Ottawa Ontario Itinerary from September 28 to October 1

Early Evening — ByWard Market

After arriving in Ottawa, make ByWard Market your first stop—ideally around 5:00 p.m., when the daytime market atmosphere is easing into the livelier evening scene. Wander through the market buildings and surrounding lanes between York Street, ByWard Market Square, and Clarence Street, browsing local food counters, small boutiques, galleries, and outdoor patios. Allow about 1½ hours, but keep it unhurried; this is a good place to stretch your legs and get a first feel for downtown. Most shops begin closing in the early evening, while restaurants and bars stay open later. From the market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica is roughly a 5–10-minute walk east.

Early Evening — Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

Spend about 30 minutes inside Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, one of Ottawa’s most ornate historic interiors, with richly painted details, gilded decoration, and blue-toned vaulted ceilings. Check the posted visiting hours at the entrance, as access can be limited by services or special events; admission is generally free, though donations are appreciated. Afterward, walk south through Lowertown toward Elgin Street—about 15–20 minutes—or take a short local bus or taxi if you would rather save your energy. A taxi or rideshare from the cathedral to dinner is usually inexpensive outside peak traffic.

Dinner and Evening Walk

Have dinner at Elgin Street Diner, a relaxed Centretown standby known for generous portions and an easygoing, late-night atmosphere. Budget approximately C$20–35 per person before drinks and tip, and expect a casual meal rather than a reservation-driven experience. From there, continue north toward the Rideau Canal Locks near Parliament Hill; the walk takes roughly 15–20 minutes, or you can use a short rideshare if the weather is cool. Finish with a 45-minute stroll beside the locks and along the Parliament surroundings, where the water, stonework, and evening lighting make a pleasant first-night introduction to Ottawa. Bring a light jacket in late September—the canal can feel noticeably cooler after sunset.

Morning — Parliament Hill

Start around 8:30 a.m. at Parliament Hill, before downtown becomes busy with office workers and tour groups. Walk the grounds for the best exterior views of the Centre Block, Peace Tower, and East and West blocks; the lawns and viewpoints toward the Ottawa River are especially good in the clear early light. The historic Centre Block remains closed for rehabilitation, so plan on an outdoor visit unless the official Parliament of Canada schedule has reopened guided access by your date. Allow about 90 minutes, and check the parliamentary website beforehand for security restrictions or scheduled closures.

Walk south to the Bank of Canada Museum via Wellington Street and Sparks Street—roughly 10 minutes. It is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, with free admission, though hours and timed-entry procedures can change. Give yourself about an hour for the hands-on displays about Canadian currency, counterfeiting, inflation, and the economy. For a quick coffee or snack afterward, The Ministry of Coffee on Elgin Street is a convenient local stop; this is a good point to take a breather rather than adding another major attraction.

Afternoon — Canadian Museum of History

After lunch, take an OC Transpo bus or a short taxi/rideshare across the Alexandra Bridge into Gatineau; allow roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. If you prefer to walk, the bridge crossing itself takes about 20 minutes and gives you a fine river-and-Parliament perspective, though you will still have a little walking to reach the museum. Spend approximately 2½ hours at the Canadian Museum of History, particularly the Grand Hall, the First Peoples Hall, and the Canadian History Hall. Admission is generally around C$20–30 for an adult, with discounts and occasional special exhibitions; verify current hours and ticket pricing online. Afterward, stroll a few blocks through Old Hull before dinner—its compact streets feel more relaxed than Ottawa’s core.

Evening — Dinner and the river view

Have dinner at Les Lieux, a polished Old Hull restaurant known for seasonal cooking and a more intimate atmosphere than the larger tourist-oriented spots. Budget about C$35–60 per person before drinks, and reserve ahead if visiting Wednesday evening. After dinner, walk or take a short taxi back toward the river for the Alexandra Bridge lookout. The best view is on the pedestrian walkway looking west toward the illuminated Parliament buildings and Ottawa skyline; allow about 30 minutes, and bring a light layer because the bridge is noticeably cooler and windier after dark. From there, you can walk back into central Ottawa or use a rideshare—allow roughly 10–20 minutes to reach downtown, depending on your final destination.

Morning — Canadian Museum of Nature

Start around 9:30 a.m. at the Canadian Museum of Nature, arriving close to opening so you have the dinosaur, mammal, bird, and Arctic galleries largely to yourself. The building is one of Ottawa’s most striking landmarks, with a castle-like exterior and a bright glass tower inside. Allow about two hours; adult admission is typically around C$20–25, though timed-entry details and prices can change. From Centretown, it is easy to walk or take a short bus ride—use Metcalfe Street or Elgin Street connections—and there is paid street and garage parking nearby, but transit is less hassle.

Late Morning and Lunch — Lansdowne Park to Dows Lake Pavilion

Head south toward Lansdowne Park in The Glebe, roughly 10 minutes by taxi or rideshare, or about 25–30 minutes on foot. Take an easy loop around the grounds and see the exterior of Aberdeen Pavilion, then continue west along Bank Street toward Dows Lake Pavilion. This is a good place to slow down for lunch beside the Rideau Canal; budget approximately C$20–40 per person, and check the day’s restaurant hours before setting out, as lakeside operations can be seasonal. If the weather is calm, rent a canoe or kayak for an hour—late September can be ideal, but bring a light layer and confirm rentals are running before relying on them.

Afternoon and Evening — Little Italy and House of Targ

From Dows Lake, walk or take a short bus ride to Little Italy, following Preston Street and its side streets for about 90 minutes. Browse the independent shops, pause for coffee, and enjoy the neighborhood’s Italian-Canadian character without trying to cover every block. In the evening, make your way to House of Targ in The Glebe, usually easiest by a 10-minute taxi or rideshare from Preston Street. Reserve or arrive early if there is live music or a busy weekend-style crowd; expect roughly C$20–35 per person for pierogies, drinks, pinball, and arcade play. It is deliberately casual and a fun contrast to the day’s museums and waterfront scenery—bring some small bills or a card for games, and check the venue’s event calendar and age policy before going.

Morning — National Gallery of Canada

Begin around 9:30 a.m. at the National Gallery of Canada, an easy walk from ByWard Market via Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue. Allow about two hours for the Canadian, Indigenous, and European collections, plus the dramatic glass-and-granite architecture and the giant Maman spider outside. General admission is typically around C$20–25 for adults, though pricing and hours can change; check the museum’s schedule before leaving, as opening times are often later on some weekdays. The gallery café is useful for a quick coffee, but save room for lunch later.

Late Morning — Major’s Hill Park

Walk south from the gallery through Major’s Hill Park—about five minutes—to finish your downtown sightseeing at one of Ottawa’s best viewpoints. Spend roughly 45 minutes following the paths toward the Ottawa River, with views back to Parliament Hill, the Alexandra Bridge, and Gatineau across the water. In late September the trees may just be beginning to turn, and this is a particularly good place for a relaxed final set of Ottawa photographs. From the park, take a taxi or rideshare to Chinatown; it is about 2 km and usually 8–12 minutes by car, while walking takes closer to 25 minutes.

Afternoon — Moo Shu Ice Cream and Canadian War Museum

Stop at Moo Shu Ice Cream in Chinatown for lunch or an early-afternoon treat, allowing about an hour and C$10–20 per person. The small-batch menu leans inventive, so ask what is freshest rather than defaulting to a familiar flavor; seating is limited, making this a pleasant, unhurried stop rather than a long meal. From Chinatown, continue by taxi or rideshare to the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats, generally 10–15 minutes depending on traffic; the 2A bus corridor can also work, but a car is simpler with luggage. Plan around two hours for the galleries, especially the Canadian Experience exhibition and the remembrance spaces. Admission is usually about C$20–25 for adults, and the museum commonly closes in the early evening, so arrive by roughly 2:30 p.m.; confirm the exact October 1 hours before setting out. If you are driving onward afterward, the museum has paid parking nearby, while downtown hotels are better served by leaving the car parked and using a rideshare.