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Ottawa in 2 days: a walkable itinerary

Two days is the sweet spot for a first visit. This plan keeps day one on foot downtown and uses day two for the river and the hills.

Updated October 2026 · How we make money

On this page
  1. Where to stay
  2. Day 1: downtown on foot
  3. Day 2: across the river and into the hills
  4. Booking a Parliament tour
  5. Tours worth booking
  6. Got a third day?
  7. With kids
  8. Ottawa without a car
  9. Coming from Toronto
  10. FAQ

Where to stay

For a two-day trip, stay central so you can walk everywhere on day one.

  • ByWard Market / downtown: closest to everything, lively at night. Best for first-timers.
  • Centretown and the Golden Triangle: quieter, walkable to Parliament and the canal.
  • The Glebe: neighbourhood feel, great shops and restaurants, near Lansdowne and the canal.
Hotels near the ByWard MarketAll Ottawa hotels

Day 1: downtown on foot

  1. Parliament Hill (morning). Walk the grounds and the lawn. Centre Block is closed for a long-term renovation, but free guided tours of the House of Commons (West Block) and the Senate are offered. Book ahead in summer. From late June to August, the Changing of the Guard happens on the lawn most mornings.
  2. Rideau Canal locks. Walk down the flight of locks between Parliament and the Château Laurier, and pop into the Bytown Museum at the bottom.
  3. Lunch in the ByWard Market. Food stalls, patios and the obligatory BeaverTail.
  4. National Gallery of Canada (afternoon). Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is right across Sussex Drive if you want a quick look first.
  5. Sunset at Kìwekì Point behind the gallery, or from Major's Hill Park.
  6. Dinner and drinks back in the Market, or a nightcap on the Andaz rooftop.

Day 2: across the river and into the hills

  1. Walk the Alexandra Bridge to Gatineau for the best view of Parliament from the water. It's scheduled to be replaced starting in 2028; until then, the walkway is the classic crossing.
  2. Canadian Museum of History. Give it two to three hours.
  3. Afternoon, choose one:
    • Outdoorsy: drive 20 minutes to Gatineau Park for Pink Lake and Champlain Lookout (summer and fall).
    • Relaxing: spend the afternoon at Nordik Spa in Chelsea.
    • No car: rent a bike and ride the canal path to Dow's Lake, or take a boat cruise.
  4. Evening: dinner in the Glebe or at Lansdowne, or in Old Chelsea if you went to the hills.
Visiting in winter? Swap the bike ride for skating the canal (usually mid-January to early March) and see our indoor winter guide for backup plans.

Booking a Parliament tour

  • Tours of the House of Commons (West Block) and the Senate are free. Reserve online in advance; a limited number of same-day tickets are released at each site.
  • At West Block, everyone 16 and over needs government-issued photo ID. Arrive about 45 minutes early for registration and security screening.
  • Tours aren't offered when the House or Senate is sitting, so check available times before you build your day around one.
  • In summer, East Block adds restored 19th-century rooms and a Centre Block multimedia experience.

Tours worth booking

  • Hop-on hop-off or city bus tour: a good first-morning overview if you're short on time.
  • Ottawa River cruise: Parliament from the water.
  • Food tour of the ByWard Market: lunch and local history in one.
  • Whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River: about 90 minutes west of the city, a big summer draw for groups.
City toursRiver cruisesRafting trips

Got a third day? A 3-day Ottawa itinerary

Use day three to get out of the city:

More options: day trips from Ottawa.

Ottawa itinerary with kids

Keep day one, but swap the National Gallery for the Museum of Nature. On day two, pair the Museum of History with the Children's Museum inside it, and add the Science and Technology Museum or a city beach in summer. Plan one big thing per half-day, with a playground or ice cream break in between. See rainy day ideas for kids.

Ottawa without a car

Downtown, the Market, the canal and the museums are all walkable, and the O-Train and OC Transpo buses cover the rest. STO buses run to Gatineau, the canal pathways are made for rented bikes, and the free Gatineau Park shuttle reaches the main lookouts. For day trips, book a tour.

An Ottawa weekend from Toronto

It's about 4 to 5 hours each way by car or VIA Rail; the train drops you at Ottawa station, a short ride from downtown. Arrive Friday evening, follow days one and two above, and leave Sunday afternoon. Book hotels early for Winterlude, the Tulip Festival and Canada Day.

Downtown hotels

Keep planning

FAQ

Is 2 days enough in Ottawa?

Yes for the highlights. Two days covers Parliament, the Market, the canal, a couple of museums and a taste of Gatineau Park. Add a third day for Wakefield or a longer hills trip.

Can you tour Parliament while Centre Block is closed?

Yes. Free guided tours of the House of Commons in West Block and of the Senate are offered. Book ahead, especially in summer.

Where should I stay in Ottawa for a weekend?

The ByWard Market and downtown are the most convenient for first-timers. Centretown and the Glebe are quieter alternatives within walking or short transit distance.

Do I need a car in Ottawa?

Not for downtown. A car helps for Gatineau Park, Chelsea and Wakefield, which have limited transit.

Do you need to book Parliament tours in advance?

It's strongly recommended. Tours are free, but same-day tickets are limited, and visitors 16 and over need government-issued photo ID at West Block.

Is a weekend in Ottawa worth it from Toronto?

Yes. It's about 4 to 5 hours by car or train, and two days covers the main sights.

The weekend, sorted

One short email on Thursdays: what's worth doing in Ottawa and the Gatineau Hills this weekend, and nothing you'll skip.

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