First-time visitor · Ottawa
First time in Ottawa — what locals actually recommend
If it's your first weekend in Ottawa, this is the locals' shortlist — the sights worth the queue, the food you can't skip, and the neighbourhood walks that show you the place.
Curated by localsFrequently added to plans
Top spots in Ottawa
National Gallery
CultureByWard
Giant spider out front, Group of Seven inside.
ByWard Market
Food & DrinkByWard
BeaverTails, farmers stalls and late-night patios.
Commissioners Park Tulips
OutdoorsDows Lake
300,000 tulips peak mid-May.
Gatineau Park
OutdoorsGatineau
Lakes, 165 km of trails, peak fall colour.
Where to eat
Atelier
$$$$Molecular tasting · Hintonburg
44 surprise courses — Ottawa's most experimental.
Beckta
$$$$Canadian tasting · Centretown
Wine country in a Victorian mansion.
El Camino
$$Mexican street · Elgin
Tacos and mezcal, basement vibes.
Riviera
$$$Modern Canadian · Downtown
Old bank turned glittery brasserie.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: ByWard Market, Gatineau Park, National Gallery. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Ottawa and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.
First-time visitor in nearby cities
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