Guidebook for Ottawa
Parks & Nature
With over 50 pristine lakes, 170km hiking trails, 98km of biking trails, there is lots for the nature lovers! Check out their visitor information site for details.
522 locals recommend
Gatineau Park
33 Chem. ScottWith over 50 pristine lakes, 170km hiking trails, 98km of biking trails, there is lots for the nature lovers! Check out their visitor information site for details.
Attached to the Experimental Farm, there are all kinds of different trees from across Canada. You can drive there or bike along the canal (about 15 minutes), have a picnic or just enjoy the views. Will you see the heron?
26 locals recommend
Arboretum
ArboretumAttached to the Experimental Farm, there are all kinds of different trees from across Canada. You can drive there or bike along the canal (about 15 minutes), have a picnic or just enjoy the views. Will you see the heron?
Sightseeing
The residence of the Governor General has rooms the public can view and gardens you can visit... for free! It also has changing of the guards every hour.
96 locals recommend
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex DrThe residence of the Governor General has rooms the public can view and gardens you can visit... for free! It also has changing of the guards every hour.
The Parliament Buildings will close for at least 12 years starting soon! Free tour tickets can be had across the street from Parliament at the south-west corner of Metcalfe and Wellington. The view from the Peace Tower is breathtaking!
891 locals recommend
Parliament Hill
Wellington StreetThe Parliament Buildings will close for at least 12 years starting soon! Free tour tickets can be had across the street from Parliament at the south-west corner of Metcalfe and Wellington. The view from the Peace Tower is breathtaking!
Arts & Culture
The museum is only a block away! The interactive exhibits are great for people of all ages who are interested in the natural world. There is a small café, there, too. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 - 8 pm.
468 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of Nature
240 McLeod StThe museum is only a block away! The interactive exhibits are great for people of all ages who are interested in the natural world. There is a small café, there, too. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 - 8 pm.
The history of the building of the Rideau Canal is curated at the locks where the boats move from the canal to the Ottawa River. After your tour, walk along the Trans-Canada trail behind Parliament Hill.
34 locals recommend
Bytown Museum
1 Canal LnThe history of the building of the Rideau Canal is curated at the locks where the boats move from the canal to the Ottawa River. After your tour, walk along the Trans-Canada trail behind Parliament Hill.
Walk up the canal and take in a play or a concert. There is a lovely restaurant on the canal in the NAC where you can have a meal or just a drink. If the patio is open, enjoy watching the luxurious houseboats waiting for the locks to open. You can walk from our place to the NAC. Along the canal, it takes about 20 minutes. Along Cartier, it takes about 15 minutes.
346 locals recommend
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StWalk up the canal and take in a play or a concert. There is a lovely restaurant on the canal in the NAC where you can have a meal or just a drink. If the patio is open, enjoy watching the luxurious houseboats waiting for the locks to open. You can walk from our place to the NAC. Along the canal, it takes about 20 minutes. Along Cartier, it takes about 15 minutes.
Essentials
The grocery store is two blocks away! They have an amazing selection of food... including a wall of cheese! If you don't have a car, we have a shopping cart you can borrow.
264 locals recommend
Loblaws
64 Isabella StThe grocery store is two blocks away! They have an amazing selection of food... including a wall of cheese! If you don't have a car, we have a shopping cart you can borrow.
In Ontario, most alcohol must be bought at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Our local LCBO is just beside the grocery store.
191 locals recommend
LCBO
160 Elgin StIn Ontario, most alcohol must be bought at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Our local LCBO is just beside the grocery store.
Everything Else
If you want to relax in an outdoor spa where you can soak in different pools, lounge by a fire, have a massage or some other treatment, go to the Nordik Spa. You need a car to get there -- about a 20 minute drive into the country.
312 locals recommend
Nordik Spa-Nature | Chelsea
16 Chemin NordikIf you want to relax in an outdoor spa where you can soak in different pools, lounge by a fire, have a massage or some other treatment, go to the Nordik Spa. You need a car to get there -- about a 20 minute drive into the country.
Getting Around
Cyco's
25 Hawthorne AveMany guests have had great service at Cyco's. They rent bicycles.
Do a Google search for OC Transpo Travel Planner to find out how to get around town on public transportation. The #5 bus is at the corner of Elgin and Catherine. The one in front of the tall apartment building takes you to the Rideau Centre.
27 locals recommend
OC Transpo Sales & Information Centre
50 Rideau StDo a Google search for OC Transpo Travel Planner to find out how to get around town on public transportation. The #5 bus is at the corner of Elgin and Catherine. The one in front of the tall apartment building takes you to the Rideau Centre.
This is a gas station. It does not repair cars. It also has a convenience store.
MacEwen Bank & Catherine
512A Bank StThis is a gas station. It does not repair cars. It also has a convenience store.
Shopping
Rideau Centre
The Rideau Centre is the major shopping centre downtown.