Ottawa Weekend Itinerary: Museums, Attractions & Seasonal Activities

Start Day 1 at Parliament Hill (111 Wellington Street), the seat of the Canadian federal government and the iconic Gothic Revival complex that dominates the Ottawa skyline. The Centre Block (with the Peace Tower) is closed for a multi-year renovation, but you can still take free guided tours of the East and West Blocks, and walk the grounds. See the Centennial Flame, the statues of former prime ministers, and the Victoria Tower Bell. Walk behind the Centre Block for a view of the Ottawa River and the Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau. After Parliament Hill, walk east along Wellington Street and visit the National War Memorial (Confederation Square), a tall granite arch with bronze sculptures commemorating Canadians who served in armed conflicts.

For lunch, eat in the ByWard Market. Try the ByWard Market Building for a range of food stalls, or walk to Murray Street for a cluster of restaurants. For a classic pick, try Chez Lucien (137 Murray Street) for a cozy bistro with great burgers, or La Bottega (64 George Street) for an Italian deli with great sandwiches. For a quick pick, grab a BeaverTail (77 George Street) and a coffee.

After Parliament Hill, walk east along Wellington Street to the ByWard Market (55 ByWard Market Square), one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The market building has been standing since 1865, and the surrounding streets are filled with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and craft shops. Browse the market stalls for local produce, cheeses, and crafts, and stop at the original BeaverTails stand (77 George Street) for the iconic Canadian pastry. Walk north to the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Drive), a post-modern building by Moshe Safdie, with the giant spider sculpture Maman at the entrance. The gallery's Canadian and Indigenous Galleries are a highlight, and the Rideau Chapel installation — a reconstructed 19th-century chapel — is stunning. The gallery is free on Thursdays from 5–8 PM.

For dinner, eat in the ByWard Market. For a classic Ottawa experience, try Play Food & Wine (1 York Street) for small plates and a great wine list, or Beckta Dining & Wine (150 Elgin Street) for a fine-dining pick. For a more affordable pick, try Zak's Diner (14 ByWard Market Square) for a classic diner, or the Prescott (1100 Bank Street) for a casual pub. For a mid-range pick, try Chez Lucien (137 Murray Street) for a cozy bistro with great burgers.

After dinner, walk through the ByWard Market at night, when the bars and restaurants are busy. For a drink, try the Manx (379 Elgin Street) for a classic Ottawa pub with a great beer list, or the Speakeasy Above the Château (inside the Château Laurier) for a cocktail. In winter, walk to the Rideau Canal Skateway (if it's open) and skate under the stars — the canal is lit at night and is one of the most atmospheric winter experiences in Canada.

Start Day 2 at the Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier Street, Gatineau), just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill, across the Portage Bridge. The building, by architect Douglas Cardinal, has cascading curves inspired by the Canadian landscape. The Grand Hall, with its totem poles and views of Parliament Hill, is one of the most impressive museum spaces in Canada. The museum covers the history of Canada, from Indigenous peoples to the present day. After the museum, walk or take a short Uber to the Glebe, a neighbourhood south of downtown, and walk along Bank Street — the main street, with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.

For lunch, eat in the Glebe or near the museum. Try the Whalesbone (430 Bank Street) for oysters and seafood, or the Absinthe Café (1208 Bank Street) for a French bistro. For a more affordable pick, try the Elgin Street Diner (379 Elgin Street) for a classic diner, or the French Quarter Café (838 Bank Street) for a great coffee and a light lunch.

After the museum, walk or take a short Uber to the Canadian Museum of Nature (240 McLeod Street), a castle-like building with exhibits on the natural world — dinosaurs, minerals, Arctic ecosystems, and a butterfly garden. For a seasonal activity, visit the Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen ice skating rink in winter (typically January to late February, conditions permitting). Rent skates at the canal and skate the 7.8 km skateway from downtown to Dows Lake. In summer, walk or bike the canal pathways, or take a boat cruise on the Rideau Canal. For a year-round pick, visit the Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier Street, Gatineau) — just across the river, with the Grand Hall of totem poles and the history of Canada exhibits.

For dinner, eat in the Glebe or Centretown. For a classic Ottawa experience, try Absinthe Café (1208 Bank Street) for a French bistro, or the Manx (379 Elgin Street) for a pub with a great beer list. For a mid-range pick, try the Whalesbone (430 Bank Street) for oysters and seafood, or the Sidedoor (18 York Street) for a modern Asian-fusion pick. For a more affordable pick, try the Elgin Street Diner (379 Elgin Street) for a classic diner.

After dinner, end the night with a walk along the Rideau Canal or the Ottawa River. For a drink, try the Arrow & Loon (13 Pretoria Avenue) for a pub in the Glebe, or the Lieutenants Pump (156 Third Avenue) for a classic Ottawa bar. For a quieter end, walk through Major's Hill Park (behind the National Gallery) for a view of Parliament Hill lit up at night, and then head back to your hotel.