The best things to do in Ottawa — sights and attractions

Canada has a thriving reputation as a tourist destination for visitors from across the globe. Ottawa, the country’s capital city, is no exception, having some of the most inspiring sights and attractions imaginable.

It is a multi-cultural city that incorporates cultures from all over the planet. This has been achieved while the cultural heritage of the region has been maintained, where people have a keen interest to preserve their history.

Like many capital cities across the globe, there’s such a combination of things to do it’s difficult to know where to start.

Fortunately, this article has been written to highlight some of the best things to do in Ottawa, meaning you can spend your time exploring rather than working out where to visit in summer.

Let’s take a closer look at some amazing activities you can enjoy in Ottawa:

Enjoy the World’s Largest Outdoor Skating Rink

During the winter months, a huge section of the Rideau Canal is converted into the world’s longest outdoor skating rink. This stretches for an incredible 8km, as a facility that’s open 24/7.

You’ll have a great opportunity to become a part of history, skating at a unique rink which can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

And why not try a Beaver Tail along the way? These deep-fried dough sweets are sold at kiosks along the rink, as well as across the Byward Market area.

Visit Parliament Buildings

The breathtaking Parliament Hill is located in the middle of the city center. With a stunning view of the Ottawa River, onlookers can embrace the culture and history that comes complete with this gothic revival building.

Parliament Hill comprises three major buildings, which form an expansive formal garden on the grounds of this complex site. There are numerous national celebrations, demonstrations, and shows here.

Tours are available throughout the day, that typically last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes a day. Turn up at 9 am to reserve your spot for the day, don’t gamble, and leave anything to chance! Speaking of which, if you’re going to take a risk, you’d probably be better off gambling at CasinoPro Canada, where there are numerous online offers to occupy your downtime.

Explore the Market

ByWard Market is one of the oldest in Canada, the heartbeat of the city center. Here there are several main buildings which are surrounded by open-air stalls, where tourists can explore the hustle and bustle of a local thriving market.

The main buildings are open all year, where the weather is nice and you can enjoy your surroundings. It is a colorful, vibrant environment with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and more.

Enjoy a combination of restaurants, fast-food kiosks, and more, where there’s ample opportunity to mix with the locals.

Learn More About the City’s History

As the capital city of Canada, you’d expect Ottawa to have profound history, something which is highlighted by the number of national museums found locally.

You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy these, where showing a simple level of intrigue for local culture and history will retain your interest.

Enjoy venues like the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, and many more.

There is also a mass of specialty museums that are all worth exploring at your leisure. There’s a Science and Technology Museum, the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Portrait Gallery of Canada, and much more.

What’s great is you can select a venue with a personal appeal.

Enjoy the Culinary Scene

As a melting pot of culture, there are so many different food places to enjoy in Canada’s capital city. Enjoy food from all over the world, alongside a few Canadian classics of course.

Poutine is a must-try, a Canadian dish of chips, cheese, curds, and gravy.

And don’t forget Beaver Tails!

Experiment with some incredible Chinese, Vietnamese and Lebanese food wonders. If you’re looking for something European, why not sample Italian, French and Mediterranean fare?