etraveladmin When people think of visiting Ottawa, they always think of the Parliament buildings and skating on the Rideau Canal. But there’s so much more to do in Ottawa than visit government buildings and museums.
What To Do In Ottawa – Urban Ocean Adventure SUP
Imagine paddling down the Gatineau River while gazing up at Ottawa’s magnificent parliament buildings. Ocean in the City Ottawa established the first SUP Centre in Eastern Ontario, providing certification, instruction, tours, and SUP yoga! It is one of the most unique and enjoyable things to do in Ottawa, which is why we ranked it first.
You’ll leave with a tour that takes you from the yacht club to the Rideau Canal Locks, the Parliament Buildings, the Supreme Court of Canada, and out to the river’s mouth for a panoramic view of Ottawa and Gatineau.
Gatineau Hiking
This article is about Things to Do in Ottawa, but Ottawa and Gatineau are inextricably linked. Gatineau is a Quebec city located just across the river from Ottawa, Ontario. Bridges, aqua taxis, and ferries connect the two cities, and they work beautifully together. Gatineau has fantastic hiking trails, a vibrant nightlife, and museums. But it’s the great outdoors that we adore. When visiting Ottawa, you must visit Gatineau Park.
Gatineau Park is a 365-square-kilometer (139-square-mile) conservation area with numerous walking trails. One entrance is only 4 kilometres from downtown Ottawa. Gatineau has 165 kilometres of hiking trails and 90 kilometres of mountain biking trails. We also saw a lot of road cyclists while visiting the park. The William Lyon Mackenzie Estate, a 231 hectare (acre) estate of Canada’s ten Prime Ministers, can be visited. Beaches, canoeing, and camping are available.
Rafting on Whitewater
The Ottawa River is known for having some of the best whitewater rafting on the planet. Its class 5 rapids draw professional rafters and kayakers. There are three rafting companies located just one hour outside of downtown Ottawa that will take you on the rafting excursion of your choice. If you’re travelling with a family, there are even smaller rapid trips to accommodate everyone.
Parliamentary Structures
Everyone says to see the Parliament buildings, but Canada truly has beautiful government buildings. You could simply walk around the Parliament grounds and enjoy the views of the river below, but a tour is highly recommended. Parliament tours in Ottawa are free and last approximately 45 minutes. You will be subjected to a security screening, just like at an airport. Only one small bag is permitted. There is no video allowed, but you may bring a bottle of water.
Museum of Aviation and Space
Military jets, WWII fighter biplanes, helicopters, one of the first planes invented, and much more are among the 130 aircraft propellers and engines on display. You can even participate in flight simulations or book helicopter tours and your own biplane flight, as we did.
National Museum of Art
The National Gallery of Canada is an eye-catching structure that houses a large collection of Canadian art. The giant spider out front is what draws people’s attention. Maman is a well-known sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, and it is not unique to Ottawa. You may have seen it at the Tate Modern Art Museum in London, England, in Missouri, USA, St. Petersburg, Bilboa, Tokyo, Seoul, Doha, and Des Moines if you travel a lot.
Canal Tour
A Canal Cruise from Chateau Laurier to Dow’s Lake is an entertaining way to learn about the history of the Rideau Canal. The tours last approximately an hour and a half and include stops at City Hall, the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the TD Centre, and Lansdowne Park.
In the winter, you can skate along this same route in Ottawa.
Mosaiculture
When looking for photos of Ottawa in the summer, we came across mosaiculture. This magnificent display of 48 massive floral sculptures will both inspire and awe. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours admiring the artistry and design on the banks of the Gatineau River.
Winterlude to JazzFest
Keep an eye out for the many festivals that take place throughout the year in Ottawa. There are numerous festivals to attend in Ottawa, but our top recommendations are the Jazz Festival, the Tulip Festival, and, of course, Winterlude, which takes place in the winter.
