Ottawa

Travel Guide

Major\'s Hill Park which includes snow and a church or cathedral
Voyageur Provincial Park which includes general coastal views
Ottawa featuring heritage elements and interior views
Ottawa featuring ice skating, a bridge and snow
Rideau Canal showing a bridge, a river or creek and a city

Ottawa Travel Guide Video

Canada’s gorgeous capital offers an array of galleries, museums, nature parks and historic sites, making it the perfect cultural and romantic escape.

Where to stay in Ottawa

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

Downtown Ottawa

4.5/5(617 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
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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
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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

4.5/5(135 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
Canada Aviation and Space Museum featuring interior views and aircraft

Gloucester

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Gloucester. Top attractions like Place D'Orleans Shopping Center and Rideau Canal are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Blair Station or Cyrville Station to see more of the city.

Gloucester
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
4.5 out of 5
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON
$150 nightly
The price is $177 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$177 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,455 reviews)
"A beautiful gracious property. Our favourite place to stay in Ottawa."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
The Business Inn
The Business Inn
2.5 out of 5
180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$103 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$123 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7,509 reviews)
"The room had everything that you need, the front desk staff were very friendly and the included breakfast was excellent. I really liked the boxed breakfast sandwiches and the little take-away packages with water, cookies and granola packages. The only disappointment was the parking. Spaces are narrow ..."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

The Business Inn
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
4 out of 5
100 Kent St, Ottawa, ON
$138 nightly
The price is $164 total per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
$164 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,211 reviews)
"Good overall. Convenient location"

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025

Ottawa Marriott Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
4 out of 5
130 Besserer St, Ottawa, ON
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,609 reviews)
"The pull out couch in the king sized bed suite was incredibly uncomfortable. The actual bed was comfy and the suite was great though."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy The O'Connor Apartments Downtown
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy The O'Connor Apartments Downtown
3.5 out of 5
377 Rue O'Connor Street, Ottawa, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy a fitness center, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,052 reviews)
"I enjoy my stay at this property. Check etc was easy and I was able to enter the apartment a little early. Everything was clean and it appeared the property had been updated recently. Would stay there again"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy The O'Connor Apartments Downtown
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Arlo Apartments Downtown
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Arlo Apartments Downtown
3.5 out of 5
88 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (781 reviews)
"A nice property with a kitchenette, balcony, and sitting area which was close to restaurants, attractions, etc. A very walkable area. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. However, the bathroom was not very clean and could use some minor renovations."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Arlo Apartments Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Ottawa

Ottawa will give your leg muscles a workout. It’s small and, provided you visit in the warmer months, walking here is not just practical but delightful. Make longer journeys with the two local bus companies, OC Transpo and Société de transportation de l'Outaouais. Taxis and ride-sharing are popular too. For a speedier, but still healthy, alternative to walking, use the VeloGO bike share program. Visit the Ministry of Transportation of OntarioOpens in a new window website.Browse Ottawa rental cars.

Best time to visit

Ottawa’s summer months are the most popular times to visit the city, and if you come then you will soon realize why. With daytime temperatures in the high 60s F and low to mid 70s F (20s C), a calendar packed with open-air festivals, and colorful flowers in full bloom, June through August is a beautiful time to see the city. But this does mean more competition for rooms and more crowds at attractions.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ottawa

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
443
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
268
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
47
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The local people were very nice and I enjoyed spending my time there.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Ottawa is okay. There are some people, it did not make me feel anything one way or the other.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was a beautiful city with friendly people and a lot of good food, shopping and events. I've recommended it to all of my friends from the U.S.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very clean and friendly city, Will go back to see all the other places we didn't have time to see. Everyone made us feel at home. Wonderful :)

5/5 - Excellent

Kaila

Ottawa is like the Washington DC of Canada. If you're a history buff or you love beautiful architecture you'll be surprised at how lovely and underrated this city is.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The City is Beautiful, Clean and Hospitable. The people are absolutely lovely and I will return, again and again.

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