As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is a popular tourist destination at all times of the year. The history of Ottawa dates back to the early 19th century, with the building of the Rideau Canal. In 1855, the area known as “Bytown” officially incorporated and became known as “Ottawa”. In 1857, Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the capital of the United Province of Canada, mainly due to its strategic location farther away from the American border. In 1867, Ottawa became the official seat of government in the newly formed country of Canada.
With its beautiful old buildings, Ottawa still retains much of its historical charm and has a different feel than a lot of other cities in Ontario. There are also a number of great museums, monuments, parks, restaurants, bars and other attractions that make it well worth a visit. Below, I’ve listed 10 of my favourite historical things to do in Ottawa, Ontario.
1. Visit Parliament Hill.
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and therefore it’s no surprise that the main attraction is Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill is the home of the Canadian government and the official seat of the Prime Minister. Construction began on the original Parliament Buildings in 1859, with additions continuing to be made up until the early 20th century. In 1916 however a tragic fire broke out, claiming 7 lives and destroying much of the buildings. The current buildings were subsequently rebuilt in the same style as the original ones, although with much more advanced and safer materials.
Today, visitors are free to roam Parliament Hill and wander between the buildings. Since 2002, there has been a restoration project taking place to preserve the buildings, which means sometimes certain areas or buildings are closed off. However, you are now able to take a guided tour of the Parliament Buildings which will take you through both the House of Commons and the Senate.
2. Stroll (or skate) along the Rideau Canal.
One of Ottawa’s most popular attractions is the Rideau Canal. Skating on the canal in the winter is a bucket list item for many Canadians, although it’s equally as pleasant to visit during the warmer months. The Rideau Canal first opened in 1832 at a staggering length of 202 kilometres. It was built as an alternative to the St. Lawrence River, which was connected to the Great Lakes and had been left vulnerable after the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
The Rideau Canal was an important transport route for a relatively short period of time, primarily acting as a commercial route between the Great Lakes and Montreal. However, its importance over the years dwindled and most commercial activity disappeared after World War I. Instead, it became a popular destination for recreational activities and remains popular tourist destination until this day.
3. Explore the ByWard market.
The ByWard Market was established in 1826 and is one of Canada’s oldest farmer’s markets. Located about a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill, this area of the city is always bustling with people exploring the food, drinks and shopping the area has to offer. The ByWard market was created by the same Lieutenant-Colonel John By who created the Rideau Canal. The building of the Rideau Canal provided lots of job opportunities and as a result, people from different areas came to settle in the region. The ByWard Market became a commercial hub for those who had moved to the area to work on the canal.
Today, the market is a popular tourist spot in Ottawa for shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment. You can browse goods from local farmers and artisans or go for a drink in one of the many pubs or restaurants. If in the market, I also highly recommend trying a Beaver Tail. This delicious Canadian classic consists of a pastry (shaped like a beaver’s tail) and a number of delightful toppings to choose from. Overall, the ByWard market is a great place to hang out either during the day or at night.
4. Canadian Museum of History.
Although technically located just a few minutes from downtown Ottawa in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History is one of my favourite historical places to visit in Ottawa. The museum takes visitors through the history of the land we now call Canada, from its Indigenous roots, to its time as a colony, through the to present day. The exhibitions provide extensive information on each period of history and every detail is well thought-out. As someone who grew up in Canada, I’m well aware that Canadian history often is labelled as “boring” or “uneventful”, but the Canadian Museum of History proves this is far from the truth.
In my opinion, the most important aspect of the museum is the strong emphasis placed on the Indigenous history of the land. The First Peoples Hall teaches visitors about the history and culture of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, while the exhibition in the Grand Hall gives a specific introduction to the history of the First Peoples of Canada’s Pacific Coast. As Canadians its important we continue to educate ourselves and celebrate these stories and I think every Canadian should take the opportunity to visit this museum.
5. Pay your respects at the National War Memorial.
The National War Memorial in Ottawa is a cenotaph located in the centre of the city and dedicated to the sacrifices made by Canadian Armed Forces. The memorial was initially unveiled in 1939 by King George VI, as a tribute to Canadian efforts during World War I. However, in 1982 it was rededicated to also commemorate those who fought in World War II and the Korean War. The addition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was made in the year 2000, after a tradition that originally started in the United Kingdom. In the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier rests an unidentified soldier from a war cemetery near Vimy Ridge in France, and is symbolic of all soldiers who have lost their lives in conflict.
The National War Monument was once again rededicated in 2014 to include the South African War as well as the mission in Afghanistan. Today, the site is also where Remembrance Day ceremonies take place on November 11 each year. Unless there is a ceremony taking place, visitors are free to wander around the monument and pay their respects.
6. Pay your respects at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.
Located just down the road from the National War Memorial is the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument, which pays tribute to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans. The memorial was unveiled in 2001 to commemorate the crucial role Indigenous soldiers have played in Canada’s military history. The number 4 is a sacred number in Indigenous culture and you’ll find representations of this in the artwork. For example, there are four warriors, facing four directions as well as four animal figures representing Indigenous values. On the top of the monument is the eagle, representing the Creator.
The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument is located in the peaceful setting of Confederation Park, which is a nice place to visit on a sunny day. As well as the monument, you can also see the Kwakiutl Totem, which was donated by the government of British Columbia.
7. Stay in a historic hotel.
Ottawa has a number of historic buildings that add to the city’s atmosphere, including historic hotels. The most famous is probably the Fairmont Château Laurier. The hotel was opened in 1912 and actually opened with a bit of a tragic story. The hotel was commissioned by Charles Melville Hays, the president of the Grand Trunk Railway, as one of a number of hotels along the cross-country rail line. He had planned to open the Château Laurier in April of 1912, but he sadly passed away during the sinking of the RMS Titanic that same month. It eventually opened in June of 1912 and quickly became a popular luxury hotel. Over the years it has provided accommodation for a number of notable guests, including, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and more.
The Château Laurier is magnificent, but expensive, so if you’re looking for an alternative option for historic accommodation (that’s a little more affordable) I can also recommend the Lord Elgin Hotel. The hotel was opened in 1941 and actually designed by the same architects as the Château Laurier and has also welcomed William Churchill as a guest. Personally, I love staying here when visiting Ottawa, as it’s within easy walking distance to many of the city’s attractions and you get to experience the hotel’s wonderful, historic charm.
8. Canadian War Museum.
The Canadian War Museum is another fascinating place to visit during your stay in Ottawa. The museum has a history that dates back to 1880 and has been in its current location since 2005. The Canadian War Museum provides an interactive experience that takes you through the history of conflict, exploring the earliest forms of warfare, through many of the world’s most significant military events including the Early Wars in Canada, the South African War, the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War and more.
I have to say, I am not normally overly into military museums, but the Canadian War Museum provides an important insight into the conflicts that have shaped our world. Much of the museum is focussed on the personal stories of individuals who lived through conflicts (both those who directly fought or helped efforts at home) and it is this human approach that I found fascinating. The entire museum is also just very well put together, with a number of interactive experiences that make you feel like you’re walking through time.
9. Visit the home of the Governor General at Rideau Hall.
Rideau Hall is one of the most famous residences in Ottawa, perhaps only second to the residence of the Prime Minister across the street. It is the home of Canada’s Governor General, the Queen’s official representative in Canada. Rideau Hall was built in 1838 and has been the official residence of the Governor General since 1867. Various changes and additions have been made to the building over the years, as it has had to adapt to being both a residence and place of work.
Today, Rideau Hall is also open to the public, and is able to be visited year-round. You can visit the State Rooms, where official duties still take place, the Visitor Centre and grounds. I highly recommend a walk through the grounds where you’ll find a number of interesting plants, trees and monuments dedicated to either inhabitants of the house, or important visitors from over the years.
10. National Gallery of Canada.
The National Gallery of Canada was established in 1880 and contains over 75,000 works of art, with an extensive collection of Indigenous, Canadian and international art. The museum has has a few different locations since its opening but has been in its current location, on Sussex Drive, since 1988. The building itself is a work of art and you certainly won’t miss it walking down the street.
One of the great things about the Canadian National Gallery is that there are a number of interesting artworks from around the world on display. The art spans a vast timeframe, dating from the time of antiquity up until the present day. The Indigenous art collection contains works by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists with a particular focus on contemporary art. You can also see artworks by the famous Canadian painters, the Group of Seven. The international artworks are also very impressive, including works by Claude Monet, Gustav Klimt and more.