Where to Stay in Ottawa

Our Favorite Ottawa Hotels

Luxury Hotel: Fairmont Chateau Laurier
β€’ Boutique Hotel: Le Germain
β€’ Inexpensive Accommodation: The Business Inn & Suites
β€’ Family Hotel: Delta City Centre
β€’ Best Pool: Hilton Lac-Leamy (outdoor) β€’ Sheraton (indoor)
β€’ Blue Horizon – Hotel contact number: +1 787 741 3318
a large building with a clock on top of it

The Best Area to Stay in Ottawa

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is a cosmopolitan city with a population just over one million, showcasing excellent museums and historic sights alongside the Canadian parliament and government buildings, the National Arts Centre, and an outdoorsy culture fueled by numerous parks, gardens, and miles of bicycle and hiking trails for water activities on the Ottawa River, Rideau River, and Rideau Canal. Many of the major attractions are congregated in the southern region adjacent to the Ottawa River, around Parliament Hill and in the Downtown core. The other concentration is across the Rideau Canal, where ByWard Market anchors Ottawa’s culinary and nightlife scenes. These central neighborhoods are where most hotels are situated and offer easy access to the rest of the city.

Centretown lies simply to the south of Downtown, worthwhile exploring for its dining and shopping chances, as well as the Canadian Museum of Nature. On the other side of the Ottawa River in francophone Gatineau, Quebec, sits the massive Canadian Museum of History. To the west of Downtown lie a series of intriguing neighborhoods worthwhile checking out if you have additional time, or if this is your second visit, though lodging possibilities are slim on the ground: Chinatown,Little Italy, and the hip enclaves of Hintonburg,Wellington Village, and Westboro.

If your time is to primarily be devoted to exploring Downtown and its environs, renting a car will likely be unnecessary – you`ll be capable of walking between Parliament Hill and ByWard Market, and taxis or buses provide convenient transportation alternatives. Public transit – including buses and Ottawa`s light rail system (O-Train) – are run by OC Transpo, while SociΓ©tΓ© de Transport de l’Outaouais operates on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. Single fares cost C$3.65 (somewhat cheaper with a stored value card), and a one-day pass is C$11. Renting a vehicle can help save time and money for exploring outer neighborhoods or attractions like the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, and Gatineau Park.

Ottawa Travel Tips

  • Ottawa International Airport is around 8 miles (13km) south of Downtown. OC Transpo bus #97 is the cheapest method to get into the city ($3.65).
  • Though cycling is very popular in Ottawa, the city currently lacks a bike share program, opting instead to allow electric scooters to operate between April and November: Bird Canada, Lime and Neuron operate there.
  • Note that while Uber and Lyft drivers can drop off customers on the Quebec side of the river, they currently cannot pick them up there ‧ this is particularly important to know if you opt to stay in Gatineau.
  • For shuttle trips across the Ottawa River in the summer, check the eco-friendly Aqua Taxi.
  • If you plan to visit all the significant museums in Ottawa, you can save some money by getting the Capital Museums Passport, valid for seven days and costing C$45 (available at the seven participating cultural institutions).

The Best Places to Stay in Ottawa

a tall building with a view of the water

– One should note that the city of Ottawa hosts many corporate meetings and conventions, so it is prudent to check upcoming events on the tourism website prior to planning a visit – prices fluctuate accordingly. You`ll get the best discounts when conferences are absent and the Canadian parliament is in recess (or usually on weekends).

Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa for…

    • The best neighborhood to lodge for initial callers/sightseeing is ByWard Market.

Staying in or around ByWard Market, just across the Rideau Canal from Downtown Ottawa, is likely to provide a more lively experience than staying centrally in Downtown. The area offers a wide range of accommodation options and easy access to the best dining and nightlife the city has to offer within walking distance. Visitors can also conveniently access activities on the Rideau Canal, shops at the CF Rideau Centre, and the National Gallery of Canadaβ€”one of the nation’s premier art museums.

  • Most Romantic Neighborhood: Sandy Hill
    Located just east of ByWard Market, the residential neighborhood of Sandy Hill boasts leafy streets and some wonderful Victorian homes, several of which have been converted into attractive bed and breakfast establishments. You can also visit the Laurier House National Historic Site, enjoy romantic strolls along the Rideau River in Strathcona Park, or explore the nearby ByWard Market area itself (easily walkable). Other highlights include the Happy Goat Coffee Co,Working Title Kitchen + CafΓ©, and In’s Kitchen. Two of the best lodging options include the Ambassador and King Edward bed & breakfast establishments.
  • Best Neighborhoods for Night Activity: ByWard Market and Centretown
    The ByWard Market is Ottawa’s most popular gathering place at night, packed with pubs, bars, and clubs. Local favorites contain the performance venue Rainbow Bistro, the Mercury Lounge, the Heart & Crown Irish pub, and the city’s oldest bar, ChΓ’teau Lafayette (akaThe Laff). The area around Bank Street in Centretown is another nightlife hotspot worth exploring, with legendary Barrymore’s Music Hall open since 1978 at 323 Bank Street (though it’s been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disputes over renovations). Otherwise, The Atomic Rooster is a good option for live music, and over on Elgin Street there’s British-themed pub The Lieutenant’s Pump, cocktails at Charlotte, and DJs at The Standard
  • Best Neighborhoods for Food and Restaurants: Little Italy and Wellington West
    Though the ByWard Market is known for its variety of eateries, food trucks and coffee shops, those with a strong passion for cuisine should explore areas outside the city center to sample Ottawa`s most creative culinary scenes. Approximately 2.5 kilometers west from Downtown along Somerset and Preston streets lies Little Italy, a delight boasting authentic bakeries like Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana, sandwiches at Sanguiccio Deli-CafΓ© and pasta at DreamLand CafΓ©. While Italian flavors dominate, other highlights include excellent coffee at Bridgehead Roastery, molecular cuisine and fine dining at Atelier and Alice, an Irish-Italian fusion at Pub Italia, and EVOO Greek Kitchen. Ottawa’s annual Italian Week in June includes live music, parades, races, and additional events β€’Beyond those twisting trails, you enter the forest and continue climbing for approximately another mile and a half, alternating between twisting paths and a well-maintained sloped route uphill.

    Another growing food destination is Wellington West (a bit further past Little Italy), especially as Wellington Street travels through the hip neighborhood of Hintonburg. Top selections here include the French bistro Absinthe, the sweet treats at Stubbe Chocolates,SuzyQ Doughnuts, bar snacks and craft beers at Tooth and Nail Brewing Company, gastropub Hintonburg Public House, and wood-fired pizza at Tennessy Willems. A bit down Wellington in Wellington Village is the modern Canadian cuisine at Stofa, fresh seafood at Supply and Demand, and Montreal-style bagels at the Ottawa Bagelshop & Deli.

    ・ You can access the Hintonburg neighborhood quickly via the O-Train (to the Tunney’s Pasture or Bayview stations). Otherwise, as with Little Italy, rental apartments are a good option if you want to stay in the area but have the freedom of your own place.

    β€’ Companies such as C’est Bon and Ottawa Tasting Tours provide a comprehensive overview of the city’s culinary offerings.

  • Best Neighborhood for Shopping: ByWard Market and Wellington West
    The obvious place to start any shopping tour of Ottawa is the ByWard Market area, where the CF Rideau Centre mall contains all the usual stores (including Apple, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co, Sephora and many others). The neighborhood also features plenty of independently-run boutiques, shops, and galleries, including women’s fashions at Kaliyana,Farah Studio, and Sukhoo Sukhoo; contemporary art at Galerie St-Laurent + Hill; fashion and designer gifts at Milk Shop; and books at Librairie du Soleil. The Wellington Street West corridor(between Hintonburg and Wellington Village) is another great place to peruse independent shops and specialty stores. Highlights include the handcrafted gifts and furniture at Maker House, rare vinyl at The Record Centre, vintage and consignment boutique Trove Fashion,World of Maps, the huge St. Vincent de Paul charity store, and handcrafts, fashion, and jewelry at Kindred Shop,Flock,JV Studios & Boutique, and Victoire.
  • The neighborhood with the richest local ambiance is The Glebe
    South of downtown Ottawa (and Hwy-417, also known as β€œthe Queensway”), Bank Street continues into primarily residential neighborhood known as The Glebe. It’s a relatively affluent area containing Victorian-era buildings, parks, and tree-lined streets home to trendy cafes and brunch hotspots. At the southern end of the district, Lansdowne Park houses the historic Aberdeen Pavilion as well as Ottawa’s Farmers Market and TD Place, a sports and concert venue. Otherwise the Glebe is a great place to explore freely and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Browse vinyl records, DVDs, books and curiosities at Crosstown Traffic and footwear at Glebe Trotters, breakfast at Kettleman’s Bagels, enjoy Mexican cuisine at Feleena’s, and savor premium pub meals and brews at The Rowan.
  • Unsafe Areas of Ottawa
    Central Ottawa is generally quite safe, though the usual precautions should be taken at night. The areas with the highest crime rates tend to be the southern suburbs (Heron Gate, Russell Heights, Ledbury), but you are highly unlikely to end up here.

The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa for Tourists

1. Downtown Ottawa

The central political region of Canada`s capital city is aptly quiet, with most activities and visitors focused on Parliament Hill, a limestone plateau high above the Ottawa River. This is where you will find the nation`s neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings, a vast Gothic-style complex that can partially be toured depending on the time of year. Generally, Canadians find this more enlightening than foreign visitors, but there are some highlights including Centre Block, home of the Senate and House of Commons, and the Peace Tower, added in 1927 as a memorial for Canadians who served in World War I. The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony is also popular from late June to late August, as well as the free sound and light show on summer evenings. Nearby is the Bank of Canada Museum and Sparks Street, a pedestrianized strip of shops and restaurants that became North America`s first permanent outdoor pedestrian mall in 1961. Sparks Street`s eastern end joins the National Arts Centre on the Rideau Canal, home to four stages, the National Arts Centre Orchestra,and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. The canal itself is lined with footpaths and has become the focus of year-round events; in winter, frozen solid, it transforms into the world`s longest skating route. At the base of the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO site) is the Bytown Museum, housed in Ottawa`s oldest building, displaying exhibits and a film charting the waterway`s history.

β€’ The massive Canadian War Museum is approximately one mile (1.5km) west along the river from Downtown. Its exhibits and displays thoroughly outline Canada’s military history, like the War of 1812 and particularly World War I and World War II. Just outside the museum, LeBreton Flats Park is the location for the annual Bluesfest in July.

β€’ Though there are numerous hotels Downtown and it tends to be fairly busy on week days, most locals who work here depart the area in the evenings and at weekends – you’ll need to explore other Ottawa neighborhoods to understand what truly defines the city.

β€’ Downtown’s Confederation Park hosts the annual two-week Ottawa Jazz Festival in late June/early July, one of Canada’s premier music festivals.

2. Centretown

Directly south of Downtown is the working-class Centretown neighborhood, with two main strips – Bank Street and Elgin Street – providing a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The primary conventional attraction is the family-friendly Canadian Museum of Nature located at the southern end of the area. Ottawa’s Gay Village is also situated here (a six by two block area of Bank Street); this is the epicenter of the annual Capital Pride Festival in August. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual GlowFair festival (https://glowfairfestival.ca), featuring live music and art displays, also took place along Bank Street (check the tourism website for the most up-to-date information).

Centretown has more activity than Downtown, although accommodation options are limited here.

3. ByWard Market/Downtown Rideau

Just across the Rideau Canal, and often seen as an extension of downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market/Rideau district is considered the heart of the city for shopping, culture, dining, and nightlife. It can make for a nice place to stay, though depending on the hotel, it may be noisy at night (especially on weekends). The main attraction is the ByWard Market itself, established in 1826 as one of the oldest markets in Canada. It houses numerous food vendors and unique shops selling handcrafted goods as well as seasonal produce from local farms. The surrounding area is packed with additional shops and restaurants, such as the CF Rideau Centre shopping mall, the largest in the city. Nearby is one of Ottawa’s biggest attractions, the National Gallery of Canada, containing a collection of global art exceeding 25,000 pieces and including some real treasures, from Canadian art through the years (and the Group of Seven), to Andy Warhol’s Brillo Soap Pads Boxes, Rembrandt’s beautiful Heroine from the Old Testament, and the iconic Death of General Wolfeby Benjamin West. There’s also work by Klimt, Matisse, Picasso, Pollock, Rothko and DalΓ­. Opposite the museum stands the twin-spired Notre Dame Cathedral, completed in 1890. On the other side of the market, near the University of Ottawa campus, the Ottawa Art Gallery displays some of the best contemporary and modern art from the region. To the north of the neighborhood lies the Earnscliffe National Historic Site of Canada, the handsome former home of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Beyond here, the Rideau River makes for a pleasant stroll, with the Rideau Falls split by Green Island as they tumble into the Ottawa River. On the north side there’s the Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Canada (off limits to visitors) and stately Rideau Hall, home of Canada’s governors general (free guided tours available).

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Remaining in ByWard Market permits enjoying Ottawa nightlife without the need for taxis, but it can be noiser and a little more challenging than other parts of the city, particularly on weekends.

– The leafy neighborhood of Sandy Hill, just east of ByWard Market, is home to the fascinating Laurier House National Historic Site, the former residence of prime ministers Sir Wilfred Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

    • The Top Hotels in Downtown Rideau/ByWard Market
      Andaz ByWard Market – To reach this hotel, call +1 613 321 1234 Fairmont Chateau Laurier β€’ Hotel phone number: +1 613 241 1414
      Le Germain – Hotel contact number: +1 613 691 3230
      The Novotel Ottawa can be contacted by telephone at +1 613 230 3033
      Swiss Hotel – Hotel contact number: +1 613 237 0335
      The The Westin hotel provides accommodation in Ottawa, Canada. Their telephone number is +1 613 560 7000.
    • Best B&Bs
      The Ambassador can be contacted by telephone at +1 613 890 6022
      Pitahaya Glamping – Hotel phone: +1 787 565 9895

Bella Notte B&B β€’ Hotel phone: +1 613 565 0497
The Century House β€’ Hotel phone: +1 613 853 0102
King Edward – Telephone number for the hotel: +1 613 565 6700
McGee’s Inn β€’ Hotel phone: +1 613 237 6089

4. Chinatown

Ottawa`s Chinatown stretches along Somerset Street West, about half a mile west of Centretown. (The traditional Chinatown Gateway, or Royal Arch, spans Somerset just before Cambridge Street.) Chinese immigrants began settling here in the 1920s, with Vietnamese arriving in large numbers in the 1980s. As expected, the main attraction is the food offerings, including excellent pho, ramen, dim sum, and Sichuan dishes, often at reasonable prices. Solid options comprise Cantonese and Sichuanese diner the Yangtze Restaurant,Koichi Ramen,Ha’s Dim Sum Noodle House, and Vietnamese cuisine at Phở BαΊ―c Oriental Cuisine (873 Somerset St).

The neighborhood hosts an annual event in July called the Ottawa Asian Fest, which features an enjoyable night market

β€’ There’s nowhere good to stay in Chinatown, but it’s an easy trip by bus from Downtown or Centretown.

5. Gatineau

The region across the Ottawa River in Quebec, Gatineau, takes pride in its French heritage, as you`ll quickly notice the difference – most people speak French here, and the stop signs displaying the word “ArrΓͺt” in red. Major attractions on the Gatineau side of the river include the expansive and immersive Canadian Museum of History, and the associated Canadian Children’s Museum. With a vehicle, you`ll have the ability to explore the wilderness zones beyond the urban core, like Gatineau Park, Pink Lake, Lac Meech, Champlain Lookout, and numerous other lovely spots.

Getting to Gatineau from ByWard Market and downtown Ottawa is fairly straightforward, with buses quickly crossing the Alexandra and Portage bridges.

More Ottawa Neighborhoods

We have discussed our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but these other districts are also worth checking out with more time:

    • Kanata: Located approximately 13.5 miles (22km) southwest of Downtown Ottawa, this otherwise ordinary suburb is primarily noteworthy because it is home to the Canadian Tire Centre, a significant concert arena and home stadium of Ottawa’s extremely dedicated National Hockey League team, the Senators. Our preferred hotels in this area are the Wingate Kanata West (for proximity to the Canadian Tire Center), and the Brookstreet Hotel,Homewood Suites, and TownePlace Suites.
    • Vanier: This traditionally French-Canadian neighborhood lies a few miles east of downtown Ottawa, on the other side of the Rideau River. Though it`s primarily a residential suburb, there are some thought-provoking things to explore, starting with the Centre d’artistes Voix Visuell, an art gallery exhibiting cutting-edge digital and contemporary pieces, and the Vanier Museopark, a site comprising an enlightening history museum surrounded by maple forests and an authentic sugar shack. Further northeast, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is one of the country’s premier museums, showcasing a huge collection of historic aircraft. There`s little purpose in staying here (there are some low-cost but substandard motels in Vanier), but if driving, nearby are the much better Hampton Inn and Courtyard Ottawa East.
    • Manotick: This historic village located approximately 15.5 miles (25km) south of Downtown Ottawa along the Rideau River/Canal makes for an entertaining day trip for history buffs. It is well known for Watsons Mill, an operational 1860`s water-powered grain and flour mill, and Dickinson House opposite, built in 1867 for Moss Kent Dickinson, the mill owner. Manotick`s Main Street has independent shops, eateries, and cafΓ©s lined up. Notable places include Thai cuisine at Khao Yum,Babbos Cucina Italiana and Mimi’s Donuts & Dairy Barn.The Gingerbread Man bakery sells locally renowned cookies and butter tarts. Lodging options in Manotick are limited, but we like the nearby retreat and spa at Strathmere. Also, the Hampton Inn & Suites Ottawa West on the primary highway (416).
    • Cumberland: The main cause to take the 17-mile (28km) trip east along the Ottawa River to this small community is the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, displaying life in 1920’s and 1930’s rural Canada with historic and replica structures. While here, stop by the superb Black Walnut Bakery for breads, sweets, pies, and more.

Note that the family-friendly Canada Science and Technology Museum, located 9km east from Downtown, is usually most easily accessed by private vehicle. This museum can be found at ingeniumcanada.org/scitech

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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