Ottawa
United States and Canada · Canada
See also
Overview
Ottawa is Canada's capital, offering a mix of national museums, historic Parliament Hill, and vibrant neighborhoods like ByWard Market. It's a clean, safe city with a blend of English and French culture, and easy day trips to Gatineau.
Languages: English, French
Why go?
Ottawa is Canada's capital, offering a mix of national museums, historic Parliament Hill, and vibrant neighborhoods like ByWard Market. It's a clean, safe city with a blend of English and French culture, and easy day trips to Gatineau. Summer brings festivals like Bluesfest and Winterlude in winter.
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Getting in
Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) has flights from major Canadian and US cities. VIA Rail connects to Toronto and Montreal via Ottawa Station and Fallowfield Station. Bus services include Megabus, FlixBus, Rider Express, and Orleans Express from Montreal and Toronto.
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Getting around
OC Transpo operates buses and the O-Train light rail system. The O-Train has three lines connecting downtown to suburbs. Taxis and ride-sharing (Uber, Lyft) are available. Biking is popular; Rentabike and Escape Bicycle Tours offer rentals.
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When to go
Summer (June to early September) is warm with long days, ideal for outdoor festivals. Winter is cold and snowy but offers skating on the Rideau Canal and Winterlude. Spring and autumn are mild but can have rapid weather changes. The Tulip Festival in May is a highlight.
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Where to stay
Budget options include Ottawa Backpackers Inn (dorm from $36) and Barefoot Hostel (private rooms from $109). The University of Ottawa offers summer dorms from $40. Mid-range hotels like the Lord Elgin and Cartier Place Suite Hotel are downtown. Splurge at Chateau Laurier or the Westin.
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Food and drink
Ottawa's signature snack is the BeaverTail, a fried dough pastry. ByWard Market is packed with eateries like Zak's Diner (24-hour), La Bottega Nicastro ($5 sandwiches), and Rangoon (Burmese cheap eats). Poutine is popular, especially at Elgin Street Diner. Bars cluster in ByWard Market, Elgin Street, and Bank Street. Smoking is banned indoors.
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Things to do
Top attractions include Parliament Hill (free tours), National Gallery, Canadian War Museum, and Canadian Museum of Nature (free Thursdays after 4PM). Rideau Canal becomes a skating rink in winter. Walk tours like Haunted Walk of Ottawa. Free yoga on Parliament Hill on summer Wednesdays. Festivals: Winterlude (Feb), Tulip Festival (May), Canada Day (Jul 1), Bluesfest (summer).
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Safety
Ottawa is very safe, but exercise caution after dark. Occasional violence on transit; use common sense. Avoid Lowertown East, Vanier, and some suburbs at night. Winter cold is a hazard; dress warmly. Emergency number is 911.
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Connectivity
Area codes 613 and 343. Free WiFi is available in most coffee shops, hotels, and public libraries. Internet cafes are scattered throughout the city.
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Budget
A daily backpacker budget in Ottawa might be around $60-80 CAD, including dorm accommodation ($36), a couple of cheap meals ($5-10 each), and public transit ($3.75 single fare). Many museums have free admission on certain days.
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Etiquette
Smoking is prohibited in all restaurants, bars, and on patios. Tipping is customary (15-20% at restaurants). Bilingualism is common; service is available in English or French.
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Go next
Across the river is Gatineau, Quebec, with its own museums and Gatineau Park. Day trips possible to the Diefenbunker in Carp (30 min drive) and the Canada Agriculture Museum on the city's edge. Montreal is about 2 hours by bus or train; Toronto about 4 hours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
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Bank Street Promenade
Great mix of stores ranging from chain restaurants to specialty shops. District extends from Wellington St to Gladstone Ave.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Bike Dump
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Bluesfest
Also in summer: The largest blues festival in Canada. It also features rock, pop and world music, and attracts visitors from Atlantic Canada and New England.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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ByWard Market
Among other things, this is a farmer's market; in summer, stalls selling fresh produce and flowers line the streets, and maple syrup bought at the farmer's market costs half the price of the same bottle sold at souvenir shops elsewhere in the Byward Market or anywhere else in the city. It is also a craft and tourist market with a range of shops and the city's busiest entertainment district with restaurants, pubs, bars and many street performers. Interesting to see it first during the day (when it's a shopping destination) and then in the evening (when it's a nightlife destination).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Canada Day
Celebrate Canada's birthday in Ottawa on July 1. While the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings is being renovated, the official spot to gather on Canada Day is Major's Hill Park. As of 2022, the events have been moved to LeBreton Flats Park.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Capital Pride
Ottawa's annual LGBT pride festival, taking place at Somerset Village (Bank & Somerset), the core of Ottawa's LGBT community.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Chez Lucien
Pleasant bistro and bar, serving pub fare including excellent burgers and fries. A good selection of microbrew beers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
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Clocktower Brewhouse
A microbrewery with two locations. Excellent beer at a good price with a very tasty and well priced menu.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Area codes 613 and 343. Free Wi-Fi is available in most coffee shops, hotels, and libraries.
Culture
Bilingual city; services available in English and French. Tipping is customary (15-20% in restaurants).
Health
Tap water is safe to drink. Hospitals are accessible.
Language
Bilingual city; most people speak English and French.
Local transport
OC Transpo buses and O-Train run frequently. Single fare around $3.75 CAD. Day passes available.
Money
Canadian dollar (CAD). Credit cards widely accepted.
Safety
Ottawa is very safe, but beware of cold winters and occasional transit issues.
Transport
O-Train and bus network; single fare $3.75.
Visa context
Visa rules depend on passport; check current entry rules before booking.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink.
Weather
Warm summers, very cold and snowy winters. Average winter snowfall 225 cm.