ByWard Market, nestled in the city's historic Lowertown neighbourhood, is one of the oldest outdoor markets in Canada, and is Ottawa's most popular shopping district. By day the outdoor market overflows with fresh produce, flowers, arts and crafts. It is the best place to find eclectic groceries, such as fiddleheads and ramps, and locally harvested maple syrup. Browse the bakeries, cheese shops, handcrafted clothing stalls and artisan boutiques. A multitude of eating spots and restaurants cater to every taste, and by night the area hums to the beat of hip nightspots. Be sure to try an original Ottawa pastry from the BeaverTail stand at the market. A beavertail is a flat, deep fried pastry in the shape of a beaver tail, usually topped with sugar and cinnamon.

The Bayshore Shopping Centre, at 100 Bayshore Drive in Ottawa West, includes large retailers like The Bay and Zellers. The downtown Rideau Centre at 50 Rideau Street is home to leading fashion retailers, local artwork, jewellery, movie theatres, restaurants and over 180 stores.Taste the famous ice wine that Canada is known for, available at LCBO and Wine Rack stores.

Sparks Street Mall is a pedestrian mall running between Elgin and Lyon Streets, a block south of the Parliament Buildings, and a good place for tourist items. Glebe and trendy Westboro are popular neighbourhood shopping districts. Large malls east of downtown include the Place d'Orleans at 110 Place d'Orleans Drive and St Laurent Centre at 1200 St Laurent Boulevard, both with hundreds of stores, restaurants, cinemas and activities.

Take the kids for a sensory smorgasbord at Mrs Tiggy Winkles, Ottawa's neighbourhood toy store, found at the major shopping centres (Rideau, Place d'Orleans and Bayshore). Holt Renfrew at 240 Sparks Street is a high-end Canadian department store focusing on haute couture and exclusive designer labels.

Most shopping centres are open Monday to Saturday 0900-2100 and Sunday 1000-1800. Outdoor markets open at daybreak.