Experience nature and outdoor activities in Ottawa

Find your favourite Ottawa park

Ottawa honours its national heritage and breathes life into its lush surroundings in these historic parks:

Confederation Park

Established in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s its 100th birthday, Confederation Park is a quiet sanctuary within the city. In addition to being a green escape, it also hosts major cultural events such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

Major’s Hill Park

Located downtown near museums, galleries and the bustling ByWard Market, Major’s Hill Park spans 5.06 acres of scenic parkland. Walk or bike among diverse tree species—many dating to ancient forests—and enjoy unmatched views of Ottawa’s historic architecture.

Rideau Falls Park

Rideau Falls marks the dramatic meeting point of the Rideau and Ottawa rivers, where twin waterfalls cascade beside monuments and memorials. Just steps away from the Prime Minister of Canada’s official residence, the park offers both natural splendour and a window into the nation’s history.

View a multitude of tulips

When springtime comes to Ottawa, tulips are everywhere you look. May brings brilliant bursts of red, yellow, orange, purple and white blanket the city’s parks and green spaces. Why so many tulips?

During World War II, Canada sheltered the Royal Family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was in exile. When the royal family returned to the Netherlands, the Dutch government gratefully acknowledged Canada’s kindness by sending 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa—establishing a tradition that lasts to this day. In fact, the tulip is designated Ottawa’s official flower.

The city’s annual Canadian Tulip Festival grew from this gift to become the largest tulip festival anywhere in the world. The free 11-day event has been held every May since 1953 and officially marks the start of springtime in Ottawa. Bring your selfie stick and biggest smile as you find yourself among more than one million tulips in full bloom in a city-wide spectacle of colour. The festival includes fields of tulips, fresh-cut flowers, arts and crafts for sale and the Tulip Town activity area for children.

Journey on the Rideau Canal: skate, paddle or boat

The historic Rideau Canal is a wonder of human imagination. The hand-built canal is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. It attracts visitors from around the world throughout the year and offers countless ways to explore.

Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway

In winter, experience one of Canada’s most iconic traditions by skating along the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest naturally frozen ice rink, extending 7.8 kilometres. Rent skates at Capital Skates and skim the entire distance from downtown Ottawa to Dow’s Lake.

Paddle or cruise in warmer months 

When temperatures rise, the canal becomes a hub for boating. Rent a paddle boat or board your choice of Rideau Canal Cruises, which let you combine your cruise with biking or double-decker bus sightseeing options. For a unique evening experience, join a nighttime kayaking tour along the Rideau Canal with Ottawa Valley Air Paddle. Your kayak with enchanting LED lights will create a spectacle of colours that dance along the canal’s surface.

Travel the canal by houseboat 

Turn a day trip into an extended adventure with Le Boat, a Rideau Canal cruise experience like no other. Navigate the entire 202 kilometres from Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario on a private luxury houseboat. Pass islands and lakes and travel the canal’s network of lift locks into enchanting small towns. Stop to explore charming towns along the way.

Canada’s capital is made for exploring at ground level, with more than 800 kilometres of scenic pathways weaving through the city and beyond.

Capital Pathway and scenic trails

The Capital Pathway network runs more than 200 kilometres, connecting Ottawa’s endless parks, gardens, museums and more. Wind your way through downtown, the suburbs and out into the countryside alongside many urban explorers

Walking tours and local guides

Book a tour, such as Ottawa Walking Tours, that explores the rich history of the city’s many significant landmarks. Maximize your travel budget by joining popular Ottawa Free Tours led by local volunteers who know and love the city they call home.

Cycling routes and rentals

Cover more ground on two wheels. Rent bikes–including tandem and electric options–from RentABike and Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals,  conveniently located near downtown hotels.

There are several popular routes to consider.

• The scenic Sightseeing Cycling Route, through Ottawa’s most picturesque sites.
• The westbound Ottawa River pathway past the Ottawa Locks, Parliament Hill and the Canadian War Museum, ending near sandy beaches and parks.

• The Rideau Canal pathway through the vibrant Glebe neighbourhood, the lush botanical gardens near Dow’s Lake and Little Italy.

  If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, there are many off-road mountain biking opportunities available.

Engage in thrilling adventures nearby: rafting and ziplines

With vast stretches of unspoiled land just beyond the city, the call of the wild is irresistible. Rocky terrain, thrilling rapids and endless blue sky are the backdrop for a genuine true north adventure.

River rafting

Drive 90 minutes from Parliament Hill to Foresters Falls for wet and wild white-water rafting on the rapids of the Ottawa River. This is the same challenging route the coureur des bois (early French-Canadian traders) travelled by canoe to trap and trade beaver pelts, dating back to the 1680s.

Travel in their wake—but safely out of danger in a high-tech 21st-century inflatable raft navigated by an experienced, professional guide. Both Wilderness Tours and its neighbour ten minutes down the road, OWL Rafting, offer 4–6 hour day trips and overnighters ranging from family-friendly to the extreme edge of exhilarating.

Urban rafting 

Looking for adventure without leaving the city? OttawaCity Rafting takes you along the Ottawa River for a thrilling, one-of-a-kind perspective on the Parliament Buildings and downtown core. While pedestrians stroll the city sidewalks nearby, you can enjoy cliff jumping, body surfing, and roaring rapids.

Ziplining

Take your adventure to new heights with Interzip zipline. Soar more than 35 metres above the Ottawa River at speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, crossing between Ontario and Quebec. The panoramic views are spectacular—you may even spot peregrine falcons circling overhead.

Find endless biodiversity and beauty beyond Ottawa

Hop in the car (or, if you’d like to reduce your carbon footprint, a bicycle) and trek to the countless parks and conservation areas outside of Ottawa.

National Capital Greenbelt

Ottawa’s National Capital Greenbelt is the most ecologically diverse area in all of Eastern Ontario. This publicly owned, 20,000-hectare area was created in the 1950s to prevent urban sprawl from threatening the delicate natural ecosystems. The result is an unspoiled, horseshoe-shaped region where time has stood still for generations. Today, the greenbelt protects farms, forests, beaver dams, wetlands and sand dunes—and their inhabitants, such as snowy owls, black-backed woodpeckers and Canada’s iconic beavers—from modern progress.

Nature-loving and ecology-minded visitors are more than welcome, with several hiking trails suitable for beginners and the more adventurous. Bring hiking boots or snowshoes!

Discover everything Ottawa and the surrounding greenbelt have to offer nature lovers looking to experience Canada at its best. Visit Ottawa Tourism to begin planning a memorable vacation.

Travelling from Australia or the UK? Discover bookable packages and offers for Australian travellers or packages and offers for UK travellers to start planning your perfect trip.