Things to Do in and Around Ottawa

white and red concrete building near green trees during daytimeOttawa is not only gorgeous, but a safe city with little traffic, historic buildings, and ample green space.

Nature lovers can enjoy hiking and biking, and the economy is strong even after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city in Ontario has a lot to offer folks looking for Ottawa homes for sale.

Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is the site of a stunning set of Gothic-style buildings. It was once a military base and has since become a government area.

You can take a guided tour through the Senate and House of Commons. There’s a boutique inside to buy unique souvenirs, and there are many nuanced architectural pieces to observe throughout the structures.

National Gallery of Canada

This massive glass structure in downtown Ottawa can’t be missed among the city’s skyline. The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada named the gallery among the top 500 Canadian buildings built in the last thousand years.

It houses collections of indigenous and Canadian art; works from Europe, America, and Asian; and contemporary art.

There are relics, sculptures, drawings, and statues.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

This museum is the country’s national aviation history museum. It’s on a former military base and consists of more than 130 aircraft and artifacts from civil and military service.

The museum also offers educational programs for children and has initiatives like Ingenium Channel, a digital hub of curated content that covers science, technology, and innovation topics and is a resource for teachers, scientists, and parents alike.

Hog’s Back Falls

Hog’s Back is a grouping of artificial waterfalls on the Rideau River. There are miles to walk and hike and picnic areas to rest at.

Canadian Museum of Nature

This particular institute showcases the natural history of the area.

There are dinosaur skeletons, a close study of the geology, and mammal displays of well-known Canadian creatures like moose, grizzly bears, and cougars.

The galleries also touch upon area insects, marine live, and aviary species.

Laurier House National Historic Site

The Laurier House is the former home of two Canadian Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

It’s now a museum that offers guided and self-guided tours. The home has a collection of period objects that give an insight into how these two PMs lived not only their political lives, but private ones as well.

Byward Market

The market is a premiere tourist attraction in the area, and with good reason.

The market is one of the oldest farmers markets in the country; it was established in 1826. The indoor market has an array of food vendors and shops, and there’s an outdoor space that hosts local craftspeople, seasonal flowers, and farmers’ fare.

The surrounding neighborhood also has many things to do. Restaurants cover every cuisine you can think of and boutiques and galleries dot the streets.

There are many pubs and bars for folks who like to stay out late, and clubs with live music and DJs to keep the party going.

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