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10 Days in Ottawa: A Journey of Discovery

Ananya Talukdar

Ananya Talukdar

12 Dec 2023

Embark on a thrilling 10-day adventure in Ottawa, Canada's captivating capital. Explore fascinating museums, immerse yourself in nature's beauty, and soak up the rich history and culture of this vibrant city. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this itinerary will leave you spellbound.

Trip to Ottawa

Day 1Unveiling Technological Wonders and Natural Delights
+

$63

·

$ 17

Canada Science and Technology Museum
Striking, modern museum with exhibits & programs devoted to Canadian science & technology.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$38
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Commissioners Park
Tranquil park along Dows Lake, home to a famed spring Tulip Festival, offering paths & picnic areas.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Picturesque park featuring wildflowers, tranquil paths & wildlife in a butterfly meadow & frog pond.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Watson's Mill (Museum/Historic Site)
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$25
Day 2Parks Galore: Serenity and Tranquility Await
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$0

·

$ 11

Andrew Haydon Park
Waterfront public park with lawns, a bandshell, a picnic pavilion, playground & manmade waterfall.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Dominion Arboretum
Visitors can explore many gardens at the country's oldest arboretum, home to 10,000 kinds of plants.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Hog's Back Park
Celebrated park featuring impressive waterfalls & a dam, picnic areas, hiking trails & green space.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Mooney's Bay Park and Beach
Riverfront park offering beach swimming, playgrounds & a sled hill, plus family events & festivals.
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 3From Parks to Parliament: A Day of Adventure
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$38

·

$ 11

Vincent Massey Park
Community park on 71.4 acres with a bandstand, sports fields, picnic tables, BBQ pits & trails.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Working farm in a large barn with live animals, demonstrations & educational exhibits.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$38
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Bank of Canada Museum / Musée de la Banque du Canada
Renovated museum presenting interactive exhibits on economy & bank's role in Canada's economy.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Parliament Hill
Grand, neo-Gothic complex hosting Canada's legislature, with artworks, lush grounds & tours.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
Day 4Immerse in History and Nature's Treasures
+

$75

·

$ 22

Little Ray's Nature Centre
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$25
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
Collection of structures depicting early 20th-century life from a general store to a train station.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$25
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Proulx Sugar Bush & Berry Farm
Since 1920, this family-owned farm has offered maple products & activities such as berry picking.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$25
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Princess Louise Falls
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Mer Bleue Bog
This 1.2km looping interpretive boardwalk trail passes through the Mer Bleue Bog.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
•
Free
Day 5Beaches, Canals, and Monuments: Ottawa's Charm
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$25

·

$ 6

Petrie Island Beach
Supervised public beach for swimming & water activities, plus a park with play & picnic areas.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
20 - 24 min

~

Directions

Rideau Canal, Locks 1 - 8 - Ottawa
Manually operated locks on a 19th-century canal popular for kayaking & cycling tours, plus camping.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

The National War Memorial
Confederation Square war memorial with a 70-ft. arch & statue, built from granite & bronze.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Bytown Museum
Museum on the the Rideau Canal featuring exhibits & an audio tour on Ottawa's history.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$25
8 - 11 min

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Directions

Centennial Flame
Fountain-&-flame landmark dedicated in 1967 to honor Canada's 100th anniversary of confederation.
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 6Uncovering Secrets of the Past and Nature's Mysteries
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$38

·

$ 11

Fitzroy Provincial Park
Wooded park with campgrounds, boating, swimming beaches & hiking trails, plus centennial trees.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
25 - 30 min

~

Directions

Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
Cold War museum in a massive underground bunker featuring military artifacts, exhibits & events.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$38
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

South March Highlands Conservation Forest
This 457-hectare forested nature preserve offers hiking, mountain biking & more.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
Day 7Outdoor Thrills and Cultural Marvels
+

$25

·

$ 17

Mount Pakenham
Family-friendly ski resort with beginner runs plus snowboarding, tubing, a lounge & gift shop.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
55 - 66 min

~

Directions

Canadian Children's Museum
Playful children's museum offering hands-on exhibitions, costumes, artifacts, toys & games.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$25
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Jacques-Cartier Park
23-hectare park, site of the Winterlude festival (Feb), offering recreational paths & river views.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Pink Lake
Green-hued lake featuring a hiking route with sections of wooden stairs & an observation deck.
No time set
•
Free
Day 8Exploring Parks, Museums, and Architectural Marvels
+

$30

·

$ 11

Parc du Lac-Beauchamp
Recreation area on Lake Beauchamp with a swimming beach, canoe rentals & various winter sports.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
23 - 28 min

~

Directions

Royal Canadian Mint
Castle-like 1908 Mint headquarters with guided tours & world's biggest coin & gold bars on display.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Dating to the 19th century, this church features a colourful interior & skyline-dominating spires.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Canadian Museum of Nature
Natural history exhibits in a Scottish baronial-style building, with fossils, insects & dioramas.
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$30
Day 9Art, History, and Grandeur: Ottawa's Cultural Tapestry
+

$63

·

$ 11

Ottawa City Hall
Two-building city hall, with a "heritage" section built around 1875 connected to a modern wing.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Ottawa Art Gallery
Sleek gallery with paintings, sculptures & photos by Canadian artists, including the Group of Seven.
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
$25
13 - 20 min

~

Directions

National Gallery of Canada
This spacious museum focused on Canadian art also has global artworks, 2 cafes & a seasonal lounge.
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$38
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Rideau Hall
This historic 1830s structure with landscaped grounds is the official home of the Governor General.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Library of Parliament
No time set
•
Free
Day 10A Journey through Museums, Parks, and Breathtaking Views
+

$75

·

$ 22

Canadian Museum of History
Museum chronicling Canadian culture & history, with an IMAX theater & separate children's museum.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$38
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Canadian War Museum
Set in a modern building, this museum is dedicated to documenting Canadian military history.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$38
5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Remic Rapids Park
Riverfront park known for its collection of balanced rock sculptures by artist John Felice Ceprano.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free
40 - 48 min

~

Directions

Champlain Lookout
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
31 - 38 min

~

Directions

Galerie St-Laurent + Hill - Ottawa Art Gallery
No time set
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $566 In total

Activities & Food:$430
Transport:$136