← All guides
Ottawa's Under-the-Radar Detours
16 placesOttawa
Go 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.
- Pop culture
- Music
- Art
- Architecture
- Science & Tech
- Nature
- Folklore
- Local culture
- History
- Food traditions
- Sports
- Religion
Places in this guide
- 1
DiefenbunkerThe 'Diefenbunker' nickname was a political jab - 2
Shirleys BayCanada's secret UFO research station 🛸 - 3
Wesley Clover Parks👑 Princess Royal's riding ring dedication - 4
Fleet Street Pumping StationCanada's only water-powered pumping station still operating 💧 - 5
Chaudière FallsCradle of Canadian industrialization ⚡ - 6
Victoria IslandThe island that was two 🏝️ - 7
Dominion ObservatoryHome of Canada's largest refracting telescope 🔭 - 8
Dominion Arboretum🌳 Tree named for Ardeth Wood - 9
Hog's Back Falls🚧 The dam that collapsed three times - 10
Billings Estate MuseumOttawa's oldest wood-framed house 🏡 - 11
Laurier HouseCommunicating with the dead for prime ministerial advice 👻 - 12
Strathcona ParkSite of Ottawa's first pride picnic 🏳️🌈 - 13
Rideau FallsLumbermen once raced royalty here 🛶 - 14
Beechwood CemeteryCanada's national cemetery 🍁 - 15
Vanier MuseoparkCanada's only operating urban sugar shack 🍁 - 16
Macoun marshNaturalist buried near his namesake marsh
More guides in Ottawa
Ottawa’s Capital ClassicsFollow 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.13 places · 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
