So, you've got 24 hours in our nation's capital and no idea how to make the most of it? Here's everything you should eat, drink and do during a jam-packed day to get the quintessential Ottawa experience.
The name of the game is preparation, and you need to have a game plan to follow so you can make the best use of your limited time. Fortunately, I've drafted a handy little guide to lead you through your day while giving you a taste of the place incorrectly dubbed "the city that fun forgot."
Make sure to have a water bottle, sunscreen and good shoes so you're ready to face the day. These essentials will prepare you to tackle the maximum number of Ottawa summer activities possible!
With all that being said, let's get right into it — here's the ultimate 24-hour itinerary of all the best things to do in Ottawa.
Breakfast at the SconeWitch
Price: 💸
Address: 150 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: There is no start to the morning more perfect than biting down on a sandwich made with two fluffy biscuits. The SconeWitch is a beloved café with four locations throughout the capital, although you'll want to start your day at the centrally located Elgin Street location. It's locally famous for its sandwiches made from the fluffiest scones in town.
On top of the famous baked goods, the prices are incredibly reasonable, making it a local favourite for breakfast and lunch excursions all across the city. The iconic scone sandwiches (or SconeWitches) start at $7.50, or $8.50 if it's a breakfast sandwich. If that all sounds too filling for you, you can also purchase a scone from their wide selection of flavours to eat plain or with one of their many spreads and jams.
Since this is a café, you don't need to sit and eat; if you really want to make the most of your 24 hours in Ottawa, this is the perfect thing to grab and go.
Free guided tour of Parliament Hill
Price: Free
Address:
- West Block, 111 Wellington St., Ottawa, ON
- The Senate of Canda Building, 2 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: When you picture Ottawa, the first image that likely pops up in your head is the iconic Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. It's Ottawa's best-known landmark and is 100% worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
It's important to know that Centre Block (the building with the Peace Tower) is undergoing refurbishment and will be for the next several years. So, instead, Parliament is conducted in the neighbouring building to the left of Centre Block, West Block, and the Senate sits down the street in Ottawa's former Union Station.
Since Parliament Hill is a place of work and the centre of the Canadian government, the only way to enter the buildings as a member of the public is typically through a guided tour. Tours are completely free of charge; however, they do need to be booked in advance online. Most guides are thoroughly well-trained university students and hold a wealth of knowledge about many aspects of Parliament Hill.
Boat cruise along the Rideau Canal
Price: $40.50 per adult
Address: Behind the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: A great way to experience the historic Rideau Canal is a boat tour that takes you from downtown Ottawa to Dow's Lake and then back again. Hop on board at the Ottawa Boat Cruises departure gate, right behind the National Arts Centre along the canal.
Enjoy a relaxing and informative ride down to Ottawa's picturesque Dow's Lake, cutting through downtown Ottawa and passing the University of Ottawa, the Golden Triangle, Landsdowne, Dow's Lake and plenty of other iconic Ottawa locations.
It's a wonderful way to experience the capital's beauty without driving around or taking a bus. It's also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to tour the capital, as the Rideau Canal Cruise is a completely electric vessel.
Lunch at the Euro Bistro
Price: 💸
Address: 274 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Euro Bistro is a little slice of Europe in the shape of a small hole-in-the-wall café just a few blocks down Ottawa's bustling Elgin Street from the boat cruise terminal. It's by far my favourite spot to grab lunch while I'm downtown, and it's just not because the food's amazing.
The store is run by two lovely European women whose joy is incredibly contagious to any patron entering the restaurant. Browse through the many options on the menu, and pick between sandwiches with ingredients from all over the world and delicious authentically European baked goods, such as their apple cake.
In addition, they offer an extensive menu of creatively flavoured coffee, such as their Chocolate Toffee Latté or their Maple Nut Latté. It's a lovely hidden gem in Ottawa, and it's the perfect stop for a quick and filling bite to eat on a bustling day downtown.
Euro Bistro menu
National Gallery Gallery of Canada
Price: $20 per adult, or $10 if you're under 25 or a student
Address: 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ottawa is filled with plenty of museums and galleries to peruse. While all of them are worth seeing, the national art gallery is quite possibly the most worthwhile if you only have 24 hours in the city.
Firstly, the building that encases Canada's national art collection is straight-up gorgeous, filled with beautiful round exhibition rooms. Secondly, within the gallery is one of Ottawa's most hidden gems. Inside the vibrant Rideau Chapel is a unique sound sculpture by Janet Cardiff. Take a seat in the middle of the chapel as you're surrounded by an army of speakers, each containing a single choir member's voice, creating a one-of-a-kind harmonizing experience that is tantalizing to the ears.
In addition to being a wonderful all-around experience, it's also conveniently located. It's only a short walk from most mainstream Ottawa landmarks, such as Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the Byward Market.
Beaver Tail in the Byward Market
Price: 💸
Address: 69 George St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ottawa is the de facto birthplace of the all-Canadian dessert, the Beaver Tail. It's a fried piece of dough showered in cinnamon sugar and all sorts of other toppings, and it tastes better than heaven.
By far the best place to partake in the decades-long tradition of scarfing sugar-covered fried dough is the frozen-over Rideau Canal Skateway in the winter — but a close runner-up and the best summer option is the original tiny stall in the ByWard Market. This is the location that started it all, first opened in 1980. While the line can be long, it usually moves fast, and we promise it'll be worth every minute.
Walk around the ByWard Market
Price: Free
Address: ByWard Market, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: While you devour your Beaver Tail, you can take a stroll through the city's oldest market and pop your head into many bakeries, ice cream shops and souvenir stores. Consider this tourist central!
During the summer, the outdoor stalls along the streets and sidewalks are open every day, and you can often find musicians and street performers setting the lively mood. The market also hosts tons of events all year round, so chances are good that something fun will be happening while you're there.
Nearby is the incredibly picturesque Major's Hill Park, filled with rolling green fields and a gorgeous view of Parliament and the river — a perfect short scenic stroll.
Dinner at Zak's Diner
Price: 💸💸
Address: 14 ByWard Market Sq., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Since you'll already be in the ByWard Market, there's no need to travel far for a delicious dinner. While there are so many restaurants in the Market to choose from, only one is "locally world-famous," so Zak's Diner is a no-brainer to round out your day of iconic Ottawa spots.
This Ottawa staple serves up classic diner vibes with its old-school decor, complete with a jukebox and retro booths. It's the perfect spot to indulge in comfort food favourites, from burgers and milkshakes to all-day breakfast. It's also one of the most affordable spots in the Market, so it'll leave some room in your budget for our after-dinner plans.
Drag show at The Lookout
Price: $12 door charge
Address: 41 York St., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Although it may surprise you, Ottawa has an incredibly vibrant, booming and world-class drag scene. In fact, drag is such a big thing here that there are rock-climbing drag shows and plenty of drag brunches! The Lookout is one of many places around the National Capital Region where you can catch a drag show, and arguably the best-known.
It's a great place to go if you're new (or not) to drag shows and love nightlife, as it doubles as a nightclub. You can grab a drink and dance the night away while watching one of the most up-and-coming drag communities in the entire country.
The Lookout website
Shawarma wrap for a midnight snack
Price: 💸
Address: Shawarma Palace, 464 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Nothing quite beats succulent chicken and/or beef freshly shaved off a revolving spit and neatly tucked into a grilled wrap, accompanied by turnips, pickles, lettuce and tangy garlic sauce.
Nothing is as quintessentially Ottawan as shawarma, especially after a night out — the city's even been officially dubbed the "Shawarma Capital of Canada." No matter where you are in the city, you'll likely be near a shawarma shop. The one I recommend the most would have to be Shawarma Palace, as the flavour is always very consistent.
The story goes that decades ago, a struggling shawarma restaurant owner decided to extend his hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Miraculously, hordes of drunk university students flocked to his store. Thus, a city-wide obsession with Middle Eastern street food still exists to this day.
If you wander the city late at night, the only things you'll find open are bars, clubs, convenience stores and shawarma shops. So, if you find yourself craving a midnight snack after your night out on the town, it's gotta be shawarma. If you're not feeling a wrap, you can also get it in platter or poutine form, which is an Ottawa staple in and of itself.
Brunch at The Third
Price: 💸
Address: 1017 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Third is a hidden crown jewel in Ottawa's trendy Hintonburg neighbourhood. You can enjoy a surprisingly affordable brunch at this house-turned-restaurant, with menu items like deliciously seasoned hash, oh-so-sweet French toast and $5 mimosas. Yes, you heard correctly!
The Third is built on the principle of people needing a "third place" to socialize and gather as a community; thus, this cool and vibey spot was born. It's definitely worth going to before you head out of town, and it won't break the bank.
