Looking for no cost activities in the city? We have many suggestions that are great whether you’re travelling with the family, friends or on your own.
1. Take your picture under a gigantic spider Louise Bourgeois’s “Maman” — a stunning spider sculpture that stands over 10 metres tall — sits outside the National Gallery of Canada and has become a popular spot for shutterbugs. Bonus: The National Gallery offers free admission to its permanent collection on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2. Park without paying On Saturdays and Sundays, the World Exchange Plaza shopping centre offers free downtown parking. This is great for visitors to the mall or those looking to take in spots nearby — such as Parliament Hill, which is just two blocks away. 3. Bike, jog or blade along the city’s paths Ottawa is blessed with a number of paths that cut through the heart of the city. They’re a perfect way to stay active and see the city at the same time. You can follow the path alongside the Rideau Canal, or pick one of the many trails within the core. Also, on Sunday mornings between Victoria Day in May and Labour Day in September, Ottawa and Gatineau close many of its parkways to cars, reserving them specifically for cycling, blading, running, and walking! 4. Tour the highest court of the land The Supreme Court of Canada offers free tours by law students. They guide visitors through the Canadian judicial system and describe how the Supreme Court deals with legal issues of public importance. Visitors are also welcome to sit in on appeal hearings when the Court is in session. 5. Swim at a Gatineau Park beach Get back to nature in Gatineau Park’s 35,000 hectares of unspoiled land. There are six public beaches in the park, including one just for campers. Cycling, hiking and boating are also popular activities in summer, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are big in winter. In autumn, the park turns dazzling shades of red, orange, yellow and green as the leaves change colour. 6. Visit a historic market The ByWard Market in downtown Ottawa was established way back in 1826, and remains one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets. Local vendors sell everything from maple syrup to handmade goods, and many free events take place on the streets throughout the year. 7. Pop in on Canada’s Governor General Rideau Hall is the home and workplace of Canada’s Governor General. Free guided tours of the gardens, residence and art collection are offered year-round. Make sure to check out the grounds, where dignitaries — from John F. Kennedy to Princess Diana — have planted trees while on official visits to Ottawa. 8.Get festive at one of the city’s annual events Top-notch festivals are held year-round in Ottawa, and many of them are free. We recommend Winterlude, the Tulip Festival and the Rideau Canal Festival. 9. Watch the Parliament buildings ablaze Ablaze with light, that is. Throughout the summer, the National Capital Commission presents the Sound and Light Show. With Parliament Hill as its backdrop, the multimedia show tells tales of Canada’s physical, historical, and cultural landscapes. 10. Touch and feel Canada’s history Canada’s culture is preserved at Library and Archives Canada. Exhibition rooms are open daily, and visitors can explore published works, archival records, audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks and electronic publications. 11. Check out the downtown Experimental Farm The Central Experimental Farm’s land stretches for several hundred acres just west of downtown, making it extremely convenient for visitors. It’s designated for agricultural research and has plenty to see. The Dominion Arboretum contains over 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden lets users peek at beavers, birds, bats and more. 12. Decode the city on your smartphone Beautiful public art and monuments are on display all over the city. Through the National Capital Commission’s Decoding Art program (available free to anyone with a smart phone and QR code reader), visitors can discover the history and the artists behind the art. Alternatively, visit the commission’s website to download a free guide. 13. Hurdle down a hill at thrilling speeds Tobogganing is a classic Canadian pastime, and there are plenty of hills in Ottawa on which to partake in the wintry tradition. Carlington Park, Bruce Pit, Conroy Pit, Mooney’s Bay Park and the Arboretum are all good bets. On a snowy day, just load up one of the maps listed below, find your closest hill, grab your sled of choice (or pick up a cheap one at Canadian Tire) and let gravity do the rest. 14. Take a walking tour of the Capital’s greatest hits Many of Ottawa’s must-see attractions are located on Confederation Bouelvard, a discovery route that encompasses several downtown streets in the National Capital Region. The best way to see it is on foot via a self-guided walking tour. Visit the Capital Information Kioskat 111 Albert St. or the National Capital Commission’s website to print out a map, and start exploring! Points of interest include Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, Rideau Hall and more. 15. Peer at far away galaxies Interested in astronomy? The Science and Technology Museum offers free stargazing through their telescope on select days throughout the year. 16. See top-notch visual art Several public art galleries offer free admission daily, including the ASP Gallery, the Karsh-Masson Gallery and all other art spaces run by the City of Ottawa. Exhibitions change regularly and focus on works by local artists. Check out what’s on at various galleries 17. Skate the longest ice rink in the world The beautiful Rideau Canal flows through the city and is worth visiting at any time of year, but in winter the whole thing is frozen over, and you can lace up your skates and hit the ice. In summer, it’s definitely worth a stroll, or take it in by kayak. 18. Take a tour of the parliament buildings Ottawa is fortunate to be home to some of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world—and they’re free to explore. Take a guided tour of Centre Block, attend live debates, explore the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber, or stroll on your own to discover the monuments that dot the Parliament Hill grounds. 19. Get historical at one of many local museums Ottawa is home to a number of world-class museums, and most offer free admission to their permanent collections on Thursday evenings.
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1. Take your picture under a gigantic spider Louise Bourgeois’s “Maman” — a stunning spider sculpture that stands over 10 metres tall — sits outside the National Gallery of Canada and has become a popular spot for shutterbugs. Bonus: The National Gallery offers free admission to its permanent collection on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2. Park without paying On Saturdays and Sundays, the World Exchange Plaza shopping centre offers free downtown parking. This is great for visitors to the mall or those looking to take in spots nearby — such as Parliament Hill, which is just two blocks away. 3. Bike, jog or blade along the city’s paths Ottawa is blessed with a number of paths that cut through the heart of the city. They’re a perfect way to stay active and see the city at the same time. You can follow the path alongside the Rideau Canal, or pick one of the many trails within the core. Also, on Sunday mornings between Victoria Day in May and Labour Day in September, Ottawa and Gatineau close many of its parkways to cars, reserving them specifically for cycling, blading, running, and walking! 4. Tour the highest court of the land The Supreme Court of Canada offers free tours by law students. They guide visitors through the Canadian judicial system and describe how the Supreme Court deals with legal issues of public importance. Visitors are also welcome to sit in on appeal hearings when the Court is in session. 5. Swim at a Gatineau Park beach Get back to nature in Gatineau Park’s 35,000 hectares of unspoiled land. There are six public beaches in the park, including one just for campers. Cycling, hiking and boating are also popular activities in summer, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are big in winter. In autumn, the park turns dazzling shades of red, orange, yellow and green as the leaves change colour. 6. Visit a historic market The ByWard Market in downtown Ottawa was established way back in 1826, and remains one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets. Local vendors sell everything from maple syrup to handmade goods, and many free events take place on the streets throughout the year. 7. Pop in on Canada’s Governor General Rideau Hall is the home and workplace of Canada’s Governor General. Free guided tours of the gardens, residence and art collection are offered year-round. Make sure to check out the grounds, where dignitaries — from John F. Kennedy to Princess Diana — have planted trees while on official visits to Ottawa. 8.Get festive at one of the city’s annual events Top-notch festivals are held year-round in Ottawa, and many of them are free. We recommend Winterlude, the Tulip Festival and the Rideau Canal Festival. 9. Watch the Parliament buildings ablaze Ablaze with light, that is. Throughout the summer, the National Capital Commission presents the Sound and Light Show. With Parliament Hill as its backdrop, the multimedia show tells tales of Canada’s physical, historical, and cultural landscapes. 10. Touch and feel Canada’s history Canada’s culture is preserved at Library and Archives Canada. Exhibition rooms are open daily, and visitors can explore published works, archival records, audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks and electronic publications. 11. Check out the downtown Experimental Farm The Central Experimental Farm’s land stretches for several hundred acres just west of downtown, making it extremely convenient for visitors. It’s designated for agricultural research and has plenty to see. The Dominion Arboretum contains over 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden lets users peek at beavers, birds, bats and more. 12. Decode the city on your smartphone Beautiful public art and monuments are on display all over the city. Through the National Capital Commission’s Decoding Art program (available free to anyone with a smart phone and QR code reader), visitors can discover the history and the artists behind the art. Alternatively, visit the commission’s website to download a free guide. 13. Hurdle down a hill at thrilling speeds Tobogganing is a classic Canadian pastime, and there are plenty of hills in Ottawa on which to partake in the wintry tradition. Carlington Park, Bruce Pit, Conroy Pit, Mooney’s Bay Park and the Arboretum are all good bets. On a snowy day, just load up one of the maps listed below, find your closest hill, grab your sled of choice (or pick up a cheap one at Canadian Tire) and let gravity do the rest. 14. Take a walking tour of the Capital’s greatest hits Many of Ottawa’s must-see attractions are located on Confederation Bouelvard, a discovery route that encompasses several downtown streets in the National Capital Region. The best way to see it is on foot via a self-guided walking tour. Visit the Capital Information Kioskat 111 Albert St. or the National Capital Commission’s website to print out a map, and start exploring! Points of interest include Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, Rideau Hall and more. 15. Peer at far away galaxies Interested in astronomy? The Science and Technology Museum offers free stargazing through their telescope on select days throughout the year. 16. See top-notch visual art Several public art galleries offer free admission daily, including the ASP Gallery, the Karsh-Masson Gallery and all other art spaces run by the City of Ottawa. Exhibitions change regularly and focus on works by local artists. Check out what’s on at various galleries 17. Skate the longest ice rink in the world The beautiful Rideau Canal flows through the city and is worth visiting at any time of year, but in winter the whole thing is frozen over, and you can lace up your skates and hit the ice. In summer, it’s definitely worth a stroll, or take it in by kayak. 18. Take a tour of the parliament buildings Ottawa is fortunate to be home to some of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world—and they’re free to explore. Take a guided tour of Centre Block, attend live debates, explore the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber, or stroll on your own to discover the monuments that dot the Parliament Hill grounds. 19. Get historical at one of many local museums Ottawa is home to a number of world-class museums, and most offer free admission to their permanent collections on Thursday evenings.