Best time to visit Ottawa

When you travel to Ottawa, you will love to visit popular tourist spots and enjoy the local culture. Amongst other Things to do in Ottawa, you can surely explore some of the best things to do in Ottawa to make your trip a fulfilling one. On a trip to Ottawa things to do can include exploring Ottawa attractions and visiting the places of interest.

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Parliament Hill

The first of the destinations showing up in your Ottawa travel itinerary, the Parliament Hill is located downtown and overlooks the Ottawa River. Today this building is known as “Canada’s House of Democracy”. The Parliament Hill lets you experience the age old Gothic style architecture and should be the perfect start to your travel.

Canadian War Museum

A walking distance from downtown, the Canadian War Museum showcases the country’s involvement in UN and NATO operations. You would also be guides through the artefacts that present the nation’s bravery in battles with the British, French, Koreans and the World War.

Canadian Museum of Civilization

Located at Laurier Street, the Canadian Museum of Civilization is yet another testimony to the beautiful country’s growth through decades. This is the perfect exhibit of Canada’s 2000 years of human history and is aimed towards the collection and study of artefacts and paintings that have been strongly linked with the past and present. This museum is also a premier research institution and also accommodates and IMAX theatre, the Canadian Postal Museum and the Canadian Children’s Museum.

Beaver Trail

Don’t miss the Beaver trail when you are in Ottawa. This is actually deeply fried pastry unique to the city and available in both sweet and savory versions. The best place to get a Beaver Trail will be the ByWard Market located at George Street. The pastry can be topped with classic sugar, cinnamon and other alternatives.

By Ward Market

Located downtown, the By Ward Market is the epicentre of shopping expeditions for tourists in Ottawa. From fresh produce to flowers and souvenirs, there is a variety of things you will look to spend upon in the ByWard Market. The good news is that you get your things almost half the normal price here!

Westboro Village

Stretching along the Richmond Road, the Westboro Village market is a prominent shopping destination. The centre accommodates lines of clothing, equipment and souvenir shops. Some of the famous shops include the Bushtukah, Mountain Equipment Coop, Starbucks, Ten Thousand Villages, Trailhead and Kitchenalia (chocolate shop).

Sparks Street

A thoroughfare, the Sparks Street will give you unique shopping opportunities for maple syrups, magnets and postcards. A unique attraction is the Astrolabe Gallery, presenting and selling vintage posters and antique maps.

Rideau Centre

For a more post experience, head down to the malls at the Rideau Street.

Coffee Shops

There are dozens of specialty coffee chains all across Ottawa but the most popular are Starbucks and Second Cup. When in one of them, try out the special small double shot lattes.

Nightlife

The night scene in Ottawa is as varied as the city itself. After the sun goes down, the city seems to reveal itself with countless number of bars, lounges and clubs. You can also choose to be a part of live entertainment in places like the Mercury Lounge, Beeblebrox and Zaphod.