There are many national museums and galleries in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau. All museums in Ottawa have free admission on Canada Day, July 1, although they are generally very crowded then.
Parliament Hill, Canada's house of democracy
Parliament Hill, . The primary attraction for most visitors is Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill is in the middle of downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Not only is the building a fine example of the Gothic revival style, it makes an excellent starting point to visit all other points of interest in the area. Tours of the building are available daily with multiple tours (in both official languages) available at staggered times throughout the day. If you have a group of greater than 10 people, you must make a reservation in advance by calling the reservations office at +1 613 996-0896. The Centre Block tour is the most popular as it includes inside views of the House of Commons, the Senate, and the newly renovated Library of Parliament. Same-day tickets are free and available on a first-come-first-served basis from 9:00 AM. Pick up your ticket as early as possible to have the best chance of securing a start time that works for you. Tours last from 20 to 60 minutes depending on building activity. From July 2 to Labour Day (early September), tours of the East Block are also available; tour guides take you through the restored offices of some of the Fathers of Confederation (Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir George-Etienne Cartier, Governor General Lord Dufferin and the original Privy Council Office) explaining the beginnings of the Dominion of Canada while historical characters let you in on the daily lives of Canada's past politicians. Tours last about an hour and free same-day tickets can be picked up at the Info-tent on the Hill by West Block. If there are no more tickets available, or you have to wait for your time, a fine self-guided walking tour around the grounds of Parliament Hill will keep you busy. Free booklets are available at the visitors' centre. One of the nicer, unexpected views, looking from the bottom up, can be accessed at the back of the Parliament Buildings -- that vantage point also provides a river view of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, across the river in downtown Gatineau (a sector that was formerly the city of Hull). The walk down from the southwest corner of the Centre Block allows visitors to visit the Hill cats, a group of feral animals housed there by volunteers. Behind the Parliament Buildings at sunset is a sight to remember. You can walk by the Rideau Canal locks (at the east corner) and visit the Bytown Museum at the level of the canal. The locks divide Parliament Hill from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, a former railway hotel. This hotel once housed the offices of CBC Radio in Ottawa as well as the studio of well-known portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh. Several framed Karsh photographs are hung in the hotel lounge. His (and his wife's) home suite is now available for guests and displays a small sampling of framed prints on the walls. �
Mosaika Parliament Hill Sound & Light Show, . Newly developed for 2010 by the National Capital Commission, the Sound & Light Show is a 30 minute film about Canada projected on the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings. Bleacher seating is available and no reservations or tickets are required. There is one show nightly until September at 21:30. �
Museum of Civilization, across the river in Gatineau
Canadian War Museum, . Moved to a new building west of downtown in 2005 but still within walking distance of the downtown attractions, the museum presents Canada's involvement in armed conflict beginning with battles between the French and British, through to the World Wars, Korea, and the country's current involvement in NATO and UN operations.Admission is $12 for adults. A joint War Museum and Museum of Civilization ticket can be purchased for $18. Admission is free on Th after 6PM. �
Museum of Civilization, . This museum presents the story of Canada's population beginning with Aboriginal migration across the Bering Strait through European settlement by the Vikings around 1000 CE, and the British and French in the 1500s. The museum is full of a variety of items ranging from full size Salish totem poles to the recreation of a small prairie town complete with grain elevator. The museum also includes an exhibit on Canada Post and a separate museum for children.Admission is $10 for adulta. A joint War Museum and Museum of Civilization ticket can be purchased for $15. Admission is free on Th after 4PM. �
Jacques Plante's Goalie Mask on display in the Science and Technology Museum
Science and Technology Museum, . The museum has several displays that are popular with children, including massive locomotives inside the building and electricity demonstrations. �
Canadian Museum of Nature, . Galleries of fossils, mammals, birds and geology among others. �
National Gallery of Canada
National Gallery, 380 Sussex Dr, ☎ +1 613 990-1985, . Free admission Th after 5PM. �
Supreme Court of Canada, . Canada's highest court and the best example in Ottawa of Art Deco architecture. Its marble Grand Entrance Hall is particularly impressive. Visitor reservations are required during low season (September 1 to April 30).Free. �
Royal Canadian Mint, . �
Canada Aviation Museum, . �
Bank of Canada Currency Museum, . Free. �
Canada Agriculture Museum, 861 Prince of Wales Dr, ☎ +1 613 991-3044 (toll free: +1 866 442-4416), . Exhibitions: 9AM-5PM daily late Feb-late Nov. Animal barns: 9AM-5PM daily all year. A working animal farm in the city. You can visit animal barns, see various demonstrations and exhibitions, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. The museum also has a playground and picnic area. It is very popular with young children and a welcome change of pace for kids who have seen enough history after visiting some of the other sights.$7 adults, $6 students/seniors, $4 children 3-14, $16 families (2 adults and 3 children), free for children under 3. Seniors free on Tu. Admission to animal barns is by donation during time of year when the exhibitions are closed. �
Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Ln (at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and Chateau Laurier), ☎ +1 613 234-4570, . Victoria Day weekend-Thanksgiving Day: F-W 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM. Rest of year: Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. A small museum at the foot of Parliament Hill with a focus on Ottawa's early history.$6 adults, $4 seniors/students/youth, $3 children 5-12, $15 families (2 adults plus three children under 18), free for children 4 and under. Free admission Th 5PM-9PM from Victoria Day-Thanksgiving Day. �
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr, ☎ +1 613 991-4422 (toll free: +1 866 842-4422), . Residence tour (without reservations): Apr 30-Jun 26: Sa-Su 10AM-4PM, Jun 27-Sep 5: 10AM-4PM daily (unguided open-house tours available Jul-Aug), Sep 6-Oct 30: Sa-Su noon-4PM. Advance reservations required for tours at any time from Nov-Apr, and weekdays May-Jun and Sep-6-Oct 30. Grounds tour: 8AM-1 hour before sunset daily. The official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her representative the Governor General of Canada. The grounds and the residence are open to the public for tours. Reservations are recommended during low season (September 1 - April 30).Free. �
Diefenbunker - Canada's Cold War Museum, 3911 Carp Rd, Carp (from Ottawa, take Hwy 417 west to exit 144, then go north on Carp Rd), ☎ +1 800 409-1965, . Self-guided tours 11AM-4PM daily (opens at 10:30AM during summer. Open on W until 9PM during spring and fall. Times for guided tours vary by season). Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada. In addition to preserving and promoting Canada's Cold War history, the museum offers a variety of visitor programs and services. You can learn, play or shop as you discover the bunker's secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. Guided tours by reservation only. A unique attraction, well worth the visit.$14 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students , $8 youth 6-18, $40 families (2 adults plus 3 youth), free for children 5 and under. �
Museum of Civilization - Atrium
For the sports fan, Ottawa has professional sports teams:
Ottawa Senators -- National Hockey League (NHL)
Ottawa 67's -- Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa Fury -- USL Premier Development League
Ottawa Harlequins -- Rugby Canada Super League
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Ottawa
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Ottawa - updated May 2024
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Ottawa Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
