Forecast
Ottawa — travel, stays & events guide
Local time--:--
Ottawa timeWeather Forecast
Ottawa, CanadaOpen-Meteo forecast.
Ottawa city overview
Ottawa is a city in Canada shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forParliament Hill, Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, National Gallery
Population~1.0Mcity context
RegionCanadaCanada
Time zoneAmerica/Torontolocal time
Founded1841historical origin
City history
This period ended with the arrival of settlers and colonization of North America by Europeans during and after the 15th century. European exploration and early development In 1610, Étienne Brûlé became the first documented.
The governor-general of the Province of Canada designated Kingston as the capital in 1841.
In 1843, a report by the Executive Council recommended Montreal as the capital, as it was a more fortifiable location and commercial centre.
In 1844, the Queen's acceptance of a parliamentary vote moved the capital to Montreal.
The Queen sent a letter to colonial authorities selecting Ottawa as the capital, effective 31 December 1857.
On 1 June 1912, the Grand Trunk Railway opened both the Château Laurier hotel and its neighbouring downtown Union Station.
On 3 February 1916, the Centre Block of the Parliament buildings was destroyed by a fire.
The National Capital Commission's structure supplanted the Federal District Commission, which was established in 1927 with a 16-year funding commitment but was reliant on the voluntary transfer of municipal planning authorities from the district's.
It became the site of the National War Memorial in 1939 and was designated a National Historic Site in 1984.
The 1958 National Capital Act established the National Capital Commission as a crown corporation.
The fire destroyed approximately 3,200 buildings and caused an estimated $300 million in damage (in 2020 Canadian dollars).
Approximately 3000-3500 years before present, there is definitive evidence of continuously existing settlements, including likely hearths and heavy tools.
The first non-Indigenous settlement in the area was created by Philemon Wright, a New Englander.
The fire had a disproportionate effect on west-end lower-income neighbourhoods.
Worth seeing
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
ByWard Market
ByWard Market is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
National Gallery
National Gallery is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Canadian Museum of History
Canadian Museum of History is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is a practical Ottawa planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Ottawa before booking Ottawa hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Ottawa by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Ottawa, CanadaFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Ottawa airport accessMain gateway TBC.
Compare airport access against hotel location, arrival time, rental car pickup, late flights and onward driving before choosing the first night base.
Rental cars
Ottawa day-trip car use
Compare rental cars when airport arrival, day trips, parking, luggage, theme parks, coastal routes or nearby regions matter more than staying fully on transit.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
Check weather, school holidays, daylight, local festivals and major event calendars before locking in hotel rates or non-refundable tickets.
Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
Compare total cost with taxes, breakfast, parking, resort fees, transfer timing and cancellation terms before choosing the cheapest room.
Upcoming events
No upcoming Ottawa events in the shared event index yet.