How many days in Ottawa is enough?

When it comes to organizing a vacation to Canada's capital, you may be wondering how many days in Ottawa are required to make the most of your visit. The answer is contingent on what you want to see and do while in town. If you only want to see the highlights, three days should be enough. However, if you want to really get to know the city and go beyond Parliament Hill, we recommend staying for 7 days.

3 Days in Ottawa

If you're short on time, don't panic. There's still enough to see and do in Ottawa even if you only have a couple of days. Of course, you would want to begin with a tour of Parliament Hill.

You may also visit other popular attractions downtown, such as the Rideau Canal, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. No vacation to Ottawa is complete without seeing at least one of the city's many gorgeous parks!

7 Days in Ottawa

With a week in Ottawa, you'll have plenty of time to visit all of the must-see attractions while also getting a flavor of life outside of downtown. Begin by seeing all of the major downtown attractions, such as Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, and Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Then drive west towards Dows Lake to explore (and maybe even skate in the winter!). To the east is Vanier, which has vibrant markets, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of open space. And just over one of Ottawa's numerous bridges lies Gatineau, Quebec's thriving French-speaking metropolis.

Finally, no vacation to Ottawa is complete without at least one day spent outside the city. Consider visiting Constance Bay or Meech Lake for some breathtaking scenery; both are about 30 minutes away by car.

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