Things To Do in Ottawa, Ontario

Activities, attractions and tours

Major\'s Hill Park which includes a church or cathedral and snow
Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa showing ice skating, snow and a bridge
Rideau Canal which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Ottawa Attractions

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is located on the map of eastern Ontario near the Quebec border, and it was formerly known as Bytown named after its founder Colonel John By in 1826. The name was changed to Ottawa in 1855, and now in addition to being the center of the Canadian government, it also is a tourist hub you can visit any time of the year and expect to find entertainment and relaxing spots to spend your time. Among fun things to do in Ottawa, the following places are by far the best to visit when you travel here.

One must see attraction in Ottawa is the Canadian Museum of Civilization, a museum that takes you way back in history to the early days of the native people who inhabited the country before the Europeans came, through to the the French settler periods, and all the way to the time in which Canada became a nation. From artifacts and profiles of famous Canadian founders to even a children's museum section, these features make this place a top location for Ottawa excursions.

There are many local festivals taking place throughout the year you may add to the list of Ottawa activities such as the Festival of India, the Nevan Fair, the Carp Fair, and the Ottawa Egyptian Festival. These festivals are great for the family to enjoy together, while kids also get a chance to dress up in costumes and participate in other activities to give them an insight to different cultures.

Among other attractions in Ottawa is the Fitzroy Provincial Park, a place where you can go to enjoy the Canadian outdoors and view wildlife on the Ottawa River. The park also hosts outdoor concerts sometimes where you can add the tune of music to the sights and sounds of your visit.

Other Ottawa tours are available from Expedia, so use our packages to discover Canada's capital and see how you can plan for your trip there. With lots to do and more to see, Expedia.com is your ticket for traveling to Ottawa.


Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.


Most fun & popular experiences in Ottawa

Tours & day trips

See all 49 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 17 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 6 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 4 activities

Cruises & boat tours

See all 3 activities

What to do in Ottawa


Discover the most popular places to visit in Ottawa

Explore areas of Ottawa

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica showing a city, a church or cathedral and religious elements

Downtown Ottawa

4.5/5(4,365 area reviews)

Central to Ottawa's financial district and government buildings, this area boasts a vibrant restaurant district on Elgin Street and shopping on Bank Street. Explore heritage sites like Château Laurier and Sparks Street's pedestrian mall.

Downtown Ottawa
Default Image

Kanata

Suburb within Ottawa, Kanata boasts the Canadian Tire Centre, home to the Ottawa Senators, and the Kanata Research Park. Enjoy shopping at Kanata Centrum, Tanger Outlet Mall, and Hazeldean Mall, or catch a movie at Landmark Cinemas Kanata 24.

Kanata
Default Image

Nepean

Explore the retail center on Merivale Road, featuring smaller shops and big box stores, or visit the Nepean Museum and Ben Franklin Place for a mix of culture and government services. Enjoy amenities like the Ottawa Public Library and Centrepointe Theatre.

Nepean
Ottawa featuring snow

Centretown

4/5(901 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. You can visit top attractions like Elgin Street and Canadian Museum of Nature, and jump on the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Centretown
Byward Market featuring markets, outdoor eating and street scenes

ByWard Market

This downtown Ottawa's lively retail and entertainment district boasts a dense concentration of eateries, bars, and nightclubs, as well as an open-air market for fresh produce and flowers during warmer months. Cobblestone courtyards, historic buildings, and street entertainment add to the charm.

ByWard Market
Default Image

Orleans

Situated 16 km from downtown Ottawa, Orléans boasts a significant francophone population and offers recreational activities at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex and Petrie Island's natural beach. Explore nature trails like Bilberry Creek Trail and enjoy shopping and dining along Innes Road.

Orleans

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from Ottawa