Things to Do in Ottawa

The world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching 7.8 km through downtown Ottawa. Open January to February weather permitting. Skate rentals cost $15-$20, but walking or skating your own blades is free.

🕐 Typically 6am-11pm daily, Jan-Feb, weather dependent. Closed when temperature above -5°C or snow too deep.

💡 Check the NCC's skateway status online before heading out—it closes when ice is unsafe. Bring your own skates to save cash; the rental huts at Fifth Avenue and Rideau Centre often run out of sizes by noon.

UNESCO World Heritage canal that becomes the world’s largest skating rink in winter (7.8 km). In summer, it’s a scenic walking/cycling path along the water.

🕐 Skateway open daily 24/7 when safe (typically 9am–11pm lit); paths open year-round.

💡 Rent skates at Fifth Avenue or Dow’s Lake for cheap–bring cash. January–February is peak ice season; check NCC’s website for conditions.

A sloping green park between Parliament and the National Gallery. Perfect for a picnic with views of the Ottawa River, Gatineau, and the Alexandra Bridge.

🕐 Open 24/7.

💡 Bring your own lunch; the park has tables and benches. Best photo spot of Parliament from the southeast corner.

World's largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching 7.8 km through the city centre in winter.

🕐 Weather dependent; generally 6:00-23:00 January to early March

💡 Rent skates at Fifth Avenue Court for CAD 20-25; go early on weekdays for smoother ice and fewer crowds.

The world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, running 7.8 km through the city centre. Skate rentals and hot chocolate kiosks are available, but skating itself costs nothing.

🕐 Daily 6am-11pm when ice conditions permit (typically Jan-Feb). Check @NCC_Skateway on X for real-time updates.

💡 Rent skates from the kiosk at Fifth Avenue (midpoint) to avoid downtown crowds. Check the NCC website for ice conditions before heading out—it's usually open January to late February.

In winter, the Rideau Canal becomes the world's largest skating rink, stretching 7.8 km from downtown to Dows Lake. Free to skate.

🕐 Open 24 hours during winter season (typically January to March).

💡 Skip the busy downtown section. Skate from Pretoria Bridge to Dows Lake for smoother ice and less crowding. Rent skates at Fifth Avenue kiosk.

A small, elevated park between Parliament Hill and the National Gallery, with excellent views of the Ottawa River, the Château Laurier, and the Alexandra Bridge. Benches and lawns make it a good picnic spot.

🕐 Always open

💡 Come at sunset for the best light on Parliament's peace tower. The park is next to the Rideau Canal locks; watch boats navigate the staircase locks for free. Avoid the overpriced hot dog carts—bring your own sandwich.

A compact, elevated park between Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River, with wide lawns, mature trees and clear views of the Château Laurier and Rideau Locks. Popular for picnics and sunset watching.

🕐 Open 24 hours; park staff present sunrise to sunset. Benches and paths lit at night.

💡 Grab a coffee from the nearby Art House Café (70 George St) and sit on the bench near the locked-off water pump—you'll get the best unobstructed shot of the Parliament Buildings across the water.

The world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, running 7.8 km through downtown. Skate rentals are cheap, but the ice is free.

🕐 Mid-January to late February, 24/7 (weather permitting)

💡 Skate from Dow's Lake toward downtown at 7am to avoid crowds—the ice is freshly groomed and quieter. Bring your own skates to save $15.

The world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching 7.8 km through the city core from downtown to Dows Lake. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a winter highlight.

🕐 Daily 6am-11pm (weather dependent; typically Jan-Feb)

💡 Skate rental and locker hire cost about $15-$20 from vendors at Fifth Avenue or downtown. Check the NCC's website before you go—the canal only opens when ice is thick enough, usually mid-January to late February. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds.

The world's largest naturally frozen skating rink—7.8km through downtown. Skate on the UNESCO World Heritage canal for free if you bring your own blades.

🕐 Daily 6am–11pm (seasonal, weather permitting).

💡 Check the NCC website for ice conditions; mid-Jan to late Feb is peak. Rent skate from kiosks at Fifth Avenue (under $20). Bring a thermos of hot chocolate.

Canada's premier art museum, housed in a glass-and-granite building with a massive spider sculpture outside. Its permanent collection includes Indigenous art, Canadian Group of Seven paintings, and European masters. General admission is free every Th

🕐 Thu 10am-8pm (free after 5pm), Fri-Wed 10am-5pm. Closed Mon year-round. Closed Dec 25, Jan 1.

💡 Thursday free entry means queues by 5pm sharp. Enter via the Sussex Drive ramp to skip the main lobby line. The cafeteria has decent coffee for $3, cheaper than nearby cafés.

Canada's premier art museum, housing a vast collection from Indigenous art to European masters. Free admission every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm.

🕐 Mon–Wed, Fri–Sun: 10am–5pm; Thu: 10am–8pm. Closed Mondays in winter.

💡 Head to the Rideau Street Chapel inside — a stunning 19th-century convent chapel reassembled piece by piece. Quiet and often overlooked.

Canada's premier art museum, housing over 93,000 works from Indigenous art to European masters. The building itself, with its glass spire and spider sculpture, is a landmark.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Thu until 8pm; closed Mon. First hour on Thursday evenings is free entry.

💡 Free admission from 5pm-8pm on Thursdays. Go straight to the Indigenous and Canadian galleries on Level 1—they're less crowded and contain the best stories.

Historic outdoor market district with over 600 vendors selling produce, crafts, and street food since 1846.

🕐 Market stalls daily 8:00-18:00; shops and restaurants vary

💡 Hit the market on Saturday mornings for the best produce deals; grab a free Beavertail pastry sample at the original stand.

Historic public market district with fresh produce, craft stalls, and street performers. No entry fee, and cheap eats available at the market building.

🕐 Farmers' market: Tue–Sun 8:00–17:00; shops vary, most open 10:00–18:00

💡 Grab a $4 beavertail pastry from the original stand near the market building—get the classic cinnamon sugar. Go before 11am for quieter browsing.

Historic outdoor market with local produce, crafts, and street performers. Stalls cluster around York Street and ByWard Market Square.

🕐 Market stalls roughly 8am–6pm daily (longer in summer); buildings vary.

💡 Visit early Saturday morning for the best produce and fewer crowds. Get a cheap bagel at Kettleman’s across the street.

A historic open-air market with over 150 vendors, plus shops, cafes, and street performers. Browsing costs nothing.

🕐 Year-round, but peak activity is 6am–6pm daily in warmer months.

💡 Visit on a Saturday morning for the best produce selection. Grab a Beavertail from the original stand — cost about CAD 6.

An indoor public market with 40-plus vendors selling produce, cheese, baked goods and crafts. The outdoor section spills onto George Street in summer with flower stalls and buskers. Completely free to browse.

🕐 Main building: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Outdoor stalls: seasonal, dawn to dusk.

💡 Go Saturday mornings for the best produce selection. Bring cash—many farmers don't take cards. The upper-level food court has cheap Vietnamese pho under $12.

A working farmers' market since 1826. Year-round in the main building with produce, crafts, and cheese; summer stalls spill onto streets. Eat at the cheap Beavertail stand for a local classic.

🕐 Market building daily 9am–6pm; stalls summer 6am–5pm.

💡 Go early Saturday morning for the best produce and fewer crowds. Free.