Ottawa
Travel Guide
Visit Ottawa
Ottawa Travel Guide Video
Where to stay in Ottawa
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
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
The Business Inn
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
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
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
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
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
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy The O'Connor Apartments Downtown
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 Arlo Apartments Downtown
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
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
Parliament Hill
4.5/5(439 reviews)
Spend a day enjoying the lively debates, artworks, library and Gothic Revival architecture of Canada’s political heart.
Byward Market Square
4.5/5(331 reviews)
Fresh local produce, artisanal handicrafts and historic courtyards are some of the many features of Ottawa’s oldest and busiest market.
Carleton University
4.5/5(47 reviews)
Enjoy the collegiate vibe at Carleton University during your stay in Ottawa. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Rideau Canal
4.5/5(407 reviews)
This engineering and scenic marvel fills with pleasure craft in summer and transforms into the world’s longest naturally frozen skating rink in winter.
Canadian War Museum
4.5/5(89 reviews)
The country’s museum of military history features collections of weapons and vehicles that cover hundreds of years of conflict.
Canadian Museum of History
4.5/5(127 reviews)
At this museum, one of the most visited in Canada, discover the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped the nation’s history.
Things to do
Ottawa: Canadian Museum of Nature Admission
$20
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Ottawa Rideau River self guided walking tour and scavenger hunt
$42
per traveler
Reviews of Ottawa
4.5
Top Destination
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.
Other places like Ottawa
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
- Hotels near Parliament Hill
- Hotels near Sparks Street Mall
- Hotels near Parliament Building
- Hotels near Bank Street Promenade
- Hotels near National Arts Centre
- Hotels near National War Memorial
- Hotels near Centretown
- Hotels near Library and Archives Canada
- Cheap Hotels in Centretown
- Business Hotels in Centretown
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Centretown
- Casino Hotels in Centretown
- All-inclusive Resorts in Centretown
- Historic Hotels in Centretown
- Hotels near Confederation Park
- Hotels near Ottawa City Hall
- Hotels near Elgin Street
- Hotels near Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels near Rideau Centre
- Hotels near Rideau Mall
- Hotels near Embassy of the United States
- Hotels near Byward Market Square
- Hotels near Department of National Defense
- Hotels near ByWard Market
- 4 Star Hotels in ByWard Market
- Gay friendly Hotels in ByWard Market
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in ByWard Market
- Boutique Hotels in ByWard Market
- Hotels with a View in ByWard Market
- Hotels & Resorts for Couples in ByWard Market
- Hotels with Balconies in ByWard Market
- Hotels with an Outdoor Pool in ByWard Market
- Hotels with a Pool in ByWard Market
- Family Hotels in ByWard Market
- Hotels near National Gallery of Canada
- Hotels near Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Cheap Hotels in Golden Triangle
- Hotels near Golden Triangle
- Casino Hotels in Golden Triangle
- 4 Star Hotels in Golden Triangle
- All-inclusive Resorts in Golden Triangle
- Hotels with Restaurants in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with Free Parking in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with Connecting Rooms in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with an Outdoor Pool in Downtown Ottawa
- Cheap Hotels in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with Fireplaces in Downtown Ottawa
- Boutique Hotels in Downtown Ottawa
- Casino Hotels in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with Free Breakfast in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with a View in Downtown Ottawa
- Pet-friendly Hotels in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotel Wedding Venues Hotels in Downtown Ottawa
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Downtown Ottawa
- Visit Bank Street Promenade
- Visit Downtown Ottawa
- Visit Centretown
- Visit ByWard Market
- Capital Information Kiosk
- St Andrew's Church
- Parliament Hill
- Visit Golden Triangle
- Peace Tower
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Sparks Street Mall
- Confederation Square
- National War Memorial
- Visit Chinatown
- Bytown Museum
- Famous Five Monument
- Library and Archives Canada
- Confederation Park
- Ottawa River Parkway
- Elgin Street
- Major's Hill Park
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Dundonald Park
- Rideau Mall
- Rideau Centre
- Victoria Island
- Byward Market Square
- Ottawa Art Gallery
- Galerie SAW Gallery
- Visit Lowertown
- Department of National Defense
- National Gallery of Canada
- Visit Little Italy
- Car rentals near Capital Information Kiosk
- Car rentals near Bank Street Promenade
- Car rentals near Centretown
- Car rentals near Ottawa City Hall
- Car rentals near Elgin Street
- Car rentals near Justina McCaffrey
- Car rentals near ByWard Market
- Car rentals near Golden Triangle
- Mini Car Rentals in Golden Triangle
- Car rentals near Downtown Ottawa
- Rent A Wreck Rental Cars in Downtown Ottawa
- Avis Rental Cars in Downtown Ottawa
- Hertz Rental Cars in Downtown Ottawa
- Canadian Tire Centre
- Parliament Hill
- University of Ottawa
- Casino du Lac Leamy
- Byward Market Square
- Calypso Water Park
- Carleton University
- Rideau Canal
- Canadian War Museum
- Rogers Centre Ottawa
- Canadian Museum of History
- TD Place Stadium
- National Arts Centre
- Rideau Centre
- Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus
- Algonquin College
- Lansdowne Park
- Elgin Street
- Nepean Sportsplex
- National Gallery of Canada
- Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Ottawa City Hall
- Kōena Spa
- Commissioners Park
- Embassy of the United States
- Rideau Carleton Raceway
- St. Laurent Centre
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Mooney's Bay Park