The Culture Itinerary

Day 1

10:00 am:

Begin this tour with a broad cultural overview of Canada at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The building itself is spectacular, with its curving forms and breath-taking interiors such as the Grand Hall.

Tip: The museum also houses the Canadian Children’s Museum—one of the most fun places in the region—so there’s plenty to see and do before lunch.

1:00 pm:

Take a break at the Café du Musée or the more casual Voyageurs Cafeteria—both offer amazing views of the Ottawa skyline.

2:00 pm:

Catch the latest IMAX flick. Sit back in a reclining seat to get the full effect of the seven-storey high screen and curved dome.

3:30 pm:

Ottawa is home to a growing number of art galleries, including the Ottawa Art Gallery, where an excellent and varied collection of contemporary and 20th century art awaits.

6:00 pm:

Send your evening at the National Arts Centre, and discover the true flavours of Canada with a global twist offered by the award-winning NAC Executive Chef Michael Blackie at Le Café, the NAC’s fabulous restaurant (reservations required).

Youth/family-friendly option: Stop in for an Italian treat at The Grand Pizzeria, a great hotspot with authentic Neapolitain pizza.

8:00 pm:

Theatre? Dance? The symphony? The National Arts Centre is home to the NAC Orchestra (under the musical direction of Pinchas Zukerman) as well as English and French theatre presenting the best of stage artistry from across the country.

Day 2

10:00 am:

You can’t leave town without a tour through the National Gallery of Canada with its giant bronze spider, Maman, on the plaza entranceway. Permanent exhibits include major works from European, American and Canadian masters among many others. Guided tours or personal tours with audio guide are available.

1:00 pm:

Just steps away in the ByWard Market is the Empire Grill — the perfect spot for lunch.

3:00 pm:

Spend the afternoon at the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park. Roam around the romantic gardens and picturesque ruins or take one of the many trails through the woods before stopping for tea at the Mackenzie King Tearoom. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes.

6:30 pm:

You can indulge in dinner at the Courtyard Restaurant that serves Canadian cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers and is a favorite destination for relaxed fine dining.

Youth/family-friendly option: Always popular with a younger crowd, stop in for supper at the Ottawa location of the Hard Rock Cafe. Great food and rock memorabilia make for a fun evening.

8:30 pm:

No need to wait for Halloween to enjoy a really good scare. Take a lantern-guided walking tour of the city’s ‘darker side’ with the Haunted Walks of Ottawa. Large groups are welcome with reservations.

Day 3

10:00 am:

The ideal place to start the day is the Bytown Museum, with its wealth of photographs and artifacts about Ottawa’s early days, before it became the capital. As the museum is located at the entrance to Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rideau Canal, you’ll view those first locks with fresh eyes once you learn about the monumental challenges of their creation.

11:00 am:

Adventurous groups will love paddling a voyageur canoe to Aboriginal Experiences (groups only), a native village with live dance performances, guided tours, craft workshops, authentic meals, and more.

1:00 pm:

Pick a delicious dish from the Latin-inspired menu at the Mambo Nuevo Latino restaurant in the ByWard Market.

2:30 pm:

Stay in the neighbourhood and head over to the Royal Canadian Mint. Unique collectables such as hockey and dinosaur coins are for sale in the boutique.

4:00 pm:

Paul’s Boat Line’s is the ideal sightseeing venue on the water. Choose to see Ottawa scenery via the Rideau Canal or the Ottawa River. You will see the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer Samuel de Champlain. Operating from May to October, evening cruises end on Labour Day.

5:30 pm:

Patterned after the great steak houses of North America, is one of Ottawa's best choices for steak and seafood, Prime 360, or enjoy a little taste of New Orleans at Big Daddy’s Crab Shack on Elgin Street.

8:00 pm:

With nearly 100 years under its belt, Ottawa Little Theatre is Canada’s oldest community theatre. The facility presents a great mix of comedies, mysteries, and dramas to entertain diverse audiences.