Home › Travel Guides › North America Travel Guide › Canada › Ontario › Ottawa › Things to see in Ottawa
Image gallery

Canadian parliament, Ottawa

© 123rf.com / Norman Pogson

-500
Ottawa Local time

Weather in Ottawa
Sunny
0
°C
Canada

Things to see in Ottawa

Tourist information: 

Ottawa Tourism
130 Albert Street, Suite 1800
Tel: (613) 237 5150 or 1 800 363 4465.
www.ottawatourism.ca

The main tourist office provides information in both English and French.

Passes: 

Museum Passports that last for seven days offer discounts at 10 museums and performances at the National Arts Centre.

Canada Agriculture Museum

Visit a working farm in the heart of the capital city, where the sights and sounds of farm animals express Canada's agricultural heritage. There are interpretive activities for children, demonstrations and rides in a horse-drawn wagon.

Opening Times: Daily 0900-1700 (Mar-Oct).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, Canada
Telephone: (613) 991 3044.
Website: www.agriculture.technomuses.ca
Canadian Museum of Civilization

This museum boasts 1,000 years of Canadian history, life-size totem poles overshadowing the magnificent First People's Hall, and an IMAX Theatre with constantly changing features.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (May-June); Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs-Fri 0900-2000 (Jul-Sept); Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (Sept-Oct); Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1700, Thurs 0900-200 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 100 Laurier Street, Québec, Canada
Telephone: (819) 776 8600.
Website: www.civilization.ca
Canadian War Museum

Poignant and interactive exhibits reveal Canada's military past, with a stunning collection of artefacts and airplanes from the world's major wars.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (May-June); Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs-Fri 0900-2000 (Jul-Sept); Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1800, Thurs 0900-2000 (Sept-Oct); Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 0900-1700, Thurs 0900-200 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, Canada
Telephone: (819) 776 8600.
Website: www.warmuseum.ca
Diefenbunker Cold War Museum

Descend 27.5m (90ft) underground into Canada's once-secret Cold War bunker, now a museum after being decommissioned in 1997. Visitors can discover some of the mysteries of this huge, four-storey bunker built to house the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear attack.

Opening Times: Daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 3911 Carp Road Carp, Ottawa, Canada
Telephone: (613) 839 0007.
Website: www.diefenbunker.ca
National Gallery

Located near the vibrant ByWard Market, the National Gallery is an architectural landmark with its striking glass towers, spacious galleries, quiet courtyards and gardens. It is the country's finest art museum, showcasing the world's largest collection of Canadian art.

Opening Times: Daily Fri-Wed 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2000 (May-Sept); Tues-Sun 1000-1700, Thurs 1000-2000 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Canada
Telephone: (613) 990 1985.
Website: www.gallery.ca
Parliament Hill

Perched on a rise next to the fairytale Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, the neo-gothic Parliament Buildings with their pointed copper roofs overlook the River Ottawa and neighbouring Québec. Sit in on question time at the Legislature, tour the newly refurbished library or enjoy the sound and light show on the illuminated Parliament Hill.

Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Telephone: (613) 992 4793.
Website: www.parl.gc.ca
Rideau Canal

This canal is cruised by boats in the summer, but then transforms into the world's longest ice-skating rink in the winter, with a 7.8km (4.8-mile) channel of ice winding through downtown Ottawa. The canal extends over 200km (124 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, and links the River Ottawa with Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence Seaway. Requiring 24 dams and 46 locks, it was one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century.

Opening Times: Mon-Thurs 0830-1630, Fri-Sun 0830-1930 (May-Jun); Daily 0830-1930 Jun-Sept); Tues-Thurs 0930-1530, Fri-Mon 0830-1430 (Sept-Oct).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: This canal is cruised by boats in the summer, and links the River Ottawa with Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence, Canada
Telephone: (613) 283 5170.
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/rideau
Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.