Cited city facts
Key facts for visiting Ottawa
Rideau Canal: 202 km UNESCO World Heritage waterway
Completed in 1832 as a military supply route, the Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America and freezes into a 7.8 km skating rink each winter
1 million tulips during the Canadian Tulip Festival
Each May, Ottawa blooms with over one million tulips, a tradition born from the Netherlands' gift of 100,000 bulbs in 1945 to thank Canada for sheltering the Dutch royal family during WWII
9 national museums within city limits
Ottawa houses more national museums than any other Canadian city, including the Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, and Canadian War Museum
Chosen as capital by Queen Victoria in 1857
Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as Canada's capital partly because its location on the Ontario-Quebec border bridged English and French Canada, and its distance from the US border offered strategic security
Source: tour-guide.com — Free to cite with attribution
Things to see
What are the top attractions in Ottawa?
- Parliament Hill Centre Block — Free guided tours reveal the Senate chamber and Memorial Chapel
- Rideau Canal skating — Glide 7.8 kilometres past Parliament and under historic bridges in winter
- Canadian Tulip Festival — Over a million tulips blanket the city each May
- National Gallery — Group of Seven landscapes and a massive spider sculpture out front
- BeaverTails pastry — Fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar — an Ottawa original
- War Memorial & Tomb — The National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Confederation Square
🛒 ByWard Market
Ottawa's culinary heartbeat since 1826
🖼️ Canadian Museum of History
Canada's story told from Indigenous origins to the present day
🏛️ Parliament Hill
Gothic spires and democratic traditions on the Ottawa River bluffs
🌉 Rideau Canal
UNESCO waterway that becomes the world's longest skating rink
Guide planning
How much does a tour guide cost in Ottawa?
| Tour Type | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Group Walking Tours | CA$20-40 | ~US$15-30 per person |
| Parliament & Politics | CA$35-60 | ~US$26-44 per person |
| Private Half-Day | CA$200-350 | ~US$148-259 |
| Private Full-Day | CA$380-600 | ~US$281-444 |
Season planner
When is the best time to visit Ottawa?
Winter is Ottawa's signature season: the Winterlude festival in February opens the Rideau Canal as the world's largest skating rink, stretching 7.8 kilometres through the heart of the city past Parliament Hill and under historic bridges. Spring peaks in May when the Canadian Tulip Festival carpets parks and roadsides with over a million blooms, a living tribute to Dutch-Canadian friendship forged during World War II. Summer brings warm days perfect for cycling the Ottawa River pathways and catching the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. Autumn sets the Gatineau Hills ablaze with red and gold maple foliage from late September through mid-October, best viewed from the Champlain Lookout. Parliament Hill tours run year-round but book ahead for sitting days if you want to watch Question Period from the public gallery.
Spring
Mar-May
Summer
Jun-Aug
Autumn
Sep-Nov
Winter
Dec-Feb
On the ground
How do you get around Ottawa?
- Compact downtown — Most major sights cluster within a 2-kilometre radius—walking is the best way to explore
- Cross the bridge — Gatineau, Quebec is a five-minute walk across the river and home to top museums
- Parliamentary schedule — Check sitting days if you want to watch Question Period from the public gallery
- Bilingual city — Ottawa operates in both English and French—guides help bridge both linguistic worlds
Travel Guides for Ottawa
Getting Around Ottawa: A Practical Transport Guide picks up where this Ottawa overview leaves off, with room for the practical detail an overview has to skip.
Browse all travel guides →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Canada?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. It sits on the Ontario bank of the Ottawa River, directly across from Gatineau in Quebec. Queen Victoria chose it as the capital in 1857 as a compromise between rival English-speaking Toronto and French-speaking Montreal and Quebec City — and because its inland position was easier to defend than cities near the United States border. Larger and better-known Toronto and Montreal are not the capital; Parliament Hill, the federal government, and the Supreme Court are all in Ottawa.
What is the best time to visit Ottawa?
Winter brings Winterlude and Rideau Canal skating, May features the Canadian Tulip Festival with over a million blooms, summer is perfect for Parliament Hill tours, and late September to mid-October delivers spectacular autumn foliage in the Gatineau Hills.
How much does a tour guide cost in Ottawa?
Group Walking Tours: CA$20-40 (US$15-30 per person). Parliament & Politics: CA$35-60 (US$26-44 per person). Private Half-Day: CA$200-350 (US$148-259). Private Full-Day: CA$380-600 (US$281-444)
How do you get around Ottawa?
Compact downtown: Most major sights cluster within a 2-kilometre radius—walking is the best way to explore.