Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ottawa?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Ottawa?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the welcoming city of Ottawa, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the many shops. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Ottawa below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ottawa?

Many travelers spend two to three days in Ottawa during their visit. After all, the welcoming city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the many shops.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and, while it's often overlooked by tourists, it is actually filled with culture, history, and friendly people. There are many parks and green spaces that are great when the weather is warm. There are also tons of museums and plenty of ice skating opportunities when the weather is cold.

Do you have one or two days to visit Ottawa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Ottawa?

Ottawa isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the welcoming city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Ottawa

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Ottawa, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ottawa 200th Anniversary Landmarks ($50)
Canadian War Museum Admission ($19)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ottawa Food Tour with ByWard Market Flavors & 6 Local Tastings ($86)
Evening Ottawa ByWard Market Food Tour ($94)

The public transit in Ottawa is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Ottawa?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the welcoming city of Ottawa, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the many shops. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Ottawa below.

Ottawa, Canada

How to spend 2 days in Ottawa

With a weekend (two to three days) in Ottawa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Ottawa is Parliament Hill, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Ottawa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.