How to Spend 24 Hours in Ottawa
Canada's capital, Ottawa, is calm, elegant and an incredibly walkable city, making it easy to experience in a short visit. We arrived by VIA Rail from Toronto and quickly discovered a city that balances grand historic landmarks with a relaxed atmosphere. From strolling around Parliament Hill to exploring the lively ByWard Market, Ottawa feels welcoming without the fast pace of Canada's larger cities.
For our City Girl Guide to Canada with Air Transat, Ottawa was the perfect stop before heading into Outaouais. We only had 24 hours in the city, so this guide shares how we made the most of that time, including what we saw, where we ate and how we explored the centre on foot. This itinerary was put together by the brilliant team at Ottawa Tourism, whose website is a great way to discover what’s going on in the city. Air Transat offers seasonal direct flights from London Gatwick to Ottawa, with connections via Toronto year-round.
With beautiful architecture, riverside walks, and world-class museums all within easy reach, Ottawa offers far more than can be squeezed into a single day. We have therefore also included additional recommendations from City Girls for anyone with more time to explore its history, culture, neighbourhoods and landmarks.
Source: Ottawa Tourism
Arrive by train
We travelled the five hour trip into Ottawa from Toronto with VIA Rail. Rather than feeling like a day spent getting from A to B, the journey was part of the adventure itself. The route took us through the changing landscapes of Ontario, offering a comfortable and stress-free alternative to driving.
Check in downtown
We went straight from the train station to our hotel, AC Hotel Ottawa Downtown, which took around 20 minutes in an uber. It was a practical base for a one-night stay; 5 minutes from ByWard Market and 11 minutes from Parliament Hill, which is where the Gatineau River and Rideau Canal meet.
Welcomed by helpful staff and comfortable beds, it was a great place to stay and we can see why it was recommended by Ottawa Tourism. They also have an indoor pool, gym and sauna, a car park for anyone who’s taken the road trip option, and giant umbrellas that you can borrow for free from reception; covering all the bases of your trip.
Late afternoon: tours and shopping
Source: Ottawa Tourism
Ottawa Tourism suggested the perfect way to start our very quick trip to Ottawa: a 90 minute narrated cruise along the Rideau Canal with Ottawa Boat Cruise. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the canal is at the heart of Ottawa and offers one of the best introductions to the city. Seeing Parliament Hill, the Château Laurier and the surrounding landmarks from the water gives you a completely different perspective.
We were caught in a rain shower before dinner and ended up in their shopping centre, the CF Rideau Centre, which was the first shopping centre we’d been to in Canada. We’d highly recommend the Indigo Book Shop and Simons Department Store to anyone who’s a fan of retail therapy.
Evening: dinner at Starling Restaurant
For dinner, we ate at Starling Restaurant, which sits at the heart of ByWard Market by the Ottawa Sign is a strong short-stay option. We tucked into some delicious burgers (one being gluten free) and sat in a cosy booth watching the rain pour onto Ottawa’s streets.
Morning: wander around Byward Market and Parliament Hill
Source: Ottawa Tourism
The next morning, with just an hour to spare, we walked from our hotel to Byward Market, past the National Gallery of Canada, through Major Hills Park, to Parliament Hill and then back on ourselves to Rideau Canal Locks. The locks spill out into the Gatineau River, where we were excited to see the development of a recreational swimming dock on the edge of Major Hills Park.
Final Stop: cross the canal towards Gatineau
With our next stop on our Canada trip being Gatineau, which shares the river with Ottawa, we opted to leave the Canadian canada by aqua taxi. We left with ‘Water Taxi, Eh?’ from the end of Rideau Canal Locks and headed to the Canadian Museum of History. It turned a practical transfer into a scenic moment and gave us a different perspective on the Ottawa River.
More About Ottawa
Ottawa offers an important window into Canada’s history, politics and culture, with Parliament Hill, national museums, historic landmarks and riverside green spaces all concentrated within an easy-to-explore city centre.
The city sits on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. The Ottawa River, known as Kichi Sibi, has long been an important meeting place and trade route for Indigenous peoples. Today, visitors can connect with Indigenous culture through art, storytelling, food, seasonal events and places such as Mādahòkì Farm, Pīndigen Park and the Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau.
Visiting Ottawa gives an Eastern Canada itinerary greater depth. It introduces a different side of the country before the journey continues into Québec.
City Girl Recommendations for Ottawa
We asked our community to share their recommendations of where to eat, drink, explore and play to help you make the very most of your visit to Ottawa.
Eat and Drink
Hog’s Back Grill and Bistro: Located in the pavilion at Hog’s Back Park, this seasonal snack shack serves classics such as poutine, burgers and beef hot dogs from May to October. Take your food to one of the nearby river lookout spots.
Tavern on the Falls: A seasonal outdoor patio overlooking Rideau Falls, serving cocktails, local drinks and casual food with impressive views across the Ottawa River.
Jackson Café: Set inside the Ottawa Art Gallery, this art-filled café serves speciality coffee and pastries during the day, with small plates and drinks available on selected evenings.
Luma: A stylish Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with a bright, elegant interior, serving shareable plates, brunch dishes and drinks from late morning into the evening.
Parliament Café: An elegant European-inspired café on Sparks Street, just moments from Parliament Hill, serving coffee, pastries and light food in a relaxed setting.
Ugly Monday: A Vietnamese café serving Vietnamese coffee, tea and matcha alongside bánh mì, rice bowls and pastries.
Little Victories: A small local coffee roastery with three locations across Ottawa, known for carefully made coffee, minimalist interiors and a relaxed neighbourhood feel.
Explore and Play
Rideau Canal Skateway: In winter, a section of the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal becomes a vast outdoor skating route through the heart of Ottawa.
Canadian Tulip Festival: Held each May, this colourful festival celebrates Ottawa’s historic connection with the Netherlands through huge tulip displays, cultural activities and events around Commissioners Park.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica: Ottawa’s oldest and largest church is known for its Gothic Revival architecture, soaring spires, stained-glass windows and strikingly ornate interior.
Beaches: Westboro Beach, Mooney’s Bay, Britannia Beach and Petrie Island are all accessible by public transport, offering places to swim, picnic and relax by the water.
The NCC River House: This much-loved riverfront swimming spot is free to enter, with floating docks, waterside spaces and seasonal paddleboard and bike hire.
Lazy river tubing: Spend a summer afternoon floating along gentler stretches of the Ottawa River, with guided tubing experiences available within easy reach of the city.
Carp Farmers’ Market: Eastern Ontario’s largest producer-based farmers’ market brings together local food, handmade products and fresh produce every Saturday from May to October.
Lady Dive Amphibus Tour (Splash and Land Tour): See Ottawa from both the road and the water on this sightseeing tour, which travels past major landmarks before driving straight into the Ottawa River.
An Overview of Ottawa’s Neighbourhoods
Ottawa’s character extends well beyond its historic landmarks, with neighbourhoods shaped by independent businesses, food, culture and green spaces. These are some of the best areas to explore when you have more time in the city:
ByWard Market and Rideau Street: A historic central district filled with restaurants, cafés, bars, boutiques and market stalls, with plenty of energy during both the day and evening.
Centretown and Elgin Street: A lively, central area for independent restaurants, nightlife and local city life, within easy walking distance of many major landmarks.
The Glebe and Old Ottawa South: Relaxed neighbourhoods known for independent shops, restaurants, leafy streets and green spaces alongside the Rideau Canal.
Chinatown: A multicultural neighbourhood packed with restaurants, specialist shops, colourful public art and flavours from across Asia and beyond.
Little Italy: Centred around Preston Street, this vibrant area combines Italian restaurants and cafés with contemporary dining and easy access to Dow’s Lake.
Wellington West and Hintonburg: One of Ottawa’s most creative areas, with murals, galleries, independent boutiques, excellent restaurants and lively cocktail bars.
Westboro Village: A stylish neighbourhood offering boutiques, cafés and restaurants, with quick access to riverside trails and outdoor activities.
This article was created in partnership with Air Transat and Tourism Ottawa as part of the City Girl Guide to Canada.
