Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario and Area

Things to Do in Ottawa – Museums and Art Galleries

• Appreciate the impressive exhibits at Canada’s most-visited museum, the Canadian Museum of History
• Learn about Canada’s military history and view the country’s largest collection of war-related artifacts at the Canadian War Museum
• Admire the National Gallery of Canada, an impressive glass and granite building which houses  the world’s most comprehensive collection of Canadian art
• Visit the Canada Aviation and Space Museum which is home to the largest aviation collection in the county
• Say hello to a wide array of farm animals at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
• Take the kids to check out the fantastic interactive displays at the Canada Science & Technology Museum
• Tour the Royal Canadian Mint where they manufacture collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, as well as medals and medallions.
• Explore Ottawa’s history at the Bytown Museum located inside the city’s oldest stone building
• Check out The Canadian Museum of Nature’s Fossil Gallery to see their impressive display of dinosaur fossils
• Head underground to Diefenbunker Museum, a Cold War bunker designed to withstand a nuclear attack

Things to Do in Ottawa – Outdoor Activities

• Skate on the world’s largest skating rink at the Winterlude festival
• Float along the lazy river at Calypso, Canada’s largest waterpark
• Take the kids for a day of family fun at Saunders Farm where they can enjoy wagon rides, hedge mazes, jumping pillows, pedal carts, gem mining, a splash pad, and more
• Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Canadian Tulip Festival where over 100,000 tulips bloom
• Join a Haunted Walk to hear the ghostly tales from Ottawa’s dark side
• Watch the impressive fireworks display above the Parliament Buildings on Canada Day
• Stroll along the sandy beach in Constance Bay
• Watch as the boats go up and down the locks that connect the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River

Things to Do in Ottawa – Historical Attractions

• Join a guided tour of Parliament Hill, home to the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament and the Peace Tower
• Marvel at the twin spires and ornate gothic style of the Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica
• Pay a visit to the Laurier House National Historic Site which was built in 1878 and was home to two of Canada’s most notable Prime Ministers, Wilfrid Laurier and Mackenzie King
• Explore Rideau Hall, a beautiful 1830s mansion that is home to the Governor-General of Canada
• Take a guided tour of the Supreme Court of Canada where you will learn all about the Canadian Judicial System

Things to Do in Ottawa – Performing Arts & Culture

• Enjoy a performance at the recently renovated National Arts Centre
• Catch the hottest bands at the world’s largest blues festival, Ottawa Bluesfest

Things to Do in Ottawa – Other Fun Stuff

• Spend an afternoon browsing the shops at the ByWard Market, Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction
• Have a few drinks at Ottawa’s oldest bar Château Lafayette, aka ‘The Laff’, which has been serving customers in the ByWard Market since 1849
• Test your problem-solving skills at Escape Manor, Ottawa’s best escape room
• Take a day trip to visit other popular Eastern Ontario attractions

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