Ottawa

Ottawa doesn't try to be Toronto or Montreal, and that's exactly its appeal — this is a tidy, walkable, government-town capital where the biggest attraction is free, the museums are genuinely excellent, and you can see the whole downtown core without ever needing a car or feeling rushed.

How many days do you need in Ottawa?

Two days is enough to do it properly: one for Parliament Hill and the National Gallery of Canada, one for ByWard Market plus the Rideau Canal (whichever form it's taking that season). Add a half-day if you want to cross the river into Gatineau, Quebec for the Canadian Museum of History — technically a different province, but a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill.

What's actually worth doing

1. Parliament Hill — the seat of Canada's federal government, with free guided tours of the Centre Block (20 minutes to an hour, first-come-first-served, but book ahead online in summer since slots fill up weeks out) and the changing of the guard ceremony in summer.
2. The Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway each winter (the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, roughly 7.8km, free to use); in summer it's a scenic walking and cycling path instead.
3. ByWard Market — Ottawa's historic market district: food stalls, restaurants, bars, and the famous local pastry, the BeaverTail (fried dough, usually topped with cinnamon sugar or Nutella).
4. National Gallery of Canada — a genuinely world-class collection (Canadian and Indigenous art, plus international names) in a striking glass building right by the river.
5. Canadian Museum of History — across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, and one of Canada's most-visited museums; the Grand Hall's totem pole collection alone is worth the short walk over.

The Rideau Canal Skateway — the world's largest rink

From roughly January through late February or March (ice conditions decide the exact dates each year), the Rideau Canal turns into a free, 7.8-kilometer skating rink running right through downtown — genuinely one of the best free things to do in any Canadian city in winter. Skate rentals and BeaverTail stands with hot chocolate line the route; heated change rooms are open daily. Check the daily-updated ice conditions before you go, since the skateway can close on short notice if the ice isn't thick enough.

Mistakes worth avoiding

• Treating Ottawa as a rushed day trip from Montreal or Toronto — it's an easy train ride, but the city rewards an overnight, especially if the Rideau Canal or a Parliament tour is part of the plan.
• Skipping Gatineau because it's 'a different province' — the Canadian Museum of History is a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill across the Alexandra Bridge, not a separate trip.
• Visiting in January without checking Rideau Canal ice conditions first — the skateway occasionally closes for stretches when the ice isn't safe, and it's worth confirming before building a whole day around it.