Top 20 Best Things to Do in Ottawa
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Ottawa

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  • Rideau Canaltop_1
    󰺂6.5
    Ottawa2.9 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoRecommended winter activities in Ottawa | Jan 2026-Mar 2026
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Ottawa
    Highlights:
    󱓊World-class outdoor ice rink
    󰋄Historic canal replaces St. Lawrence
    4.4/5
    胡di 卖火柴的老男孩胡di 卖火柴的老男孩

    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.

  • Thousand Islandstop_2
    󰺂6.2
    Leeds and Grenville United Counties>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Ottawa
    Highlights:
    󱓊5-language tours on cruise
    󱨜Over 1800 islands create unique lakescape
    4.7/5
    老少皆宜()老少皆宜()

    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.

  • Parliament Hilltop_3
    󰺂6.2
    Ottawa371m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Ottawa
    Highlights:
    󰀆Summer daily guard change ceremony
    󱓊Watch daily summer guard ceremony
    4.5/5
    圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃

    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.

  • National Gallery of Canada
    4
    󰺂5.7
    Ottawa900m from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoNational Gallery of Canada reopens | 2025
    Highlights:
    󱨜Canadian & European art treasures
    󱓊Piano & orchestral vocal performances
    4.3/5
    黛米有米黛米有米

    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]

  • ByWard Market
    5
    󰺂5.6
    Ottawa942m from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Historic district market by Ottawa River
    󱨜Vibrant nightlife & fresh produce
    󱨠42% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃

    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.

  • Rideau Hall
    6
    󰺂5.4
    Ottawa2.7 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Ottawa
    Highlights:
    󱓊79-acre park with seasonal beauty
    󰋄Governor's Mansion tour experience
    4.2/5
    圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃圣热尔韦昂瓦列尔周勃

    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.

  • The National War Memorial
    7
    󰺂5.1
    Ottawa311m from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Join rallies at Federation Square
    Honoring Canadian martyrs' sacrifices
    󱨠36% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M25***40M25***40

    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.

  • Canadian Museum of Nature
    8
    󰺂4.9
    Ottawa1.2 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Ottawa
    Highlights:
    󱨜Dinosaur fossils & ancient relics
    Victorian architecture & Canadian history
    󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    M25***40M25***40

    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.

  • Royal Canadian Mint
    9
    󰺂4.8
    Ottawa1.1 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Pure gold maple leaf coin
    󰀆Make & take home coins
    󱨠26% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    小思文小思文

    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.

  • Centennial Flame
    10
    󰺂4.5
    Ottawa273m from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Symbol of Canada's eternal flame
    Experience Canada's political history atmosphere
    󱨠46% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    小思文小思文

    The Eternal Flame is a place with a strong commemorative nature. There is something similar to a torch in this place. There is a flame on the ground in the central square all year round to commemorate some people during the war. It is very obvious in winter and at night.

Best things to do in Ottawa (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Ottawa? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Ottawa offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Ottawa

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Ottawa experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Rideau Canal

• Ottawa | 2.9 km from downtown

• : World-class outdoor ice rink,Historic canal replaces St. Lawrence

Thousand Islands

• Leeds and Grenville United Counties | >100 km from downtown

• : 5-language tours on cruise,Over 1800 islands create unique lakescape

Parliament Hill

• Ottawa | 371m from downtown

• : Summer daily guard change ceremony,Watch daily summer guard ceremony

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Ottawa

If you want to explore attractions just outside Ottawa, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Ottawa, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Ottawa special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Ottawa

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Ottawa

Ready to explore the best of Ottawa? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Ottawa?
These are all Best Things to Do in Ottawa:Rideau Canal, Thousand Islands, Parliament Hill, National Gallery of Canada, ByWard Market
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Ottawa?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Ottawa include:Rideau Canal:4.4, Thousand Islands:4.7, Parliament Hill:4.5, National Gallery of Canada:4.3, ByWard Market:4.7
At what locations in Ottawa can Best Things to Do in Ottawa be found?
The Best Things to Do in Ottawa are mainly located in:Rideau Canal:Ottawa, Thousand Islands:Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Parliament Hill:Ottawa, National Gallery of Canada:Ottawa, ByWard Market:Ottawa
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