Guidebook for Ottawa
Shopping
Largest shopping mall in Ottawa with brand name stores and boutiques.
589 recommandé par les habitants
Rideau Centre
Largest shopping mall in Ottawa with brand name stores and boutiques.
Sussex Drive
Sussex DriveLots of trendy boutique stores line this street.
Street is closed off for pedestrian. Common place for buskers, food trucks and boutiques stores.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Sparks Street
Sparks StreetStreet is closed off for pedestrian. Common place for buskers, food trucks and boutiques stores.
Take a few hours walking up and down Bank Street and in and out of its boutique stores, unique restaurants and coffee shops. My favorite neighbourhood.
Bank Street BIA
176 Gloucester StTake a few hours walking up and down Bank Street and in and out of its boutique stores, unique restaurants and coffee shops. My favorite neighbourhood.
Arts & Culture
Area is free to roam around with free tours throughout Parliament buildings. Free must-see light and sound show after dark from July to September. Free outdoor yoga all summer Wednesdays 12-1pm.
891 recommandé par les habitants
Colline du Parlement
Wellington StreetArea is free to roam around with free tours throughout Parliament buildings. Free must-see light and sound show after dark from July to September. Free outdoor yoga all summer Wednesdays 12-1pm.
Centre for performing arts such as dance, music, and theatre. See events and purchase tickets here: .nac-cna.ca/en/tickets
346 recommandé par les habitants
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StCentre for performing arts such as dance, music, and theatre. See events and purchase tickets here: .nac-cna.ca/en/tickets
The ByTowne Cinema is Ottawa’s home of international and independent movies, unique films you likely won't see anywhere else.
87 recommandé par les habitants
ByTowne Cinema
325 Rideau StThe ByTowne Cinema is Ottawa’s home of international and independent movies, unique films you likely won't see anywhere else.
Wander through the French Gothic Chateau Laurier to see some of Ottawa's most precious history. Be sure to find the old pictures hanging on the basement walls.
89 recommandé par les habitants
Fairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau StWander through the French Gothic Chateau Laurier to see some of Ottawa's most precious history. Be sure to find the old pictures hanging on the basement walls.
Home of the Govenor General and, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with free guided tours of the 102,000 sqft home, beautiful rooms, architecture and gardens.
96 recommandé par les habitants
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex DrHome of the Govenor General and, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with free guided tours of the 102,000 sqft home, beautiful rooms, architecture and gardens.
Have a laugh and a drink at the nearby Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. Shows every night except Monday.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Yuk Yuk's
1394 Richmond RoadHave a laugh and a drink at the nearby Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. Shows every night except Monday.
If you're interested in our justice system, the supreme court offers free tours. Just check out their website for details.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Supreme Court of Canada
301 Wellington StIf you're interested in our justice system, the supreme court offers free tours. Just check out their website for details.
It's the most beautiful church in Ottawa. Worth stepping in for a quick look. Free of charge.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Notre Dame Basilica
385 Sussex DrIt's the most beautiful church in Ottawa. Worth stepping in for a quick look. Free of charge.
Great little museum about the history of Ottawa with lots of vintage photographs from back in the day. Free admission every Thursday 5-8pm, otherwise $6.50/person.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Bytown Museum
1 Canal LnGreat little museum about the history of Ottawa with lots of vintage photographs from back in the day. Free admission every Thursday 5-8pm, otherwise $6.50/person.
Entertainment & Activities
World's longest skating rink when frozen over in January-February with ice sculptures, hot chocolate, concerts and outdoor exhibitions on ice.
69 recommandé par les habitants
Rideau Canal (ice conditions)
World's longest skating rink when frozen over in January-February with ice sculptures, hot chocolate, concerts and outdoor exhibitions on ice.
Take a haunted tour through one of Ottawa's oldest and most historic sites, the haunted jail, built in 1862.
HI Ottawa Jail Hostel
75 Nicholas StTake a haunted tour through one of Ottawa's oldest and most historic sites, the haunted jail, built in 1862.
Free tennis courts for use within view of the house. We have tennis rackets you can borrow.
Saint Germain Park
Free tennis courts for use within view of the house. We have tennis rackets you can borrow.
Daily gym memberships/walk-ins available at the University of Ottawa right down the street from the house.
Minto Sports Complex Fitness Centre
801 King Edward AveDaily gym memberships/walk-ins available at the University of Ottawa right down the street from the house.
Food Scene
We're huge fans of desserts. Oh So Good is a must try with dozens of cakes, tarts, cookies and specialty drinks to choose from.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Oh So Good Desserts
54 York StWe're huge fans of desserts. Oh So Good is a must try with dozens of cakes, tarts, cookies and specialty drinks to choose from.
So many boutiques, restaurants and artisan products. It is also a farmer's market and arts market with buskers often performing nearby.
61 recommandé par les habitants
Byward Market Square
Byward Market SquareSo many boutiques, restaurants and artisan products. It is also a farmer's market and arts market with buskers often performing nearby.
Romantic spot for a bite of dessert :). Definitely try the carrot cake.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Memories Restaurant
136 St. Patrick StRomantic spot for a bite of dessert :). Definitely try the carrot cake.
On the menu is Louis' Special Pizza, the best pizza I've ever had. Unique atmosphere and history in the walls and furniture.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Louis Pizza (McArthur, Ottawa)
181 McArthur Ave.On the menu is Louis' Special Pizza, the best pizza I've ever had. Unique atmosphere and history in the walls and furniture.
A trendy part of town with Italian inspiration. Lots of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.
64 recommandé par les habitants
Little Italy
A trendy part of town with Italian inspiration. Lots of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.
Ottawa's Chinatown filled with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, grocers, cafés and boutique stores.
71 recommandé par les habitants
Chinatown Ottawa
675 Somerset St WOttawa's Chinatown filled with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, grocers, cafés and boutique stores.
We don't have coffee at our house but the cosiest place to get your fix is here!
7 recommandé par les habitants
Timothy's World Coffee
1379 Woodroffe AveWe don't have coffee at our house but the cosiest place to get your fix is here!
If you need your Tim Horton's coffee fix, the nearest one is right downtown in the city's busiest area. I love their hot chocolate and English Toffee.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Tim Hortons
99 Rideau StIf you need your Tim Horton's coffee fix, the nearest one is right downtown in the city's busiest area. I love their hot chocolate and English Toffee.
Fleur Tea is a cosy little tea and coffee house right near our house.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Fleur Tea House
287 Rue Somerset St EFleur Tea is a cosy little tea and coffee house right near our house.
A Canadian coffee shop to get your caffeine fix just a few minutes walk from the house.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Second Cup Coffee Co.
153 Laurier Ave. EA Canadian coffee shop to get your caffeine fix just a few minutes walk from the house.
Navigate your way through the 167 year old university to find your first cup of morning coffee.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Second Cup
171 Rideau StNavigate your way through the 167 year old university to find your first cup of morning coffee.
This is a nearby restaurant, just a 5 minute walk. Great for a breakfast, quick meal or a beer.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Sandy Hill Lounge & Grill
321 Rue Somerset St EThis is a nearby restaurant, just a 5 minute walk. Great for a breakfast, quick meal or a beer.
This is the only Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute in Canada. They have a public restaurant called Signatures Restaurant prepared by the school. It's fine dining at its finest in Ottawa.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute
453 Laurier Ave. EThis is the only Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute in Canada. They have a public restaurant called Signatures Restaurant prepared by the school. It's fine dining at its finest in Ottawa.
Sightseeing
Great exhibitions in the newly renovated museum. Free on Thursdays after 5pm.
468 recommandé par les habitants
Musée canadien de la nature
240 McLeod StGreat exhibitions in the newly renovated museum. Free on Thursdays after 5pm.
Beautiful spot to have a close look at the historic Rideau Locks. Picturesque views of Quebec and the Chateau Laurier.
Canal Lane
Canal LaneBeautiful spot to have a close look at the historic Rideau Locks. Picturesque views of Quebec and the Chateau Laurier.
La Petite Mort Gallery
306 Cumberland StMy favorite gallery with some very edgy and unique works.
Take a bike down this pathway with beautiful views of Quebec across the water. It's a long, smooth and pleasant ride right through downtown.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Ottawa River Pathway
Ottawa River PathwayTake a bike down this pathway with beautiful views of Quebec across the water. It's a long, smooth and pleasant ride right through downtown.
See the Giant Spider sculpture outside the gallery. Great exhibitions to wonder around inside the gallery. Free Thursdays 5-8pm.
552 recommandé par les habitants
Musée des beaux-arts du Canada
380 Sussex DrSee the Giant Spider sculpture outside the gallery. Great exhibitions to wonder around inside the gallery. Free Thursdays 5-8pm.
Beautiful trail by the Rideau River 5 min from the house. Go for a peaceful walk, jog or bike ride.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Rideau River Eastern Pathway
Rideau River Eastern PathwayBeautiful trail by the Rideau River 5 min from the house. Go for a peaceful walk, jog or bike ride.
Beautiful walk by the Rideau River Just 5 minutes from the house. Take a jog or bike ride along the peaceful nature trail.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Rideau River Nature Trail
Rideau River Nature TrailBeautiful walk by the Rideau River Just 5 minutes from the house. Take a jog or bike ride along the peaceful nature trail.
Rideau Falls
Beautiful waterfalls and sculptures nearby.
Parc Strathcona
25 Range RdBeautiful park to stroll through right by the house.
Walk across the Alexandra Bridge's wooden pedestrian path and cross into Quebec province.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Alexandra Bridge
Walk across the Alexandra Bridge's wooden pedestrian path and cross into Quebec province.
Walk through the University of Ottawa's Gothic Revival and modern architecture on your way to the ByWard Market and Parliament Hill.
111 recommandé par les habitants
University Of Ottawa
75 Laurier Ave. EWalk through the University of Ottawa's Gothic Revival and modern architecture on your way to the ByWard Market and Parliament Hill.
Our favourite park. It is the largest in the region, full of nature, best explored in autumn when we have our colourful Indian summer.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Gatineau Park Pathway
Sentier du Parc de la GatineauOur favourite park. It is the largest in the region, full of nature, best explored in autumn when we have our colourful Indian summer.
One of the most popular museums. Great architecture and garden grounds with a bridge and river view of Ontario.
545 recommandé par les habitants
Musée canadien de l'histoire
100 Rue LaurierOne of the most popular museums. Great architecture and garden grounds with a bridge and river view of Ontario.
You can see goats, cows, chickens, pigs, etc. and learn all about farming and agriculture.
41 recommandé par les habitants
Musée de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation du Canada
901 Prince of Wales DrYou can see goats, cows, chickens, pigs, etc. and learn all about farming and agriculture.
Really cool abandoned bridge built in 1880. Carefully walk across to have both Quebec province and Ontario within your view and the water rushing beneath your feet. To get here, we suggest biking.
Prince of Wales Bridge
Really cool abandoned bridge built in 1880. Carefully walk across to have both Quebec province and Ontario within your view and the water rushing beneath your feet. To get here, we suggest biking.
Great museum to learn about the history of war from ancient times to modern times around the world. A bit of a walk from our house but just a 15 min walk from Parliament Hill.
395 recommandé par les habitants
Musée canadien de la guerre
1 Vimy PlGreat museum to learn about the history of war from ancient times to modern times around the world. A bit of a walk from our house but just a 15 min walk from Parliament Hill.
When you find the National Gallery of Canada, take a walk behind the building. You'll find a unique sculpture and an incredible view.
35 recommandé par les habitants
Nepean Point
When you find the National Gallery of Canada, take a walk behind the building. You'll find a unique sculpture and an incredible view.
It's nice little park with a unique fountain. A good place to just rest and have a snack.
Garden of the Provinces & Territories
Bay StreetIt's nice little park with a unique fountain. A good place to just rest and have a snack.
If you need information about Ottawa, city hall has countless pamphlets. They often hold festivals and events here.
25 recommandé par les habitants
Ottawa City hall
110 Laurier Ave WIf you need information about Ottawa, city hall has countless pamphlets. They often hold festivals and events here.
Essentials
Our primary grocery store. The largest grocery store in the downtown area.
264 recommandé par les habitants
Loblaws
64 Isabella StOur primary grocery store. The largest grocery store in the downtown area.
Metro
50 Beechwood Ave.Another grocery store to choose from.
Grocery store within walking distance. You're welcome to use our kitchen.
264 recommandé par les habitants
Loblaws
64 Isabella StGrocery store within walking distance. You're welcome to use our kitchen.
Must try the $6 sandwiches at the back of this Italian grocery store.
64 recommandé par les habitants
La Bottega Nicastro, ByWard Market
64 George StMust try the $6 sandwiches at the back of this Italian grocery store.
Quickie
255 Parkdale AveA convenient store just a 5 minute walk from the house.
Drinks & Nightlife
Take a walk down Elgin Street to see boutiques stores, and the Ottawa nightlife after dark.
64 recommandé par les habitants
Elgin Street
Elgin StreetTake a walk down Elgin Street to see boutiques stores, and the Ottawa nightlife after dark.
This area is alive with clubs, bars, music with people hopping bars, dancing and dining late.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Clarence Street
Clarence StreetThis area is alive with clubs, bars, music with people hopping bars, dancing and dining late.
The area's biggest casino is just a 10 minutes drive from our place.
199 recommandé par les habitants
Casino du Lac Leamy
1 Bd du CasinoThe area's biggest casino is just a 10 minutes drive from our place.