Day one is Parliament Hill, the canal and the market. Day two is two national museums or Gatineau across the river. All ranks on this page are based on our data from October 29, 2026.
Is 2 days enough for Ottawa?
If you have 2 days in Ottawa, spend day one on Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market, and day two at two of the national museums or in Gatineau across the river. All the places we rank below are ranked by the fromOttawa Score as of October 29, 2026. Our ranks use public Google Maps ratings and number of reviews, and we update them every 90 days.
Two days is enough to see the core of downtown on foot. It is not enough to see Gatineau Park, which is over 361 square km, or every national museum. Choose two museums, not five.
Day 1: Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market
Start at Confederation Square (attractions #19, 4.8 from 66 reviews), which has the National War Memorial (#3) and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (#1, 4.9). It is a short walk to Parliament Hill (#7, 4.7 from 40,402 reviews) and the Centennial Flame (#14). The main Parliament building, Centre Block, has been closed for long-term rehabilitation since 2019. There are still guided tours of the House of Commons and the Senate. The Senate is located in the Senate of Canada Building, which was built in 1912 as Ottawa's train station. The House of Commons tour begins at the underground Visitor Welcome Centre next to West Block. Expect airport-style security. You can book online or walk up at the door, where spots are first come, first served.
In the summer the Changing of the Guard begins at 10 a.m. and is free. Thursday to Sunday there is a full parade, and Monday to Wednesday only the band plays. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. Ottawa Tourism lists them as summer 2027, dates to be announced.
Walk down to the Rideau Canal Locks (#15, 4.7) after lunch. They are located next to Parliament. The canal extends 202 km to Kingston and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk across to Major's Hill Park (parks #1, 4.8) for a view of the locks, the Ottawa River and the Parliament Buildings. Then head to the ByWard Market, home to over 500 independent businesses, to see the Ottawa sign (#38) and have dinner. If you have time, add the Royal Canadian Mint (#37) at 320 Sussex Dr. Its tours are 45 minutes and cost $14 per adult and $30 for a family of two adults and two children. From Labour Day to Victoria Day, it is closed on Mondays.
Day 2: two museums, or Gatineau
The Canadian War Museum (#1, 4.8 from 10,896 reviews), the Canadian Museum of Nature (#2, 4.7) and the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau (#3, 4.7) are our top three museums. Combine the War Museum with the Museum of History. Until December 9, 2026, both are open 9 to 5, and until 7 on Thursdays. Both museums are free on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m., except special presentations at the Museum of History. Adults pay $23 at the War Museum and $25 at the Museum of History. Everyone needs a timed ticket to enter the Museum of History. The Museum of Nature is located at 240 McLeod St and is closed on Tuesdays. The adult price is $26. The National Gallery of Canada (#4) is the other top ranked museum downtown.
Head across the river to Gatineau Park (parks #11, 4.7) if you want to see some of the outdoors. Gatineau Park lists Pink Lake and the Mackenzie King Estate among its places to visit. This is a larger trip, so save the museums for another visit.
If you have children, the Canadian Children's Museum (#6) is located in the Museum of History and has the same hours. When it is busy, entry is first come, first served. The Canada Aviation and Space Museum (#5) and the Canada Science and Technology Museum (attractions #75, 4.5 from 9,291 reviews) are our other two family picks.
Where to eat during 2 days in Ottawa
These are all located in or near downtown Ottawa, and every rank is within its own list. Have breakfast at Sharpfle Waffle at 111 York (breakfast #2, 4.8) or Wilf and Ada's at 510 Bank (#6, 4.6 from 2,288 reviews). Get coffee near the market at Opulence at 261 Dalhousie (coffee #3, 4.9) or Orange Turtle Bakery at 285 St. Patrick (#4, 5.0).
For dinner, Tayanti Peruvian at 118 Clarence is ranked #4 of 1,171 restaurants (4.9 from 1,041 reviews). Kalinga Indian at 251 Laurier W is ranked #17 (4.8 from 1,852 reviews). For a quick lunch on the market square, Shawarma Time and Place is ranked #4 for shawarma (4.9). End your day at PurpleX at 304 Wilbrod, ranked #1 for desserts (5.0 from 618 reviews).
Where to stay for 2 days in Ottawa
Stay downtown so you can walk to both days' stops. Our top ranked downtown hotels are ByWard Blue Inn at 157 Clarence (hotels #2, 4.5 from 1,324 reviews), The Business Inn and Suites at 180 MacLaren (#3, 4.4 from 3,005), reStays at 101 Queen (#4, 4.5), the Metcalfe Hotel at 123 Metcalfe (#5, 4.4 from 974) and the Lord Elgin at 100 Elgin (#6, 4.3 from 3,612). Our #1 hotel, Adam's Airport Inn, is located at 2721 Bank St in the south end, which is too far out if you don't have a car.
2 days in Ottawa in winter
Expect real cold. According to Environment Canada's 1991-2020 normals for Ottawa, the average daily temperature in January is -9.6 C, with lows around -14.0 C and 44.5 cm of snow in the month. July averages 21.3 C. Limit your time outside on day one and put the museums on the coldest day.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is 7.8 km long and is free 24 hours a day when open. The NCC states that the season usually runs from January to early March, depending on weather. Winterlude 2027 will be held January 29 to February 15, 2027. Winter Lights Across Canada runs every evening from December 7, 2026 to January 7, 2027. The Tulip Festival has not announced dates for 2027. The 2026 festival ran May 8 to 18.
Getting around for 2 days without a car
You do not need a car for this plan. Day one stays in the downtown core around Parliament Hill, the canal locks, Major's Hill Park and the ByWard Market. Our top ranked downtown hotels are located in the same area.
Walk or bike the Voyageurs Pathway to the Museum of History in Gatineau. It is located steps from the pathway. You can also take the bus. Buses from both Ottawa and Gatineau go to the Museum of History. Use the OC Transpo and STO trip planners to find your route.
Questions and answers
Is 2 days in Ottawa enough?
Yes, for the downtown core. Spend day one on Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market, and day two at two of the national museums. Gatineau Park and the other museums will have to wait for another trip.
What should I not miss with 2 days in Ottawa?
See Parliament Hill and take a guided tour of the Senate or House of Commons, then visit the National War Memorial, the Rideau Canal Locks, Major's Hill Park and the ByWard Market. On day two visit the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History. These are two of our top three museums as of October 29, 2026.
Where should I stay for 2 days in Ottawa?
Stay downtown. ByWard Blue Inn, The Business Inn and Suites, reStays, the Metcalfe Hotel and the Lord Elgin are the top ranked downtown hotels in our October 29, 2026 data.
Can you see Ottawa in 2 days without a car?
Yes. Day one stays in the downtown core, which you can walk. The Museum of History in Gatineau is located steps from the Voyageurs Pathway, and there are also buses that go to the museum from Ottawa and Gatineau.
Are Ottawa museums free on Thursdays?
Some are, for part of the evening. The Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History are free on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Special presentations at the Museum of History are not included.
Sources
- Ottawa Tourism: Parliament Hill free tours and programming. Checked .
- Canadian Heritage: Parliament, The Immersive Experience (Winterlude listing, Centre Block closure). Checked .
- Ottawa Tourism: Changing of the Guard. Checked .
- Parks Canada: Rideau Canal National Historic Site. Checked .
- NCC: Major's Hill Park. Checked .
- ByWard Market District: About. Checked .
- Royal Canadian Mint: Ottawa Mint. Checked .
- Canadian War Museum: Plan your visit. Checked .
- Canadian Museum of History: Plan your visit. Checked .
- Canadian Museum of Nature: Visit us. Checked .
- NCC: Gatineau Park. Checked .
- NCC: Rideau Canal Skateway. Checked .
- Canadian Heritage: Winterlude. Checked .
- Canadian Heritage: Winter Lights Across Canada. Checked .
- Canadian Tulip Festival. Checked .
- Environment Canada: Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020, Ottawa (City) (composite of Ottawa CDA and Ottawa CDA RCS). Checked .
- fromOttawa place data (best-attractions, best-museums, best-parks, best-hotels, best-restaurants, best-breakfast, best-coffee-shops, best-shawarma and best-desserts lists), data date 2026-10-29. Checked .