2025 Ottawa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in January)

Canada 🇨🇦 is a large country, so today I'm going to recommend a few travel routes, from Vancouver on the west coast to Toronto and Montreal in the east. Remember to save this post: · 1⃣️ Western Natural Scenery Route (10–12 days) 📍 Vancouver: Visit Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Granville Island. Spend 1–2 days here. 📍 Whistler (1.5 hours from Vancouver): Go skiing, mountain biking, or hiking. Spend 1–2 days here. 📍 Banff National Park: Fly from Vancouver to Calgary, then head to Banff National Park. Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and enjoy the hot springs in Banff. 📍 Jasper National Park: Travel from Banff to Jasper. Visit the Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. 📍 Icefields Parkway: A road connecting Banff and Jasper, known as one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world. · 2⃣️ Eastern Cultural Exploration Route (7–10 days) 📍 Toronto: Visit the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Royal Ontario Museum, or head to the Toronto Islands to enjoy the city views. You can also spend a day at Niagara Falls and take a boat tour. 📍 Ottawa: Canada's capital. Visit Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of History, and ByWard Market. 📍 Montreal: A great place to experience French culture. The Old Town, Saint Joseph's Oratory, and Montreal Botanical Garden are must-see attractions. 📍 Quebec City: The only walled city in North America, with a long history and French atmosphere. The Old Town is perfect for photography. · 3⃣️ Aurora + Natural Scenery Route (5–7 days) 📍 Yellowknife: If you're interested in the aurora, fly from Vancouver or Calgary to Yellowknife. The aurora is most spectacular in autumn and winter. Spend 2–3 days here. 📍 Banff National Park: Fly from Yellowknife to Calgary, then head to Banff to enjoy the glaciers, lakes, and other natural scenery. 📍 Jasper National Park: Drive from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway. Visit the glaciers and beautiful waterfalls, then return to Calgary. · 4⃣️ Cross-Canada Road Trip (15–20 days) 📍 Vancouver to Calgary: Drive along the Trans-Canada Highway, passing through Jasper, Banff, and other places to explore the natural scenery of the west. 📍 Saskatchewan and Manitoba: Experience Canada's prairies and unique rural scenery. 📍 Ontario: Arrive in Toronto, visit Niagara Falls, then head east to Ottawa. 📍 Quebec: Explore Montreal and Quebec City, and experience French culture. 📍 Nova Scotia: If you have time, head from Quebec to Nova Scotia to visit Halifax and Cape Breton. · 🥰 Useful Tips 🔸 Book in advance: Especially during the summer tourist season and fall foliage season, book hotels and transportation in advance. 🔸 Car rental: Renting a car is a great option for natural scenery routes and interprovincial travel. 🔸 Outdoor gear: If you plan to do outdoor activities, bring waterproof and cold-weather gear.

#fallcolors #100WaysOfTravel When you see maple leaves and you will think of Autumn and maple leave will make you think of Canada. This is at Rideau Hall located at Ottawa. It is a place like our Parliament area and a national symbol for Government functions. It is surrounded by a park and there are many places to sit down and have lunch here in the cooling weather. This park is open daily to the public from 8am until sunset and you can also visit their Visitor Center which is open daily from May to October. There are guided tours too but you need to reserve early. #canada #liveyourdreams #takethattrip

The Laurier House is a National Historic Site in Ottawa because it was built in 1878 and it was formerly the residence of two Canadian Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. This is if you are curious to know what were the private lives of these 2 Prime Ministers. You can take a look at what is inside the house. Also the place has the garage, now turned into a visitor center for those who want to visit the place. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

I was so hungry, I dropped by Dunn's Famous Market Deli who served breakfast 24 hours a day. The environment inside was good and the feel was an old style resto in the movies when you get inside you sit down in one of the couches and a woman will go to your table and offer you what they have. The staff was very nice. The food was delicious because I ordered steak, eggs and toast with rice of course. Highly recommended. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

I read before that The Byward Market is the number 1 tourist attraction in Ottawa. I think it is number 1 when it comes to shops and restaurants 😂. Lots of places to eat. Lots of choices of food. It is busy day and night. So, this is a hub for outdoor farmers' market stalls and has some specialty food shops that sells cheese and maple infused chocolate. There are lots of street art and also some hip stores. I saw one store "The Pour Store" I was smiling because i thought it is POOR. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

The Royal Canadian Mint is just near the National Gallery of Canada. Constructed 1905-1908 to house a branch of the British Royal Mint. The main purpose of this building is to produce coins and medals using refinery foe gold produced by Canadian Mines. There are 2 options when you want to go inside: 1. FREE but you can only go to the Boutique or store and buy some unique coins or memorablias. 2. $10 FEE a guided tour about the history of The Canadian Mint and how coins were produced and developed as time goes by. I chose FREE 😂 . #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

The National Gallery of Canada looks totally different during the day. Also the weathere is not ao good. It was raining and it was very difficult to take pictures of the place. If you compare it with the night shots, it's not so dazzling. But what is important is the inside. Their are lots of awesome artworks that are ready to be explored. Just make sure you are ready to pay for the entrance fees because it is NOT free. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

If you want to know more about the people pf history of the Canadian People this is the place where yoh want to go and visit. It is not only about the people but also how the people were able to survive from time to time and also to know what cultures they have as Canadians. It is really good to know where it all started. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is just next to the National Holocust Monument. It has a unique design and it really looks like a big spaceship. The purpose of this National Museum is for Education on Canadian Military History. It gives details on how much of Canada's Military have reached when it comes to Military and the technology used during the war. Remember that there is a fee to get inside. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

The National Holocaust Monument is a holocaust memorial in Ottawa Canada. The design is a 14 meter high triangular contemplation that features a Flame of Remembrance. I actually researched about the holocaust because I also saw a holocaust memorial in downtown Toronto and it commemorates the 6 million men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust and the other millions of victims. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

Library and Archives Canada is the federal institution, tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the documentary heritage of Canada. The national archive and the library is the fifth largest library in the world. The LAC reports to the Parliament of Canada through the minister of Canadian Heritage. - this is based on what Wiki is saying. I have been to mang libraries and this on is so so huge. The building is super huge #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

The Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa is the highest court of the judicial syatem of Canada. This is the last resort for all those who have complains, cases pr for those who are looking for justice. It hears appeals from the courts of appeal from all the provinces and territories, the federal court of appeal, and the Court of Martial Appeal Court of Canada. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

One of the 3 Main Buildings at the Parliament Hill also called as the Western Departmental Building. It has housed the House of Commons Chamber, installed to accommodate the house while the Centre block is closed. It also houses offices of the pariamentarians, a house of the library of parliament. The building looks amazing with its Victorian High Gothic Style. The west block can be seen in the Canadian five-dollar bill. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

Just beside Ottawa's City Hall is Ottawa's Firefighter Memorial / Monument. The purpose of this monument is to remember the greatness or the sacrifice of the firefighters who save the lives of other people. There is even a saying from the bible posted there that "There is no Greater Love of Man than a Man who lays down his life for his friends. For me, they lay down their lives even if they don't know the person. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

Just beside the National Art Gallery, you will not miss this place because it also looks amazingly stunning with the architectural structure of the building and how they projected the light. It was declared as one of the National Historic Sites because this is largest and oldest standing church in Ottawa. If you take a look at the interior when its open you will see stunning displays of Canadian reigous art. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

I was fortunate I was able to book a lodge that was just near downtown Ottawa. This area which we call Downtown Rideau is very famous because it is like the main street of the city where you have lots of establishements and big malls. You can see a lot of shops if you want to go shopping and also there arr restaurants that you can go and eat. The people around this area are also very nice when I was walking around. #tripblazers #urbanexplorer

One of Canada’s most beautiful architectural features, the Parliament of Canada building is a must see. Located in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, the building features breathtaking architecture, sculpture, and art. During the day take a guided tour or explore on your own. Be sure to experience the wonder of the Parliament illuminated at night. #momentsmission #thanksgiving#mapletrees#luxuryhotel#hiking#christmasmarket#aurora#skiing#islandtravel#halloween2021#themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool#deserts#camping#culturalattractions#naturalwonders#seafoodfeast#romanticrestaurant#bestislandtraveltowns#hipsterbookstore#museumquest#beautifulsunsets#themeparks#loveflowers#café#historicculture#parachute#scubadiving#paragliding

Parliament Hill is where Canada’s parliament, house of commons and senate are located. This is a must see in Ottawa. They resemble to British monuments and a combination of other gothic architecture. Being in an open park offers the possibility for great pictures and paying attention to the buildings. Located just next to the river makes it a magnificent place to see sunset and going for a walk. Around the Parliament Hill you will also see many statues and monuments connected to war and noble Canadians. Just next to the main parliament building, you have the chance of being in a balcony that offers views of the Gatineau and some other old buildings, such as the Confederation one. The only drawback for photo lovers may be that there is construction but they need to be maintained.

If only every supermarket had a Di Rienzo's-style sandwich counter. This neighborhood institution bills itself as having "the best sandwiches in Ottawa," and it most certainly does. The key is to keep things simple: Simple Italian subs with mortadella, prosciutto, and other ingredients are slightly Canadianized (havarti being one of the cheeses of choice), and served at low, low costs, with a small number of hot and more fancy selections. Younger sandwich vendors nearby may be more "innovative," but they can't claim to be classics since they stuff their bread with Doritos or pierogies. #urbanexplorer #summervacation

Chef-owner Étienne Cuerrier is a charcuterie expert: With a sizable curing operation, he transforms locally sourced meats into blood sausage, terrine, and more at Meat Press, nestled away on a side street in west-end Hintonburg. Meat Press' lunch sandwiches (prepared with smoked meats or charcuterie) are hugely popular and ideal for taking home.

This fashionable pizza and natural wine place, which opened just days before pandemic lockdowns, serves pizzas made with quality local ingredients as well as wings sprinkled in honey, chili, mint, and basil. Pizza toppings like baby turnips, pineapples, and jalapeos will perplex any Italian grandfather, but that's probably a good thing. Yes, they come with a garlic dipping sauce.

This "not-so-greasy spoon" diner, named after the couch it's named after, serves brunch so delicious that it's worth getting out early and taking it home. Traditional brunch fare such as eggs benedict and waffles are served, but with a twist. Take, for example, air-fried chicken on challah and jerk chicken on cornbread bennys.

CF Rideau Centre attracts over 20 million visitors a year. This complex consists of over 180 retailers, Westin Hotel, a rooftop park, and Shaw Centre. Centrally located in the heart of downtown and open seven days a week, including most holidays, Rideau Centre is the go-to mall for your favourite stores all year round. It’s food options won’t disappoint either, with an 850-seat dining hall and 16 premium eateries, you’re bound to find a delicious meal for any occasion. I highly recommend this mall to families and friends to spend the weekend! 😊 #summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

Ottawa the Captial of Canada Parliament

This is a lot of the Capitol the whole of Ottawa. Regardless of the angle and where it is, you may notice the Capitol on the Capitol Hill, or the tower of peace. This is the symbol of Ottawa and even Canada. Of course, if you want to enter the Capitol, you need to make an appointment online in advance. The entire tour guide will guide you through the tour. Why do you say a lot? 1, If you come in the morning, you can see the changing ceremony of the Royal Guards in front of the Capitol. I was actually mistakenly hitting the day. I found the crowd gathered early in the past and I was lucky enough to see this practice ceremony. The team dressed in uniforms of soldiers is now step by step from my eyes. One team is an instrumental performance, and two teams are guards. Except for the conspicuous red color, I am very curious. Is it really hot to wear this hat in the summer? Still boldly guessing, there must be an ice bag in the hat to relieve the heat! 2. If you are coming in the summer evening, the Capitol will stage the Capitol Hill Sound and Light Show. I was watching a long film about Canadian history! Sound effects, lighting, and animation are all wonderful! Although the whole process... I will use French to speak French for a while, of course... I dont understand... At around 8:30, many people have already occupied the lawn. One more thing is that, at the end of the day, after admiring Canada, the national anthem rang, and then everyone sitting in it began to sing the national anthem with music, which is amazing!

Canada's most popular museum, you can also watch IMAX movies! The main purpose of the Canadian History Museum is to collect, research, preserve, and display a variety of objects that reflect the history of Canadians and the cultural diversity of their people. Although, the history of the country of Canada is itself a few hundred years. Although it is less than five thousand years of my great country, but the short history is very detailed in this museum. The scene restored many of Canada's buildings in primitive society, colonial times and modern times, and many scenes were built to let you be there, and you have to admire the humanized design and facilities of others! I was wondering before because Baidu searched out the Canadian Civilization Museum. Later, the Raiders said that the Canadian Museum of History, formerly known as the "Canadian Civilization Museum", was renamed in 2012, so some outdated materials and maps still use the previous names. I think the most shocking thing about this museum is the First Peoples Hall, a permanent exhibition that showcases the long history of Canadian Aboriginal people in North America for 20,000 years and an outstanding contribution to the country. There are a lot of things that Aboriginal people lived, used items, and tall totems. Here is 5:00-8 pm every Thursday, but free tickets to visit! And the ticket also contains an IMAX movie, is it amazing!

On the vast map of Canada, there is a landmark building that not only carries the country's history and glory but also embodies the spirit of the Canadian people. This is Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. I was fortunate enough to set foot on this sacred land and experience the unique charm of this magnificent building complex. The Parliament Hill complex consists of three main parts: the Central Block, the East Block, and the West Block. Each part, with its unique architectural style and design concept, together forms an outstanding example of Canadian architectural art. This building complex integrates European and American architectural aesthetics, showcasing Canada's inclusiveness and harmony as a multicultural country. Approaching Parliament Hill, the towering towers, pointed roofs, and exquisite stone carvings all highlight the unique charm of Gothic architecture, making one feel as if they have traveled back to medieval Europe. The most striking feature is the Peace Tower in the Central Block. This 92.2-meter-high Peace Tower is not only a landmark of the Parliament Buildings but was also built to commemorate all the Canadian martyrs who died in World War I. The tower's design combines Gothic and Victorian revival styles, and its exquisite carvings and towering spire appear particularly solemn and sacred against the blue sky and white clouds. Standing on the observation deck of the Peace Tower, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of downtown Ottawa and feel the blend of history and modernity in this city. In addition to the Peace Tower, the House of Commons in the East Block and the Senate of Canada in the West Block are also worth seeing. The exterior of the House of Commons is dignified and elegant, blending British classical architectural styles, and the interior is exquisitely decorated, reflecting the rigor and democracy of the parliamentary system. The Senate building, on the other hand, appears more solemn and grand, inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France. Its golden dome shines in the sunlight, complementing the surrounding buildings and forming another beautiful landscape on Parliament Hill. During the visit, I deeply felt the unique charm of Canadian political culture. This is the seat of the Canadian Parliament, where members debate, make laws, and contribute to the country's development. Many important political decisions and historical events have taken place here, witnessing Canada's journey from a colony to an independent country. In addition, the attractions around Parliament Hill are also not to be missed. The Rideau Canal is not far from Parliament Hill and can be reached on foot. This canal retains the manual operation equipment of the old days, full of fun and a sense of history. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the National Gallery of Canada showcase Canada's religious culture and artistic treasures, respectively. Overall, my visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa was a rewarding experience. I not only appreciated the essence of Canadian architectural art but also deeply felt the unique charm of Canadian political culture. If you are planning a trip to Canada, Parliament Hill in Ottawa is definitely a must-see attraction.

New Year’s trip, multi-country tour of Canada and more! 9-day exciting itinerary, take you to North America, this guide is worth having! -------------------- 🛫 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Toronto, enjoy Chinese pick-up service, and start a wonderful journey. Day 2-3: Visit Toronto city, including landmarks such as the CN Tower, then head to Kingston to explore City Hall and Queen’s University. Day 4-5: Head to Montreal from Kingston, visit Mount Royal and other places, then go to Old Quebec City and enjoy the scenery of the St. Lawrence River. Day 6-7: Head to Ottawa from Quebec City, visit attractions such as the Rideau Canal, then return to Toronto to visit the Provincial Parliament and the Royal Ontario Museum. Day 8: Head to Niagara Falls, experience the spectacular natural beauty, and choose the Skylon Tower or the Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Day 9: End the pleasant journey in Toronto and enjoy Chinese drop-off service. 🛬 -------------------- 🎒 Travel essentials: multi-country travel packing list 📞 Bring a SIM card, convenient for contact, and avoid losing contact. 🔌 Don’t forget the plug adapter, the voltage is different in each country, better safe than sorry. 🆔 Make sure you have all the documents, passport, visa, driver’s license, when you are abroad, you have to carry these with you. 👚 Travel in December, you have to bring thick clothes, down jackets, thermal underwear, to resist the cold weather. 🔋 Chargers and power banks, mobile phones, and cameras all need to be charged, don’t drop the ball at critical moments. -------------------- Multi-country style, travel all the way, the Canadian trip is just the beginning, more exciting waiting for you to explore, let’s travel to every corner of the world together!

Visit Canada and more with your family! Explore cities like Ottawa and Kingston, and see the beautiful Niagara Falls. Bring your kids and start your journey now! . Visit Canada and more, travel through history, see the magnificent Rocky Mountains 🏔️, and experience the perfect blend of city and nature in Vancouver 🌳. Experience the unique local culture, don't miss out! . 🚩 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive at Toronto Pearson Airport, enjoy 24-hour pick-up service 🛬, and head to the hotel to rest. Day 2: Explore Kingston City Hall 🏛, stroll through Parliament Hill, visit the Canadian War Museum and History Museum 📜, experience the charm of Old Montreal, and admire the grandeur of Notre-Dame Basilica. Day 3: Visit Saint Joseph's Oratory 💒, play at Olympic Park, explore the Montreal Botanical Garden and the Biodome 🌿, and immerse yourself in the charm of Old Quebec. Day 4: Enjoy the beautiful Thousand Islands 🏞. Day 5: Experience the Niagara Falls IMAX Theater 🎥, climb the Skylon Tower, take the Niagara City Cruises 🚤, and get up close to the majestic Niagara Falls. Day 6: Visit the Ontario Legislative Building 🏛, stroll through the University of Toronto, visit Toronto's Chinatown 🏮, climb the CN Tower, explore Ripley's Aquarium of Canada 🐟, and finally visit Casa Loma. . 🧳 Travel Preparation: 📞 Communication: A foreign SIM card for easy contact and internet access. 🔌 Travel Adapter: Bring a plug adapter for different socket types in different countries. 🪪 Important Documents: Passport, visa, driver's license, and translations for a worry-free trip. 👔 Clothing: For a December trip to multiple countries, bring a warm coat, scarf, and gloves for cold weather. 🔋 Charging Equipment: Fast charger and power bank to keep your devices charged. 💊 Essential Medicine: Common medicine like cold medicine and painkillers, just in case. . After visiting so many countries, I hope this guide can help you make your trip more exciting and unforgettable! 🌍✨

First time in Canada? Don't miss this super useful 4-day itinerary! Explore Canada with ease and make your trip even more exciting! -------- 🎉 Itinerary Overview: Explore the Beauty of Canada 🌄 DAY 1: Algonquin Provincial Park Stroll through Algonquin and enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility, and grandeur of Canada. DAY 2: Parliament Hill -> Parliament Building -> Canadian War Museum -> Rideau Canal -> Stanleys Olde Maple Lane Farm Visit the political center, savor the historical charm, and experience the rural charm of Canada at the farm. DAY 3: Citadel of Quebec -> Old Quebec -> Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal -> Montmorency Falls -> Mount Royal Park -> Saint Joseph's Oratory Travel through the historic fortress, stroll through the old town streets, admire the grandeur of the cathedral and the beauty of the waterfall, and take in the views of Mount Royal Park. DAY 4: Old Port of Montreal -> Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal -> Habitat 67 -> Thousand Islands Experience the charm of the Old Port, revisit the cathedral, explore Habitat 67, and finally take a boat tour of the stunning Thousand Islands. -------- Travel Tips: 🍔 Food: Try local maple syrup products, a must-try! Seafood is also a must-try! 🚖 Airport Transportation: Book a pick-up service in advance or take public transportation for convenience and peace of mind! ❄️ December Weather: Cold and snowy, remember to bring a warm coat and non-slip shoes! 💳 Payment: Credit cards are widely used, but cash is more convenient for small purchases! 📸 Photography: Canada's scenery is beautiful, so get your camera ready to capture the memories! -------- Don't miss these beautiful sights and authentic food on your trip to Canada to make your trip even more memorable!