A new year means new destinations and new experiences to cross off your bucket list. For Canadians who want to explore their backyard, a Canadian city made the list of the best destinations to visit in 2023.
CNN’s list of the top 23 destinations to visit in 2023 included the capital city of Ottawa, and called it “graceful and understated”. Although Ottawa doesn’t have the “French flair” that Montreal has, it definitely has its top-rated tourist attractions which shouldn’t be missed.
Although most sightseeing tours in Ottawa operate in the summer, there is an abundance of activities to keep you busy in the winter. Save your summer for the beaches and lakes of Muskoka and visit Ottawa in the winter. All you need to do is bundle up a bit.
What to Do Year-Round
Music lovers can enjoy Ottawa’s Jazz Festival at the beginning of February, or alternatively in June. The city also hosts the annual Winterlude Festival in February, where travelers can enjoy stunning ice sculptures created by artists.
History lovers will find themselves in paradise! This city is famous for having an abundance of museums which draw all interests. So, why stay indoors in the summer when you can visit the museums in the winter?
The Canadian Museum of History will take you through every little detail of life in Canada, from the first peoples of the pacific to post-Confederation. After that, make sure to also visit the Canadian War Museum. After describing what war is for those who are new to history, the exhibits walk you through all the wars that shaped Canada, from the arrival of the Europeans to the War of 1812 to after WWII. As a bonus, you will also learn about the American Revolution and actions from WWII beyond the topics of how Canada was involved in those wars. These two museums will make history actually make sense to those who struggle to understand the history of the world.
Other museums, to name a fraction of them, include the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Science and Technology Museum for those who want to learn how technology came to be, and the famous Canada Aviation and Space Museum for those who want to walk through the history of aviation from when the first plane was invented.
And a visit to Ottawa is certainly not complete without touring the Canadian Parliament. Travelers can choose between a tour of the Senate or the House of Commons. These tours are complimentary, however, it’s recommended to book ahead as they do tend to fill up.
Teo’s Travel Tip: You may have read elsewhere that the Parliament offers a 360-degree view of Ottawa from the Peace Tower. Unfortunately, that section of the Parliament will be closed until at least 2035 if not longer for a huge restoration project that is currently happening.
What to Do in the Summer
Other than the year-round attractions, there are an abundance of sightseeing tours which operate from May to October. The most famous one is the Guided City Tour by Amphibious Bus, which takes you through the city then becomes a boat to take you on the water for beautiful city views. It will also take you past the Prime Minister’s House. And don’t miss out on a Rideau Canal cruise, which will take you back to 1812 when the plan to build a canal was introduced. Discover the rich history and landmarks of this city, from Dow’s Lake to the Ottawa River, along with beautiful views of the Canadian Parliament.
Adventure seekers will want to visit Ottawa in the summer. Keep in mind, however, that most adventures are located outside Ottawa. Choose from Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Jetskiing on the Ottawa River, or enjoy a 3-hour wilderness treetop trek at Camp Fortune. Done all those? Sign your life away at the Great Canadian Bungee, the highest in Canada which allows you to zipline between two provinces. Haven’t signed your life away enough? Just across the river in Gatineau, you can go skydiving at Parachute GO Skydive!
Teo’s Travel Tip: if you’re going to go skydiving, make sure you go in the morning and don’t make other plans until after lunch. It’s a very weather-dependent activity, and if it’s too windy, they may postpone and/or cancel it. If you go in the morning and they postpone it, no problem. Or, the wind may pick up later in the day after you’ve already done it in the morning when the winds were calm!
Have I inspired you to visit Canada’s capital? Contact Unravel World Travel for travel arrangements including, but not limited to, your hotel stay and sightseeing tours, among other activities on request.