Our nation’s capital is obviously THE place to be on Canada Day. Taking advantage of this time of year to visit Ottawa and its countless museums, galleries and historic landmarks is worth it. But we know exploring all these amazing sites can be a pain for those on a tight budget. Good news – free admission days at popular attractions, street festivals and affordable tours led by knowledgeable locals can help you save money to discover this vibrant city!
Just like in any other major cities in the country, whether you live there or just planning to visit, you can always find something fun to do without breaking the bank. Here’s our list of 5 fun things to do on a budget in Ottawa.
1. Canada Day Festivities
Typically, June 30 and July 1st are the busiest days of the year, here in Ottawa. Be prepared to navigate the busy streets, put on your best red and white outfit and celebrate with the rest of the country.
Live concerts for the whole family usually take place in the afternoon. More adult-focused evening concerts are also great, particularly if you plan to stay for the fireworks (weather permitting)! All of the shows are free and hosted outdoors.
During the celebrations, if you don’t want to miss out on any of the fun, grab a quick bite to eat at one of the food trucks. If you need to take a break from all the noise and crowds, I strongly recommend to walk further down to the Byward Market and take the time to treat yourself to a nice meal or grab a few drinks on a patio. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will be a good investment; it sure is nice to sit, relax and take a break from all the chaos!
2. Free Museum Visits
There are so many museums to discover. Thankfully, most of them can be visited for free at certain times of the day, which makes it much more affordable to visit a few of them on the same trip.
On Thursdays, admission is free in the evenings to the permanent exhibits of the National Gallery, the Museum of History, the War Museum and the Museum of Nature. Also, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum and the Science and Technology Museum offer free admission daily after 4:00 pm.
Tip: If you’re travelling with kids, you’ll definitely want to visit the Canadian Children’s Museum located in the Museum of History, where the little ones can travel the world and explore other cultures; and the Science and Technology Museum where they can immerse in hands-on exhibitions.
3. Sparks Street and Surroundings
Sparks Street was converted into an outdoor pedestrian street almost 60 years ago. Today, it is home to a variety of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. There’s something for everyone!
Throughout the year, thousands gather on Sparks Street for popular festivals, celebrating everything from music and film to food and art.
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Sparks Street Poutinefest celebrates the decadent Canadian dish made of fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. Ottawa Ribfest welcomes BBQ rib vendors from all over North America cooking their specialties. And the Capital Pop-Up Cinema summer series allows you to enjoy free movies outdoors, at dusk.
Although access to Sparks Street is free, even during the festivals, keep in mind that food and beverages won’t be. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, plan to bring along snacks and your water bottle.
4. Rideau Hall and Parliament Buildings
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Take a guided tour of Rideau Hall, one of Ottawa’s most Instagram-worthy spots and home to our Governor General. Its beautiful interior is where foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and heads of state are welcomed. In summer, you can even attend the ceremonial Changing of the Guard parade where the red-coated soldiers march to Parliament Hill.
Parliament Hill is one of Canada’s most iconic sites and a must-see when visiting Canada’s capital. The historic, neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings stand tall on a hill overlooking the majestic Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa and the city of Gatineau, in Quebec.
And although the buildings are home to the country’s federal government, visitors are welcome on-site for free tours of the Senate Building, and the East and West Blocks of the House of Commons, all year-long.
Did you know?
You can walk or bike from Ontario to Quebec! There are a few bridges that separate the two provinces, but the Alexandra bridge offers a great view of Parliament Hill and the Museum of History (located in Gatineau, QC), as well as bike paths and pedestrian walkways to take your time to enjoy the view.
5. Free Walking Tours
Discovering a new city through a free walking tour is a great option to find out more about the city you’re visiting. Two different free walking tours are offered in Ottawa: Capital City Tour and After Dark Tour.
The daytime city tour walks you to some of the city’s famous landmarks, teaches you about Ottawa’s history and shows you some of the hottest sports, according to some of the locals.
In the evening, the guides will recount stories from some of the darker sides of the city’s past. You’ll see Ottawa’s beautiful skyline at sunset and fantastic monuments lit up at night. At the end of the tour, at Parliament Hill, you’ll arrive just in time for the free light show.
There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do that won’t break the bank in the National Capital Region, on either side of the provincial border! Hopefully, this post has helped you discover some new and cheap things to do. Don’t let its terrible reputation of being a boring city scare you off –Ottawa is a great place to live and to visit, any time of year!
Let us know if there are any other affordable things to do in the city below in the comments.
Happy travels,
Marie
