Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada's capital. Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the national museums are close enough to walk between in two or three days.
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Ottawa is the capital of Canada, in the province of Ontario, on the south bank of the Ottawa River across from Gatineau in Quebec. Parliament Hill stands on a bluff above the river in the city centre. The Rideau Canal begins at the Ottawa Locks below the hill and runs south through downtown. In winter a section of the canal is cleared for the Rideau Canal Skateway, and the national museums sit a short walk from the water.
Plan two or three days for the main sights, and add a day if you want to cross into Gatineau. Stay downtown to walk to the canal and Parliament Hill. The season sets the pace. Skating depends on cold weather, so check conditions before you go. Tulips bloom in May, and summer suits walking the waterfront and the canal paths. Winter needs cold-weather gear.
Ottawa in five
- Reserve Parliament tickets before you arriveParliament says to reserve tickets in advance, since same-day tickets may not be available. House of Commons tours do not run while the House is sitting, so check dates first.Visit Parliament
- Carry photo ID to West BlockVisitors aged 16 and over must show government-issued photo ID at West Block, and only one bag under 35.5 x 30.5 x 19 cm is allowed per person.West Block rules
- Skate the Rideau Canal when it opensThe NCC says the 7.8 km Skateway usually runs January to early March, depends on weather, and is free and open 24 hours a day when open.Skateway and Winterlude
- Cross the river to the Museum of HistoryThe Canadian Museum of History is in Gatineau, opposite Parliament Hill, and requires a timed ticket for every visitor. A summer water taxi links it with the Ottawa Locks jetty.Museum visit page
- Pick winter dates around Winterlude 2027Canadian Heritage lists the 49th Winterlude as January 29 to February 15, 2027, held in Ottawa-Gatineau.Winterlude page
Things to do in Ottawa
See all attractions in Ottawa
Need to know
- Airport
- Ottawa International (YOW); taxis, rideshare, shuttle and transit on Level 1
- Getting there
- Road, rail and coach from Toronto and Montréal; flights to YOW
- Getting around
- Walkable core; OC Transpo buses and trains; water taxi in summer
- Best base
- Downtown near Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market
- Time needed
- 2 days for the core sights; 3 with Gatineau and the canal
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy11 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-4°Low-13°Skateway seasonJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -4°
- Low
- -13°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Skateway season
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-12°Winterlude, SkatewayFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -12°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Winterlude, Skateway
- MarchCloudy12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-6°Late winterMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Late winter
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Thaw, mudAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Tulip FestivalMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Tulip Festival
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm daysAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm days
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, fall startSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fall start
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Fall colourOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colour
- NovemberRain12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Cold, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberCloudy12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-7°Snow, coldDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
Average daily high and low in Ottawa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Feb Winterlude · May Canadian Tulip Festival
Right now in Ottawa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Ottawa
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°7°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue14°11°75%Tuesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Wed20°13°27%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu17°11°70%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Fri12°9°31%Friday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat11°8°30%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sun9°6°15%Sunday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 03:07 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- FebWinterludeOttawa
- MayCanadian Tulip FestivalOttawa
Day trips by train
- Kingstonalong the 202 km Rideau routeA limestone city at the far end of the Rideau Canal, which Parks Canada runs as a May to October waterway.Read the guide
- The Thousand Islandsa long day by roadGranite islands in the St. Lawrence, reached by boat; Parks Canada says island access is by boat only.Read the guide
- Montréala corridor trip by road or railThe big city next door, best as an overnight rather than a rushed day.Read the guide
Before you go to Ottawa
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Ottawa, checked
- Parliament of Canada: House of Commons tours are not available when the House is sitting; visitors aged 16 and over need government photo ID at West Block.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- NCC: the Rideau Canal Skateway is 7.8 km, typically runs January to early March, and is free and open 24 hours a day when open.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Canadian Heritage: the 49th Winterlude runs January 29 to February 15, 2027.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Ottawa FAQ
How many days do you need in Ottawa?
Two days cover Parliament Hill, the canal, the ByWard Market and one or two museums. Add a third day if you want the Museum of History in Gatineau, a canal cruise or a day on the Rideau route.
When does the Rideau Canal Skateway open?
The NCC says the skating season typically runs from January to early March but depends on the weather. When open, it is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; check ice conditions before you go.
Can you tour Parliament if the House is sitting?
Not the House of Commons. Parliament says guided tours of West Block are not available when the House is sitting. The Senate building, East Block in summer and the Immersive Experience run on their own schedules, so check the visit site.
Is the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa?
It is across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, directly opposite Parliament Hill. The museum says you can reach it on foot, by bike, bus, car or summer water taxi, and every visitor needs a timed ticket.
When is the Canadian Tulip Festival?
The 2026 festival ran May 8 to 18 in Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake, and calls itself free to attend. Check the festival site for the 2027 dates before you book a room.