An Insider’s Information to Ottawa, Canada

After I inform my American pals I reside in Ottawa, I’m often met with a well mannered nod—or a puzzled pause. Canada’s capital doesn’t get the identical buzz as Toronto or Montreal, and albeit, that’s undeserved. I used to be born and raised right here, however like many millennials, I as soon as believed that tradition lived elsewhere. At 21, I moved to Italy in quest of one thing extra thrilling, solely to understand—years (and a pandemic) later—that what I’d left behind was truly every part I had taken as a right: summers on the lake, biking alongside the canal, and a metropolis that quietly balances nature and tradition in a method few others do.

In Ottawa, you possibly can paddleboard throughout the town’s canal and find yourself having fun with one of many nation’s finest tasting menus. With its mix of historic landmarks, lush inexperienced areas, and a vibrant (and rising) meals scene, you don’t have to decide on between one of the best of the outside and the perks of a metropolis.

From a keep in a storybook château to cocktails on the town’s highest rooftop, it affords simply sufficient glamour to shock you—and greater than sufficient appeal to maintain you coming again.

Greatest Accommodations & Resorts

Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Straight out of a fairy story, the Fairmont Château Laurier is one among Ottawa’s most recognizable landmarks—and a Nationwide Historic Website of Canada. Opened in 1912, this grand railway-era resort blends old-world class with an unbeatable location: steps from Parliament Hill and near the Rideau Canal, and downtown’s high museums and eating places. Inside, you’ll discover Tiffany stained-glass home windows, Belgian marble flooring, and hovering Gothic structure that nods to its castle-like silhouette.

Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market

Celebrating Canadian tradition, artists, and artisans, the Andaz, a contemporary luxurious resort from the Hyatt assortment, proudly showcases native artwork, minibars stocked with regional treats, and standout eating. Feast + Revel serves up creative New Canadian delicacies, whereas Copper Spirits & Sights—Ottawa’s tallest rooftop bar—affords sweeping views and expertly crafted cocktails.

The Metcalfe

This trendy boutique resort is completely positioned—only a quick stroll from Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market. Housed in a historic 1906 constructing that initially operated as a YMCA (and as soon as the positioning of Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s residence, a Father of Confederation), it was transformed right into a resort in 2017. On web site, Cocotte Bistro affords French-inspired brunch, lunch, and dinner, together with espresso and snacks out there all through the day.

Greatest Issues to Do

Discover Gatineau Park.

With greater than 120 miles of accessible, dog-friendly mountaineering trails, it’s no shock Gatineau Park is likely one of the most visited within the nation. It’s a dream for outside adventurers: Canoe, kayak, or paddleboard on Lac Philippe or Lac La Pêche; hit the biking or mountain biking trails; or spend the night time below the celebrities—simply you’ll want to e book campsites months upfront, as they refill quick.

Cycle the Capital Pathway and Rideau Canal.

A chosen UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Rideau Canal was constructed in 1832 and is finest identified for its position because the world’s largest skating rink in the course of the winter. However come summer season, it transforms right into a scenic hall good for exploring the town. As Tobi Nussbaum, chief govt officer of the Nationwide Capital Fee, places it, “As a UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Rideau Canal is a defining function of Canada’s capital area. Navigating by means of its historic locks, swimming at Dow’s Lake, enjoyable at a waterfront bistro, or strolling alongside its shores on the Capital Pathway offers everybody who visits with a quintessential capital expertise.”

Stroll, bike, or in-line skate alongside it—or get on the water with a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Leases can be found at Dow’s Lake Pavilion, making it simple to spend just a few hours absorbing the views and passing by main metropolis landmarks.

Check your nerve at Arbraska’s Aerial Park.

Calling all thrill-seekers: Arbraska Laflèche is your forest playground. Zip by means of the timber, cross suspended bridges, swing throughout rope nets, and conquer high-up impediment programs designed to push your limits. As soon as you have caught your breath, head underground to discover the Laflèche Cave—the most important tourist-accessible cave within the Canadian Defend.

Calm down on the Nordik Spa Village.

In spite of everything these excursions, deal with your self to the most important thermal spa in North America—Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Quebec, only a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. Spend the day transferring between distinctive experiences just like the saltwater floating pool (one among solely two on the earth), steamy aufguss rituals, and greater than 10 saunas and steam rooms. You’ll additionally discover all of the basic spa remedies, together with massages, facials, and mani-pedis.

Greatest Eating places

Riviera

As soon as a jewellery retailer and later the Canadian Imperial Financial institution of Commerce, Riviera is a hanging artwork deco house that exudes old-school glamour. Eating right here looks like moving into one other, extra elegant period. The menu contains objects like steak frites, freshly made pastas, and a towering seafood platter. It’s a go-to for a trendy night time out, so reservations are a should.

Provide and Demand

Comforting and comfy, Provide and Demand is the form of spot you come back to for birthdays, celebrations, or simply since you need a scrumptious meal. A neighborhood favourite in Westboro for over a decade, it’s identified for its concentrate on seafood and house-made pasta. Anticipate freshly shucked oysters and seasonal dishes that hold regulars coming again.

Atelier

Of the 4 Ottawa eating places featured on Canada’s 100 Greatest Eating places checklist, Atelier ranks highest—and it’s simple to see why. This boundary-pushing spot serves a multicourse tasting menu that celebrates trendy Canadian delicacies with seasonal, clever dishes. It’s a splurge at $250 per particular person, however for adventurous diners, it’s value each chunk.

Greatest Time to Go to

Ottawa comes alive within the spring and summer season. As quickly because the snow melts—even when there’s nonetheless a little bit lingering on the bottom—you’ll spot locals peeling off layers and heading open air en masse. From April by means of October, the town is in full swing: It is peak season for mountaineering, biking, and strolling alongside the Rideau Canal, which transforms from a frozen skating path right into a lush, winding path framed by blooming timber and wildflowers.

It’s additionally pageant season in Ottawa. Might bursts into bloom with the Canadian Tulip Pageant (sometimes early to mid‑Might), showcasing greater than 1,000,000 tulips throughout Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake, Main’s Hill Park, and alongside the Rideau Canal—it’s the world’s largest tulip pageant.

June brings not one however two main music occasions: Escapade Music Pageant, which fills downtown with EDM followers and high-energy performances, and the Ottawa Jazz Pageant, providing a mixture of big-name acts and intimate concert events in Confederation Park.

Then in July, it’s time for the Ottawa Bluesfest, one of many nation’s greatest outside music festivals, identified for its eclectic lineup of worldwide stars.

Methods to Get There

Ottawa is surprisingly simple to succeed in—only a 1.5-hour flight from main U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C., and round two hours from Chicago. Flying is quicker than driving, particularly since Ottawa Worldwide Airport (YOW) is simply 20 minutes from downtown. It’s a small, well-run airport, which suggests fast arrivals, quick safety traces, and quick access to automotive leases or ride-shares.

Methods to Get Round

Buses and Mild Rail

You don’t want a automotive to discover Ottawa—OC Transpo, the town’s public transit system, makes it simple to get round. It features a secure and dependable community of buses and lightweight rail trains, often known as the O-Practice, which covers a lot of the metropolis.

Line 1 (Confederation Line) runs east-west by means of the downtown core, connecting main hubs like Parliament Hill, the Rideau Centre, and the College of Ottawa. It’s quick, frequent, and supreme for sightseeing or commuting throughout the town.

Line 2 and the brand new Airport Hyperlink reopened in 2025 and join the town’s south finish and Ottawa Worldwide Airport to the primary system—helpful in the event you’re staying farther out or flying in.

A single fare is $4 CAD and contains 90 minutes of journey time. Day passes and weekend household passes are additionally out there. You possibly can obtain the OC Transpo app for real-time updates and route planning.

Experience-share and Taxis

Uber and Lyft are each out there in Ottawa, together with native taxis. They’re particularly helpful for late-night journey or attending to locations not simply reached by public transit, like Nordik Spa Village. Simply take into accout surge pricing can kick in throughout rush hour or massive occasions.

Strolling and Biking

Downtown Ottawa is compact, secure, and simple to discover on foot, so it is nice for households or anybody with out a automotive. Town can be bike-friendly, with designated bike paths alongside the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River. Lease a motorbike, or seize an e-scooter from Lime throughout hotter months.

Renting a Automotive

Ottawa is in Ontario, however it borders the French-speaking province of Quebec and is only a fast 10- to 15-minute drive from downtown. In case you plan to cross into Quebec—say, for a day at Nordik Spa Village or a hike in Gatineau Park—a automotive is your finest wager. Main rental firms like Enterprise and Funds function out of each Ottawa Worldwide Airport and downtown. You’ll want to reserve upfront, particularly on weekends or throughout peak journey season, as availability can go shortly.