Ottawa Parliament Building and the Centennial Flame in front with the flames blowing up in front of the clock tower with clear blue skies.
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Ottawa Things to Do

A Local’s Guide to Canada’s Capital City

What will you find here?

About the blog

Ottawa Things to Do is a local run blog all about Ottawa’s best activities and adventures. I moved to Ottawa in 2021 from Toronto, after visiting almost every year of my childhood to see my aunt.

I spend my weekends and evenings adventuring around the city to find the cool, unusual, and exciting things to do that are actually worth your money.

I’ve helped dozens of friends and family plan their trip to the city, date nights their their partners, or full on road trips around the area. Now I want to help you too!

Whether you’re visiting Ottawa for the first time or the 17th time, I want to help you discover the best the city has to offer.

Learn More Here!
Nina sitting on the ground in a blue dress in front of red and pink tulips at the Ottawa Tulip Festival. Nina has short brown hair and is wearing sunglasses.
Introducing Ottawa

Best of Ottawa Things to Do

People skating on the Rideau Canal in winter skating towards the Chateau Laurier on a clear sunny day.

Activities

Fairmont Chateau Laurier entrance archway with the name of the hotel written on it in gold. It's made of what looks like white marble on a clear day but is actually stone.

Hotels

View of Parliament Hill and the main Parliament building through a metal fence on top of a green hill in Ottawa.

Tours

View of a Lake in Gatineau Park through the trees with large flat rocks just visible showing a slow descent into the clear water. It's surrounded by fluffy summery trees.

Day Trips

Pastries display on rack with tea on the side from High Tea at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

Food

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Explore

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. Most people visit to see Parliament and maybe a museum, then they call it boring.

We’re home to a variety of UNESCO Heritage Sites, world’s largest cultural celebrations, and uniquely Canadian foods.

I don’t want you to miss out, so I’m sharing my favourite spots – and least favourite spots – to ensure you have the most epic visit possible.

Explore Ottawa!
Golden retriever sitting facing the camera with his tail fanned out. He is a deep orange colour with a face harness and a red leash. Sitting in front of red and yellow tulip fields from the Canada Tulip Festival.
Tulip Festival
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Downtown Ottawa with the Fairmont Chateau Laurier behind it. Both have white bases with green, aged copper ornaments. It's a snowy day with white snow and a deep blue sky.
Downtown Ottawa
Discover

Spring in Ottawa

Spring in Canada runs from March to May, but it’s more like April to June since the snow won’t be melted in March.

May is the best month in Ottawa when the tulips and cherry blossoms are in bloom, there’s often an Easter celebration on, and you stop by PoutineFest to try a Canadian delicacy.

The hiking trails in Gatineau Park are just starting to reopen and the waterfalls like Luskville Falls are at full force. Be sure to pack your rain boots or something you don’t mind getting muddy!

Plan a relaxing trip with high tea at the Chateau Laurier and a massage at Holtz Spa to celebrate the moms in your life – or to treat yourself!

Plan Your Spring Visit Now!
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