Ottawa in One Day: Parliament, the Market and the Canal
Ottawa is the quietest capital in the G7, which is its advantage: one day on foot covers Parliament Hill, the market and the canal without a single taxi. Start early, because the Hill is best before the tour buses arrive.
Morning: Parliament Hill
The Peace Tower tour and the changing of the guard (summer mornings) are free, but you need a timed ticket from the visitor centre. Walk the grounds for the river views, then cross to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau over the Alexandra Bridge; the building's Grand Hall is worth the twenty-minute walk alone.
Afternoon: ByWard Market and the canal
ByWard Market is part food hall, part farmers' market: cheese, maple, and the best beaver tails in the city. Then walk the Rideau Canal to Dow's Lake, or simply cross to the National Gallery for the spider sculpture outside and the collection inside. In winter the canal becomes a 7.8-kilometre skating rink.
Practical notes
- Parliament tours require photo ID and a security check; arrive 15 minutes early.
- Most national museums are free for under-17s and half price in late afternoons.
- Sundays are quiet downtown; some market stalls only open Wednesday to Saturday.
If you only have an afternoon, choose the Hill and the market and leave the museums for a second visit.