Guidebook for Ottawa
Sightseeing
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.
You can see goats, cows, chickens, pigs, etc. and learn all about farming and agriculture.
41 locals recommend
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
901 Prince of Wales DrYou can see goats, cows, chickens, pigs, etc. and learn all about farming and agriculture.
One of the most popular museums. Great architecture and garden grounds with a bridge and river view of Ontario
545 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of History
100 Rue LaurierOne of the most popular museums. Great architecture and garden grounds with a bridge and river view of Ontario
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 locals recommend
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.
Walk through the University of Ottawa's Gothic Revival and modern architecture on your way to the ByWard Market and Parliament Hill.
111 locals recommend
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.
Walk across the beautiful Alexandra Bridge's wooden pedestrian path and cross into Quebec province.
14 locals recommend
Alexandra Bridge
Walk across the beautiful Alexandra Bridge's wooden pedestrian path and cross into Quebec province.
Beautiful park to stroll through right by the house. Often with small concerts and plays.
43 locals recommend
Strathcona Park
25 Range RdBeautiful park to stroll through right by the house. Often with small concerts and plays.
Rideau Falls
Beautiful, historic waterfalls and sculptures nearby.
Home of the Govenor General, free guided tours of the 102,000 sqft house, beautiful rooms, architecture and gardens.
96 locals recommend
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex DrHome of the Govenor General, free guided tours of the 102,000 sqft house, beautiful rooms, architecture and gardens.
Beautiful walk by the Rideau River Just 5 minutes from the house. Take a jog or bike ride along the peaceful nature trail.
6 locals recommend
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.
Beautiful trail by the Rideau River 5 min from the house. Go for a peaceful walk, jog or bike ride.
8 locals recommend
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.
See the Giant Spider sculpture outside the gallery. Great exhibitions to wonder around inside. Free Thursdays 5-8pm.
552 locals recommend
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrSee the Giant Spider sculpture outside the gallery. Great exhibitions to wonder around inside. Free Thursdays 5-8pm.
Take a bike down this pathway with beautiful views of Quebec across the water. It's a long, smooth and pleasant ride on the outskirts of downtown.
Ottawa River Parkway Bike Path
Take a bike down this pathway with beautiful views of Quebec across the water. It's a long, smooth and pleasant ride on the outskirts of downtown.
La Petite Mort Gallery
306 Cumberland StMy favorite gallery with some very edgy and unique works of art.
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 locals recommend
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.
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.
Great exhibitions in the newly renovated museum. Free on Thursdays after 5pm.
468 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of Nature
240 McLeod StGreat exhibitions in the newly renovated museum. Free on Thursdays after 5pm.
World's largest skating rink when frozen over in January-February with winter festivals, ice sculptures, hot chocolate, music and outdoor exhibitions on ice.
69 locals recommend
Rideau Canal (ice conditions)
World's largest skating rink when frozen over in January-February with winter festivals, ice sculptures, hot chocolate, music and outdoor exhibitions on ice.
Drinks & Nightlife
The area's biggest casino is just a 10 minutes drive from our place.
199 locals recommend
Casino du Lac Leamy
1 Bd du CasinoThe area's biggest casino is just a 10 minutes drive from our place.
This area is alive with clubs, bars, music with people hopping bars, dancing and dining late.
7 locals recommend
Clarence Street
Clarence StreetThis area is alive with clubs, bars, music with people hopping bars, dancing and dining late.
Everything Else
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.
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.
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.
Bus station will take you to and from the airport or across the city. To get to the airport, take the bus #97.
Campus Station South
Bus station will take you to and from the airport or across the city. To get to the airport, take the bus #97.
Arts & Culture
Have a laugh and a drink at the nearby Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. Shows every night except Monday.
21 locals recommend
Yuk Yuk's
1394 Richmond RoadHave a laugh and a drink at the nearby Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. Shows every night except Monday.
The ByTowne Cinema is Ottawa’s home of international and independent movies, unique films you likely won't see anywhere else.
87 locals recommend
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.
Centre for performing arts. See events and tickets here: .nac-cna.ca/en/tickets
346 locals recommend
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StCentre for performing arts. See events and tickets here: .nac-cna.ca/en/tickets
Food Scene
Ottawa's Chinatown filled with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, grocers, cafés and boutique stores.
71 locals recommend
Chinatown Ottawa
675 Somerset St WOttawa's Chinatown filled with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, grocers, cafés and boutique stores.
A trendy part of town with Italian inspiration. Lots of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.
64 locals recommend
Little Italy
A trendy part of town with Italian inspiration. Lots of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.
On the menu is Louis' Special Pizza, the best pizza we've ever had. Unique atmosphere and history in the walls and furniture.
21 locals recommend
Louis Pizza (McArthur, Ottawa)
181 McArthur Ave.On the menu is Louis' Special Pizza, the best pizza we've ever had. Unique atmosphere and history in the walls and furniture.
Must try the $6 sandwiches at the back of this Italian shop.
64 locals recommend
La Bottega Nicastro, ByWard Market
64 George StMust try the $6 sandwiches at the back of this Italian shop.
Romantic spot for a bite of dessert :). Definitely try the carrot cake, I've never had better.
10 locals recommend
Memories Restaurant
136 St. Patrick StRomantic spot for a bite of dessert :). Definitely try the carrot cake, I've never had better.
So many boutiques, restaurants and artisan products. It is also a farmer's market and arts market with buskers often performing nearby.
61 locals recommend
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.
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 locals recommend
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.
Shopping
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.
Street is closed off for pedestrian. Common place for buskers, food trucks and boutiques stores.
39 locals recommend
Sparks Street
Sparks StreetStreet is closed off for pedestrian. Common place for buskers, food trucks and boutiques stores.
Take a walk down Elgin Street to see boutiques stores and the Ottawa nightlife after dark.
64 locals recommend
Elgin Street
Elgin StreetTake a walk down Elgin Street to see boutiques stores and the Ottawa nightlife after dark.
Lots of trendy boutique stores line this street near the intersection of Rideau Street.
7 locals recommend
Sussex Drive
Sussex DriveLots of trendy boutique stores line this street near the intersection of Rideau Street.
Largest shopping mall in Ottawa with brand name stores and boutiques.
589 locals recommend
Rideau Centre
Largest shopping mall in Ottawa with brand name stores and boutiques.
Essentials
Largest grocery store in the area within walking distance. You're welcome to use our kitchen.
264 locals recommend
Loblaws
64 Isabella StLargest grocery store in the area within walking distance. You're welcome to use our kitchen.
Metro
50 Beechwood Ave.Another grocery store that we frequent.
Cute little grocery store with local and exotic fruits and vegetables from around the world.
Byward Fruit Market
36 Byward Market SquareCute little grocery store with local and exotic fruits and vegetables from around the world.