Tour Rideau Hall, the governor general residence

Fairmont Château Laurier has stood beside the Ottawa Locks since 1912 and is a National Historic Site, so a night here doubles as a heritage visit. The building mixes French Renaissance style with neo-Gothic touches, in granite and limestone under a copper roof. Photographer Yousuf Karsh lived and worked here, and…

The Ottawa Jail Hostel is the former Carleton County Gaol, completed in 1862 and used as a hostel for about five decades. You can sleep in private cells or dorm rooms with stone walls and iron doors more than 150 years old. Guided jail tours are free for guests, and non-guests can book them too, so ask at reception…

CityFolk, Ottawa's big September music festival, is no longer held at Lansdowne Park. From 2026 it moved to the RA Centre on Riverside Drive because of reconstruction at Lansdowne, but some listings still describe the old site. Confirm the venue and dates on the organizer's official site before you book transport or a…

Doors Open Ottawa opens dozens of heritage buildings, museums and unusual sites to the public for free over one weekend in early June. Some places are open only one of the two days, and a few are as far out as Carp and Cumberland, so build a short list the week before and check each site. Look for spots that are…

The Rainbow Bistro on Murray Street in the ByWard Market is a small live music bar with a long blues history that now also books rock and indie acts, and it is still hosting shows in autumn 2026. Check the venue listings for the night you are in town, since the lineup changes through the week and shows start in the…

The National Arts Centre at 1 Elgin Street is home to the NAC Orchestra, which plays in Southam Hall, and the season mixes classical programs with film music and family shows. Anyone under 30 can buy Under30 tickets at a flat low price for eligible shows, up to four per order, which makes a night out easy on a budget…

The Snow Goose on Sparks Street Mall is a family-run gallery of Inuit and First Nations art, from soapstone carvings and prints to jewellery. It is a calm place to learn before you buy: ask who made each piece, which community the artist comes from and how it was made. Browsing is free, and it is open Tuesday to…

The Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne Park runs every Sunday all year, outside by the Aberdeen Pavilion in warm months and inside the heritage building in winter. Vendors come from within about 100 km and sell what they make or grow, so ask them how things are produced. Go early for the best choice and bring a bag…