When we ask anyone outside of Canada what Canada’s capital is, we tend to get a lot of wrong answers.
Toronto, Ontario, is our country’s largest and best-known city.
But Canada’s capital actually lies northeast of it.
The city of Ottawa is the capital.
Non-Canadians also quite understandably scratch their heads when it comes to understanding our home city of Victoria.
The capital of our province, British Columbia, is Victoria. It’s located on Vancouver Island.
But the city of Vancouver isn’t – it’s found on the mainland.
Now that we’ve thoroughly confused you, let’s go back to Ottawa, Ontario…
Sporting massive Parliament buildings, uniquely designed museums and a thriving downtown core, there are many interesting places to visit in Ottawa.
Places to visit in Ottawa
Here’s the scoop on the best places to see in Ottawa.
And seeing as it’s the New Year, we’re putting a wintery spin on our winter guide to Ottawa.
Parliament Hill
Conceived as early as 1859, Parliament Hill has housed Canada’s federal government ever since the complex was completed in 1876, nine years after the formation of Canada in 1867.
A major fire destroyed much of the complex in 1916, and though Canada was at war at the time, rebuilding Parliament became a priority.
Eleven years later, the Peace Tower was built as well, commemorating those lost in World War I.
Parliament Hill has been the scene of many historic ceremonies in Canada, including the VE Day celebrations, the first raising of Canada’s new flag in 1965, and the celebration of Canada’s Centennial in 1967.
Today, Parliament Hill is a beautiful area to tour on foot.
It features many statues of famous Canadian figures (like Sir John A. Macdonald, our first prime minister), monuments commemorating veterans and police, and also the Rideau Canal.
Rideau Canal
One of Canada’s most popular and iconic sites, the Rideau Canal is a top Ottawa attraction – and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For decades, families have skated and played ice hockey on the canal.
Skating in winter, in fact, is what the Rideau Canal is most famous for today.
You’ll love skating on the groomed “Skateway.” It stretches for almost five miles from Ottawa’s downtown area to Dows Lake.
Cool fact: Together, the canal and Dows Lake form the “largest, naturally frozen skating rink in the world”.
Gliding along the ice as a way of getting around has even been done by members of Parliament and prime ministers over the years!
Yes, it’s a truly Canadian tradition.
If you get the chance, do hop on the ice and go for a skate on this picturesque canal.
It’s one of the best things to do in Ottawa in winter!
Museums in Ottawa
There are three Ottawa museums you’ll want to check out.
First is the National Gallery of Canada.
Considered one of Canada’s finest galleries, this museum focuses on Canadian art.
But it also has some foreign collections, including several of Andy Warhol’s most famous pieces.
Outside in front of the gallery, you can’t miss the sculpture of a gargantuan spider (“Maman”), complete with a sac of large white marble eggs under her belly – a great photo opp, by the way!
Next is the Canadian Museum Of Nature. It has an impressive fossil collection, a live insectarium and other nature-inspired exhibits.
And then there’s the Canadian War Museum, which features displays from Canada’s war history.
Ottawa in winter
Enjoy your trip to Ottawa.
Pack woolies if visiting in winter, and stay warm!
Explore western Canada!
Gulf Islands | You’ll love these 18 magical Salt Spring Island activities – you can even see fairy houses when hiking up Mount Erskine! Maybe visit Galiano Island too.
Parksville area | From swimming at warm shallow beaches to caving to spying goats on the roof, you’ll love these crazy fun things to do in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
Vancouver | There’s nothing nicer on a sunny Vancouver day than to bicycle around Stanley Park. Find out the best bike rentals and what you’ll see on your ride.
Telegraph Cove | Whale watching? Grizzly bear viewing? Hiking? You bet! Check out the best things to do in Telegraph Cove for adventure lovers.
Tofino | When the weather is wild and bad, head to Tofino for storm watching!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Jeanne
Monday 7th of March 2016
Hi Janice and George. Having grown up in Ottawa, I love seeing posts about my home town. Just to let you know you can skate from Carleton University to Ottawa University!
Janice and George
Monday 7th of March 2016
Thanks for taking the time to write in :-).
Dominique
Thursday 14th of January 2016
I've always wanted to visit Canada! Lovely photography in this post, I love the photo of the Peace Tower, and the one of the spider sculpture!
Janice and George
Thursday 14th of January 2016
You must visit Canada! But it's a BIG country here. So you have to choose what you want to do and see. Of course, we'd say be sure to include the beautiful west coast and our home city of Vancouver in your visit :-).
Frank
Wednesday 13th of January 2016
I lived my teenage years in Ottawa, living there 10 years. When I hit 18 I was happy to move to Montreal, a much more exciting city. But having come back a few times to Ottawa, and now being older, there is a LOT to appreciate about Ottawa. It is a quiet, clean, safe capital with tons of green spaces (well, in the summer - can be really nasty in the winter), has great museums, nice cafes, and the people are much more laid back than in either Montreal or Toronto. At this age, having to chose between any of these cities, it would be Ottawa. Nice post, Frank (bbqboy)
Janice and George
Wednesday 13th of January 2016
Okay, we secretly agree with you - Montreal is more exciting (hope people in Ottawa don't mind us saying that). Montreal is bigger and has a European flair, very cosmopolitan... But Ottawa, as you know, still has its own charms, as we've written about :-). We hear it's also a great place to actually live (and great for raising a family).
Evelyn
Monday 11th of January 2016
Thanks for the refresher on our capital of Ottawa. Our most memorable time in Ottawa was during Canada Day celebrations with our 3 preteens. The city was alive with special events, concerts and street buskers. We viewed the evening fireworks - spectacular from our spot on the lawn beside the Rideau Canal. Too bad Ottawa is a long drive from the populated GTA. We would visit more often. Always, of course, recommend a trip to our capital to our visitors from abroad. The "back road" drive to Ottawa can be very picturesque as well, as my daughter and I discovered when we drove to Ottawa for her summer posting at the Natural Science Museum. We did not encounter a single fast food chain between the 401 and Ottawa, quite remarkable in itself! Small town Ontario still existed at the turn of the millennium.
Janice and George
Monday 11th of January 2016
That would be something - to take in the Canada Day fireworks in Ottawa :-). Amazing there was no McDonalds staring down at you on your back road drive to Ottawa! Sounds like it was a lovely drive...