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Ottawa’s Capital Classics
13 placesOttawa
Follow a city-spanning introduction to Ottawa, from a Cold War bunker and the national museums to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the historic ByWard Market. The route starts west of downtown and works eastward through the capital’s essential landmarks.
- Pop culture
- Music
- Art
- Architecture
- Science & Tech
- Nature
- Folklore
- Local culture
- History
- Social Justice
- Food traditions
- Sports
- Religion
Places in this guide
- 1
Chaudière FallsCradle of Canadian industrialization ⚡ - 2
Canadian War MuseumHome to 39 Canadian Victoria Crosses 🎖️ - 3
Supreme Court of Canada / La Cour suprême du Canada👑 Cornerstone laid with the wrong date - 4
Parliament HillParliament Hill's only non-political statue - 5
Rideau Canal National Historic Site of CanadaNorth America's oldest continuously operated canal 🚢 - 6
Château LaurierOttawa's unofficial third chamber of Parliament 🏛️ - 7
Byward MarketCanada's oldest continuously operating farmers market 🥕 - 8
Basilique Notre-DameOttawa's oldest and largest church ⛪ - 9
National Gallery of CanadaChapel reborn inside the gallery ⛪ - 10
Rideau FallsLumbermen once raced royalty here 🛶 - 11
Rideau HallChurchill ran British cabinet meetings from bed here 🛏️ - 12
Canada Aviation and Space MuseumChris Hadfield unveiled the Canadarm from orbit 🚀 - 13
Canada Science and Technology MuseumHome of the world's first motorized wheelchair prototype ♿
More guides in Ottawa
Ottawa’s Market-to-Table Food TrailStart with local growers and market stalls, then eat your way through downtown and Little Italy at some of Ottawa’s most distinctive restaurants. The route finishes at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for a look at the region’s food system beyond the plate.7 places · Ottawa
Ottawa’s Screens, Stages & SoundtracksFollow Ottawa’s pop-culture trail from indie cinema and live sports to theatre, broadcast media and the city’s enduring music landmarks. This route links major venues with a few essential stops for film and live-performance fans.12 places · Ottawa
Ottawa's Under-the-Radar DetoursGo beyond Parliament Hill on a west-to-east drive through Ottawa’s quieter stories: a Cold War bunker, riverfront industrial relics, overlooked gardens, heritage neighbourhoods, and peaceful urban nature. Allow time to explore—several stops are best enjoyed as short walks rather than quick photo stops.16 places · Ottawa