Ottawa is a great place to spend a vacation during any season. With so many festivals, events and museums, you would be hard pressed to decide what to do with a limited time. These are just some of the things you might want to fit into your schedule.
La Bottega Nicastro and the Byward Market
A walk through the Byward Market with a stop at Bottega Nicastro for an espresso macchiato and a cannoli or one of their made to order sandwiches is always on our list. Walking into Bottega Nicastro is like being in Italy, the owner, Rocco Sr is a sweetheart and will gladly stop everything to have a chat. The staff is knowledgeable and can answer any question you might have about their products. We still haven’t found a place that makes a better espresso in Ottawa.
La Bottega Nicastro in the Byward Market
Delicious Espresso Macchiato
Parliament Hill
No visit to the capital would be complete without a stop at Parliament Hill. Whether you’re into politics or not, these buildings are beautiful and filled with history and scandal. There’s plenty to see just by walking the grounds, the Victoria bell, the Centennial Flame, the Canadian Police Memorium and numerous statues will teach you a bit of Canadian history. If it’s summer, make sure to be there by 10 am to see the Changing of the Guard and if you plan on going inside, consult their website as times and tours change often.
Canada’s Parliament
Rent a Bike
Bike Shares such as VeloGo, with rental stations scattered around Ottawa, are a great way to get around and see the sites. Ride down the bicycle path by the canal and make your way to the Glebe, one of Ottawa’s first suburbs. Ride down Carling for a stop at Dow’s Lake, go up Preston Street to Little Italy and then to Somerset Street, stop in Chinatown and one of several restaurants for lunch a lunch of delicious Asian food.
Bixi Bike Station
Take in a Museum
Visit a museum, there are 8 large museums, including the Museum of Civilization, Museum of Nature and the War Museum, and several smaller museums including the Museum of Contemporary Photography and the Bytown Museum. All are well curated and informative.
Museum of Civilization
Gatineau Hills in the Fall
If you’re here during the fall than you must rent a car and take a drive through the Gatineau Hills, the colours are sure to blow your mind. It’s not uncommon to see traffic backed up on a beautiful Sunday afternoon during autumn as tourists and locals alike want to see the show nature puts on for us each year.
Fall colours
Dinner at El Camino
Dinner and drinks at El Camino on Elgin Street are the perfect end to a perfect day in Ottawa. This new, hip with the university crowd, Mexican restaurant can get loud but the food is worth it. Their menu is simple, printed on a letter size sheet of paper, and not very descriptive but the servers are animated and ready to describe each dish for you. Try the Crispy Prawn Betel Leaf, juicy prawns wrapped in betel leaves, lightly battered and fried, a tasty change of pace. Their tacos, freshly made and flavourful are all delicious, our favourites are the beef taco and the ox tongue taco. They also have some awesome cocktails on offer, try the El Fuego, spiked with chilies or the El Camino Manhattan.
Tacos at El Camino
The Kitchen at El Camino
Ottawa has a lot to offer, whatever you decide to do, we hope you enjoy our hometown.
I’d go just for dinner at El Camino – looks delish!
We’re glad we were finally able to check it out.
It’s true Ottawa is a lovely city! And you just can’t beat those fall colours.
Great ideas, they all look delightful! I especially love the Gatineau Hills in the Fall!
Thanks Barbara, it really is a sight to see.
I have 5 years living in canada, came to study and stayed for love is a very beautiful country.
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