Explore the best things to do in Ottawa. Walking tours, landmarks, and local tips to discover the capital.
A 25-minute drive north of Ottawa, Chelsea is the gateway to Gatineau Park — and home to a hidden 1907 ruin, North America's largest Nordic spa, the iconic Wakefield Covered Bridge, and a clifftop trail with the best Ottawa view in the region.
A guide to the truly worthwhile things to do in Gatineau — Canada's national history museum, the only casino in the National Capital Region, North America's largest spa, and the heritage estate of Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister. Curated for Ottawa locals and visitors.
A 35-minute drive north of Ottawa on the Gatineau River, Wakefield is the heritage village where Arcade Fire and Feist played in their early days at the Black Sheep Inn — soft-reopened in September 2025 — alongside the iconic 1915 covered bridge, a sourdough bakery in business since 2005, and a short waterfall walk.
Ottawa has 14 recreation centres with drop-in aquafit classes. Deep water, shallow water, and therapeutic pool options available. No registration needed for most sessions.
Ottawa recreation centres offer 50+ types of drop-in fitness classes including yoga, Zumba, pilates, HIIT, indoor cycling, and weight room access. 18 locations across the city.
Ottawa has 24 recreation centres with drop-in gym sports including basketball, badminton, pickleball, volleyball, hockey, and open gym. Sessions for adults, youth, and families.
Ottawa has 6 recreation centres with drop-in racquetball, squash, and table tennis courts. Book a court or walk in for available times.
Ottawa has 10 arenas with drop-in skating sessions including public skate, figure skate, adult skate, family skate, and speed skate. Indoor skating runs roughly October through March.
Ottawa has 20 recreation centres with drop-in public swim and lane swim sessions. No registration needed for most — just show up and swim. Here's how it works and where to go.
Where to find country music in Ottawa — honky-tonk saloons with mechanical bulls, free live country at neighbourhood bars, blues rooms that book country acts, and the arenas hosting touring country stars like Luke Bryan and Bailey Zimmerman.
The complete guide to gigs in Ottawa — arenas, blues rooms, jazz lounges, rock clubs, cafes, and country bars. Where to catch live music, concerts, and music shows every night of the week.
The ultimate guide to bachelorette party ideas in Ottawa — from pole dance classes and cocktail workshops to tiki boat cruises and drag brunch. 20+ ideas for every bride.
The best hotel bars and lounges in Ottawa — heritage castle lounges, the city's highest rooftop, live jazz in Kanata, boutique French bistros, and a gastropub inside a 19th-century building. All open to the public.
The complete guide to Ottawa nightlife in 2026 — the best neighborhoods after dark, where to drink and dance, late-night eats, rooftops, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ venues, and how to get home. Plus everything that's changed since Ottawa appointed its first Night Mayor.
Ottawa's best escape rooms — from a real Cold War bunker to kid-designed rooms and downtown bars. Prices, age limits, and which ones are family-friendly.
Ottawa's best art galleries — from the National Gallery of Canada to independent artist-run centres, Indigenous art, and private collections. Free and paid options across the city.
Ottawa's best comedy clubs and pub comedy nights — from pro stand-up venues to free open mic nights. Where to laugh in Ottawa.
The best indoor golf simulator venues in Ottawa — TrackMan, Uneekor, and HD Golf lounges across downtown, Kanata, Orleans, and the South End. Where to play, prices, and what tech each venue uses.
The best karaoke bars in Ottawa — private KTV rooms with Asian song libraries and open-mic bars with regular karaoke nights. Where to sing downtown and in Nepean.
The best pure spas in and near Ottawa — from North America's largest Nordic thermal spa to intimate day spas and boutique retreats. Prices, packages, and what each one is known for.
Ottawa's best arcades for adults — retro games, pinball, board games, and laser tag with full bars. Here are 4 spots with real arcade games and drinks.
Ottawa has 5 axe throwing venues — from $21 walk-ins with craft beer to glow-in-the-dark blacklight sessions. Here's where to throw.
Ottawa's best spots for pool, shuffleboard, darts, ping pong, and bar games — all with drinks in hand. Here are 5 venues with verified prices.
From pay-what-you-can cafes to D&D shops and a Gatineau bistro, here are 6 places to play board games in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
Ottawa's best bars, pubs, and venues for live music — blues, jazz, folk, punk, rock, and more. 15 spots with gig schedules and genre guides.
The complete guide to clubs in Ottawa — the best nightclubs, dance clubs, and night clubs across Ottawa, Ontario. EDM, techno, Afrobeats, LGBTQ+, rooftop, and live music clubs, with hours, cover, and dress codes.
Anime Ottawa filled the EY Centre with cosplay, merch, performances and a youthful crowd, making it an easy event to enjoy even for more casual visitors.
A guide to Ottawa's best flea markets and vintage markets, including schedules, what to expect, and tips for finding the best deals.
A complete guide to all 12 movie theatres in Ottawa, from IMAX and VIP cinemas to budget-friendly second-run theatres and beloved independent cinemas. Find the right screen for every occasion and budget.
A guide to Ottawa's five independent and historic cinemas, from a 1932 heritage theatre with Spanish Revival architecture to a volunteer-run Saturday matinee for families. These are the cinemas that give Ottawa its character.
A guide to Ottawa's best used and independent bookstores, from floor-to-ceiling treasure troves to cozy café-bookshops and rare antiquarian dealers.
A guide to Ottawa's most significant historic sites, from a UNESCO World Heritage canal to National Historic Sites spanning nearly 200 years. Most are free to visit.
A guide to Ottawa's best date night activities beyond restaurants, from sunset lookouts and canal cruises to comedy clubs, museum nights, and speakeasy cocktail bars.
A guide to the best day trips within two hours of Ottawa, from charming small towns and living history villages to wildlife safaris and waterfall lookouts.
A guide to Ottawa's best public art, from the giant Maman spider and balanced rock sculptures to street murals, monuments, and hidden bronze cats. All freely accessible.
A guide to Ottawa's sports venues and the 8 professional and semi-professional teams that call the city home, from NHL hockey at Canadian Tire Centre to soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and women's hockey at TD Place.
A guide to the best indoor activities in Ottawa for rainy days, from world-class museums and a free art gallery to a Cold War bunker and indoor markets. No weather required.
A guide to the best museums in Ottawa, from national institutions with world-class collections to hidden gems like a Cold War bunker and a working farm. Includes admission prices, free hours, and tips for visiting.
A guide to the best free things to do in Ottawa, from national museums with free admission windows to parks, markets, and landmarks that cost nothing to visit.
Explore Ottawa's most iconic landmarks on foot. From the historic Rideau Canal to world-class museums, this walking tour covers the best of downtown Ottawa.
