48 Hours in Ottawa

The Canadian capital is one of the country’s most beautiful cities with historic architecture, delicious cuisine, ample green spaces and a stunning riverside location.

Considerably smaller than Toronto or Montreal, Ottawa is a year-round destination with plenty to offer everyone from families to adventurers. The city has a well-preserved old town with grand Victorian architecture and many historical attractions, all of which are easily explored on foot.

Visit the seat of Canadian democracy, wander around some of the seven national galleries and museums, then take to the water on the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal before sampling the city’s wide-ranging cuisine. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Ottawa in a couple of days:

DAY ONE

Begin your day in Parliament Hill and explore its interesting blend of British and American architectural styles, including The House of Commons, The Senate and The Peace Tower, which recalls London’s Big Ben. In summer, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the front lawn of Parliament Hill.

Stop by the impressive National War Memorial then cross the Rideau Canal to ByWard Market. Take a food tour of this famous market, exploring farmers stalls and speciality food outlets surrounded by colourful street art. Sample culinary delights from maple-infused chocolate to poutine (French fries with cheese curds and gravy) and the iconic Beaver Tails (sweet fried pastries in the shape of a beaver’s tail).

After lunch, explore the National Gallery of Canada, housed near the market. The gallery has rich collections of contemporary indigenous art, as well as Canadian and European art from the 14th century to the present day. Next to the market is Ottawa’s most impressive church, the Notre Dame Basilica, which recalls the Paris original.

In the evening, catch a show at the National Arts Centre, which showcases a wide range of theatre, dance and music.

DAY TWO

This morning, explore Ottawa’s waterways. The Rideau Canal is one of the city’s most famous, transforming into the world’s largest skating rink during the famous Winterlude festival in February, but equally alluring for boat trips the rest of the year. The canal stretches over 200km all the way to Kingston and is the oldest continuously operating canal system in North America.

Alternatively, take a cruise along the Ottawa River. You could even take the Lady Dive Amphibus, which combines a bus tour of historic sites with a cruise on the river.

In the afternoon, visit more of Ottawa’s museums and galleries such as the vast exhibitions on First Nations and original European settlers at the Canadian Museum of History. Other highlights include the Canadian War Museum, the Royal Canadian Mint and Ottawa Art Gallery.

For something more relaxing, head across to Quebec north of the city, and pamper yourself in the hot pool at Nordik Spa, then walk among the woodlands and waterfalls of nearby Gatineau Park.

In the evening, explore the city’s diverse cuisine at the eateries of Westboro Village, Little Italy or the Glebe. Alternatively, discover Ottawa’s spooky side on a Haunted Walk by lantern light, including the Bytown Museum, the Fairmont Château Laurier and a reputedly haunted high school.

WHERE TO GO NEXT

After exploring Ottawa, explore the rest of the province with Journeyscape’s range of holidays to Ontario, including Classic Ontario, which visits Toronto, Niagara Falls, Blue Mountain, Algonquin, Ottawa and 1000 Islands. Or combine Ontario with Quebec on Eastern Canada by Rail, travelling from Toronto to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.