Ottawa Holidays

Ottawa holidays are perfect if you are seeking a heavy dose of Canadian culture in some of the world’s top museums. You can wander the stately streets of Parliament Hill, shop at bustling ByWard Market, and cruise along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Canada’s majestic capital Ottawa really does have it all. The city boasts a blend of Canadian and French history as well as multi-cultural districts like Chinatown and Little Italy. Start your trip in Parliament Hill, which is perched above the river and lined with impressive buildings complete with spires and clock towers. During the summer, you can watch the changing of the guard and nightly light-show on the hill. If it’s a warm day, why not cycle or walk alongside the Rideau Canal? If you’re choosing to visit in the winter then you might want to get your skates on - literally - as this stretch transforms into the world’s longest ice skating rink. If you love history will find plenty to interest you here, as Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums. There are dozens of famous landmarks to explore too, including the National Gallery, Canadian Mint, the Museum of History, and Sussex Drive, one of the city's major ceremonial and institutional streets and home to the Candian Prime Minister.

Holidays in Ottawa, Canada: a cultural delight

No trip to Ottawa would be complete without visiting ByWard Market, the heart of the city’s restaurant and bar scene. Shop at the farmer’s market, try some Canadian dishes like poutine and BeaverTails, peruse local crafts, and soak up the carnival atmosphere.
Stay at one of Ottawa’s best hotels, many of which are located in ancient buildings. The Fairmont Château Laurier is set in a turreted, French-Gothic building by the canal, while the Lord Elgin Hotel near Parliament Hill dates back to the 1940s. More modern hotels in the central area include the Westin Ottawa and Delta Ottawa City Centre.

Want to discover more of Canada? Then head out of the capital to visit Ontario’s spectacular national parks like Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay, where you can cruise the Thirty Thousand Islands. Spot black bears and moose in Algonquin Provincial Park and visit the Muskoka region for trekking, dog sledding and kayaking. Our Eastern Journey tour takes in all of Canada’s major east coast cities, including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, as well as the mighty Niagara Falls. To experience both Canada’s urban hubs and its striking wilderness, our Canadian Contrasts tour includes both the west coast cities, as well as Banff National Park with its snow-capped peaks, lakes and glaciers.