Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and one of the largest and most popular cities in the country. Given Ottawa’s status as the political and cultural hub of Canada, Ottawa tourism revolves around its rich arts scene and historic buildings. Many international and Canadian travelers also visit Ottawa to attend the city’s many music festivals like Bluesfest.

While Ottawa doesn't have the temperature extremes of other Canadian cities, the winters can still be quiet cold so it’s best to make your Ottawa travel plans for the summertime. Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport is the city’s main air hub and you can easily catch one of several bus lines to the city center to begin your Ottawa vacation.

Once in the city, the first stop of your Ottawa trip should be the area around Parliament Hill. This is one of the most scenic areas of Ottawa and features famous historic buildings like the Langevin Block, Château Laurier, and the Parliament buildings. The next top stop during your holiday in Ottawa should be the Rideu Canal, a scenic waterway which converts into a natural ice-skating park in wintertime. Finally, the National Gallery of Canada is one of the highlights of tourism in Ottawa and no visitor should miss the chance to peruse its world-class collection of artists like Bernini, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.

For music-lovers, a trip to Ottawa is a great chance to check out the city’s famous blues, folk, and jazz festivals in the summertime and early autumn. If you’re ready to travel to Ottawa, we have plenty of tips from real travelers so you can find the best hotels, restaurants, and sights to see during your Ottawa vacations.