Discover Ottawa
View on MapCafes, restaurants, parks, attractions, and more across the city.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
Canadian War Museum
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
Mandarin Restaurant Kanata
Ontario's biggest AYCE buffet chain, with a Kanata location serving 100+ dishes — Chinese, sushi, pizza, salad, carving stations, and dessert. A go-to for family celebrations.
Canadian Museum of History
Canada's national museum of human history, located across the river in Gatineau with sweeping views of Parliament Hill. Features the Canadian History Hall, an immersive Canadian Children's Museum, and the Grand Hall with the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. Free Thursday evenings 5-7 PM.
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's premier art museum, housed in a landmark Moshe Safdie glass-and-granite building on Sussex Drive. Home to the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadian and Indigenous art, plus European masterworks and contemporary pieces — over 93,000 works in total. Free every Thursday evening 5–8 PM.
JOEY Rideau
Modern restaurant at CF Rideau Centre with double happy hour — afternoon and late-night — featuring $5 highballs, sushi, and Adult Snack Packs.
CF Rideau Centre
Ottawa's largest downtown shopping centre with 175+ stores on three levels, directly connected to the O-Train's Rideau Station. Features anchor stores Simons and Hudson's Bay, an 850-seat dining hall, and indoor walkways to the ByWard Market, Westin Ottawa, and Shaw Centre.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Canada's largest aviation collection with over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm from Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the largest surviving piece of the Avro Arrow. Free admission daily from 4-5 PM.
Nordik Spa-Nature
North America's largest spa — 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa in Chelsea, QC with 7 outdoor thermal baths, 8 saunas, an infinity pool, and the Källa saltwater float pool.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Canada's national science and technology museum, part of the Ingenium network. Features interactive galleries, a children's innovation zone, transportation exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations. Free daily admission 4-5 PM.
Parc Omega
A 2,200-acre drive-through wildlife park in Montebello, Quebec, about an hour east of Ottawa. Home to over 60 species of North American animals including wolves, bears, bison, elk, moose, and caribou. Open every day of the year.
Gatineau Park
A 361-square-kilometre conservation park just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Home to over 165 km of hiking trails, beaches, lakes, and the Mackenzie King Estate. Free to enter; parking fees apply at some lots in summer.