Ten Reasons We Love Ottawa
Ottawa is a favourite destination of both our customers and team, for so many reasons. Here are ten reasons why you should go!
It's Canada's Capital
Nestled on the banks of the Ottawa river, Canada’s capital is the beating heart of Canada's politics and culture. The grand parliament buildings that overlook the city are a great stating to point to get to know Ottawa, as well as an iconic landmark that will help you find your bearings whilst exploring the city.
It's Walkable
Some North American cities can be a little overwhelming in terms getting around, but not Ottawa. Its compact downtown area is easily navigated on foot, making it easy for you to explore without the hassle and cost of parking a car. The majority of hotels are centrally located, meaning you can walk to the cities top attractions and restaurants without needing to worry about public transport.
Diverse neighbourhoods
There’s more to Ottawa than its historic downtown though – the city is made up of lots of different neighbourhoods - many of which can be easily explored from downtown. Visit Glebe for independent shops & craft breweries; Byward Market for its vibrant night life, food scene (see number 6) and boutique shopping or Little Italy for sculpture, street art and of course a diverse ethnic community..
There are some incredible museums
Top of Ottawa’s list of attractions are its museums. Home to 7 of Canada’s nine National museums, there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone. Art, history, Science, Space and food are just some of the categories which have a museum dedicated to them. Learn about indigenous Canadian culture, take a flight across the city in a bi-plane or meet Maman – a 30 ft spider (don’t worry she’s only a sculpture!)
Getting outdoors
Although you could spend weeks immersed in Ottawa’s cultural treasures, there’s plenty more to see and do in the great outdoors. Built on two rivers and surrounded by green spaces, Ottawa offers loads lots of opportunities to get outside. Whether you are paddleboarding, hiking, cycling or swimming from one of the city’s beaches there are plenty of ways to see Ottawa’s natural side. Come winter you’ll be able to cross country ski, snowshoe or join the thousands of locals in enjoying a skate on the world’s largest outdoor ice rink!
It’s a foodies paradise
After all that fresh air you’re sure to have worked up an appetite – which is a good thing as foodies will be in their element in Ottawa. Must try local delicacies include Poutine (French Fries, melted cheese curds and lashings of gravy) or a BeaverTails – an oblong shaped sweet pastry slathered with cinnamon and sugar or a variety of other sweet toppings. You’ll be able to pick up a BeaverTail in Byward Market, which is also home to a farmers’ market, café’s restaurants and boutique shops. As well as its iconic street food, there’s no shortage of fine dining restaurants in Ottawa – including Signatures, part of the Cordon Bleu Cooking school.
Unusual accommodation
With a history as rich as Ottawa’s it should come as no surprise that the city has some unique accommodation. Our top pick is the glamorous Fairmont Chateau, a luxurious gothic style castle that was designated a historic site in 1980. Its Fairmont View rooms offer fabulous views over the parliament buildings and the Rideau Canal Locks. Slightly smaller, but no less sophisticated, is the centrally located Lord Elgin hotel. Built during WW2 to accommodate guests that were attending military or government business, the hotel once hosted Sir Winston Churchill. Despite being refurbished earlier this century, has kept the feel of a boutique hotel. One last property that we should really mention is the Saint-Lo Ottawa Jail Hostel – a converted prison that offers guests the chance to bunk down in an old jail cell – there are double rooms available at this centrally located property, so if you prefer character over comfort, then this would make a memorable stay!
It’s family friendly
A city that packs a cultural punch as hard as Ottawa might not seem like an obvious choice for families, but Canada’s capital city has plenty to keep young visitors interested. Our top pick for kids is ‘The Canadian Childrens Museum’, located in The Canadian Museum of history. Here the youngsters can take a hands-on journey around the world. Animal lovers of all ages will enjoy a visit to Parc Omega, where you can take a self-drive safari amongst native Canadian wildlife, including wolves, elk and bison! Back in the city there are parks aplenty in summertime, as well as a host of attractions such as laser tag and escape rooms for the cold winter months.
It’s a city for all seasons.
As North American experts we would be quick to tell you if there wasn’t a good time to visit a city or region, but Ottawa is one of the few destinations which we could genuinely recommend all year round. Whether you are visiting the Canadian Tulip Festival in Spring , soaking up the atmosphere of a warm summers night on a neighbourhood patio (beer garden/terrace), kicking up Autumn leaves in one of the cities beautiful parks, or skating along the frozen canals in Winter – there is not a bad time of year to visit this magical city!
It's Well Connected
When you come to leave Ottawa you will be thankful for its excellent road and rail connections. These make it a really easy destination to incorporate as part of a tour of Eastern Canada. Neighbouring Toronto is just 5 hours away by train and Montreal is only 2 hours, meaning you could comfortably cram all three cities into an 8-night rail holiday. Rail travel in Canada is fast, efficient, and good value – so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery before arriving at your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed. If you prefer to drive then we would recommend our epic Great Parks of The East could be the trip for you.
Whenever or however you decide to visit Ottawa, we will be happy to help you tailor-make a trip that suits you and your preferred style of travel. To get in touch with our team contact us on 01892 779900 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.