Ottawa rewards people who plan a little: many of the capital's highlights are free, close together and completely different from one season to the next.
The top things to do in Ottawa are a free guided tour of Parliament, a walk (or, in winter, a skate) along the Rideau Canal, an afternoon in the ByWard Market and a few hours in the national museums. Add a hike in Gatineau Park across the river and you have the essentials. This guide goes further: what to do this weekend, free and cheap ideas, rainy-day plans, nights out, kids, date ideas, the seasons and day trips, with links to our detailed local guides for each one.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Start with Parliament (free tours, book ahead), the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market, then pick a national museum, ideally on a Thursday evening when several are free. Check our weekly list for what is on this weekend, and plan seasonally: Winterlude and the Skateway in winter, tulips in May, festivals in summer, Gatineau Park colours in fall.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Next big festival | Winterlude, January 29 to February 15, 2027 |
| 📍 Core area | Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal are all within walking distance downtown |
| 🎟️ Free highlights | Parliament tours, Thursday evenings at four national museums, Mer Bleue boardwalk, the Skateway |
| ⏰ Free museum nights | Thursdays: National Gallery and Museum of Nature 5 to 8 p.m.; Museum of History and War Museum 5 to 7 p.m. |
| Getting around | O-Train Line 1 runs through downtown; any TD Place event ticket includes free OC Transpo travel |
| Updated | Monthly; the weekend list is refreshed every Thursday |
Top Attractions in Ottawa to See First
Parliament Hill is the obvious first stop, and it costs nothing. The main building (Centre Block) is closed for a long rehabilitation, but the Library of Parliament runs free visits at four sites: a 40-minute guided tour of the House of Commons in West Block (bring government photo ID), a 30-minute tour of the Senate in its temporary home in the former Ottawa train station, East Block in summer, and Parliament: The Immersive Experience, a 30-minute multimedia show about Centre Block. Each building needs its own ticket, so book them separately. Our Parliament Hill guide covers the history and what you will see inside, and in summer the free Changing of the Guard starts at 10 a.m. on the lawn.
The Rideau Canal runs 202 km from Ottawa to Kingston through 22 lockstations and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the flight of locks beside Parliament is a good place to watch boats climb from the Ottawa River between Victoria Day and Thanksgiving. Read the Rideau Canal history before you go, then walk south along the pathway toward Dow's Lake.
A few minutes east, the ByWard Market mixes produce stalls, bakeries, patios and late-night bars across a few compact blocks. Across Sussex Drive from the market stands the National Gallery of Canada; the Canadian War Museum (1 Vimy Place, $23 adults plus tax) sits west of downtown, and the Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier Street, $25 adults plus tax) is across the river in Gatineau. Our National Gallery of Canada guide and Ottawa museums guide help you choose, and Rideau Hall is a short bus ride east.
For nature, Gatineau Park begins just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau. From mid-May to late October a free NCC shuttle runs (on weekends, from Pīndigen Park near Pimisi station) to Pink Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate and Champlain Lookout. If you only have a day, our must-see Ottawa attractions list puts these in a sensible order.
Things to Do in Ottawa This Weekend
What is on changes every week, so we keep one page for it: things to do in Ottawa this weekend is refreshed every Thursday with 12 to 20 picks, each checked against the organizer's own listing for date, time, place and price. Bookmark that page rather than searching for a dated list; the URL never changes.
Lansdowne is a dependable weekend bet. TD Place hosts the REDBLACKS, the Ottawa 67's, Atlético Ottawa and Ottawa Rapid FC, and any TD Place event ticket includes free OC Transpo travel from three hours before the event to three hours after it. Our Lansdowne guide and TD Place venue guide cover seating and food, the Ottawa 67's hockey guide explains junior hockey for first-timers, and NHL nights are covered in our Canadian Tire Centre guide.
Weekend mornings belong to markets. The Ottawa Farmers' Market sets up at Lansdowne's Aberdeen Square every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., all year, and 613flea (always free to enter) runs on selected Saturdays, outdoors at Lansdowne from April to October and in the Horticulture Building from November to March. See our farmers' markets guide and 613flea guide for vendors and dates.
Ottawa Events by Month
For planning further ahead, our monthly roundups list the confirmed festivals, shows and seasonal events in Ottawa events in November and Ottawa events in December. For the new year, last winter's January, February and March roundups show what each month usually brings, though their dates are from 2026. The holiday season starts early: the Ottawa Christmas Market opens at Lansdowne on November 20, 2026, and Winterlude returns from January 29 to February 15, 2027. Our Ottawa festivals calendar maps the rest of the year.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Ottawa
Thursday evening is when the big national museums open their doors for free. The National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Drive) runs Free Thursday Nights from 5 to 8 p.m., the Canadian Museum of Nature (240 McLeod Street) offers "Nature after 5" from 5 to 8 p.m. with free tickets you must still book, and the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are free from 5 to 7 p.m. The War Museum asks everyone, including free visitors, to take a timed ticket, and it is free at all times for past and present Canadian military personnel plus two guests. Our free museum hours guide tracks the details.
Plenty more costs nothing at all. Parliament tours are free, the summer Changing of the Guard is free, and the 1.2 km Mer Bleue Bog boardwalk (parking lot P22) charges nothing for parking or trail use; leave the dog at home, since leashed pets are only allowed on trails 50, 51 and 53 from April 15 to November 30. Read our Mer Bleue Bog guide before you go, and our full list of free things to do in Ottawa has dozens more.
For low-cost culture, look at free church concerts and organ recitals and self-guided routes from our walking tours guide. When you get hungry, our cheap eats in Ottawa list sticks to meals under $15, and visitors 65 and over should check our senior discounts guide before paying full price anywhere.
Indoor Things to Do in Ottawa on a Rainy Day
Rain is the easiest excuse to do the museums properly. The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Thursdays running to 7 p.m. (posted hours through December 9, 2026). The Museum of Nature keeps different hours: closed Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, which makes a wet Thursday evening there nearly ideal. Our winter museum activities guide lists the family programs and special exhibitions worth timing a visit around.
Parliament also works in bad weather. Parliament: The Immersive Experience, at 211 Sparks Street, uses an exhibition and a 360-degree show to take you through Centre Block in about 30 minutes; tickets are free, but book ahead and bring an umbrella, since you may wait outdoors until your show time. Pair it with the House of Commons tour and a long lunch and you have a mostly dry downtown day.
If the group wants something active, Ottawa has a deep bench of indoor options. A team booking at one of the escape rooms in Ottawa fills an hour, the rock climbing gyms welcome first-timers, and the board game cafés suit a slower afternoon. Bowling, arcades and VR are in our full roundup of indoor activities in Ottawa, with prices, locations and age limits.
Things to Do in Ottawa at Night and for Adults
Ottawa's evenings are better than its reputation. The National Arts Centre at 1 Elgin Street programs orchestra concerts, touring songwriters, theatre, dance and comedy across Southam Hall, the Babs Asper Theatre and the smaller Fourth Stage, often several shows on the same night; our history of the National Arts Centre explains how it became the city's cultural hub. For smaller rooms, our live music venues guide and comedy clubs guide cover the bars and clubs that book local and touring acts.
After the show, the ByWard Market is where many nights end up, with Elgin Street, the Glebe and Hintonburg as quieter alternatives. Our Ottawa nightlife guide sorts bars by mood, the best cocktail bars in Ottawa list is for a slower drink, karaoke in Ottawa covers private KTV rooms and weekly nights, and late-night food in Ottawa has the kitchens still open after 10 p.m.
For something only Ottawa does, take a ghost walk. The Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa leaves from 46 1/2 Sparks Street on lantern-lit, 75-minute evening tours past the Château Laurier and other storied buildings; adult tickets are $32.99 with all fees included, before tax. Our guide to Ottawa's haunted history has the backstories.
Fun Activities in Ottawa for Adults
Grown-up afternoons in Ottawa tend to involve a taproom. The city and its rural edges have a long list of independent breweries, mapped in our craft breweries guide, and our wine tours near Ottawa guide covers the vineyards within a day's drive. For something more hands-on, book a lane at one of the ranges in our axe throwing in Ottawa guide, or join a pub quiz from our trivia nights guide.
Two classic adult splurges sit at opposite ends of the energy scale: a day of hot and cold baths in Chelsea, covered in our Nordik Spa-Nature guide, and a night of shows and tables at the casino on Albion Road, covered in our Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa guide.
Date Ideas in Ottawa
The simplest Ottawa date costs nothing: walk the Rideau Canal pathway at sunset, then cross to the ByWard Market for dinner. Our romantic date ideas in Ottawa build on that with seasonal plans, and the best date night restaurants list has the tables worth booking ahead.
For a bigger occasion, pick from our rooftop bars in Ottawa for the views, afternoon tea in Ottawa for something gentler, the candlelit classical sets in our Candlelight Concerts guide, or a shared session from our couples massage in Ottawa guide.
Things to Do in Ottawa With Kids
The Canadian Museum of Nature is the safest bet with children: galleries of dinosaur fossils and Arctic ecosystems on McLeod Street, with free entry on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. (book the free tickets in advance, and remember it is closed on Tuesdays). At the National Arts Centre, the NAC Orchestra's Family Adventures concerts are pitched at ages 5 to 12, and the October Spooky Symphony is priced at $15 a ticket.
Junior hockey makes an easy family outing. Ottawa 67's junior hockey games at TD Place are family-friendly afternoons and evenings, and the ticket doubles as an OC Transpo pass for the trip there and back. In fall, the farm festivals take over: our Saunders Farm guide covers PumpkinFest, where children two and under get in free, and the scarier FrightFest that the farm does not recommend for children under 12.
The rest depends on the weather and your children's ages. Our guides cover indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks for winter, splash pads and petting zoos for summer, and kids' birthday party venues for the big day. Our main family activities in Ottawa guide brings it all together by age.
Things to Do in Ottawa by Season
Ottawa changes completely between January and July, so the right plan depends on the month. Here is what each season is known for, with our detailed guides for each.
Winter in Ottawa
Winterlude is the anchor: the 49th edition runs from January 29 to February 15, 2027. When the ice cooperates, the Rideau Canal Skateway opens a 7.8 km rink through the city centre, usually between January and early March; it is free and open around the clock, with ramps, change rooms, washrooms and skate rentals along the way. Our Rideau Canal Skateway guide explains access points and ice reports, our Winterlude guide covers the festival sites, and our winter activities in Ottawa roundup adds toboggan hills and the ski resorts near Ottawa.
Spring in Ottawa
May belongs to the Canadian Tulip Festival, centred on Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake; the 2026 edition ran May 8 to 18, and 2027 marks the festival's Diamond Jubilee. Before the tulips, sugar-shack season brings maple weekends to the farms around the city. Read our tulip festival guide, our Dow's Lake guide for the walk around the flower beds, our maple syrup guide for sugar bushes, and our hiking trails near Ottawa once the mud dries.
Summer in Ottawa
Summer is festival season. Canada Day on July 1 fills downtown with celebrations, and Bluesfest takes over LeBreton Flats in July (the 2026 edition ran July 9 to 19). Every summer morning the free Changing of the Guard starts on Parliament Hill at 10 a.m. (full parade Thursday to Sunday, band performances Monday to Wednesday), and the canal locks are busy with boats from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving. Our Canada Day guide and Bluesfest guide cover the two big dates; between them, cool off at Westboro Beach or ride the riverside cycling trails.
Fall in Ottawa
Fall is short and spectacular. The NCC's colour meter had Gatineau Park at peak season by early October in 2026, and the free NCC shuttle (running until October 25 in 2026) is the easy way to reach the lookouts; on most days private cars are only allowed on the parkways from noon to dusk, and the parkways close to cars for the winter season from late October. Farms take over the weekends with apple picking and pumpkin patches, and October nights bring Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village and the city's Halloween events. Our scenic drives near Ottawa guide maps the colour routes.
Things to Do in Downtown Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa is compact enough to do on foot. In one loop you can cover Parliament Hill, Sparks Street (the pedestrian mall where the Immersive Experience and the Haunted Walk both start), the National Arts Centre at 1 Elgin Street, the Rideau Canal locks, the National Gallery on Sussex Drive and the ByWard Market. Our Sparks Street history explains why it became Canada's first pedestrian mall.
Leave the car behind if you can. There is no parking at the Parliament buildings themselves, only private and city lots nearby, while O-Train Line 1 stops right in the core; our O-Train guide explains the lines and stations, and OC Transpo's fares page has current prices. If you are staying over, our downtown Ottawa hotels guide compares neighbourhoods and prices.
Just outside the core, each neighbourhood has its own personality: Bank Street and Lansdowne in the Glebe, Preston Street's Little Italy, Somerset Street's Chinatown and Richmond Road in Westboro. For dinner anywhere in the city, start with our best restaurants in Ottawa roundup.
Day Trips From Ottawa
The easiest escape is north, across the river. Up the Gatineau River in the hills beyond the city, the village of Wakefield makes a relaxed afternoon of cafés, galleries and river views; our Wakefield day trip guide has the route and stops. Further east on the Quebec side, our Montebello day trip guide covers the drive-through wildlife park at Parc Omega.
Heading south, Upper Canada Village at 13740 County Road 2 in Morrisburg is a heritage village by day that lights up for seasonal night festivals; in October 2026, Pumpkinferno runs on select nights with adult tickets at $23 plus HST, and its winter festival is covered in our Alight at Night guide. Closer to home, our Manotick day trip guide centres on Watson's Mill and the village main street.
For a full day out, follow the Rideau Canal 202 km to its other end with our Kingston day trip guide, or head east with our Ottawa to Montreal day trip guide. Our day trips from Ottawa roundup has more ideas within a day's drive.
FAQ
Q: What are the top things to do in Ottawa?
Start with a free guided tour of Parliament (book each building separately), then walk the Rideau Canal locks and pathway, browse the ByWard Market and spend a few hours in a national museum such as the National Gallery or the Canadian Museum of History. With an extra day, add Gatineau Park's lookouts across the river.
Q: What is there to do in Ottawa for free?
Parliament tours are free, and on Thursday evenings the National Gallery and the Museum of Nature are free from 5 to 8 p.m., the Museum of History and the War Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. The Mer Bleue boardwalk, the summer Changing of the Guard and the Rideau Canal Skateway also cost nothing.
Q: What can I do in Ottawa this weekend?
Check our weekly list of things to do in Ottawa this weekend, refreshed every Thursday with verified dates, times and prices. Reliable regulars include games at TD Place, where your ticket includes free OC Transpo travel, the Sunday Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and shows at the National Arts Centre.
Q: What is there to do in Ottawa on a rainy day?
Head indoors to the national museums: the Museum of History and the War Museum open daily, while the Museum of Nature closes on Tuesdays. Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street runs about 30 minutes and is free. For groups, escape rooms, climbing gyms, bowling alleys and board game cafés fill an afternoon.
Q: When is the best time to visit Ottawa?
It depends on what you want. Winterlude runs January 29 to February 15, 2027, and the Skateway usually opens between January and early March. May brings the Canadian Tulip Festival, July brings Canada Day and Bluesfest, and early October brings Gatineau Park's fall colours, with the free park shuttle running until late October.
Q: Do I need a car to get around Ottawa?
Not for downtown. Parliament, the ByWard Market, the canal and the main museums are close together, O-Train Line 1 serves the core, and there is no parking at the Parliament buildings anyway. A car helps for farms and day trips, but from mid-May to late October a free NCC shuttle reaches Gatineau Park's lookouts.
Final Thoughts
The best way to use this guide is by mood. Short on money? Plan around Thursday evenings and the free Parliament tours. Bad weather? The museums and the Immersive Experience have you covered. Here for a weekend? Check our Thursday list first, then fill the gaps with the canal, the market and a show at the National Arts Centre. Whatever the season, Ottawa rewards visitors who book the free things early and leave room for a walk along the water. We update this page every month, and our weekend list every Thursday.
Source: Library of Parliament, Visit Canada's Parliament Source: Parliament: The Immersive Experience Source: Parks Canada, Rideau Canal National Historic Site Source: NCC, Rideau Canal Skateway Source: NCC, Gatineau Park shuttle Source: NCC, Getting around on the Gatineau Park parkways Source: NCC, Fall Rhapsody colour meter Source: NCC, Mer Bleue Source: Canadian Museum of History, Plan your visit Source: Canadian War Museum, Plan your visit Source: Canadian Museum of Nature, Nature after 5 Source: Ottawa Tourism, Free Thursday Nights at the National Gallery of Canada Source: Ottawa Tourism, Changing the Guard Source: Canadian Heritage, Winterlude Source: Canadian Tulip Festival Source: Ottawa Bluesfest Source: TD Place, Getting here Source: Ottawa Farmers' Market Source: 613flea Source: The Haunted Walk, Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa Source: National Arts Centre, Spooky Symphony Source: Upper Canada Village, Pumpkinferno Source: Ottawa Tourism, The best Ottawa Christmas markets to visit in 2026
