Curious about Canada’s capital? Planning a trip out to Ottawa? Well here’s my quickie guide of places to stay, go, eat, and of course, run in Ottawa!
Where to STAY in Ottawa
I personally stayed at an AirBnB for this visit (if you use my affiliate link and we each get $40!). The place I stayed at was right between Little Italy and Chinatown. A short walk away from the Ottawa River (link here)
Where to GO in Ottawa
Ottawa is a great place to visit if you love history. They have plenty of museums and tours to check out. I recommend the War Museum, Parliament Hill (go early to the building across from the Parliament building – you get free tour passes there for Parliament and they go quickly. Pop by at the start of your day, pick a time, and come back!), National War Memorial, Confederation Square, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. Bonus tip: the War Museum is free every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. There’s also a free light show at Parliament every night where they go over the history of Canada! Rain or shine!
During the summer, there’s free yoga in the park at noon every Wednesday. In addition, a 30 minute ride from Ottawa, if you want to go caving, zip lining, tree top exploring, there’s Arbraska – Laflèche Park. And if you’re more of a spa person, the Nordik Spa is the place for you to be.
Where to EAT in Ottawa
- El Camino – 380 Elgin St
- Whalesbone Oyster House – 430 Bank St & 231 Elgin St
- Beaver Tails – 69 George St
- Wilf & Ada’s – 510 Bank St
- The Shore Club – 11 Colonel By Dr
- The Cock & Lion Pub – 202 Sparks St
- Zak’s Diner (24 hours) – 16 By Ward Market Sq
- The Scone Witch – 150 Elgin Street
Where to RUN in Ottawa
First let me just warn you that Ottawa has quite the amount of hills! As a girl who loves to run on flat stretches, it was quite the change!
- Rideau Canal
- Ottawa River Pathway
- Aviation Pathway
- Pinhey Forest
- Arboretum (Experimental Farm)
- South March Highlands
-
Louis Riel Dome (Indoors) – 1659 Bearbrook Rd
QOTD: Have you been to Ottawa? What’s your favourite way of seeing a city? Running, Biking, or Walking?
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Rebecca says
I know all those places :-)
Carmy says
Wish our schedule had synced up to meet!
Abbey says
Love it! Ottawa is a great city!
GiGi Eats says
Canada is like RIGHT THERE – yet I have NEVER BEEN!!! Not sure WHAT I am waiting for, I really need to randomly just go! I have my passport! Lets do this! ;)
Kerri McGrail says
I love any place that does free yoga in the park! I’ve never been to Canada but if I do I know where to go now!
abbey says
love ottawa – so beautiful especially in the summer!
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
This is super helpful! I’ve never been to Ottawa but definitely want to make a trip there in the next few years.
Laveena Sengar says
I have many great things about this place. You have added some more to my list :)
Ange // Cowgirl Runs says
I did a tour of Parliament Hill and got to sit in on a session at the House of Commons when I was in Grade 11 and it was so, so awesome.
I absolutely NEED to go back to check out the museums and such.
Jo @ Living Mint Green says
Beavertails!!! Yes.
Carmy says
I FOUND A LOCATION IN TORONTO. I’ve already been hahaha
Tara @ A Daily Dose of Fit says
I went to Ottawa a few years ago. Once. I don’t remember much, but I do remember rollerblading (yes, rollerblading) where you are running. And eating falafel. It was a fun trip! I’d love to go back…
Tricia Vaughn says
What a wonderful city and a great travel guide! If I ever visit I know exactly where to go!!!
Paola says
I’ve been once to Ottawa many years ago, but it was only for 1 day. Now I think I need to go back and try some of the food places you mentioned ;)
Carmy says
One day? Was it for a layover? Wish you had more time there!
Blair Villanueva says
I haven’t been to Ottawa, but I think having a run and do biking is much fun here. The temperature seems not too hot (unlike in Asia) so this is great!
Carmy says
Unfortunately it can get hot in the summer time! I just got really lucky and missed the heat wave!
Rashmi and Chalukya says
We have never been to Ottawa but it for sure looks like worth a visit for us history buffs and also the foodie inside us.
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
It all looks lovely! I hope to take a trip there some day soon!!
Sarah Grace says
I’ve always wanted to go to Canada! So fun!
Hayley says
Great tips, I feel like I know the city now and I haven’t even been!
indrani says
Seems like a perfect place this Ottawa! Loved the Yoga bit! Good to see people all over the world being health conscious!
Cathy (MummyTravels) says
I came across Nordik Spa recently and it sounded amazing. Lovely to have a mini tour of Ottawa though and everything else that’s on offer. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Suanlee says
Wow! SO many people out there in the beautiful sun exercising together. I especially like learning about where to run – when you’re on vacation and doing a little of what you’d usually do at home (e.g. running) it’s great to have these guides to help you with where to go. Great post, enjoyed the read!
Ana says
Thanks for sharing the complete guide about Ottawa! Wish to go there someday in my life!
Ami says
Wow, the free yoga session has so many attendees. Amazing. I have heard a lot about Ottawa. Raring to read more.
Sona Sethi says
Yoga has become extremely popular across the globe. I am not surprised that so many attendees are there for the yoga session. I love doing yoga myself as it helps me to keep my balance.
Subhadrika says
This looks like a great place to spend a few days. With your guide this would be all the more easier when I start planning my own trip.
Verushka says
Love this fantastic guide.Will defo be bookmarking this if I ever find my self in that end of the world.
Maja | Mexatia says
If we will ever be in Ottawa, I will let my hubby know where he can go for a run and I will follow some of your foodie recommendations :)
Lucie says
Looks like you had a wonderful trip! I love Ottawa, it’s a really nice city, as it should since it’s our Capital. Great guide too! I’ve never done an air B&B, it would be interesting to hear about your experience.
Thuymi @ www.AdventureFaktory.com says
Free yoga activities are quite fun! This makes me miss Canada so much! Although I am from Montreal, Ottawa is only an hour/2 away!
Carmy says
I’m heading to Montreal in a few days :) Any place I HAVE to eat at?
Divya Rai says
Ottawa is on my list for and your recommendations are sure to come handy! Maintaing physical fitness while travelling is challenging, and I now know how to work around that when one visits Ottawa.
Tamshuk says
This is a nice informative guide on – Go, Eat and Run in Ottawa. I like the fact there are quite a few hills out there as I myself like to run up and down slopes. The food places are a nice compilation. I have heard of some of these places from my friends over there
Joanna says
I have to admit, I will not run if I’ll visit Ottawa because my running abilities go as far as losing my breath trying to catch a bus, lol. I will happily replace running with cycling, as on 2 wheels I can easily go for miles. However, I will take in consideration your where to eat guide, food is a very important part of my trips.
Priyanka Singh says
A park full of yoga practitioner, so many runways and then wonderful places for healthy food. Seriously I’m impressed from the concept of this city eat, Health, relaxation. I love it.
Judson L Moore says
PERFECT! I am coming to Ottawa in October, so this will be very helpful! Will it be too cold to do anything outside at that time, or is the weather still nice?
Carmy says
I wish I responded sooner!! It’s already October! I would say it’s not too cold in my opinion (but I grew up in the cold). A jacket with a light sweater underneath would enough for me. No snow yet ;)
Stella the Travelerette says
I’ve never been to Ottawa, but I would love to go. I love traveling in Canada and the food looks delicious. I do prefer walking to running, though.
Carmy says
So many places to walk too! They have clusters of statues all around within walking distance that you can stop by and read about the history.
Michael says
A beautiful place. I’ll mark this post and open it if I plan to go to Ottawa. Thank you for sharing!
Juliette @ Snorkels To Snow says
Never been to Canada but have been wanting to visit since I was a little girl, I have a family friend in Ottawa. She was actually a penfriend of my mother’s and they still stay in touch and write to each other after all these years! She always told incredible stories of what Ottawa was like, so I have had longing to visit for a very long time! I almost moved to Canada for a working holiday some years ago but a new job elsewhere changed my plans.
Carmy says
You should swing by! I love that your mom met her via being a pen pal! I still write the occasional letter to girls from around the world and it’s such a nice way to keep in touch!
Amanda Williams says
I Love finding out about the history of a place and I must admit I don’t know much about the history of Canada, so Ottawa sounds like a good place to start learning. Love the yogo in the park too and so cool to see many people taking part.
Carmy says
There are so many lovely museums and heritage points where you can learn all about Canada and its history for free in Ottawa!
Bethanny Sudibyo says
Ottawa seems like a great place! There are many running spots which is good for travelers who want to keep exercising on the go. Love that yoga activity. I don’t do yoga, but I admire those who do. Seems so zen!
Maggie says
Looks like an awesome trip! I’ve been to many places in Canada, but never Ottawa. It’s probably best to visit in the summer!
Carmy says
It really is! Lots to do outside during the summer!
Christina says
Of the bigger cities in Canada, Ottawa tends to be overlooked by travellers. Most people (from abroad anyway) tend to choose other cities, even tough Ottawa definitely has a lot to offer. It’s great to see there are plenty of hills to work off those calories!
Carmy says
It does doesn’t it? A lot of times my friends would rather visit Toronto or Montreal but I like you said, Ottawa has a lot to offer, especially if you love nature.
Suzannah says
It looks like a really calm yet vibrant city and place to be. Your shots are amazing too! I’ll be using your post as a guide when I visit.
Carmy says
Thank you!
Danielle - GeekGirlGoes says
A great list of things to do! I think I’d be more into the spa and museums than the running though!
Carmy says
The spa was such a relaxing way to end off the entire trip!
MICHAEL BRANDON says
Great. That is so amazing. I really like the picture of yoga in the park. It is awesome.Thank you very much for sharing.
shayne says
That yoga event looks fun! I haven’t been to a yoga event as big as that! Looks exciting to be with a lot of people doing yoga all at once!
Carmy says
There were SO many people – I couldn’t believe it! I wondered if everyone got an extra lunch break for yoga haha
Julie Cao says
Never known there is a free yoga in the park. Went there twice on Canada day and I love to walk through the bridge between Ottawa to Gatineau Quebec during the sundown.Thank you for sharing and need to check out the rest of the spots on my next visit (prob on Canada Day again)
Carmy says
Oh you would DEFINITELY need to come back this Canada day! It’s an anniversary! They’re making it a huge event :)
Vyjay says
I am sure, I would have a great time in Ottawa.The place looks great to just get out and run in the outdoors. The food is another great incentive to get out there.
Carmy says
Food is always a delicious incentive! Thanks for stopping by!
Natasa says
This guide is great. So nice said and it makes me run in the same moment. I didn’t knew there so much to do there, and the free yoga in the park is awesome. Thanks for sharing this and inspiring us all.
Carmy says
Thanks! The free yoga is such a nice touch!