Is Ottawa Worth Visiting? What I Found in Canada's Capital

Is Ottawa Worth Visiting? What I Found in Canada‘s Capital

Ask most people to name a Canadian city break, and they‘ll say Toronto, Vancouver or Montréal. An Ottawa city break rarely gets a mention. After four days there this October, on a trip hosted by Canadian Affair, I think that's a mistake.

Visiting Ottawa from the UK

Ottawa is surprisingly easy to reach. We flew direct from Heathrow with Air Canada, leaving at 9:30 am and landing at12:25 pmm local time. The transfer into the centre took about half an hour, so we'd checked in and were out walking by mid-afternoon.

We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown, which put most of the sights within walking distance. With timings like that, a Monday to Friday trip works well. You don't need a full week to see the city properly.

Things to do in Ottawa

We started with a guided walk: Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Fairmont Château Laurier and the Rideau Canal. In winter, when it's cold enough, 7.8km of the canal freezes over and becomes the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink. I'd love to go back and see that.

My favourite morning was a guided bike tour along the waterfront paths. You cover far more ground than on foot, and the views along the river are lovely.

We also spent time at the National Gallery of Canada, saw the city from the water, and used the hop-on hop-off bus to fill in the gaps.

One evening we did the Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa. In October, with the nights drawing in, it was the perfect time for it.

Where to eat and drink in Ottawa

I hadn't expected Ottawa to be such a good food city. The Taste of Canada tour through ByWard Market was a great introduction: poutine, maple everything, and a BeaverTail (a fried pastry, not an actual beaver, in case you were wondering).

We also did a cooking class with C'est Bon Ottawa, which was hands-on and a fun way to learn about local ingredients.

For dinner, JOEY Rideau was my pick. The sushi was excellent, and the place had a great buzz. For drinks, head up to ALORA's rooftop at sunset. You look straight out over ByWard Market.

Best time to visit Ottawa: Ottawa in autumn

Early October was beautiful. The parks and streets were full of red, orange and gold, and walking along the waterfront was a highlight in itself.

What struck me most, though, was how relaxed the city feels. For a capital, it's calm and easy-going, and everyone we met was friendly and welcoming.

So, is it worth it?

Yes. Ottawa packs a lot into a compact, walkable city: history, good food, time outdoors, and none of the rush you get in bigger cities. I'd suggest three or four nights, either on its own or combined with Montréal and Québec City as part of a longer trip.

I hope this Ottawa, Canada travel guide gives you a feel for the city. It's now somewhere I'd happily recommend to clients who want something a bit different from the usual Canada itinerary.

Where to stay

DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown Review: A Great Base for Exploring the City

I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown during a four-day FAM trip to Ottawa, hosted by Canadian Affair. Our itinerary was packed, so having somewhere central and comfortable to come back to each evening was ideal - The DoubleTree was both.

Location

If you’re wondering where to stay in Ottawa, location matters, and this is where the hotel earns its place. Most of the main sights are a short walk away: Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the National Gallery of Canada and the Fairmont Château Laurier. ByWard Market, with its restaurants, cafés, bars and independent shops, is close by too, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for hotels near ByWard Market.

We flew direct from Heathrow with Air Canada, and the airport transfer took about 30 minutes. We checked in and went straight out on a guided walking tour, which showed us just how well placed the hotel is.

Rooms

My room was lovely, and the bed was extremely comfortable, but the bathroom was huge.

After long days on our feet, it was a relaxing place to come back to. I also felt safe and secure the whole time, which is something I always look for when recommending a hotel to clients, especially when exploring a major city.

Breakfast, bar and service

Breakfast had plenty of choice: continental options, a cooked breakfast, and lighter, healthier dishes too. Whether you want something quick or a proper fill-up before a day of sightseeing, you’re covered.

The bar had a lovely laid-back feel and was a good spot for a drink in the evening.

The staff were friendly and attentive throughout, which made a real difference to the stay.

Gym and pool

The gym was the thing I didn’t expect. It’s much bigger than most hotel gyms with a good range of equipment and plenty of space. If you like to keep up your routine while you’re away, you’ll be happy here.

There’s also an indoor pool, which is a nice extra for unwinding after a day out exploring.

Who is it for?

I’d recommend it to couples, friends and solo travellers, and to anyone who wants to explore Ottawa on foot and have a comfortable room to return to. Among Ottawa city centre hotels, it’s a great all-rounder, and the gym is a bonus.

My verdict

I really enjoyed my stay. The highlights for me were the enormous shower, the bed, breakfast, the gym, the bar and the staff. The central location made getting around easy, and I felt comfortable and secure throughout.

I hope this Ottawa hotel review helps if you’re weighing up your options. It’s somewhere I’d confidently recommend to clients.

If you’re planning an Ottawa city break or a longer trip around Canada, I’d love to help you find the right hotel and put together an itinerary that suits you. Get in touch with me to start planning.