Cheap Flights To Ottawa

The capital of Canada, Ottawa, is a sophisticated, dynamic and bold destination where residents enjoy a high standard of living and visitors enjoy excellent facilities, stunning Victorian architecture and a warm Canadian welcome. The city is cosmopolitan, liberal, bilingual and all grown-up; a progressive capital that welcomes every visitor. Wide open spaces and a busy river, as well as excellent shopping and dining opportunities and family attractions, means that there's always plenty to do. The capital is home to the best Canadian national museums, notably the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery. The city plays host to a wide range of annual events, not least the world-famous Dragon Boat Festival and the International Busker Festival.

Things To Do

There are numerous things to do in Ottawa from historic attractions and museums to outdoor sport and recreation, live music, world-class dining and plenty of opportunities for fun-filled family days out.

• Parliament Hill and the Downtown Museums

Much of the story of modern Canada can be experienced at Parliament Hill, located in the Downtown core, where the Gothic Victorian buildings constructed in the 1800s for the new government majestically occupy the area.

The area around Parliament Hill is also home to the Canadian Museum of History that rightfully tells the longer, indigenous story of Canada. Further excellent national museums found here include the Canadian Museum of Nature, the stunning National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, The Royal Mint and the Bytown Museum.

• A city for families

As a progressive and welcoming city, Ottawa is an excellent destination for families as children of all ages are well-catered for. Head to the Calypso Theme Waterpark which offers fun for all the family as well as Saunders Farm, home to the largest collection of hedge mazes in North America. The Eco-Odyssey is great for nature lovers whilst Pirate Adventures on Rideau Canal is an immersive historical attraction which takes place on an actual pirate ship.

• Gastronomic hip-ness

This is a city that's culinary mark on the map has grown in recent years. Much of the city's food scene is arguably 'hip' with an emphasis on current trends such as street food, organic fayre, smokehouses and scratch diners. Having said that the city's French heritage can also be enjoyed in fine dining establishments such as Atelier and Metropolitan Brasserie.

Calendar Of Events

Ottawa puts on a wide range of well-established annual festivals which include sporting, arts and musical themes.

• Dragon Boat Festival: At this huge four-day event in mid-June Dragon boats race along the Rideau River whilst the parks are filled with all sorts of activities for families as well as live music, street food and workshops.

• International Busker Festival: Rather than being told to 'move along', buskers are celebrated at their own international festival each year in early August. This family-friendly festival sees a wide range of performers take to the streets for four days each summer.

• Northern Lights Sound and Light Show: The Northern Lights show is a half-hour light display on Parliament Hill that takes place every night from July to September. This bilingual event tells the tale of Canada's history.