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Ottawa Travel Guide
Canada’s capital on the Rideau River — Parliament Hill’s Gothic spires, the Byward Market’s century-old buzz, and the wilderness of Gatineau Park less than an hour away.
Ottawa is a city that works on two registers — the gravitas of a national capital and the warmth of a neighborhood that has learned to live well together. Parliament Hill dominates the skyline, but the real Ottawa happens in the Byward Market’s narrow lanes, along the Rideau Canal, and in the forests of Gatineau Park across the river.
Our guides cover the Parliament tour everyone should take, the Byward Market food trail, how to spend a weekend in the city, and the day trips that make Ottawa a base for exploring beyond. Built around real visits, no filler.
Essential Ottawa
Best Ottawa Tours
Every tour worth booking — Parliament interior tour, Byward Market food tour, guided heritage walk, and Gatineau Park day trips.
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Ottawa Weekend Itinerary
48 hours in the capital — Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, Byward Market breakfast, and Gatineau Park on the day trip.
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Byward Market Food Guide
The best spots in Ottawa’s most vibrant neighborhood — historic market stalls, farm-to-table cafes, and century-old pubs.
Read guideIconic Experiences
Parliament Hill Guide
Inside the Gothic Revival chambers — the Interior tour, the Peace Tower climb, and the best views from the grounds overlooking the river.
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Rideau Canal
The waterway that shaped the city — cycling the towpath, the wintertime skating tradition, and the Locks heritage site.
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National Museums
The Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery, and the Aviation Museum — which to visit and how to plan your time.
Read guideNeighbourhoods & Day Trips
Ottawa Neighbourhoods Guide
Where to explore — Byward Market, the Glebe, Westboro, Parliament Hill, and each neighborhood’s character and best spots to eat.
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Gatineau Park Day Trip
The wilderness minutes from the capital — hiking trails, lake swimming, the Champlain Lookout, and the historic Carbide Willson Ruins.
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Ottawa Tulip Festival
The spring celebration that draws a million visitors — when to go, what to expect, and the best viewing spots throughout the city.
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Ottawa to Toronto
The 4-hour drive east toward the Great Lakes — stops, timing, and how to break up the journey.
Read guideWhere to Stay
The map below pulls live availability and pricing across Ottawa for your dates.
Continue the Canada Route
Ottawa connects Montreal and Toronto. Explore our Toronto travel guide for the next leg — a 4-hour drive east toward the Great Lakes.
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