Ottawa Rideau Canal Stay at Les Suites Hotel
Rideau Canal and Ottawa waterfront
- ByWard Market — ByWard Market; browse local vendors and grab a coffee or light breakfast before sightseeing (morning, ~1 hour).
- National Gallery of Canada — Sussex Drive; explore Canadian and international art in a landmark waterfront museum (late morning, ~2 hours).
- Rideau Canal — Downtown Ottawa; walk the canal paths toward the locks and Parliament Hill for Ottawa’s signature scenery (early afternoon, ~1.5 hours).
- Rideau Canal Cruise — Departure near the National Arts Centre; enjoy a narrated boat tour of the canal and city landmarks (afternoon, ~1.5 hours; seasonal operation).
- Fairmont Château Laurier — Downtown Ottawa; admire the historic hotel exterior and enjoy afternoon tea or a drink nearby (late afternoon, ~1 hour; approximately C$20–50 per person depending on choice).
- Play Food & Wine — ByWard Market; finish with a well-regarded small-plates dinner featuring seasonal Canadian ingredients (evening, ~2 hours; approximately C$60–100 per person).
Morning
Start at ByWard Market around 8:30–9:00 a.m., when the neighborhood is waking up and cafés are less crowded. Pick up coffee and a light breakfast at Le Moulin de Provence or browse the market stalls; the indoor market and surrounding shops generally open around 9:00 a.m., while vendor hours vary. Allow about an hour, then walk roughly 10 minutes along Murray Street and Sussex Drive to the National Gallery of Canada. The gallery typically opens at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m.; admission is usually around C$20–25 for adults, with free admission periods occasionally offered. Give yourself two hours for the Canadian galleries, international collection, and the dramatic glass atrium—don’t miss the views toward the river and Parliament Hill.
Afternoon
From the gallery, walk south along Sussex Drive and down toward the Rideau Canal, reaching the locks and downtown paths in about 15–20 minutes. Spend roughly 90 minutes strolling beside the water toward Parliament Hill; this is especially pleasant in September, with early fall color beginning to appear. Check the day’s sailing schedule before setting out: the seasonal Rideau Canal Cruise departs near the National Arts Centre, and the boat ride takes about 1½ hours. The cruise is weather- and season-dependent, with adult fares commonly around C$40–50, so reserve ahead and arrive 15–20 minutes early. From the canal landing, walk a few minutes to the Fairmont Château Laurier to admire its château-style exterior and pause for a drink or afternoon tea nearby; budget approximately C$20–50 per person, and reserve tea service if that is your preference.
Evening
Finish with dinner at Play Food & Wine in ByWard Market, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel and Château Laurier area. Its small plates are designed for sharing, with a strong focus on seasonal Canadian ingredients; plan on C$60–100 per person before drinks and allow about two hours. For the smoothest day, wear comfortable shoes, keep a light layer handy for the breezy canal, and use walking for nearly all of this route—Ottawa’s central sights are compact, while an OC Transpo bus or short taxi ride is an easy fallback if the cruise landing or weather changes your plans.
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