Travel Guide for Ottowa: What to See and Where to Go

As you might expect from Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is a fantastic destination that offers unique cultural, historical, and natural attractions that will surprise and delight you in equal measure.

Search through a travel guide for Ottowa and you will quickly appreciate the breadth and depth of the range of attractions that should be on your must-see list.

Here’s a quick look at some of those highlights that you need to put on your itinerary when you visit Ottowa.

Steeped in history

At the heart of the city is the hugely impressive Parliament Hill and it is a great starting point when you are visiting Ottowa, with the decadent Victorian architecture likely to leave a big impression on you.

Take one of the regular tours to learn more about the history of the building and its importance.

Walk the waterway

The Rideau Canal is known locally as the Rideau Waterway and it is the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll where you can take in the natural beauty of this area and enjoy a boat ride along the canal.

The fact that it was registered as a UNESCO world heritage site just over ten years ago is a testament to how special this part of Ottowa is.

Soak up some culture

Ottowa offers a plethora of museums, galleries, and historical attractions, with the National Gallery of Canada being the jewel in the crown.

The unmistakable glass building is home to one of the biggest collections of art in North America and certainly warrants a visit when you come to Ottowa.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city

If you want to enjoy a stunning view of Ottowa you should make your way to the Peace Tower near Parliament Hill.

It is the highest point in Ottowa and affords you a spectacular view of the city as well as memorable views of the river and the hills that form a beautiful backdrop to the north.

Visit the nation’s science and history museum

The capital city also hosts the Candian Museum of Nature and it offers an excellent historical journey of how the country was formed and how it has evolved, culturally and naturally.

Kids will love the dinosaur exhibits and a visit to the museum presents a great opportunity to immerse yourself in some Canadian history.

Popular family attraction

Another great place to visit in Ottowa is the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

You will find the museum at Rockliffe Airport, which is to the north of the city, and it aims to take you on a journey through aviation history where you can see exhibits such as a replica of the Silver Dart, which made the first-ever flight in Canada, as well as some fascinating fighter planes from the world wars.

These are just a few of the highlights that await you when visiting the wonderful city of Ottowa and it is bound to deliver some great memories that will leave you wanting more and thinking about booking a trip to the Canadian capital again.