Things To Do in Ottawa

Ottawa Has Something for Every Season

Ottawa gets a bad reputation for its winters, but locals know the truth: the city is at its best when you lean into the cold. From January through March, the Rideau Canal transforms into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink — stretching 7.8 km from the Château Laurier to Carleton University. Lace up, grab a BeaverTail, and join thousands of commuters and tourists gliding through the heart of the city. Winterlude, held each February, adds ice sculptures, snow slides, and outdoor performances to the mix. Cross the river into Gatineau and you'll find downhill and cross-country ski trails at Gatineau Park and nearby Camp Fortune — all within 20 minutes of downtown Ottawa. And when the cold gets to be too much, Ottawa's thriving indoor market scene — Lansdowne, the ByWard Market, and Hintonburg's strip — fills the gap.

Spring arrives dramatically in Ottawa. The city's most iconic event, the Canadian Tulip Festival, runs every May and draws over 600,000 visitors to Commissioner's Park along the Rideau Canal, where over a million tulips bloom. Patios start filling up on Elgin Street and in the Glebe the moment temperatures hit double digits. Hiking trails in Gatineau Park thaw quickly, and the mix of mud season and wildflower blooms makes for spectacular trail running by late April. Summer belongs to the Ottawa River — Westboro Beach fills with swimmers and paddleboarders, outdoor festival season kicks off at Lebreton Flats and Major's Hill Park, and the city's parks transform into venues for concerts, markets, and community events. Fall might be Ottawa's most beautiful season, with Gatineau Park's maple and birch forests turning vivid red and gold by mid-October. Harvest markets pop up across the city, the indoor arts season begins at the National Arts Centre, and the quieter trails make for spectacular hiking before the snow arrives.

Free Things To Do in Ottawa

One of Ottawa's genuine advantages over other Canadian cities is the sheer number of world-class things you can do for free. As the nation's capital, Ottawa is home to several nationally funded museums that charge nothing or offer regular free admission windows. The National Gallery of Canada — home to the Group of Seven, the Rideau Street Convent Chapel, and a rotating international collection — offers free admission every Thursday evening. The Canadian Museum of Nature offers free admission on the last Thursday of each month and is one of the best natural history museums in the country, with a Blue Whale skeleton, bird gallery, and live animal exhibits. The Ottawa Art Gallery runs free family programs on weekend afternoons.

Beyond museums, Ottawa's outdoor infrastructure is world-class and entirely free. The NCC pathways — over 600 km of maintained trails — connect the entire city for cycling and walking. The Rideau Canal trail, Major's Hill Park, and the river pathways through Westboro and Rockcliffe Park offer some of the best urban green space in Canada. In summer, Parliament Hill hosts the free Changing of the Guard ceremony most mornings at 10 a.m., and guided tours of the Centre Block (currently under renovation) and East Block are offered at no charge. These aren't just budget options — they're genuinely great experiences.

Getting Out of the City

Ottawa's location makes it one of Canada's best cities for day trips. Gatineau Park, just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa across the Portage Bridge, is a 361 km² protected wilderness area with more than 165 km of hiking trails, several swimming lakes (Meech Lake and Philippe Lake are the most popular), and spectacular fall foliage that draws visitors from across Ontario and Quebec. Wakefield, Quebec is a 45-minute drive through the Gatineau Hills and rewards the trip with a covered bridge, a charming village café scene, and a distinctly different pace from the city. For a longer day out, Kingston is two hours southwest and offers Confederation history, a beautiful waterfront, Fort Henry, and one of Ontario's best food scenes. Montreal is two hours east by car or Via Rail — easily done as a day trip — with Old Port, Mount Royal Park, and one of North America's great restaurant cultures waiting on the other end.