What to do in Ottawa

Advice on what to do in Ottawa, including culture, relaxation, nightlife, sport and food.

Cultural attractions in Ottawa
One of Ottawa's most pleasant features is the Rideau Canal, by which tourists and locals spend days relaxing. You can go and learn how the canal came into existence by visiting the Bytown Museum, Ottawa's oldest building and home to the possessions of lieutenant colonel By. He was one of Ottawa's most notable citizens, and the museum provides an insight into his life and those of the community of 19th century Ottawa.

Parliament Hill is worth a visit to see where the country's movers and shakers make key decisions. The buildings are striking and formidable, and tourists should make time to see three blocks of Parliament, which contain the house of commons and the senate.

The Canadian War Museum gives a fascinating insight into the country's military exploits through the ages, from the Seven Years' War in the 18th century through to the Cold War in the 1960s.There are interactive exhibits for all the family, such as the option to build your own fort.

Relaxation in Ottawa
Spend a day relaxing on the Ottawa River, which will take you along most of the city. Ideal for admiring Ottawa's architecture, you can get into the thick of the city if your boat navigates onto the Rideau Canal. There are plenty of boat operators who offer this service, for fares of around £8.

Keep the kids entertained for hours at the Midway Family Fun Park. A child's paradise of jungle gyms, dodgems, mini golf, bowling lanes and simulation machines, at the end of the day you are guaranteed, as well as fun, some tired little heads for the evening.

There are plenty of places to ski and snowboard around Ottawa, and it is worth cutting the powder on Mont Ste Marie, arguably the best slope in the region. More pricey than others, but you get what you pay for. More conveniently, there is Camp Fortune, which is only a quarter of an hour away from the city centre. In addition to normal slope skiing, you can try night skiing and cross country skiing.

Nightlife in Ottawa
Get your rocks off at Barrymore's Music Hall. Having nothing to do with the madcap British light-entertainer, this former cinema instead focuses its attentions on live rock, from established and up-and-coming bands.

On weekdays enjoy a quiet cocktail in the company of Scandinavian beauties at Helsinki, where you can relax by open fires and indulge in intimate chitter chatter. When it gets to the weekend, get down with DJs playing drum 'n' bass and hip hop.

Sport in Ottawa
Ice hockey is the primary sport in Ottawa, and you can enjoy a puck slapping spectacle with the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place.

Recommended restaurants in Ottawa
Being in Canada with its rich French heritage, you would expect to be able to dine on excellent French food. One place where you get excellent French food is the tiny Arc on Slater Street, which specialises in carefully considered dishes, such as duck confit on roasted bell peppers and seafood chowder.

Achingly chic stylings are the order of the day decor-wise, while the plat du jour can be anything from Chipotle-rubbed pork to lentil salad with chimichurri sauce, at E18teen near Byward Market. The food is constantly adventurous, as is the restaurateur's policy of having DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.