Once the Rideau Canal Skateway has thawed and the spring tulips are past their peak, it’s time to enjoy summer in Ottawa. With Parliament not in-session the city takes on a relaxed vibe of holiday time, where outdoor museums and summer celebrations set the pace for a fun summer vacation.
Museums, festivals, and events all make excellent reasons to visit Ottawa.
Ottawa Summer Activities
Whether it’s renting a canoe at Dows Lake Pavillion, walking alongside the Rideau Canal or visiting the outdoor art and monuments in the city, there are lots of outdoor activities in the Canadian Capital.
Ottawa shopping opportunities increase with the warm summer weather. Enjoy outdoor markets such as the ByWard Market district and pedestrian-friendly Sparks Street Mall where sipping a latté nicely complements strolling the downtown district and window shopping.
Take an Ottawa Summer Vacation for Canada Day
Canada Day may be the city’s largest celebration. The festive sounds of free concerts, bright and awe-inspiring fireworks displays, fun and laughter of the kids activities, and smokey smells of barbecues fill the air and skies of Ottawa. The city stops to celebrate – the perfect atmosphere for a summer vacation.
Also, look for the many free Canada Day activities. Museums offer free admission (including favorites such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Bytown Museum), free concerts, and of course the free fireworks display – just some of the many budget-friendly Canada Day activities.
Visit Outdoor Ottawa Museums During Summer
While the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian War Museum make great museums to visit for families, opt for those museums with a strong outdoor element during summer vacation:
Bytown Museum: The Museum sits on the banks of the Rideau Canal. Visit to see the locks and canal in action or the historical costumes. 1 Canal Lane, 613-234-4570.
Canada Agriculture Museum: Living displays create a working farm in the city. From piglets to chickens to cows, the agriculture museum explores the day-to-day activities of farming. Prince of Wales Drive, 613-991-3044.
Canada Science and Technology Museum: This Ottawa museum features a summer-only outdoor exhibit called Technology Park. 1867 St. Laurent Blvd., 613-991-3044.
Explore Parliament for an Ottawa Summer Vacation
With Parliament often on hiatus during the summer, visitors to the Parliament buildings can see a different side of the Canadian government. Walk the grounds of Parliament Hill and admire the many monuments and sculptures, views of the Ottawa River, and even the dozen or so cats that live at the Parliament Hill Cat Sanctuary.
During a Parliament buildings tour, visit the Centre block and the East block (a summer-only option). Climb the Peace Tower, sit in Senate chambers, or visit the grand library. Tours are most comprehensive during the summer as the tour schedule concedes less to the schedules of Senate sessions and Parliament sittings.
More Ottawa Summer Vacation Ideas
Popular Ottawa summer festivals include the epic Canada Day festivities on July 1, the mid-July Bluesfest, the Rideau Canal Festival over the August long weekend, and the Ottawa Lumière Festival in mid-August.
Warm and pleasant Ottawa summer weather makes the city a perfect outdoor destination: experience the outdoor markets, outdoor museums, and outdoor festivals of this vibrant Canadian city.
Booking.com
Museums, festivals, and events all make excellent reasons to visit Ottawa.
Ottawa Summer Activities
Whether it’s renting a canoe at Dows Lake Pavillion, walking alongside the Rideau Canal or visiting the outdoor art and monuments in the city, there are lots of outdoor activities in the Canadian Capital.
Ottawa shopping opportunities increase with the warm summer weather. Enjoy outdoor markets such as the ByWard Market district and pedestrian-friendly Sparks Street Mall where sipping a latté nicely complements strolling the downtown district and window shopping.
Take an Ottawa Summer Vacation for Canada Day
Canada Day may be the city’s largest celebration. The festive sounds of free concerts, bright and awe-inspiring fireworks displays, fun and laughter of the kids activities, and smokey smells of barbecues fill the air and skies of Ottawa. The city stops to celebrate – the perfect atmosphere for a summer vacation.
Also, look for the many free Canada Day activities. Museums offer free admission (including favorites such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Bytown Museum), free concerts, and of course the free fireworks display – just some of the many budget-friendly Canada Day activities.
Visit Outdoor Ottawa Museums During Summer
While the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian War Museum make great museums to visit for families, opt for those museums with a strong outdoor element during summer vacation:
Bytown Museum: The Museum sits on the banks of the Rideau Canal. Visit to see the locks and canal in action or the historical costumes. 1 Canal Lane, 613-234-4570.
Canada Agriculture Museum: Living displays create a working farm in the city. From piglets to chickens to cows, the agriculture museum explores the day-to-day activities of farming. Prince of Wales Drive, 613-991-3044.
Canada Science and Technology Museum: This Ottawa museum features a summer-only outdoor exhibit called Technology Park. 1867 St. Laurent Blvd., 613-991-3044.
Explore Parliament for an Ottawa Summer Vacation
With Parliament often on hiatus during the summer, visitors to the Parliament buildings can see a different side of the Canadian government. Walk the grounds of Parliament Hill and admire the many monuments and sculptures, views of the Ottawa River, and even the dozen or so cats that live at the Parliament Hill Cat Sanctuary.
During a Parliament buildings tour, visit the Centre block and the East block (a summer-only option). Climb the Peace Tower, sit in Senate chambers, or visit the grand library. Tours are most comprehensive during the summer as the tour schedule concedes less to the schedules of Senate sessions and Parliament sittings.
More Ottawa Summer Vacation Ideas
Popular Ottawa summer festivals include the epic Canada Day festivities on July 1, the mid-July Bluesfest, the Rideau Canal Festival over the August long weekend, and the Ottawa Lumière Festival in mid-August.
Warm and pleasant Ottawa summer weather makes the city a perfect outdoor destination: experience the outdoor markets, outdoor museums, and outdoor festivals of this vibrant Canadian city.
Booking.com
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