Ottawa is Canada’s capital city, though it is often overshadowed by larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. However, Ottawa deserves your attention and should not be overlooked!
While Ottawa may not be the first destination on many Canadian travel lists, it is truly worth exploring. I’ve visited three times, each in a different season—winter, spring, and summer—and I’m always captivated by what this city has to offer.
Ottawa is bursting with activities and charm at every turn. Here are some of the top reasons to add Ottawa to your travel plans.
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Table of Contents
10 reasons to visit Ottawa
1. Ottawa is walkable
Ottawa is a highly walkable city, particularly in the downtown area, featuring pedestrian-only zones along with numerous sidewalks and crosswalks. The city’s core is mostly flat, so you won’t have to tackle any steep hills to explore the main attractions.
Even during winter, I found it easy to walk to many places from any centrally located hotel in Ottawa.
This is the kind of city I truly enjoy — where you can simply choose a direction and discover something fascinating at every turn.
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2. Ottawa is bilingual
I’ve rarely spent much time in a city that feels genuinely bilingual. Yet in Ottawa, nearly everyone speaks both English and French. I knew this before visiting, but experiencing it firsthand was still surprising.
And honestly, is there anything more adorable than a little kid speaking French? The answer is no.
3. Ottawa is full of great restaurants
Before visiting Ottawa, I never imagined it as a food lover’s paradise. But it truly is. The city is filled with restaurants and cafes, many of which take part in the “Savour Ottawa” program.
This initiative connects local farmers and producers with chefs and consumers, creating a wonderful community spirit. Ottawa also boasts fantastic pubs and bakeries — and, of course, the iconic BeaverTail stands!
4. Ottawa has a cool location
Ottawa is situated along the Ottawa River, an ideal location that helped it flourish as a major lumber hub. Much of the city hugs the waterfront, featuring unique attractions like the Rideau Canal, famous for its intricate locks and transforming into a vast ice skating rink each winter.
The river also marks the border with Quebec, allowing for a quick trip over to Gatineau anytime. For an extra thrill, you can try the first-ever interprovincial zipline that crosses the river, offering a fun way to experience both provinces.
5. Ottawa is not overwhelming
I know Ottawa’s population is much smaller than many other world capitals, but what really stands out to me is how it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming, bustling metropolis.
The traffic is manageable, people are genuinely friendly, the streets are clean, and navigating the city is straightforward. As someone who’s a country girl at heart and usually not a fan of big cities, Ottawa is surprisingly winning me over.
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6. Ottawa is bike-friendly
I didn’t fully appreciate it during my first visit in the dead of winter, but Ottawa is truly an exceptional city for cyclists of all kinds.
The city boasts numerous well-maintained bike paths and plenty of secure bike racks scattered throughout. Recently, Ottawa launched a public bike-share program with convenient rental and drop-off stations across the city.
During my spring visit, I rented a bike and enjoyed miles of riding along the scenic Rideau Canal — an ideal way to spend a sunny afternoon.
7. Ottawa is green
Green in many ways. Ottawa is not only eco-friendly, with recycling bins beside every trash can and numerous restaurants committed to using locally grown ingredients, but the city also boasts numerous beautiful parks.
The city is literally green. There’s the tree-lined Rideau Canal, Major’s Hill Park overlooking Parliament, and Confederation Park near Dow’s Lake—just a few of my favorite green spaces in Ottawa.
8. Ottawa is beautiful
I got a glimpse of it on my first visit, but witnessing Ottawa come alive and buzz with energy in the spring truly convinced me that Ottawa is an incredibly attractive city.
From the iconic canal and the majestic buildings on Parliament Hill to the lush parks, winding river, and numerous historic structures downtown, the city offers a captivating blend of charm. The vibrant tulips and blossoming trees during my spring and summer visits only reinforced this impression.
9. Ottawa is full of things to do
I’d bet that many travelers to Canada often overlook Ottawa, which is unfortunate because the city offers so much to explore.
No matter if you’re passionate about food, art, music, culture, or nature, Ottawa has something to captivate you—often including a festival. My personal favorite is the Canadian Tulip Festival.
A few of my favorite things to do in Ottawa include:
- Visit one of the national museums (like the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and more)
- Eat your way through the Byward Market (or even take a food tour)
- Take a tour of Parliament
- Cruise on the Rideau Canal or Ottawa River
- Go ziplining into Quebec
- Rent a bike (or perhaps try a bike tour)
- Watch boats traverse through the Rideau Canal
- Have afternoon tea at the Fairmont Château Laurier
10. Ottawa is safe
Lastly, Ottawa is one of the safest world capitals and is statistically the safest among Canada’s six largest cities. As a solo female traveler, I have never felt uneasy walking alone anywhere in the city—even at night.
As a tourist, I’ve never worried about carrying my camera openly. There’s a calm, welcoming atmosphere in Ottawa that makes me feel secure and comfortable exploring on my own.
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Where to stay in Ottawa
Here are several hotel options to consider:
- Metcalfe Hotel By Gray Collection – A recently renovated option in a great location.
- Alt Hotel Ottawa – A modern hotel in the downtown business district.
- Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market – A nice option in the ByWard Market neighborhood.
- Lord Elgin – A historic landmark hotel close to ByWard Market.
- Best Western Plus Ottawa City Centre – A more budget-friendly downtown option.
- reStays – A downtown condo hotel option, great for longer stays.
Consider staying at the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel, located within a historic (and reportedly haunted) prison.