Tour Times – May 2024

The Canadian Tulip Festival

From May 10-20, 2024, (and in 2025, from May 9-19) Canada’s capital is transformed by tulips that burst into colour each year. While the blooms can be seen across the city, the Canadian Tulip Festival takes place at Commissioners Park alongside the Rideau Canal’s Dow's Lake.

The festival has impressive historic ties to the Netherlands. During World War II, the Royal Family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands sought safety in Ottawa, leading to the birth of Her Royal Highness, Princess Margriet on Canadian soil in 1943.

Canadian troops played a significant role in liberating the Netherlands two years later and in a show of thanks, the Dutch government continues to send Canada a gift of tulip bulbs each year since 1945.

This year, visitors can enjoy over 300,000 tulips along with heritage displays, a Tulip Town activity area for kids and a blacklight boardwalk experience from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. nightly. The Tulip Market features regional artisans sharing tulip-inspired pieces and fresh-cut flowers, and the Tulip Boutique offers festival merchandise and souvenirs.

Other programming includes special guided tours, spooky stories at night, daily outdoor movies and a new Operation Sound & Light Story show at 9 p.m. each evening that remembers the Royal Canadian Air Force’s role in World War II.

There’s even a drone show debuting for the first time on May 19 at 9:30 p.m. to commemorate the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100-year centennial.

This colourful, seasonal spectacle can’t be missed, and access to the site and select programming is free! For more festival programming information, you can view the Canadian Tulip Festival website and the Tour Operator Information page for a list of standard items in the festival, as well as future dates.

Canadian Museum of Nature introduces Bug Adventure

The latest exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Bug Adventure, immerses you in the world of insects, arachnids and millipedes. The exciting exhibit features interactive spaces and live creatures to discover — brought to you by the design team behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar! You can experience the world of all things that creep and crawl until October 14, 2024.

Pedal around Ottawa with Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals

Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals offers daily bike tours from April to November guided by Ottawa locals as well as bike, e-bike, scooter or boat rentals. All-day, multi-day and specialty tours are available, as well as private tour options for school and other groups. It’s an adventurous and convenient way to discover landmarks, attractions and a range of neighbourhoods while listening to a guide share stories of Ottawa’s past and present.

The Canadian Museum of History introduces First Royals of Europe

The Canadian Museum of History’s latest special exhibition features over 700 rare objects from 26 institutions across southeastern Europe. First Royals of Europe highlights 6,500 years of power in ancient Europe. Until January 19, 2025, visitors can learn about how wealth was controlled, ceremonies were enacted and war was waged.

Oh Crap! at the Canada Science and Technology Museum

A new temporary exhibit called Oh Crap! Rethinking Human Waste will be fascinating visitors at the Canada Science and Technology Museum from May 10, 2024 – January 5, 2025. The unexpected exhibit takes visitors on a journey into the environmental and social issues related to human waste, challenging viewers to understand one of the most misunderstood resources on the planet.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum announces new permanent exhibit

The Cold War is a permanent exhibit at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The exhibit charts a period of chaos, tension and change throughout Canada and the rest of the world.

Bank of Canada Museum introduces a kid-friendly play exhibit

A play-based exhibition, Money in 10 Questions: Kids Edition, has launched at the Bank of Canada Museum to teach kids the basics of money and personal finance. Kids are tasked with trying to save a million dollars while balancing a budget and striving to be a kid entrepreneur. The exhibit is available until December 2024.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum’s latest exhibit

Farming For the Future is an exhibit exploring the sustainability of Canadian farming at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Discover how new technologies and agricultural practices affect the efficiency of crop production while also avoiding harm to our climate.

Tours by Locals launches more unique tours

Tours by Locals offers engaging tours led by an expert local guide. Recently, Ottawa local guides have introduced tours with a focus on military history and foodie tours. Guides are venturing beyond Ottawa to include locations such as the 1000 Islands, Upper Canada Village, Parc Omega and even day trips to Montreal.

The ideal city for student groups

Ottawa is the country’s #1 destination for students! There are plenty of resources on the Travel Trade website for student groups, including a student sample itinerary and FAM tours (with virtual options).

Ottawa in bloom

Visiting Ottawa in the spring means entering a floral wonderland. Not only is the Canadian Tulip Festival delighting visitors from May 10-20, 2024, but the rest of the city is also in full bloom. You can experience tulips throughout the city with this roundup or stroll around the city’s numerous gardens.

Virtual Coffee Break FAM

The Bank of Canada Museum, located in the heart of Canada’s central bank is a space dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the national economy. Discover Canada’s economic system with a variety of interactive exhibits and old artifacts.

Planning a new tour to Ottawa but can’t get here just yet? Explore Canada’s capital through our many virtual guided tours and FAMs.

To discover more springtime activities in the region, check out this spring itinerary. You can also get in touch with the Ottawa Tourism Travel Trade team here or explore the Travel Trade toolbox.

Like what you’re seeing? 👀 Spread the word to your fellow Travel Trade pros! They can subscribe to this quarterly newsletter by contacting Ottawa Tourism’s Travel Trade team.