12 Must-Visit Gems in Ottawa, Ontario

Vít Janda A very interesting tour with an experienced and funny guide.

Daniel Capoferri Our family had a great time here. I highly recommend buying the City of Ottawas museum pass as it speeds up entry. Loads go see and do with a lot of interesting exhibits, labs, and demos made even more fun by the fact that we saw the Lego exhibit!

Kamyar Yazdani Amazing experience in Ottawa! The bus turns into a boat and takes you on a beautiful river tour. Perfect for families. Special thanks to our guide Wendy and the professional team. Highly recommend!

Laura Martell Had an amazing time at Jigsaw Escape Room! The puzzles were clever, challenging, and really well designed. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were immersive from start to finish. Such a fun experience and perfect for a group outing. Highly recommend!

Ellen Hoffman Lots cute shops to visit, prices of items all comparable with other shops. Many restaurants of all kinds of ethnic foods. Three level mall nearby and Parliament only 6 min walk.

Oluchukwu Nancy Jidobu Wonderful Park, made my dream videos come true

Rohit Shah Beautiful waterfall. Plenty of parking and also walkable distance from the Parliament building. There is a small walk near the falls that takes you around the Minto bridges to see the backwaters of the falls.

Leon A must-visit for any aviation or space enthusiasts. All the exhibits have small displays which detail not just the history, but also how the item came to be in the museums possession. It really adds life to the planes. The Canadarm in particular is well worth seeing in person. This particular one was the first used and flew 23 missions. Offers a tour every hour or so, and plenty of activities for both kids and adults. Very accessibility-friendly and has a café and gift shop.

Moments in Motion I visited Earnscliffe many years ago, and it’s a place that has stayed in my memory ever since. Even from the outside, the historic character of the building and its setting along the river make it stand out. There’s a quiet elegance to the property — the kind of heritage site you appreciate more the longer you look at it. Since it’s not generally open for public tours, most of the experience comes from walking the area, taking in the architecture, and reflecting on its place in Canada’s history. Still, it’s a meaningful stop if you’re nearby, and one of those places that reminds you how much history is woven into Ottawa’s neighbourhoods. I’ve been wanting to revisit, and it’s definitely on my list again — a simple, peaceful place to reconnect with the city’s past.

Yorulmaz Sinan Ornamental gardens are an enchanting escape into a world of color and tranquility. Visitors often rave about the lush landscapes, meticulously arranged flower beds, and the calming pathways that invite you to slow down and soak in the sights and scents. Whether it’s the vibrant seasonal blooms or the artfully crafted topiaries, the gardens offer a feast for the senses that’s hard to resist. You can take stunning photos and have a lot of fun. Highly recommended

Claire Medina We went to Jazzfest to see The Roots live, and it was absolutely incredible—such a powerful and mature performance! As fans in our late 30s, we really appreciated the energy, musicianship, and vibe of the entire night. The crowd was respectful, the atmosphere was fun but chill, and the sound quality was top notch. We decided to go for the Platinum Pass, and honestly—it was 100% worth it. The upgraded access made the experience so much more comfortable and enjoyable. If youre thinking about attending Ottawa Jazz Festival (or any jazz fest event), I highly recommend investing in the Platinum Pass, especially if you want a bit more ease and space. Overall, an amazing night. The Roots were everything we hoped for and more. We absolutely loved it and cant wait for next year!

BradinHK This is a important public space next to the Rideau Canal in the city centre of Ottawa. It is the location of several memorials and monuments. Within the triangular shaped urban square you will find the National War Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Valiants. Confederation Square is convenient to visit while sightseeing in the area and a place that you can easily spend 15-20 minutes monument viewing as part of your visit to Ottawa.