Ottawa Vacation & Tourism Guide

2b997745a6626d2055aaea1905ba3dfd photo by terry

Ottawa has been described as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Less than an hour's drive from the American border, Ottawa enjoys the attributes of a major center for the visual and performing arts, as well as other big city attractions. Yet, it still maintains the accessibility, atmosphere and charm of a smaller city, in addition to access to spectacular park and wilderness areas located within and around the city. There's lots to see and do for every traveler to Ottawa.

Great Recommendations from Real Travelers

1. Minto Suite Hotel Star_rating-4

Real Traveler Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 75 reviews from 4 sources

from $128.24
Minto Suite Hotel
Based on 75 reviews from 4 sources.
Service: Rating of 4.7 out of 5
Location: Rating of 4.4 out of 5
Room: Rating of 4.8 out of 5
  • "This hotel was exceptional in every respect. They were very professional and the facilities were outstanding." — source Expedia

    " We use the pool is nice and clean." — source Priceline

2. Aristocrat Suite Hotel

Aristocrat Suite Hotel
Star_rating-3
from $73.52

3. Lord Elgin Hotel

Lord Elgin Hotel
Star_rating-3
from $99.65

4. Hotel Indigo OTTAWA D...

Hotel Indigo OTTAWA DOWNTOWN CITY CENTRE
Star_rating-3
from $82.26

5. Brookstreet

Brookstreet
Star_rating-4
from $122.83

6. Best Western Victoria...

Best Western Victoria Park Suites
Star_rating-3
from $91.93

7. Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Star_rating-4
from $151.98

8. Holiday Inn & Suites...

Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa-Downtown
Star_rating-3
from $80.31

9. Courtyard By Marriott...

Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa
Star_rating-3
from $80.22

10. The Westin Ottawa

The Westin Ottawa
Star_rating-4
from $97.18
see all Ottawa hotels »
  • 1. Rideau Canal

    Rideau Canal

    One of the oldest landmarks in Ottawa, this canal is filled with boats in the summer ... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Rideau Canal

    f1chick f1chick in Ottawa stopover said

    … of bandages to tape up my feet!!!We wandered around the byward market area and went down to the Rideau canal which was nice. I… continue reading »

  • 2. D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub

    D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub

    Named for one of Canada's founding fathers—who was assassinated on nearby Sparks Street in 1868—this ... more

  • 3. Canadian Museum of Nature

    Canadian Museum of Nature

    ... Nature is home to one of the world's largest and finest natural history collections, with more than 10 million specimens covering four billion years of Earth history. The exhibitions, programmes and Web features all serve ... more

  • 4. Sound and Light on Parliament Hill

    Sound and Light on Parliament Hill

    Three Gothic Revival-style buildings, located on a 170-foot ... more

  • 5. Diefenbunker

    Diefenbunker

    Visit one of the most unique tourist attractions in Canada! A huge four-story bunker, buried deep ... more

  • 6. Notre Dame Basilica

    Notre Dame Basilica

    This beautiful and ornate gothic-style cathedral ... more

  • 7. Griffin's

    Griffin's

    A large wrought iron patio and a cozy interior with brick walls, brightly coloured loveseats ... more

  • 8. Rideau Falls

    Rideau Falls

    Picturesque waterfall that is especially ... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Rideau Falls

    f1chick f1chick in Ottawa stopover said

    … again for another few hours, Lovely drive down through SmithsFalls and the Rideau canal.So peaceful and lush. Our bus driver… continue reading »

  • 9. Nepean Point

    Nepean Point

    Lookout offering a beautiful view of the city and a commemorative statue ... more

  • 10. National Gallery of Canada

    National Gallery of Canada

    Dating back to 1880, this visual arts museum holds in trust a collection of European ... more

see all Ottawa things to do »
  • 1. Hy's Steak House

    Hy's Steak House

    ... oldest and most established restaurants. Filled with dark mahogany and centered around our glass encased charcoal fire pit, we offer a wide variety of menu items, specializing in steaks. Our ambiance is warm and comfortable... more

  • 2. Mamma Teresa Ristorante

    Mamma Teresa Ristorante

    ... was a real Mamma Teresa. Her son carries on her tradition in this handsome late-19th-century stone house, which the restaurant has occupied since 1984 (and it opened 15 years earlier than that). The two floors require separ... more

  • 3. Clair de Lune

    Clair de Lune

    Widely considered one of Ottawa's finest restaurants, this venerable and handsome restaurant is located near ... more

  • 4. Al's Steakhouse

    Al's Steakhouse

    Since opening in 1967, this restaurant on lively Elgin Street has played host to premiers, prime ... more

  • 5. Cafe Spiga Trattoria

    Cafe Spiga Trattoria

    ... nouveau and traditional Italian fare, the elegant Cafe Spiga is an ideal destination for those seeking an intimate, perhaps romantic, restaurant. The well-spaced tables offer just the right amount of privacy, and the fantas... more

  • 6. Suisha Gardens

    Suisha Gardens

    Rice-paper lamps, wooden screens and Japanese artwork add to the authentic feel of this sushi restaurant, popular ... more

  • 7. Genji Japanese Restaurant

    Genji Japanese Restaurant

    ... have read about Genji: - Frommer's Ottawa (the 2007 edition) recommends Genji for sushi - Ottawa Magazine gave an excellent review of Genji in the July/August edition - Ottawa Citizen's Anne Desbrisay recommended Genji for... more

  • 8. Mill Restaurant (The)

    Mill Restaurant (The)

    Your palate should be well pleased with the prime rib at this well-known restaurant located in ... more

  • 9. Johnny Farina Restaurant

    Johnny Farina Restaurant

    Bare brick walls, creeping vines and a large wrought-iron staircase add to the eclectic charm ... more

  • 10. Cafe (Le)

    Cafe (Le)

    Located directly beside the Rideau Canal in the National Arts Center , this popular restaurant offers incredible ... more

see all Ottawa restaurants »

Top Rated Ottawa Trips

  • Tulips Galore!

    Tulips Galore! | May 08 09'

    by ERabago a 38 year old female from Toronto, on vacation in Ottawa

    "Tulips Galore!"

    I just came back from Ottawa for the annual Canadian Tulip Festival. This year, the festival ran from May 1-18 and featured many events such as con... Continue reading »

  • Time to leave before the snow storm hits

    Time to leave before the snow storm hits | Dec 14 07'

    by Howe a 32 year old male from Melbourne, on vacation in Ottawa

    So in the morning the plan was to spend our final night in Ottawa but as nature calls for a huge snow storm to pass through Toronto late tonight... Continue reading »

  • HOME SWEET HOME

    HOME SWEET HOME | Oct 09 07'

    by Nick & Vietnam a 42 year old male traveling as a family from Ottawa, on vacation in Ottawa

    "OH YEAH?!?! Well I survived Vietnam"

    Well we've been home for 3 days now and life is great...... SLEEP would be better but we'll take what we can get.  Nick's settling right in ea... Continue reading »

  • The departure

    The departure | Aug 25 08'

    by gaga a traveling as a couple from Ottawa, on vacation in Ottawa

    "Going through immigration was a little scary"

    Our story begins in Ottawa, Ontario. After a false start (how could I have forgotten my jacket?), we managed to get out on time, go through a quick... Continue reading »

  • Ottawa- the nations capital

    Ottawa- the nations capital | Oct 24 06'

    by irishmonkey a 33 year old male from Galway, on vacation in Ottawa

    Ottawa, the nations capital, is like a high brow theme park that has museums and galleries instead of rides. You may also be wondering how i went... Continue reading »

See more Ottawa trips »