Alex & Liz's Guide to / Guide d'Alex et Liz pour les
Things to Do in Ottawa / Activités à Ottawa

🏛️ Museums

  • Canadian War Museum
    Explore Canada's military history through powerful artifacts and immersive exhibits.
    warmuseum.ca
  • Canadian Museum of History
    Discover the stories of Canada's peoples and cultures, plus a wonderful Children's Museum inside.
    historymuseum.ca — Children's Museum: historymuseum.ca/childrens-museum
  • Canada Science and Technology Museum
    Hands-on science and technology exhibits for all ages.
    ingenium.ca
  • Canadian Museum of Nature
    Natural history from dinosaurs to geology to the wonders of the animal kingdom.
    nature.ca
  • National Gallery of Canada
    World-class art collection including Canadian and Indigenous art in a stunning building.
    gallery.ca

⛵ Boat Tours

  • Ottawa Boat Cruise
    Canal boat tours, river tours past Rideau Falls, and a fun amphibious boat tour that goes on both land and water!
    ottawaboatcruise.com
  • Ottawa Palapa Tours
    A unique open-air boat experience — perfect for a relaxed cruise on the water.
    ottawapalapa.tours

🚶 Walking Tours

  • Ottawa Walking Tours
    The best way to experience Ottawa on foot — knowledgeable guides and great routes through the city.
    ottawawalkingtours.com
  • The Haunted Walk
    Ghost tours and paranormal adventures through Ottawa's most haunted sites — spooky fun for all!
    hauntedwalk.com

🌲 Nature

  • Gatineau Park
    A vast wilderness park just across the river in Québec — great for hiking, swimming, and scenic lookouts.
    ncc-ccn.gc.ca

🚲 Bicycle Rental

  • RentABike Ottawa
    Rent a bike and ride along the beautiful Rideau Canal bike path — a classic Ottawa experience.
    rentabike.ca

🎉 Festivals

  • Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street
    A beloved annual festival with mouth-watering BBQ ribs, live music, and great outdoor vibes on Sparks Street.
    ottawatourism.ca
  • Ottawa Chinatown Night Market
    A vibrant night market in Ottawa's Chinatown — street food, vendors, and lively atmosphere after dark.
    ottawachinatown.ca

🫖 High Tea

  • Zoe's at the Château Laurier
    Afternoon tea at Ottawa's most iconic hotel — a refined, elegant experience with classic sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
    fairmont.com

🌇 Rooftop Patio

  • Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market
    Enjoy drinks and views from the rooftop patio at the Andaz Hotel in the lively ByWard Market neighbourhood.
    hyatt.com

🍟 Ottawa Specialty Foods

  • BeaverTails (ByWard Market)
    A Canadian icon — fried dough pastry stretched into the shape of a beaver's tail, topped with your choice of sweet toppings. The original location is right here in Ottawa's ByWard Market!
    beavertails.com
  • Poutine
    The quintessential Québécois comfort food — french fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in rich gravy. Available practically everywhere: restaurants, food trucks, and diners throughout the city.