to remember. You can walk by the Rideau Canal locks (at the east corner) and visit the Bytown Museum at the level of the canal. The locks separate Parliament Hill from the Chateau Laurier, a former railway hotel (see below).

Museums There are many national museums and galleries in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau. All museums in Ottawa have free admission on Canada Day, July 1, although they are generally very crowded then.

Bytown Museum. A small museum at the foot of Parliament Hill with a focus on Ottawa's early history.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. A working animal farm in the city. You can visit animal barns, see various demonstrations and exhibitions, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. The museum also has a playground and picnic area. It is very popular with young children and a welcome change of pace for kids who have seen enough history after visiting some of the other sights.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Former RCAF base with civilian and military aircraft ranging from pre-World War I to modern, including 1920s-1940s bush planes, war planes from both World Wars and the Cold War, surviving components of the 1950s' Avro Arrow interceptor and Space Shuttle Endeavor's Canadarm, a Canadian-built robotic arm. Guided tours, boutique.

Canadian Museum of Nature. Galleries of fossils, mammals, birds and geology among others. Free admission Thursdays after 4PM and all day Canada Day (July 1st).

Canadian War Museum. The museum presents Canada's involvement in armed conflict beginning with battles between the French and British, through to the World Wars, Korea, and the country's current involvement in NATO and UN operations.

Carleton University Art Gallery. Art exhibitions and educational events to explore and activate the ideas that shape contemporary society.

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. A museum village featuring buildings from the early 20th century including a railway station.

Diefenbunker — Canada's Cold War Museum. Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada. "Diefenbunker" is a play on "Diefenbaker", the Canadian prime minister in the 1950s who authorized the construction of the facility. In addition to preserving and promoting Canada's Cold War history, the museum offers a variety of visitor programs and services. You can learn, play or shop as you discover the bunker's secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. Guided tours by reservation only. 515 stop; # Walk 3 minutes to Brookstreet Hotel; # Take a taxi to the Diefenbunker.

Laurier House National Historic Site. 1878 house that is the former residence of two Canadian prime ministers: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (for whom the house is named) and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

National Gallery. Photography, traditional and modern art from Canadian and international artists. Housed inside a glass building with a giant spider structure on the outside.

Science and Technology Museum. Several displays are popular with children, including massive locomotives inside the building and electricity demonstrations. Re-opened on November 17, 2017, after years of renovations because of a mould problem, this museum is even more family-friendly than it was before its forced closure.

Ottawa Art Gallery. Municipal art gallery.

Ottawa 67's. Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Atlético Ottawa. Replacing the city's former Ottawa Fury FC is this club owned by Spanish soccer giants Atlético Madrid. Unlike Fury FC, which played at the second level of US soccer (the USL Championship), Atlético Ottawa plays in the domestic Canadian Premier League.

Ottawa Harlequins. Rugby Canada Super League

Ottawa Redblacks. Canadian Football League (CFL)

Ottawa Senators. National Hockey League (NHL)

Ottawa Charge. Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Shares an arena with the Ottawa 67's.

Parks Ottawa has dozens of neighbourhood parks and other parcels of green space in the urban core.

Confederation Park. Downtown park, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, featuring a fountain, totem pole, statues.

Kiwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point). A quiet place to watch the sun set, or to take photos of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the Museum of History, and the Royal Canadian Mint from angles that don't usually end up in the tourist brochures. Kiwekì (pronounced key-WHECK-ee) Point is also home to a statue of Samuel de Champlain, and the Astrolabe Theatre (one of the better places to watch the fireworks from on July 1). As of May 2025, the point is wheelchair-accessible.

Strathcona Park. Strathcona Park is at the eastern end of the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, and is the centrepiece of "Embassy Row". Be sure to see the Lord Strathcona Fountain at the park's north end, and Stephen Brathwaite's play structure (which looks like a ruined building in miniature) in the middle of the park.

Commissioners Park. Located adjacent to Dows Lake, where you can rent boats, it features the Festival of Tulips in May. In summer, there are a number of flower beds with flowers arranged by colour in attractive patterns.

Hartwell's Lockstation. Picturesque lock station within a park along the Rideau Canal. One could walk across the locks and continue north to Dows Lake near Carling O-Train station, or northwest to the Canada Agriculture Museum.

Rideau Hall. The official residence of His Majesty King Charles III and his representative the Governor General of Canada. The grounds and the residence are open to the public for tours. Reservations are recommended during the low season (September 1 - April 30).

Royal Canadian Mint. Canada's commemorative and collectable coinage is minted here (circulation coinage is minted in Winnipeg), as were the medals for the 2010 Olympics. Tours are available, and there is no charge if you only want to visit the boutique.

Supreme Court of Canada. Canada's highest court and the best example in Ottawa of Art Deco architecture. Its marble Grand Entrance Hall is particularly impressive. The visit includes a tour in the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada hearing room. The visits last about 30 minutes and are provided by law students hired at the Court. The Court is a 5-minute walk from Parliament. Tours are offered in French on the half hour and in English on the hour. No reservations are needed between May 1 and August 30. Visitor reservations are required between September 1 to April 30.

24 Sussex. The official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. While you cannot enter the building, you can look through the fence from the outside.

Do

There are walking tours to introduce you to the capital area.

Ottawa Walking Tours offers historical guided walks of Ottawa's downtown core with special stops at areas of historical significance. Tours acquaint guests with the history of the city and allow visitors to learn more about Ottawa’s history, architecture and colourful political characters. Tours are offered year-round and reservations are required. For more information, call . The Haunted Walk of Ottawa offers tours focusing on Ottawa's infamous haunts and darker history. Hear tales of hauntings at some of Ottawa's most well known locations, including the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Bytown Museum and the Ottawa Jail Hostel. Cloaked guides lead guests through the city streets by lantern light-the perfect atmosphere for a good ghost story. Tours run year-round, rain or shine. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, call .

Cinema, Music and Theater Ottawa has many movie theatres to choose from, but there are also a few that specialize in "foreign" films (i.e., not American), early releases, old returning films and specialty films. The Mayfair Theatre is at 1074 Bank St. near Sunnyside. In addition, the Canadian Film Institute screens films at several venues for the specialist film crowd.

Ottawa has lots of live entertainment, including music and theater from small shows to large productions.

The National Arts Centre. Also provides a major venue for dance and orchestral performance.

GigSpace. A more intimate jazz and blues venue, away from Downtown's beaten path.

Winter Winter officially begins in December, but daylight is already noiceably shorter by then, and holiday light displays and snow arrive in late November. Cold winters don't keep most locals inside - in fact, many people wish for an early freeze and lots of snow so that conditions are perfect for some annual traditions and winter hobbies.

Rideau Skateway. When the temperatures are at their coldest, go skating on the largest outdoor skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal. Skates, sleighs and ice "tricycles" can be rented, and refreshments purchased from vendors right on the ice. This is also a great place to enjoy a "BeaverTail" (see the listing under "Eat"). Rest areas with heated changerooms, washrooms, firepits, picnic tables, snacks and warm drinks are on the ice at various points. At the end of the boating season, the canal is drained, stairs, chalets, and temporary structures lifed in, and the water level raised just enough to provide of ice thickness. The ice surface is at the bottom of the canal, so it can only be accessed where stairs or ramps have been installed. Professinonal crews plow snow, fill cracks, and maintain the ice surface around the clock as soon as the ice is thick enough. The "skateway" can stretch for from the locks next to Parliament Hill to Carleton University, though some sections may be closed if ice conditions are too poor. It's possible to walk along the skateway if you want to visit a fire pit or snack bar. The ice surface is open 24 hours every day, but the vendors and amenities close in the evening. The 2023 season was cancelled due to high temperatures.

Mooney's Bay Ski Centre. The city's trail system serves as an excellent cross-country ski trail system. The city-run ski centre at Mooney's Bay Park is a good starting point if you want classic cross country or skate skiing lessons or need to rent equipment. Trails along the Ottawa River (the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail or Britannia Winter Trail, Rideau River (the Rideau Winter Trail) are other public and scenic routes that are groomed and maintained by volunteers.

Winterlude. For about two weeks each February, Winterlude (French: Bal de Neige) is the national capital's annual winter festival featuring ice carving and snow sculptures. The festival is spread throughout both Ottawa and Gatineau. Sparks Street is home to the ice-carving competition and public art installations. The Byward Market hosts food experiences, winter activities, and additional locations for interactive art. Other locations throughout the city offer special events throughout the festival, focusing on family activities, Indigenous culture, and the LGBT community. Some museums offer special programming during the festival. The snow playground, with tubing, ziplining, slides and obstacles courses is in Gatineau.

Maple Syrup. In early spring (typically peaking in March), when the daytime temperatures are above freezing and night temperatures are below freezing, consider visiting a sugarbush (or sugar shack) for fresh maple syrup, tours of orchards, and demonstrations of the maple syrup boiling process. Taffy on snow is a sugary treat made with freshly boiled maple syrup on fresh snow. There are many to choose from on farms in the countryside. Maple products are also sold at vendors in the Byward Market, and some bars will serve seasonal maple-infused craft beers from local breweries. Ontario's sugar shacks focus less on the culinary aspects of maple syrup than the Cabanes à Sucre found in Quebec, where you could expect a feast of hearty dishes alongside the season's syrup harvest.

Vanier Museopark Sugar Shack. The Vanier Museopark's "Sugar Shack" offers the sugarbush experience without needing to leave the city. Reservations can be made at the website.

The Tulip Festival. During the Second World War, the Government of Canada sheltered exiled members of the Dutch Royal Family in Ottawa, and even declared part of the Ottawa Hospital as "extraterritorial" so that Princess Margriet of the Netherlands would not be born a British citizen (making her ineligible for the throne of the Netherlands). After the end of the war and every year since, the Dutch royal family has sent thousands of tulip bulbs in gratitude. Each May, they blossom into a spring bonanza of flowering bulbs, and a concert series features well-known Canadian rock and other popular music groups. The festival activities focus on Commissioner's Park, but over a million tulips bloom in public gardens in parks throughout the city.

International Film Festival of Ottawa. Known as the IFFO, occurs for 12 days in March and showcases a selection of contemporary Canadian and international films.

Ottawa Black Film Festival. Occurs in late March for two days and showcases a selection of African and Afro-diasporic films.

Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. In late June.

Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. In summer, one of the largest in the world.

Bluesfest. Also in summer: The largest blues festival in Canada. It also features rock, pop and world music, and attracts visitors from Atlantic Canada and New England.

The Fringe Festival. Another summer offering with theatre performances.

Ferrari Festival. In June, on Preston Street.

Canada Day. Celebrate Canada's birthday in Ottawa on July 1. While the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings is being renovated, the official spot to gather on Canada Day is Major's Hill Park. As of 2022, the events have been moved to LeBreton Flats Park.

Capital Pride. Ottawa's annual LGBT pride festival, taking place at Somerset Village (Bank & Somerset), the core of Ottawa's LGBT community.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival. One of the largest animation festivals in the world, the OIAF is held in September.

Yoga on the Hill. During the summer months, a free weekly yoga class is offered on Parliament Hill most Wednesdays beginning at noon. The class is very popular—sometimes attracting more than a thousand people—so it's recommended to arrive a bit early to claim a spot on the grass. Yoga mat recommended but optional; bring your own.

Doors Open Ottawa. Doors Open Ottawa, the second-largest Doors Open architectural event in North America, takes place during the first weekend in June. Over 100 buildings (many of which are normally closed to the public, such as embassies, official residences, museum storage buildings, and city infrastructure facilities) open their doors to the public, offering free admission to part or all of the premises. Most participating buildings also allow photography. While the event takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM, not all buildings are open both days. It is a hybrid event, with virtual and physical visits. Reservations required at some participating buildings (including the US Embassy).

Jane's Walk Ottawa. An annual festival of free neighbourhood walking tours organized by volunteers. Jane's Walk is a pedestrian-focused event that improves urban literacy by offering insights into local history, planning, design, and civic engagement through the simple act of walking and observing. They are a lot of fun and you will hear stories that you won't find in any guide book.

Learn

The two best known universities in the city are Carleton University and the bilingual University of Ottawa. Bilingual St. Paul's University is a Catholic university with ties to the University of Ottawa, offering various degrees in theology and social sciences. Dominican University College is a Dominican university where theology and philosophy can be studied at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, also in English or French. There is also Algonquin College and the francophone Collège La Cité.

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology.

Dominican University College. A Roman Catholic college of philosophy and theology, affiliated with Carleton University since 2012.

Collège La Cité. The largest French-language college in Ontario.

Saint Paul University. A bilingual Catholic Pontifical university, federated with the University of Ottawa.

Work

The Federal Government is the region's largest employer with the high-tech sector firmly in second place. Unless you are a Canadian resident, you will need a work visa to work in Ottawa, and some Federal Government jobs require Canadian citizenship. Most Federal Government jobs require applicants to be bilingual in English and French.

Buy

ByWard Market. It is also a craft and tourist market with a range of shops and the city's busiest entertainment district with restaurants, pubs, bars and many street performers. Interesting to see it first during the day (when it's a shopping destination) and then in the evening (when it's a nightlife destination).

Sparks Street. A pleasant pedestrian street one block off Parliament Hill; a common tourist thoroughfare for seeing the sights. Along this street you'll find the majority of the tourist shops selling postcards, magnets, and maple syrup. The Astrolabe Gallery, located on this street, is a treasure trove of antique maps and vintage posters. There are several outdoor cafés and restaurants to choose from.

Westboro Village. A stretch along Richmond Road in the "near west" of Ottawa from Golden east to Tweedsmuir has become a popular tourism and shopping zone with several outdoor stores (clothing and equipment), restaurants and coffee shops. Notable shops include the Mountain Equipment Coop, lululemon, Starbucks, Bridgehead (fair trade coffee), Kitchenalia, a chocolatier and several others.

Bank Street Promenade. Great mix of stores ranging from chain restaurants to specialty shops. District extends from Wellington St to Gladstone Ave.

Wellington West. Wellington West is the commercial district of Hintonburg and Wellington Village, located in the west end between Little Italy and Westboro. It is home to independent businesses in Ottawa, such as boutiques, restaurants and food shops, and local art galleries, as well as the Parkdale Market. Notable shops include Hintonburger, Suzy Q Doughnuts, Elmdale Tavern and several others.

Larger shopping malls include the (downtown), (East Central), (East End), and (West End).

The last Saturday in May, Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood hosts the annual Great Glebe Garage Sale. Hundreds of residents set up tables in their garages or on their lawns and sell used goods ranging from household knick-knacks to electronics to clothing. Businesses in the area also hold sidewalk sales, and vendors sell artwork, baking, and refreshments. Driving and parking during the sale itself is unnecessary and nearly impossible. Arrive on foot or park and walk into the neighbourhood. For parking, and for the best deals (especially on larger items like furniture), arrive early. The event is bustling by 8AM but continues well into the afternoon. Vendors are encouraged to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Eat

BeaverTails. Try the tasty BeaverTail, a fried-dough pastry associated with Ottawa, although a number of places claim to have created it. It's available in sweet and savoury versions, topped with cinnamon, sugar, icing sugar, etc. In the winter, many places will offer it on the canal. During the summer, the only places downtown to offer it are in the Byward Market on George St., and a small counter in a corner of the Canadian Museum of History. There are a variety of toppings and the taste of the beaver tail stands out more with the classic sugar & cinnamon. However, the locals' favourite is the Killaloe Sunrise, a topping of cinnamon sugar and lemon juice.

Coffee shops are found throughout the city, and include dozens of two specialty chains Second Cup and Starbucks, in addition to the mainstream Tim Horton's (seemingly planted at every intersection). Bridgehead is a fair trade coffee house and can be found at a half dozen or so locations. Try their small double shot lattes, which are significantly better than their competitors'. There are several coffee houses in Little Italy, on Preston Street. Bar Robo on Somerset St under the Chinatown arch offers locally-roasted coffee during the day, along with fresh croissants and donuts.

Ethnic foods from around the world are available at a wide variety of restaurants and street vendors throughout the city. The Byward Market area has a wide selection of different cuisines; the Chinatown area is along Somerset Street West between Bay and Preston streets (bus 11 from Parliament O-Train Station); Little Italy runs along the length of Preston Street, from Carling Avenue to Albert Street (bus 85 from Primisi O-Train Station).

Budget According to a 2025 CBC News report, Ottawa has almost 200 shawarma (kebab and fixings in pita bread) restaurants around the city. Their busy times are typically weekdays at lunch-hour, and on weekends after the bars close. The Byward Market and Elgin St. have several restaurants to choose from. Local favourites include and both on Rideau St among other Ottawa locations.

The usual range of diners, bagel shops and fast food restaurants can be found in shopping areas throughout the city. You will also find "chip wagons" or "chip trucks" parked in various locations around the city at lunch time. Most of them serve hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage-in-a-bun, pogos (corn dogs - deep fried, breaded hot dogs on a stick), chips (French fries) and poutine (French fries covered with cheddar cheese curd and gravy - very popular in Quebec and eastern Ontario). You can find the occasional truck that sells Caribbean roti, fish and chips, Canadian "Chinese" food, or other foods. One popular bagel shop is , which has three locations in Ottawa, the original being at 912 Bank St (near Lansdowne Park), and serves Montreal-style bagels. at 407 Dalhousie St serves poutine.

If you're in town for a few days, try them both.

Ahora Mexican Cuisine. A good little Mexican canteen. It serves up mains, zippy margaritas, and drinks imported from Mexico.

La Bottega Nicastro. the focaccia) usually baked on the premises. The sit-down lunch kitchen is also well worth a visit.

Di Rienzo. During the week the lineup can stretch outside the packed little store, but they are arguably the fastest sandwich makers anywhere so don't worry about a long wait. There is also another newer location run by the family at Meadowlands Drive and Fisher Avenue.

Elgin Street Diner. A popular 24-hour diner. One of its specialties is the ESD (Elgin Street Diner) Poutine (though true Quebecers should probably abstain). Generally, poutine is French fries, served with cheese curds and gravy on top; they have several versions including the addition of caramelized onions and bacon, Montreal smoked meat, Philly steak, a four cheese blend or Chili. The substitution of mashed potatoes fried with onions and seasoning (called their home fries), or onion rings instead of regular French fries is also an option. The breakfast menu includes Kettleman's bagels.

Rangoon. Try the fish noodle soup (mohingha), chicken curry or eggplant curry. A real hidden gem.

Warehouse. Warehouse, in the heart of Byward Market, has a sidewalk patio and a roof patio. Inexpensive meals are available. Busy every day of the week, especially after 8PM when it is mostly a bar which may have a DJ.

For the best non-traditional Canadian eats, head down Somerset St West near Bronson to the heart of Chinatown. Here you have a choice of places for Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese, etc. Vietamese soup-houses, Pho Bo Ga and Pho Bo Ga La, are well-rated. The Jadeland Restaurant is a small popular Chinese restaurant set in a converted house and has been well reviewed for its tasty dishes and low prices. Another good source for ethnic foods is the stretch on Rideau between King Edward and the bridge to Vanier. You can find Middle Eastern, African and Asian food here.

For a somewhat higher-end Indian buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd.

Coconut Lagoon. Coconut Lagoon serves Kerala cuisine, subtly different from other South Indian styles (although people kept asking for Butter Chicken so it's on the menu as well). The restaurant's executive chef and owner Joe Thottungal took the silver medal at the Canadian Culinary Championships in 2017, and the gold medal at the Gold Medal Plates Culinary Competition 2016. There are vegan-friendly dishes on the menu. The restaurant is re-opening in August 2022.

Zak's Diner. The best milk-shakes are found at Zak's, a 24-hour diner in the Byward Market. Late on week-end nights (2-3AM), it's packed as people go for their after-bar poutine. There are two additional locations on Elgin Street and in Kanata.

Le Mien - Craft Noodle. Traditional Chinese noodle shop with hand pulled noodles in warm rich broth.

Similar restaurants can be found in major suburban shopping areas too.

The Empire Grill. Has a great patio in the summer and delicious food year-round.

The Works. Hard to argue that these are not the best burgers around. The selection is top notch and toppings are bountiful. Also served are delicious onion rings, milk shakes and cold beer, all in a funky industrial decor. Choose your burger from the traditional beef, elk, vegetarian, or other options. They're becoming an Ontario-wide chain, but Ottawa is where the Works started, and where they have their largest market penetration (seven locations as of January 2017). There are three locations where tourists in Ottawa might stumble across them; these are the ones listed below.

Taqueria La Bonita. If you're looking for Mexican cuisine (not Tex-Mex or Cal-Mex) in Ottawa, they're worth the drive out of downtown. La Bonita is a small restaurant - while you don't need to make reservations, they're recommended during busy hours.

Feleena's. Mexican restaurant (not Tex-Mex or Cal-Mex)

Splurge Ottawa has excellent options for fine dining if you feel like spending a bit extra.

Beckta. Excellent modern restaurant with a variety of tastes centred on locally available foods. Also features an extensive wine list.

Restaurant 18. An upscale, modern restaurant and bar located in a renovated 19th century heritage building. It is the place to see and be seen.

Signatures. At Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute is a French restaurant with a five-diamond rating from CAA/AAA that is considered among the very best in the city.

The Wellington Gastropub. A small second-floor walk-up in Westboro, the Wellington Gastropub changes its menu daily and has over a dozen craft and microbrewery beers on tap.

Gitanes. French-inspired restaurant that uses local ingredients. Great wines and creative cocktails. Gitanes also has sister restaurant across the street, Gitanes Burger, with amazing burgers.

Govinda's Restaurant. offers a simple vegan buffet. The best cheap eats in town. Operated by ISCKON (Hare Krishna movement).

The Green Door. At offers a vegetarian and vegan buffet and is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Ottawa. It offers private and communal tables.

Pure Kitchen Ottawa. Hip restaurant serving vegetarian and vegan food. Wraps, burgers, rice bowls, salads. Bar offers juice, beer, wine. Reservations only for parties of 6 or more. Second location in Centretown at 340 Elgin Street.

Drink

The most popular bar areas are in the Byward Market, along Wellington Street in Westboro, along both Elgin Street and Bank Street between Somerset and Gladstone in the Centretown area, and further south on Bank. There are pubs and bars scattered throughout the city as well.

You can also take a small trip over the Ottawa river to Gatineau. Bars in both Ottawa and Gatineau close at 2AM (even though the rest of Quebec has a last call of 3AM). Quebec has a lower minimum age to purchase alcohol (18, vs. 19 in Ontario) and sells beer in corner stores. Ottawa police often set up checkpoints near the bridges to catch drunk drivers returning from Quebec after closing time.

Smoking (both traditional and e-cigarettes, also called "vaping") of tobacco or cannabis is not permitted in restaurants and bars, or on patios.

Pubs Combining the Irish tradition for casual hearty meals, with Quebec’s cinq à sept (“five to seven” - a social gathering in the two hours after leaving work), Ottawa’s many pubs are lively throughout the day, all week long. Several pubs have grown into local chains, while maintaining a character endeared to each neighbourhood.

Clocktower Brewhouse. A microbrewery with two locations.

Pub Italia. An Irish/Italian pub with hundreds of bottled beers listed in its "Beer Bible", especially Belgian. Decent pizza and pastas, but other places in Little Italy have better; you're going here for the beer, not the food. Intimate faux Medieval/Gothic décor; a bit strange, but the patio is very nice.

The Royal Oak. Several cozy locations, serving traditional pub food from lunch into the late evening.

Byward Market During the day, the Byward Market’s produce stands and small shops are busiest, but in the evening, it’s the city’s entertainment district. In the warmer months, the boulevards and streets surrounding the market building, and courtyards framed by historic stone buildings come alive with large patios.

Chez Lucien. A good selection of microbrew beers.

Heart & Crown. Ottawa's largest pub complex, forming a maze of busy bars and restaurants. Including the eponymous Irish Village (loud, lots of live music) and The Heart and Crown. The fish and chips has a generous serving of fish.

Dominion Tavern. Simple beers and some pool: picture your friend's basement apartment, even serving 40s of beer (a 40-ounce glass).

The Lookout Bar. They have a very popular "bois night" on Thursday that attracts lots of people. Drag shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Rainbow Bistro. Multi-story bar with live music throughout the week. Dedicated regulars mingle with local and well-known names in the jazz and blues scene.

Bank Street Bank Street is the city’s commercial spine, connecting many of the neighbourhoods in downtown Ottawa to Wellington Street and Parliament Hill. In its downtown blocks, it’s a lively pedestrian friendly Main Street. The intersection of Bank and Somerset is the center of Ottawa’s LGBT community. South of the Queensway, Bank passes through the family friendly, trendy "The Glebe" neighbourhood.

Prohibition Public House. Craft beers, cocktails, and creative sangria with a seasonal locally sourced menu for snacks and meals.

Quinn's Ale House. A small but cozy sports bar and pub located next to the Mayfair Theatre.

Flora Hall Brewing. Brewery and restaurant, with an extensive kitchen menu and full bar

Irene's. Pub with weekend brunch, and a busy calendar of music and events throughout the week.

Elgin Street Elgin Street runs parallel to Bank Street, connecting neighbourhoods further east in the downtown to the National Arts Centre and Chateau Laurier.

D'Arcy McGee's. Lively Irish pub. Beautiful architecture with impressive food selection.

The Lieutenant's Pump. British pub with a good variety of food selections and inexpensive draught beer.

The Manx. Great microbrews, wide Scotch selection, bohemian/hipster feel.

The Standard Luxury Tavern. A restaurant during the day, pumping club/lounge at night. The Standard is popular Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with a different style of music each night. Friday is excellent old-school and modern hip-hop/R&B while Saturday is a little of everything. Excellent beer tap selection and daily drink specials.

Sleep

Barefoot Hostel. A clean, modern hostel located downtown, offering only private rooms. Included for use is a mini-kitchen (no stove), back patio with lounge chairs, common room with a TV, computer (with internet), free WiFi, plush bed linens, lockers and three shared bathrooms. The check-in desk is at The Swiss Hotel, around the corner at 89 Daly Ave.

Ottawa Backpackers Inn. Part of Backpackers Hostels Canada, includes kitchen, free and fast WiFi and free coffee/tea. In a converted house into hostel, in the Byward market block and downtown. The staff and the atmosphere are very friendly.

University of Ottawa. From May to August, university housing is offered as hotel-like guest rooms in one of its newer housing complexes.

Auberge King Edward Bed and Breakfast. Well-preserved Victorian architecture packed with character. Free parking and WiFi.

Australis Guest House. Run by an Australian expat, this 2-room B&B gets praise for fresh-cooked breakfast. Free Wifi. Limited parking available, ask.

ByWard Blue Inn. A B&B hotel in the picturesque Byward Market with refrigerators, microwaves, private balconies.

Cartier Place Suite Hotel. Pet friendly downtown suite-style accommodations. Rooms provide small kitchens and seating areas. Hotel offers fitness center with pool and sauna.

Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East. Complimentary internet access and parking. 395 guest rooms, each with wet bar. Indoor pool, whirlpool, 24-hour exercise room, and business center. Bistro and meeting facilities on-site.

DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown. Modern hotel with an emphasis on energy conservation. Modern restaurant and banquet facilities. This location offers internet access.

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel. Comfortable rooms in a partially-renovated hotel tower. On-site restaurant, fitness, and concierge services.

Swiss Hotel. A charming, cozy, 22-room hotel located in the heart of Ottawa. The Inn was built in 1872 from limestone in a 19th-century Vernacular Classical Revival. Swiss Hotel offers traditional Swiss hospitality with modern comfort. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, rooms are equipped with iPads. Optional healthy buffet breakfast is offered daily with Bircher-Muesli and fresh ground Swiss espresso.

Delta Ottawa City Centre. Sleek 1967 modernist tower on the quieter west side of downtown. Includes wireless Internet. Fitness center has a large pool and sauna.

Andaz Ottawa. Owned by Hyatt. Spacious, pet friendly rooms, with a 24-hour fitness center.

Arc. A trendy boutique hotel with prices to match its style.

Chateau Laurier. The city's grand old hotel: its oldest and most famous luxury hotel as well as one of its landmarks. Rooms facing west overlook the Rideau Canal locks and have stellar views of the Parliament buildings. This hotel once housed the offices of CBC Radio in Ottawa and the studio of well-known portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh. Several framed Karsh photographs are hung in the hotel lounge. His (and his wife's) home suite is now available for guests and displays a small sampling of framed prints on the walls. Extra daily charges for parking or Wi-Fi. If you're not staying overnight, you can also experience the hotel's grandeur in one of the bars or restaurants. Traditional afternoon tea is served daily.

Lord Elgin. Centrally located on Elgin Street across from the National Arts Centre, a stone's throw from Parliament Hill, and one of Ottawa's two classic hotels (the other being the Chateau Laurier). Good value, and a Starbucks off the lobby.

The Ottawa Marriott Hotel. The tallest hotel (and briefly the tallest building) in Ottawa, one block from the Parliament Buildings. Features a revolving restaurant, Kids’ Zone, an indoor pool, sauna and fitness center.

The Westin Ottawa. This hotel is also connected to the Rideau Centre and the Ottawa Convention Centre by a walkway. It is steps from Parliament Hill and the Byward market and each of the 496 rooms features the ten-layer Heavenly Bed.

reStays. Boutique hotel. Has a great view of Parliament Hill. Rooms include full kitchen.