Canada Holidays in Ottawa

The Capital of Canada, Ottawa is a vibrant and colourful city situated at the junction of three picturesque rivers, the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau.

Ottawa Sights

A Canada holiday to this cosmopolitan city would not be complete without taking in one of the 30 museums and 50 galleries or enjoying some retail therapy. Ottawa has a number of heritage sites and monuments to visit, and for the more adventurous you can ice skate along the world’s longest skating rink, the Rideau Canal.
Intertwined by three picturesque rivers, exploring Ottawa by foot is a delight in itself. However, there are many museums, galleries and historic sites to keep the most curious of Canada holiday traveller amused for days. Take a trip to the Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Queen’s representative in Canada. Head to the wonderful National Gallery or visit the Parliament Buildings, as well as walking along the famous Confederation Boulevard during your Canada holiday in Ottawa.

Where to eat in Ottawa

Ottawa has restaurants to represent just about every nationality, from African to Vietnamese. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or take-out, you’ll find something exquisite to keep your energy up on your Canada holiday to Ottawa.

Where to shop in Ottawa

A Canada holiday to Ottawa is a fantastic opporunity for some retail therapy. The region is home to 70 large shopping centres. The largest include the downtown Rideau Centre, Bayshore Shopping Centre to the west, and Place d'Orleans and St. Laurent Shopping Centre to the east. You will also find a fantastic mix of stores in the downtown, including the World Exchange Plaza. Visit the ByWard market during your Canada holiday, it is a vibrant and colourful area, featuring flower stalls, fresh produce and crafts, surrounded by great restaurants and lively bars.

Ottawa Nightlife

In the capital there’s a good selection of evening entertainment. Whatever you are looking for on your Canada holiday, Ottawa has it all, for clubs, pubs and bars that offer music, dancing and even comedy, head toward the ByWard Market, Elgin Street, and Hull, three of the most popular areas for your evening entertainment. The Ottawa bars are open nightly until 2am.

Ottawa Day trips

Ottawa city offers more than enough to keep you occupied on your Canada holiday; however, if you do feel the need to leave the city there is some breathtaking countryside to explore. Head up to the Ottawa Valley where you can walk, canoe, cycle or drive through magnificent landscapes and cascading waterfalls. Likewise, you can cruise along the majestic St Lawrence River to the famous 100 islands. Or if you are looking to experience Quebec, a short drive will take you to French Canada and the stunning city of Montreal.

Getting around Ottawa

In Ottawa you’ll find it really easy to get from one place to another. You have plenty of options, from buses to light rail and from tour buses to Riverboats. In downtown, most attractions are next to each other so you can just walk. In the city there are numerous skating/cycling paths, so why not take in the full beauty of Ottawa in this great way?

The Weather in Ottawa

Ottawa has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters when the temperature ranges between 0 and -10°C.