How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Ottawa Itinerary

Last Updated on 23rd March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Capital of Canada and home to illustrious buildings including those on Parliament Hill, Ottawa is positioned within the province of Ontario and is home to over two dozen museums. And so, if you’re planning a visit to the city any time soon, here’s how to spend the perfect one day in Ottawa itinerary.

What’s the best time to visit Ottawa?

Thanks to the fact that I have a number of family members living in and around Ottawa, I’ve visited Ottawa in the depths of winter as well as in the heights of summer. My favourite time of the year to visit is most definitely during the summer time when the weather is warm and the days are long.

If possible, then I would recommend avoiding a winter visit (especially as a number of attractions are actually closed since they’re seasonal) and opt to visit between late May and late September.

Is one day enough time in Ottawa?

Yes, though Ottawa is one of the largest cities in Canada in terms of population size, all of its major attractions are concentrated in downtown Ottawa, meaning that everything can be seen over the course of a single day.

If you’re the kind of traveller who likes to cover every attraction fully, then you can set aside two or three days to explore Ottawa. All of the following attractions are the ones I would suggest to prioritise during a trip to Ottawa.

One day in Ottawa suggested itinerary

Breakfast 

Begin your day in Ottawa the right way by heading out for a hearty breakfast. If you’ve stayed downtown (which I highly recommend you do), then one of the best rated option is King Eddy’s. They do sweet and savoury brunch options (including vegan and vegetarian variations) and unlimited coffee refills.

Parliament Hill 

In 1857, queen Victoria of England chose the little town of Ottawa to be the new capital of Canada. Today, one of the more memorable spots in Ottawa is Parliament Hill, which is in turn made up of several buildings and monuments. If you want to learn about the history of Ottawa together with a local guide, you can book a guided tour like this one. Here are some of the most important:

• The National War Memorial is titled The Response and was created in the 1939s. Today it is dedicated to all Canadians killed in all conflicts past and future.
• The Centennial Flame commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Canadian confederation.
• Centre Block is the most important building on Parliament Hill and its design is gothic revival, like the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The first iteration of this building was actually destroyed by fire in 1916 and all that remained was the library. This area is currently undergoing intensive renovations, though you can take a peek inside virtually by booking one of the free interactive tours on Spark Street. 
• East block is the second of the three main buildings on Parliament Hill and is open to the public for tours in July and August. It was originally built to house the offices of senators and members of parliament and now still houses the offices of senators and their staff members 
• West block is almost as prestigious as Centre Block and features on Canadian five dollar bills. Since 2019, west block has accommodated the interim House of Commons chamber, as well as some other parliamentary offices. You can visit the House of Commons at west block as part of a free guided tour. Book ahead online in advance.

Rideau Canal 

One of the most picturesque spots in Ottawa is Rideau Canal, and particularly the portion which empties into the Ottawa River (though the actual Canal is over 200 kilometres long). The Canal dates back to the 19th-Century and boasts 46 locks in total.

Bytown Museum 

While you’re close to the canal, you can check out the Bytown Museum, which details the history of Ottawa and its residents. Set against the backdrop of Ottawa’s oldest remaining stone building (the former Commissariat Building), the history of the museum dates back to 1917, though it didn’t move to its present location until the 1950s.

Take a river cruise

If you’re visiting between mid May and mid October, then you can embark on a guided river tour (available in both French and English). Cruises can begin in Gatineau or Ottawa. Find out more details here.

Ottawa sign 

Of course, as is becoming common in many cities all across the world, Ottawa now has its own larger than life Ottawa sign, which was installed in 2017 and has become a popular fixture of downtown. This is now one of the most popular photo spots in town so you might have to wait a little bit to get a photo here!

Byward Market 

Byward market is one of the most lively areas of downtown Ottawa and so this is where you’ll want to head to for lunch. This is one of the main tourist attractions in town and consists of outdoor farmer market stalls as well as an indoor area where you’ll find independent boutiques and foodie spots. 

One snack I particularly recommend trying while in the area is a Beavertail. This is a fried dough pastry that is topped in all sorts of different flavours, though I opted to stay traditional and go for maple! If you want to discover Byward Market together with a local guide, then you can book a guided tour like this one.

Notre Dame Cathedral 

The basilica dates all the way back to the 19th-century, meaning that it’s the oldest still-standing church that’s to be found anywhere in Ottawa. Free to visit, enter inside at any given moment and you’ll be greeted by ornate stained glass windows, stone carvings, and plenty of Gothic Revival style architecture. For more information, check out our guide on how to visit the Notre Dame Basilica.

Maman Statue 

The iconic bronze and stainless steel Maman (Mother) sculpture depicts a giant spider guarding the entrance to the National Gallery of Canada. The iconic piece of art was created in 1999 by Louise Bourgeois. The central sac of the spider contains 32 marble ‘eggs’.

National Gallery of Canada 

If you’re an art lover, then you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Canada, especially thanks to the fact that there’s 12,400 square metres of space specifically dedicated to displaying works of art.

Artworks of note include The Jack Pine by Tom Thomson, The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West, and several works by Rita Letendre.

Dinner

There are a plethora of dinner options in Ottawa to suit every taste and budget. One road which has a particularly great selection of places to eat is on Elgin Street. We particularly enjoyed our meal at Datsun, an Asian fusion restaurant serving up tapas portions and delicious cocktails.

If you have more time…

If you have more than a day to spend in the Canadian capital, or alternatively you wish to pack more into your 24 hours, then there’s no shortage of places to visit and attractions to check out (especially during the summer months). Here are some of my favourites.

Canadian Museum of History

Now this museum is actually just across the river in Gatineau, Quebec and so is not technically considered to be part of Ottawa but still provides a fascinating insight into the heritage of Canada. There’s even a children’s’ museum which is a fun visit for all the family if you’re going to visit with kids. Purchase your ticket here in advance.

One of the best aspects about visiting the Canadian Museum of History means that you’ll be well placed to enjoy one of the best views of Ottawa. If the weather is warm enough, you can then cross the Alexandra bridge to walk back to Ottawa and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Parliament Hill on the way across…

Canadian War Museum

Ottawa has over a dozen museums and, thanks to its status as the capital of Canada, it has some of the most important cultural institutions in the country. One of these is the Canadian War Museum, which documents the country’s military history. If you’re planning to visit, then you can purchase your ticket here in advance.

Canadian Museum of Nature

Set across four floors, the Canadian Museum of Nature is a natural history and science museum, with a particular focus on the geology, ecology, and paleontology of Canada. Purchase your ticket here in advance.

Women are persons!

The Women are Persons monument is situated on the extremity of Parliament Hill and is a tribute to the famous five, a group of women who were instrumental in overturning a decision which ruled against women being appointed to the Senate.

Where to stay in Ottawa

Château Laurier: Located just down the road from parliament hill, the chateau Laurier is one of the most prestigious hotels in Ottawa. This four star hotel boasts amenities such as an indoor swimming pool and restaurant onsite, set against the backdrop of a historic building that dates back over 100 years. Check prices and availability here.

Byward Blue Inn: We personally stayed in this laid-back two star accommodation and found it to be comfortable and, since we didn’t rent a car, we also found that it was pretty convenient to get to many attractions such as the Byward Market and the Notre Dame Cathedral within easy walking distance. Check prices and availability here.

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