Top-8 Amazing Things to Do in Ottawa

Ottawa is a perfect mix of both urban development and nature; the city is brimmed with natural beauty. There are tons of greenery, and the city itself feels so overwhelming. Over several years Ottawa has made expeditious progress in the field of technology.

Visiting this young and prosperous city and exploring their culture, lifestyle, and food is a great idea for your next holiday. Here we have made your work a little easier by shortlisting 8 best things to do in Ottawa. So, hop to them one by one and make your journey amazing.

Museum of Civilization is also known as the Canadian Museum of History. It is the biggest and one of the most visited museums in Canada. It is home to nearly three million artifacts. Every year, the Canadian Museum of History welcomes around 1.2 million visitors who are curious about those artifacts. The museum has collected and preserved objects to present the human history of Canada and illuminate the cultural diversity of the people. Here you can explore the 20,000 old human histories of Canada. It is one of the oldest cultural institutions in North America. The museum is also a prime research institution.

There are three permanent exhibition galleries in this museum: The Grand Hall, the Canadian History Hall, and the First people's hall. Each of these galleries is filled with some beautiful past presented in a fun and exciting way. The grand hall is on the first level. It is the architectural focal point of the museum that houses the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. The traditional house fronts of the first people of the northwest coast is an integral part of the grand hall. You can enter the houses, and there you will find contemporary and traditional works of art, ranging from ceremonial clothing to everyday objects. The museum's First people's hall is also on the first level, and it celebrates the history, diversity, creativity, resourcefulness, and endurance of Canada's first nation. The Canadian History Hall is confined to the third and fourth floors that are dedicated only to showcase the history of Canada.

Each year the museum presents several specials exhibitions highlighting various aspects of Canadian and international history and cultures. If you are with children, that's a good thing for this place as you can explore the Canadian children's museum with your kids. Canadian children's museum is a place that appeases you in a great adventure and allows you to travel the world through an interactive hand. The museum also houses a movie theatre that provides the ultimate cinematographic experience. Theatre is now equipped with the laser projector boasting a full 4k resolution. The cine offers stunning 2D and 3D projections on the largest and brightest screen in the region, providing remarkable images in size, clarity, and impact. The cine presents an array of educational documentary films that offer a unique perspective on history, culture, adventure, and nature.

The Canadian Museum of History offers three dining options to visitors. You can opt for a quick coffee and muffin at a cafe express. Grab lunch at their Voyageurs cafeteria. Enjoy a sit-down meal at the Bistro boreal in the unique and laid-back decor evocative of the northern lights. It ensures to offer a unique and memorable experience for all with its lineup of engaging exhibitions, programs, and activities. You can spend hours touring their many exhibitions. All these exciting things showcased in the Canadian Museum of History makes this place a must-see during your visit to Ottawa.

Address: 100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day (Monday to Sunday) from 9:30 am to 5 pm. On Thursday, it remains for an extra three hours and closes at 8 pm.

Rideau Hall is the national historic spot spread over 79 acres of land, the largest official residence of Ottawa. This place is the workplace and residence of the governor-general of Canada. It was built in 1830, and each successive governor made a grand addition to this hall.

A free 45-minute walking tour is available for the travelers and local people, which will allow exploring this fancy residence and learn about the lifestyle of the governor-general. Taking a guide with you will be a wise option as they will explain everything inside the Rideau Hall in a detailed way. Local people often come with their families and kids to take a walk around this beautiful spot. You can take full advantage of the playground by taking a ride, running, sitting, or just strolling in the lush green area. During Saturdays and Sundays of winter, the outdoor skating rink is open for people. In the summer, you can watch the cricket game. All the activities and tour of this place is free of cost. If you are in Ottawa, then do not miss the opportunity to step inside the beautiful mansion. Ensure that this place is on the top of your bucket list of things to do in Ottawa.

Address: 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day (Monday to Sunday) from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

The strongest competitor of the US for a gold coin is Canada. To see how gold coins are made, take a tour to the Royal Canadian Mint in your Ottawa tour. You will see some coins resembling with the coins of other regions and some with major differences. The emphasis is made on the quality of the coins they make and produce.

The tour starts with witnessing the raw material used for making gold coins. Gold arrives at the mint from the miles around the world in its impure form. The refining process is slow and dangerous. You can see how it is melted to analyze the impurities. To remove further impurities, the impure gold bars undergo several processes. The fumes coming out during the purification process is poisonous, so be careful and do not bring your kids to this place without a nose mask. After purification, you can see 99.5% pure gold. The gold undergoes another level of refining. Parts of the refining process haven't changed much in the centuries. Golds are then kept for electrolysis, a part of the purification process. After this, you can see the purest form of gold. And now, these golds are used to make coins and bullion bars. You can see the melted gold passing through a fireproof funnel into a mold. The floor of the Mint is kept black purposely; to swap the gold splattered on the floor. You will see various types of machinery used during the process and, finally, the gold coins.

Address: 320 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8, Canada

Opening time: It remains open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm except on Monday. It remains closed on Monday.

National Gallery of Canada is a spot in Ottawa that you cannot miss to include in your list of things to do in Ottawa. The museum is spread across 12,400 square meters of space, thereby making it one of the largest art dedicated museums in North America. You can see the finest works of artists from Europe, America, Canada, and Asia. The building is made of glass and pink granite.

The museum is located near the Byward market district, so after the tour, you can spend some time exploring the market also. The exterior of the southern facade of the building imitates a cathedral. Each side facade is built distinctively, so if time allows, then take a look at all the facades of the building. The lobby of the main entrance is made of pink-granite, which looks magnificent. As soon as you enter the building, you can see the artistic movements and eras in art history. The gallery has a huge and diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings. The museum consists of more than forty thousand prints, drawings, and several other kinds of artistic works. The entry to the National Gallery of Canada is free, but if some major exhibitions are happening, then you might have to buy tickets for them. Do not forget to click your picture with the largest sculpture of the spider.

Address: 380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day (Monday to Sunday) from 10 am to 5 pm. On Thursday, it remains for an extra three hours and closes at 8 pm.

Cruising over or skating on the Rideau Canal can be a delightful experience. Rideau Canal was built as a military project to secure a connection between Montreal and Kingston. Now, this canal has become the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous location for boating in summer and skating in winter. The canal has a dedicated multi-use pathway where you can enjoy running, cycling, and walking. Bicycles for rent are available there. On the lining of the pathway, you can see a garden and parks full of green and beautiful trees.

If you are in Ottawa in summer, then you can enjoy boating and paddling boats in the water. Even standing, sitting, or walking near a waterbody is calming for mind and body. From May to October, you can enjoy an eco-friendly electric boat cruise taking you to the picturesque Dows Lake. Standup paddleboard, kayak, canoe, and paddleboat are available on rent. If you are an adventure enthusiast, rent one of these and head to a relaxing urban experience amid beautiful water. Paddling around the urban vistas, romantic nooks, and small islands of the canal will create a whole bunch of beautiful memories for you. But if you have planned your holiday in winters, then you can have one of the iconic experiences of the Ottawa, skating on the Rideau Canal Stake way. This canal becomes the largest skating rink during winters from early January to early March. Here you can stake for free that too for 24 hours a day.

Address: Ottawa, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day from Monday to Sunday.

Canadian War Museum is a museum that exhibits the military history of Canada. The museum covers all the sides of the military past and cases of death by armed violence. There you will see the permanent exhibitions of war that was fought in Canada, wars of the twentieth century, peace support operations and the cold war. There is an open area where you can see large objects like naval guns, jets, tanks, and motorcycles. The museum also has a large collection of war arts artistically showcasing the war history.

The permanent gallery displays war from the earliest time, first world war, and second world war. LeBreton Gallery is a multi-purpose display area for massive objects. This gallery is used for several other purposes, also like special events, public programs, and private rentals. The regeneration hall has angled walls with narrow triangular window framing Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. The memorial hall has only a single artifact, the headstone of a soldier from the first world war. The museum has a collection of 13,000 works of art displaying world war one. Visit this place to learn about the war history of Canada, and you feel that war is never meant for a good reason; rather, it always brings huge devastation for human life, natural things, and the economy of a country.

Address: 1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day (Monday to Sunday) from 9:30 am to 5 pm. On Thursday, it remains for an extra three hours and closes at 8 pm.

Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is also known as the Tower of Victory Peace. This tower serves as the icon and most widely recognized symbol of Canada. The height of the tower is nearly 98 meters. The tower is a physical representation of hope that believes in a better, war-free, and peaceful future for all.

While entering the place, you will see an eternal flame that is a structure with a fire blown at the center, and it is surrounded by water. Peace Tower clock can be viewed from the observation deck of the tower. The observation deck also offers a picturesque view of the overlooking Ottawa river and green surroundings. The Memorial Chamber is a room near the base of the tower. In the Memorial Chamber, many different kinds of materials have been used, like Hopton wood limestone, black marble, St. Anne marble, and Chateau Gaillard stone. All these different materials are used for making different things in the room, and the colorful material beautifies this place. You can see the beautiful stone carvings of ancient creatures, humans, and animal figures on the outer wall of the tower. The Peace Tower carillon includes 53 heavyweight bells that give a unique musical experience. Exploring this place is worth it, and you should not miss this spot. You will have to buy tickets to tour the Peace Tower.

Address: Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada

Opening time: It remains open all day from Monday to Sunday.

The historic Fairmont Château Laurier is a gorgeous hotel with an architecture of the castle. It is a 107-year-old structure covering a total area of 660,000-square-foot. The hotel overlooks the beautiful Ottawa River. The hotel is located in the heart of Downtown, near some of the most important landmarks so it will be easy to reach there. This beautiful building is one of the most prominent features in the city. It was finished in 1912, and since then, it has been visited and lived by both prominent politicians and Hollywood stars.

The entrance is huge and gorgeous. All the original architectural details are still intact in the hotel. The prime minister suite is the most beautiful and famous suite of this hotel; many important people from around the world have lived here. The refrigerator inside the prime minister suite is still from 1920, and it is in working condition. The kitchen is the heart of the hotel. You can sit and enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee in Wilfrid's restaurant, which is located within the dignified walls of Fairmont Château Laurier and enjoy the taste of royalty. Taking a tour of this beautiful hotel is splendid.

Address: 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, Canada

Opening time: It remains open 24 hours from Monday to Sunday.

There are a variety of things to do in Ottawa. You can end your journey with satisfaction and peace of mind that you have explored everything from world-class museums to lively markets. This is a destination for everyone — happy wandering around Ottawa.