Ottawa Events and Attractions
Museums and Local Markets in Downtown
Conveniently situated in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Cartier Place Suite Hotel places you and your family within minutes of many top historical and cultural Canadian attractions. From museums and historic buildings to popular local markets and arts centres, you’ll find something for the whole family to do and see near our friendly, welcoming hotel.
Main Attractions
CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM
Focused on all facets of Canada's military history, this museum covers all of the wars ever fought on Canadian soil, all twentieth century wars and peace operations abroad.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Dating back to 1880, the National Gallery of Canada is one of the country's oldest cultural institutions, dedicated to showcasing Canadian art and sharing the nation's cultural heritage.
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Canada's impressive natural history and natural sciences museum, started in 1856, hosts four primary collections focused on botany, palaeontology, mineralogy and zoology. Known for its dinosaurs, it is a family favorite.
NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Canada's impressive centre for the performing arts was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2006 and hosts live dance, theater and music performances in both French and English.
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Responsible for Canada's circulation and collector’s coins including gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion, the Royal Canadian Mint also offers behind the scenes tours.
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
This museum offers many permanent historic exhibits, special exhibitions, a children's museum and live the ultimate cinema experience at the CINÉ+ movie theater. ever changing activities and the brand.
BANK OF CANADA MUSEUM
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Its not a bank where you deposit your money or apply for a loan-it's a central bank. What the Bank of Canada does may be a mystery to you, but we're here to change all that. Come into our galleries to explore the economic lives of Canadians, travel through the history of money and discover the role the Bank of Canada plays in helping the Canadian economy run smoothly.
CANADA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MUSEUM
The farm in the heart of the city! Visit the animal barns and explore the captivating exhibitions.
CANADA AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM
The Museum presents the complete story of Canada's rich aviation and aerospace heritage.
CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
The museum has combined the interactive and hands-on elements it’s known for with cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality.
OTTAWA ART GALLERY
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
The Ottawa Art Gallery is an independent non-profit public art gallery.
CASINO DU LAC-LEAMY
Casino du Lac-Leamy presents a lively evening out with your friends. Located in Gatineau, a short 10 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
GATINEAU PARK
Stretching over 361 square kilometres, Gatineau Park offers visitors unique, diverse ecosystems and rich natural and cultural heritage with a regular schedule of activities and events.
SHAW CENTRE
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
This international convention facility in the city center was recently redeveloped to almost triple its capacity – greatly enhancing its reputation and appeal for hosting conventions and exhibitions.
NORDIK SPA-NATURE
Nordik Spa-Nature is the largest spa in North America. Located at the entrance of Gatineau Park, only 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
RIDEAU FALLS
A Confederation Boulevard landmark, Rideau Falls is 11-metre waterfalls located at 50 Sussex Drive, a short walk from Rideau Hall.
PARC OMEGA
Parc Omega is a wildlife park where you live the experience of the wild Canadian nature. It is an opportunity to discover our fauna history, heritage and the different culture of our First Nations.
OTTAWA INSECTARIUM
An Insectarium is a museum or exhibit that keeps and displays live and mounted insects for educational, scientific and research purposes. Come and explore the fascination world of insects.
BYTOWN MUSEUM
This small, three-floor museum is an Ottawa gem, tracing the history of the city's earliest years to its emergence as Canada's sophisticated capital.
DIEFENBUNKER: CANADA'S COLD WAR MUSEUM
The Diefenbunker is a four-story, 100,000 square foot underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War it was intended to house 535 Canadian government officials and military officers in the event of a nuclear war.
CAMP FORTUNE SKI, AERIAL PARK AND ZIPLINES
Fifteen minutes from downtown Ottawa, Camp Fortune offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
Seasonal Attractions
SENS RINK OF DREAMS
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
November - March
Located outdoor in the festival plaza at the Ottawa City Hall. The Sens Rink of Dreams opens seasonally for ice skating. Within the Ottawa City Hall is the Plaza, you may also enjoy the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and the Barbara Ann Scott Museum. Only one block from our hotel.
RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY
(WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
January - early March (weather permitting)
Rideau Canal Skateway is 7.8 kilometres (4.8 miles), which stretches from Ottawa’s downtown core to Dows Lake. It is the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world.
GATINEAU PARK
Located just 20 minutes from the downtown core, Canada’s Capital region has something to offer the speed addict downhill skiers and those who prefer a more leisurely pace on a scenic snow-covered trail. Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing circuits vary from 7.9 kilometres (5 miles) to 40 kilometres (25 miles) and include flat as well as hilly terrain that offers 320 metres (1,050 feet) of vertical drop.
CAMP FORTUNE
Camp Fortune is also part of Gatineau Park and offers more than 20 different downhill runs that vary in skiing levels from easy to extremely difficult.
SKI VORLAGE
Located half hour drive from downtown Ottawa in the picturesque village of Wakefield, Quebec. Vorlage is widely recognized as “The Family Area” with fantastic conditions and friendly service.
MONT CASCADE SKI RESORT
Locacted in Cantley, Quebec half hour drive from downtown Ottawa. Mont Cascades as its known locally offers a big cozy ski chalet and 20 different runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
CALYPSO THEME WATERPARK
June 7 - September 4
Calypso Theme Waterpark is the largest waterpark in Canada. This gem of a park will leave you breathless.
MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
May - November
This 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada's 10th and longest serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King.
LAURIER HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
July - September
Entering the former residence of two Canada's most important Prime Ministers is like stepping into the inner sanctum of our country's political history.
LADY DIVE AMPHIBUS AND TOURS
May - October
Bilingual one hour city tours on both land and water. A spectacular way to visit Ottawa and view more than 75 different attractions sites.
RIDEAU CANAL CRUISES
May - October
The most unique way to discover Ottawa! On board of our brand new 100% electric boat, you will sail on the Rideau Canal and have a novel view of downtown Ottawa!
PAUL'S BOAT LINE
May - October
Our Ottawa River tour offers the finest views along the Ottawa River.
CAPITAL CRUISES
May - October
Capital Cruises will be sailing the mighty Ottawa River from May until October with departures from Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau (Hull) and the base of the Rideau Canal Locks in Ottawa.
RENTABIKE
May - October
RentABike is located right downtown, offering bike rentals by the hour or by the day.
HAUNTED WALKS
April - November
Best known for their award-winning evening walking tours, Haunted Walk of Ottawa guides lead guests by lantern-light to well-known locations and share their ghost stories and darker history.
PIRATE ADVENTURES
May - September
Set sail with the crew and search for treasure aboard our 50-foot pirate ship for a 75 minute cruise.
CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM
Focused on all facets of Canada's military history, this museum covers all of the wars ever fought on Canadian soil, all twentieth century wars and peace operations abroad.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Dating back to 1880, the National Gallery of Canada is one of the country's oldest cultural institutions, dedicated to showcasing Canadian art and sharing the nation's cultural heritage.
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Canada's impressive natural history and natural sciences museum, started in 1856, hosts four primary collections focused on botany, palaeontology, mineralogy and zoology. Known for its dinosaurs, it is a family favorite.
NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Canada's impressive centre for the performing arts was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2006 and hosts live dance, theater and music performances in both French and English.
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Responsible for Canada's circulation and collector’s coins including gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion, the Royal Canadian Mint also offers behind the scenes tours.
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
This museum offers many permanent historic exhibits, special exhibitions, a children's museum and live the ultimate cinema experience at the CINÉ+ movie theater. ever changing activities and the brand.
BANK OF CANADA MUSEUM (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
Its not a bank where you deposit your money or apply for a loan-it's a central bank. What the Bank of Canada does may be a mystery to you, but we're here to change all that. Come into our galleries to explore the economic lives of Canadians, travel through the history of money and discover the role the Bank of Canada plays in helping the Canadian economy run smoothly.
CANADA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MUSEUM
The farm in the heart of the city! Visit the animal barns and explore the captivating exhibitions.
CANADA AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM
The Museum presents the complete story of Canada's rich aviation and aerospace heritage.
CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
The museum has combined the interactive and hands-on elements it’s known for with cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality.
OTTAWA ART GALLERY (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
The Ottawa Art Gallery is an independent non-profit public art gallery.
CASINO DU LAC-LEAMY
Casino du Lac-Leamy presents a lively evening out with your friends. Located in Gatineau, a short 10 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
GATINEAU PARK
Stretching over 361 square kilometres, Gatineau Park offers visitors unique, diverse ecosystems and rich natural and cultural heritage with a regular schedule of activities and events.
SHAW CENTRE (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
This international convention facility in the city center was recently redeveloped to almost triple its capacity – greatly enhancing its reputation and appeal for hosting conventions and exhibitions.
NORDIK SPA-NATURE
Nordik Spa-Nature is the largest spa in North America. Located at the entrance of Gatineau Park, only 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
LITTLE RAY'S REPTILE ZOO
We are Canada's largest collection of unwanted and rescued reptiles.
PARC OMEGA
Parc Omega is a wildlife park where you live the experience of the wild Canadian nature. It is an opportunity to discover our fauna history, heritage and the different culture of our First Nations.
OTTAWA INSECTARIUM
An Insectarium is a museum or exhibit that keeps and displays live and mounted insects for educational, scientific and research purposes. Come and explore the fascination world of insects.
BYTOWN MUSEUM
This small, three-floor museum is an Ottawa gem, tracing the history of the city's earliest years to its emergence as Canada's sophisticated capital.
DIEFENBUNKER: CANADA'S COLD WAR MUSEUM
The Diefenbunker is a four-story, 100,000 square foot underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War it was intended to house 535 Canadian government officials and military officers in the event of a nuclear war.
CAMP FORTUNE SKI, AERIAL PARK AND ZIPLINES
Fifteen minutes from downtown Ottawa, Camp Fortune offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
SENS RINK OF DREAMS (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
November - March
Located outdoor in the festival plaza at the Ottawa City Hall. The Sens Rink of Dreams opens seasonally for ice skating. Within the Ottawa City Hall is the Plaza, you may also enjoy the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and the Barbara Ann Scott Museum. Only one block from our hotel.
RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY (WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR HOTEL)
January - early March (weather permitting)
Rideau Canal Skateway is 7.8 kilometres (4.8 miles), which stretches from Ottawa’s downtown core to Dows Lake. It is the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world.
GATINEAU PARK
Located just 20 minutes from the downtown core, Canada’s Capital region has something to offer the speed addict downhill skiers and those who prefer a more leisurely pace on a scenic snow-covered trail. Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing circuits vary from 7.9 kilometres (5 miles) to 40 kilometres (25 miles) and include flat as well as hilly terrain that offers 320 metres (1,050 feet) of vertical drop.
CAMP FORTUNE
Camp Fortune is also part of Gatineau Park and offers more than 20 different downhill runs that vary in skiing levels from easy to extremely difficult.
SKI VORLAGE
Located half hour drive from downtown Ottawa in the picturesque village of Wakefield, Quebec. Vorlage is widely recognized as “The Family Area” with fantastic conditions and friendly service.
MONT CASCADE SKI RESORT
Locacted in Cantley, Quebec half hour drive from downtown Ottawa. Mont Cascades as its known locally offers a big cozy ski chalet and 20 different runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
CALYPSO THEME WATERPARK
June 7 - September 4
Calypso Theme Waterpark is the largest waterpark in Canada. This gem of a park will leave you breathless.
MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
May - November
This 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada's 10th and longest serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King.
LAURIER HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
July - September
Entering the former residence of two Canada's most important Prime Ministers is like stepping into the inner sanctum of our country's political history.
LADY DIVE AMPHIBUS AND TOURS
May - October
Bilingual one hour city tours on both land and water. A spectacular way to visit Ottawa and view more than 75 different attractions sites.
RIDEAU CANAL CRUISES
May - October
The most unique way to discover Ottawa! On board of our brand new 100% electric boat, you will sail on the Rideau Canal and have a novel view of downtown Ottawa!
PAUL'S BOAT LINE
May - October
Our Ottawa River tour offers the finest views along the Ottawa River.
CAPITAL CRUISES
May - October
Capital Cruises will be sailing the mighty Ottawa River from May until October with departures from Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau (Hull) and the base of the Rideau Canal Locks in Ottawa.
RENTABIKE
May - October
RentABike is located right downtown, offering bike rentals by the hour or by the day.
HAUNTED WALKS
April - November
Best known for their award-winning evening walking tours, Haunted Walk of Ottawa guides lead guests by lantern-light to well-known locations and share their ghost stories and darker history.
PIRATE ADVENTURES
May - September
Set sail with the crew and search for treasure aboard our 50-foot pirate ship for a 75 minute cruise.