How to Have a Great Road Trip Experience In Ottawa
Published May 4th, 2023
Photographs by Steph Wallcraft
Is Ottawa boring? Not a chance—at least, not if you have any interest in history, geology, fine art, murder mysteries, outer space, airplanes, agriculture, wildlife, architecture, or any number of other things. And it doesn’t hurt that some excellent restaurants and innovative accommodations have sprung up in the last few months, too. Want your money to go further than plane tickets and resort fees? Spend it on gas and admission tickets instead and plan a road trip to Ottawa. Look a little closer, and you’ll find there’s plenty to do in Canada’s capital city at any time of year.
Attractions
From museums and art galleries to outdoor excursions and government institutions, there are things to do in Ottawa that will pique many interests—and may even spark a few new ones.
Parliament of Canada Tours Tickets to tour Canada’s seat of parliament are free of charge, though they’re only available when Parliament is not in session, so plan accordingly. Take the House of Commons tour to see where Canada’s elected officials work, debate, and shape the country. Senate tours give you a glimpse into the Senate chamber inside the restored former home of Ottawa’s Union Station. (Note the Centre Block and Peace Tower building is undergoing a multi-year restoration; the House of Commons and Senate currently sit in temporary chambers.) East Block tours are available during the summer break and let you visit the offices of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and other prominent figures in Canadian political history.
National Gallery of Canada Canada’s national art gallery is home to extensive collections of Canadian, Indigenous, American, European, and contemporary art, all housed within a serene building with an indoor garden, a self-contained chapel that sends contemplative music echoing through the halls, and a reflecting pool that can be viewed from two sides.
Royal Canadian Mint Located next door to the National Gallery, a guided tour of the Royal Canadian Mint gives you a bird’s-eye view as gold and silver coins are minted for investors and collectors. Learn about the history of Canadian coin design—and what happened to Canada’s six million-dollar gold coins!
Haunted Walk If you have true crime fans in your midst, don’t miss the Haunted Walk. The Jail Tour takes you from Sparks Street to the Carleton County Gaol as you learn about a true tale of murder, trial, and hanging that took place right in downtown Ottawa. The details get graphic, so it’s neither for the young nor for the squeamish, but you’ll love it if you’re into gory tales of mystery and intrigue.
Canadian Museum of History Canada’s most visited museum! Located in Gatineau directly across the Ottawa River from the Parliament buildings, this museum’s exhibits document Canada’s history from pre-colonial to modern times. Separate halls are dedicated to Canada’s First Peoples, the Canadian Stamp Collection, the highly interactive Canadian Children’s Museum, the Cine+ movie theatre, and rotating special exhibitions.
Canadian Museum of Nature Highly interactive exhibits across five floors make this one of Ottawa’s most family-friendly attractions. In the Water Gallery, see a massive blue whale skeleton and explore a touch tank; in the Earth Gallery, learn how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen, and browse through cabinets full of gems and crystals; in the Arctic Gallery, learn about Inuit culture and how climate change is altering daily life in Canada’s north. An outdoor special exhibition featuring live owls is included in museum admission until April 2024.
Canadian Aviation and Space Museum Located at the site of a former military base and a modern-day live airport, this museum celebrates Canada’s contributions to aviation and space exploration. The largest surviving assembled section of aircraft from Canada’s famously defunct Avro Arrow can be seen here, as can a Canadarm, which once was used by the space shuttle to maneuver payload, making it one of Canada’s most important contributions to aerospace engineering. See aircraft from the early eras of flight, and learn how Canadian astronauts lived day to day on the International Space Station.
Diefenbunker Officially known as the Central Emergency Government Headquarters, this four-storey underground bunker and nuclear fallout shelter wasn’t even acknowledged by the government until it was decommissioned in 1994. It was built in the late 1950s at the height of the Cold War—during the administration of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, hence the nickname—to house him and other key government personnel in the event of a nuclear attack on Ottawa. For your first visit, choose a guided tour if you can swing it: the rich storytelling provides context and helps bring this stark era of Canada’s military history into focus.
Mādahòkì Farm The intent of this Indigenous tourism site is learning and connection, and questions are welcome! Four Indigenous solstice festivals punctuate the farm’s calendar, with the main event being the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in June. But visit year-round to see the Mādahòkì Marketplace, which sells products created by Indigenous artisans; a discovery trail that can be accessed on foot during the summer and on snowshoes during the winter; and a herd of critically endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses, the only species of horse indigenous to Canada.
Parc Omega Make time for this drive roughly one hour east of Ottawa, and you’ll be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind interactive wildlife experience. Deer, elk, and wild boar will rub their noses on your car windows in the hope you might crack them open and offer some carrots you bought at the park entrance. Along the way, you may also see moose, bears, bison, wolves, and more, depending on the season. During the maple sap run in the spring, visit the sugar shack and enjoy a truly Canadian treat: hot maple syrup poured out onto fresh snow to become maple taffy!
Hotels
In Ottawa, booking a hotel stay can truly be a tale of two experiences.
If you like the sound of experiencing the pinnacle of service and luxury, pull out the stops and choose the Fairmont Château Laurier. This grand hotel with over a century of history overlooks Parliament Hill and the first eight locks of the Rideau Canal, making its location unparalleled. Its status as a National Historic Site and its remarkable architecture make any visit memorable, but opting for the Fairmont Gold Experience unlocks exclusive privileges like a dedicated check-in desk, early evening canapés and pre-dinner desserts in the private Gold lounge, a breakfast buffet, a personalized concierge, and even an overnight shoe shine service. Choose Gold, and you’ll hardly need to lift a finger.
At the other end of the spectrum is a new style of accommodation for independent travelers who prefer to manage things on their own. reStays Ottawa is also downtown, just a couple blocks south of Parliament Hill, and offers condo-like suites that each include a fully equipped kitchen and in-suite laundry in addition to the usual features. That’s not to say you’ll go without amenities, though: guests can access a 24/7 concierge, a modern fitness room with sauna, a games room, two different lounges (one with a spectacular view of the Parliament buildings), and even an 11-seat theatre with reclining seats that’s available for private bookings.
Restaurants
French influence pulled from just across the Ottawa River melds with international cuisine imported from around the world as well as vegetarian and vegan fare, artful cocktails, and much more.
Metropolitain Brasserie Located across the street from the Fairmont Château Laurier at 700 Sussex Ave., you’ll feel instantly transported to Paris when you walk through the door of this traditional French-style brasserie. Don’t miss Hill Hour, when Malpeque oysters and jumbo shrimp are $1.50 each from 4 to 7 PM daily.
Starling This bird-themed restaurant in the heart of the ByWard Market neighbourhood, with circular caged-look corner tables and colourful wallpaper, will steal your heart before you even sit down—and then you catch the enchanting odor of wood smoke and realize you simply must order one of the artfully presented smoke-infused cocktails. As a bonus, nearly the entire menu is gluten-free, including everything that goes into the fryer.
Fiazza Passing through ByWard Market and looking for a quick bite? Fiazza is your answer. Choose a pre-made pizza or select your toppings one-by-one, and your pizza will be fresh-fired for you and ready in just a few minutes. Grab a City Seltzer to add even more local influence to your meal.
Sushi Fresh The sushi at this tiny spot in the ByWard Market neighbourhood is of truly exceptional quality, especially at this very affordable price point. The space is designed for quick service: order at the counter and your selections will arrive at your table a few minutes later with a minimum of fanfare. But you’ll find yourself lingering to savour the artful simplicity that comes with low-fuss, high-quality ingredients.
Thali In Ottawa, Chef Joe Thottungal has earned a reputation for charity: he worked with a volunteer-run community kitchen during pandemic lockdowns to provide more than 200,000 meals for locals in need. Thali is his second Ottawa-area restaurant, and this newer facility focuses on cuisine from the Indian state of Kerala. For the full experience, opt for the Thali signature dish: select a protein and you’ll soon be greeted by a colourful, flavourful, and aromatic assortment of dishes to enjoy.
Cocotte Bistro Situated in the newly renovated Metcalfe Hotel, Cocotte combines traditional yet impressive French bistro fare with an intimate atmosphere. From tartare and steak frites to meticulously presented charcuterie, Cocotte’s deeply French influence is right at home in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Knyota Drinks Fancy a non-alcoholic beverage or two to enjoy during your travels? Stop in at this alcohol-free bottle shop on Bank Street. Knyota means “little star” in Swahili, which is meant to invoke the idea of following your own little star when determining your relationship with alcohol. The selection is expansive and on trend, and free or paid tasting flights are available by pre-booked appointment.
Pure Kitchen If you need an excuse to check out this fully vegetarian restaurant, pair it with a visit to the Museum of Nature: one of the city’s five locations is right around the corner on Elgin Street. But this local chain is worthy of a visit on its own merit, especially if you have dietary restrictions, which they’re fully willing to accommodate. The option to choose collard greens instead of a flour tortilla is especially innovative, and it results in a delicious and surprisingly filling gluten-free and vegan Buffalo cauliflower wrap.
2023 Ram 1500 Limited Elite
Looking for a luxurious truck that’s capable and versatile enough for road trips? The 2023 Ram 1500 Limited Elite fits the bill. This package, new for this year, takes premium pick-ups to the next level with layers of quilted leather, quality cloth, and chrome, along with a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front and rear outboard seats, and more. Opt for the RamBox and you’ll get lockable bins over the rear wheel wells for storing your gear, plus an accessory that shortens the bed so you can stow suitcases without them sliding out of reach, both of which help free up valuable space inside the cabin. Be mindful of fuel economy, though: even with the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with a mild hybrid system and cylinder deactivation, the best we could manage was an average of 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres, a fair bit higher than the combined 12.1 L/100 km estimate from Natural Resources Canada. And if you’re ordering a high-end truck, note the 22-inch wheels on this tester pushed it beyond the 6’4” height limit seen in many urban parking garages. Despite these quibbles, as road-tripping trucks go, the Ram 1500 Limited Elite is tough to beat.
To further plan your visit to Ottawa, Ontario, click here!