Parliament Hill
Free tours, the Peace Tower, and the summer light show.
Ottawa in pictures
Ottawa
Canada's capital, four hours from Union
Destinations › Canada › Ottawa
Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and world-class museums make Ottawa a rewarding long weekend — and you can get there and around without a car.
VIA Rail runs from Toronto Union to Ottawa in roughly 4 hours, dropping you near downtown. Porter also flies from Billy Bishop (the downtown island airport), and FlixBus is the budget option.
Downtown is walkable, and the Rideau Canal itself is a walking and cycling path (and the world's largest skating rink in winter). OC Transpo buses and the O-Train cover the rest.
Free tours, the Peace Tower, and the summer light show.
A UNESCO site — cycle it in summer, skate it in winter.
Just across the river in Gatineau, with the best city views.
Food stalls, cafés and nightlife in the old market quarter.
May for the Tulip Festival, February for Winterlude and canal skating, and autumn for the colour along the canal.
Compare the ways to get there, then build a day-by-day plan.
VIA Rail runs from Toronto Union to Ottawa in roughly 4 hours, dropping you near downtown. Porter also flies from Billy Bishop (the downtown island airport), and FlixBus is the budget option.
Downtown is walkable, and the Rideau Canal itself is a walking and cycling path (and the world's largest skating rink in winter). OC Transpo buses and the O-Train cover the rest.
May for the Tulip Festival, February for Winterlude and canal skating, and autumn for the colour along the canal.