10 Free Things to Do in Ottawa

You can see Ottawa’s symbol of Canadian national pride set against beautiful riverside scenery at Parliament Hill. As the seat of Canada’s federal legislature, this vast complex is set on a hill overlooking the Ottawa River. The majestic Parliament Buildings feature neo-Gothic architecture, and the Peace Tower at its centre towers tall against the sky. 

Guided tours are offered free. Visit in the summer mornings for a chance to see the colourful drills taking place, as well as the changing of the guard.

Admiring science and technology or art and history in Ottawa is made easy for budget travellers thanks to a selection of museums that offer admission on certain days and hours. 

On Thursdays, the Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum are free to visit from 4pm to 8pm, as well as Canadian Museum of Nature and National Gallery of Canada from 5pm to 8pm. If you’re fascinated by planes and space exploration, Ottawa’s Aviation and Space Museum is free every day from 4pm to 5pm. 

Most museums are free to visit on Canada Day, every July 1st.

The official residence of Ottawa’s governor, Rideau Hall, offers free tours that last around 20 to 45 minutes. During these tours, friendly guides show around some of the building’s impressive state rooms that are usually frequented by the governor and dignitaries. They're filled with a great collection of Canadian art and furniture. 

Outside, a tour of the historical gardens can be very relaxing. You’ll walk past a collection of trees that were planted by dignitaries, inuksuk and totem poles, as well as blooming roses.

Buzzing with life, Byward Market is Ottawa’s main outdoor marketplace and commercial hub where you can expect a lot going on. A variety of farmers’ stalls showcase fresh local produce. You can buy a small basket of cherries or bright-red strawberries at around $5, great for snacking on your walks through its open courtyards. There’s an assortment of shops where you can pick up some great local souvenirs. 

Without buying anything, you can simply enjoy the scene and watch occasional street performers, ranging from musicians to magicians and acrobats.

There are a few great farmers’ markets around Ottawa where you can see and sample the freshest local produce. The Landsdown farmers’ market in the Glebe neighbourhood is one, where you can have lunch while enjoy cooking demos and tastings. 

Main farmers’ market on Main Street might be small, but it’s packed with fresh goods and its compact size makes it very navigable. At Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market on Bank Street, you’ll also get to meet locals who’ll give you plenty of info on healthy foods and nutrition. All these markets open on Saturday mornings. 

Rideau Canal is one of the top free things to do in Ottawa that's good in any season. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans over 200 km, stretching from Ottawa's downtown hub to Dow Lake. The canal system is the oldest functioning waterway of its kind in North America, with its well-preserved hand-operated locks and blockhouses. 

Summer time on the canal offers plenty of fun, be it on a pleasurable boat cruise or an adventurous kayaking trip. For several weeks during the winter, the canal becomes one of Ottawa’s must-sees, as it naturally freezes to allow locals and visitors to skate on the world’s largest ice rink.

You’ll find no shortage of angles for scenic photos at Gatineau Park. This conservation area is around 15 minutes’ drive from Downtown Ottawa. It features a series of moderate forest hiking trails, as well as mountain biking routes that surround you with magnificent scenery. 

Some wilderness trails lead you to waterfalls and abandoned sites, such as the Carbide Wilson ruins that date back to 1911, complete with its river-powered power station and collapsed dam. Some areas of the park become favourite skiing spots in the winter. 

You can take the kids for fun summer days out at Ottawa’s Mooney’s Bay Park. This riverfront park features spacious manicured grounds with a large playground, as well as a sandy beach on the eastern bank of Rideau River. 

You can swim in the placid waters or soak up some summer rays on the sand. The beach itself frequently hosts summer events, including one of Ottawa’s biggest weekend celebrations where over 20,000 people hit the beach to play volleyball for charity.

You can enjoy historical walks through Ottawa, past several of the city’s landmarks and memorials. One significant site is the National War Memorial on Wellington Street, with its tall, granite arch and a series of bronze sculptures of Canadian WWI soldiers in various poses. 

The memorial is the centrepiece of Confederation Square, which is right between Parliament Hill and Ottawa’s magnificent historical hotel, Château Laurier. Other memorials nearby include National Aboriginal Veterans Monument, Peacekeeping Monument, and Valiants Memorial.

There’s a festivity to mark almost every season in Ottawa. In the winter months, around February, you can check out Winterlude, with skating on Rideau Canal and ice sculpture exhibitions in a snowy Confederation Park just 5 minutes from Confederation Square. 

Come springtime, expect a burst of colours at Commissioner’s Park and city promenades through Ottawa’s Tulip Festival. This usually comes around in May. Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach regularly hosts summer festivities, including the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival which also includes cultural presentations on the Rideau riverbank.