Ottawa at sunrise overlook the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada on a brisk fall ... [+]
Ottawa, the charming capital of Canada, is a cultural destination often seen as the city of museums. This makes perfect sense with so many unique and educational museums and galleries to explore. In fact, Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums and visitors can experience the entire country in one city and immerse themselves in Canadian history while exploring top attractions. Ottawa has now turned popular points of interest into 156 Unofficial Museums across the region to inspire your next trip.
Looking down a boat lined Rideau Canal towards Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Located along the Ottawa River in the province of Ontario, this family friendly destination is easy to access. Downtown Ottawa is just a 20-minute drive from Ottawa International Airport and there are flights from most major cities in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Living in Toronto, my son and I have traveled to Ottawa a dozen times either by car, train, or a short flight. Many Americans visiting Toronto extend their vacation and drive the four and a half hours to Ottawa to explore this vibrant city. Here are five unofficial museums to get your journey started.
The city of Ottawa is located within the traditional Anishinàbeg Algonquin territory.
Ottawa City Rafting
Views of Parliament Hill from the Ottawa River on Ottawa City Rafting
For epic views of the city and a thrilling outdoor adventure, take a guided rafting excursion with Ottawa City Rafting, the unofficial museum of bumpy rides. My son and I arrived at Britannia Beach and after a safety briefing were on our way with other participants in matching yellow helmets and life vests. There are three sets of rapids during the two-and-a-half-hour excursion and they are calm enough for families to enjoy. There are also three sets of cliff jumps along the route should you be daring enough to leap off them into the Ottawa River. My son flew from the highest cliff at 22 feet but there are others not as dramatic. Views of the Parliament Buildings are picture perfect and the journey ends with a natural lazy river float. If you are lucky, you may even see a beaver as you drift down the river—how Canadian.
Nordik Spa-Nature
View of pool and saunas at Nordik Spa-Nature
Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa is the unofficial museum of unplugging at Nordik Spa-Nature. This was certainly the perfect place for us to unwind seeing as it’s the biggest spa in North America. The beautiful wellness center focuses on thermotherapy and relaxation techniques and offers multisensory experiences. If you are not familiar with thermotherapy treatment, it involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures based on 2000-year-old Nordic traditions. After sweating in the sauna to relaxing music my son plunged right into the refreshing (and frigid) pool while I slowly dipped in. There is also a saltwater flotation pool called Källa where we experienced weightlessness among 10 tons of Epsom salt, a yoga and meditation room, stunning infinity pool, swinging hammocks scattered throughout the property, and multiple treatment rooms – I highly recommend their popular vivifying treatment. To complete our relaxing day of unplugging we devoured healthy and delicious vegan soba noodle bowls on the outdoor patio.
Lady Dive Tours
The grounds of the Canadian Museum of History; view of Parliament Hill and Amphibus Lady Dive tour
First timers to Ottawa should check out Lady Dive Tours since this all-in-one mega tour takes you past 75 different attractions and sites around the city from the street right into the water. The unofficial museum of road to water is the only amphibus in Ontario. You will pass by the Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, The Royal Canadian Mint, and Parliament Hill, all places to add to your must-visit list after this one-hour tour.
The Haunted Walk
Storyteller with lantern at Haunted Walk Tour in Ottawa
The Haunted Walk, Ottawa’s unofficial museum of spooky stories, captivates guests with mysterious ghost tales. The Original Haunted Walk tour is perfect for all ages and black cloaked storytellers use lanterns to light the way around dark corners. Stop at some of the most haunted spots in Ottawa including the high school, Bytown Museum, and Fairmont Château Laurier listening to chilling tales. We have done many of these tours and keep going back. The Haunted Ottawa Jail tour (best for kids over 10) takes you through old cell blocks where inmates were once imprisoned. This 19th century prison, one of the most haunted buildings in North America, was the last working gallows in Canada because capital punishment in this country is now abolished. Both of these tours leave from Sparks Street.
Sound And Light Show
Northern Lights Sound and Light show on Parliament Hill
We have an Ottawa tradition that started when my son was six: on the last night of our trip we attend the Parliament Hill Sound and Light Show (Unofficial Museum of Canada, the movie), a free event on the lawn of Parliament Hill showcasing Canada’s great achievements and key milestones throughout history. My son will soon be entering his final year of high school, and after a decade of being captivated by this mesmerizing show I am still emotional at the end as images of the Canadian flag morph into a red heart while our national anthem plays in English and French. A lot has changed since we watched that first show, but on summer evenings people from around the world still gather here with their children, friends, and relatives to celebrate Ottawa.
Northern Lights is free to attend and runs until September 4, 2023.
