Where to stay in Ottawa – A guide to the Capital of Canada
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Located in southeastern Ontario on the southern bank of the Ottawa River, Ottawa was founded in 1826 as Bytown and in 1867 became the capital of the Dominion of Canada. As such, this important city is famous for being the main political and legislative center of Canada and for hosting some of the most important museums and cultural institutions in the country. In this article, we will explore the best areas to stay in Ottawa, ON.
Ottawa is the fourth most populous urban area in Canada. Originally, the city was divided by the Rideau Canal into Upper Town and Lower Town. The former was located on the west side of the canal and was predominantly English and Protestant. Meanwhile, the latter occupied the eastern part of the canal to the Rideau River and was inhabited mainly by French and Irish Catholics.
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Historic and Tourist attraction
Downtown Ottawa occupies the northern end of the city, between the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. This palatial administrative district is home to Ottawa’s top historical and cultural tourist attractions, including Parliament Hill, the Centennial Flame, the National Arts Center, the Bank of Canada Museum, Confederation Park, and Ottawa City Hall.
Directly to the south is Centretown. This tree-lined residential and commercial district still retains Bytown’s Victorian charm. Some of Centretown’s sights include the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Workers’ History Museum, and Ottawa’s bustling Chinatown. See accommodation in Centretown.
East of the Rideau Canal is the ByWard Market area and Lower Town. This popular area is home to landmarks such as the incredible National Gallery of Canada, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and the Ottawa Art Gallery. The Alexandra Bridge connects this area with Hull, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. See accommodation at ByWard Market.
But Ottawa is much more than parliaments, museums, and galleries. The Canadian capital is the gateway to exploring incredible parks, natural areas, and reserves. Some of the most popular natural attractions in and around Ottawa include the Dominion Arboretum, Meech Lake, Rideau Falls, and the King Mountain Trail.
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Weather in Ottawa
Due to its geographic location, Ottawa has a humid continental climate. This translates into four very marked seasons. Summers are hot, with temperatures that usually range between 14 and 26 ºC, and winters are long, snowy, and icy, with temperatures between -14 and -5 ºC. The best time to visit Ottawa is from late May to late September when temperatures are pleasant and outdoor activities can be enjoyed.
Transportation in Ottawa
To get to Ottawa by air, the city has the Ottawa International Airport. Located 10 kilometers south of downtown Ottawa, this airport, the sixth busiest in Canada, offers connections to virtually every corner of the country, as well as some nonstop international flights to some destinations in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Ottawa can also be reached by train. The Ottawa train station is 4 km from the city center, offering connections to Quebec City and Montreal to the east and Toronto, Kingston, and Oshawa to the west.
Additionally, Ottawa is also well connected via a long-distance bus network to other cities in Ontario and Quebec. See long-distance bus routes, schedules, and rates.
To get around the city, Ottawa has a very efficient intermodal public transport system consisting of light rail and bus and is managed by two independent entities: OC Transpo operates on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River and STO on the Quebec side. The city also offers taxis and mobile apps like Uber. You can also choose to rent a vehicle for your trip.
Read on to learn more about the best areas to stay in Ottawa, Canada.
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The best areas to stay in Ottawa, Ontario
The best area to stay in Ottawa is ByWard Market. This lively district is home to some of the Canadian capital’s top cultural attractions, as well as the best nightlife and best restaurants .. See accommodation at ByWard Market.
If you visit the city for business, Ottawa’s financial district, office towers, and conference venues are mostly located in Downtown Ottawa.
Other great districts to consider when choosing the best area to stay in Ottawa include Hull (Gatineau), the Victorian district of Centretown, and the western neighborhoods of Ottawa Nepean and Kanata.
ByWard Market & Lower Town
ByWard Market is located on the east side of the Rideau Canal, in the Lower Town of Ottawa.
It is considered Ottawa’s number one hipster epicenter and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
This vibrant open-air market filled with artisan food stalls, specialty shops, and boutiques draws up to 50,000 visitors each weekend during the summer.
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The streets surrounding the market are covered in colorful graffiti and offer everything from vintage shops to charming cafes.
The ByWard Market, home to the best restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs in the city, is considered the best nightlife area in Ottawa and the gay district of the Canadian capital.
Culture lovers will definitely enjoy the many local galleries and craft boutiques in the area.
Lower Town is also home to the National Gallery of Canada, a huge museum that focuses on Canadian art. In addition, the Ottawa Art Gallery displays paintings, sculptures, and photographs by some of the most prominent Canadian artists.
Nearby, the Royal Canadian Mint displays the world’s largest gold coins and bars and offers guided tours. Meanwhile, the 19th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica features a colorful Neo-Gothic interior and tall towers.
A short walk across the Ottawa River in the town of Gatineau, home to the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian Children’s Museum.
Overall, ByWard Market is the best area to stay in Ottawa thanks to its incredible combination of historical attractions, art, great nightlife, and bohemian vibe.
Why is it a recommended area to stay in Ottawa, Canada:
- Best area for nightlife
- Ottawa hipster neighborhood
- LGBT neighborhood
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- National Gallery of Canada
- ByWard Market
- Historical area
- Accommodation in this area
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Downtown Ottawa (Ottawa Financial District)
As you might expect, Downtown Ottawa is the heart of the city.
This administrative and financial district located south of the Ottawa River is home to the most recognized monuments of the city.
The impressive Parliament Hill is at the northern end of the district. Its Gothic-style complex houses the Parliament buildings, the legislative branch of the Canadian federal government.
Other important cultural institutions in the area include the Bytown Museum, which showcases the history of Ottawa, the National Center for the Arts, a performing arts theater, and the Bank of Canada Museum, with interactive exhibits on economics.
The main street in the area, Bank Street, has several shops, restaurants, nightlife venues, and cafes.
Downtown Ottawa is the most important financial district in southeastern Ontario and is where many of the major companies in the Canadian capital are based.
Thanks to its central location and its administrative, tourist, and economic importance, downtown Ottawa is the best-connected area of the city. Line 1 of the light rail system has two stations in this district; Lyon and Parliament / Parlement, offering easy access to ByWard Market, the university, and the western and southern suburbs of Ottawa (via Bayview Station).
The accommodation offer in downtown Ottawa is possibly the best in the city. While super-luxurious big-chain hotels seem to be the norm, this district too
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Ottawa:
- Best area for tourists
- Best area for business travelers
- Area well connected by public transport
- Shops and bars
- Accommodation in this area
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Hull (Gatineau)
Hull is a neighborhood of the city of Gatineau in Quebec.
Located across the river from downtown Ottawa, this district is famous for being home to some top attractions like the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian Children’s Museum.
Other highlights of Gatineau include the Jacques Cartier Park, the Gatineau Mosaiculture, and the Lac Leamy Casino.
Rue Laval, Hull’s main nightlife area, is home to microbreweries, fine restaurants, and bistros. Meanwhile, Eddy Street is the neighborhood’s shopping spot.
Although Hull is not officially part of Ottawa, you can walk from Hull across the Alexandra Bridge to the ByWard Market area in just over 20 minutes.
Staying in Gatineau is also significantly cheaper than in downtown Ottawa or the ByWard district. Also, the value for money tends to be higher north of the river.
Why this is a recommended area to stay in Ottawa, Ontario:
- Budget hotels
- Sights
- Night life
- 20 minute walk to Downtown Ottawa
- Accommodation in this area
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Centretown
Centretown is located in Ottawa’s Upper Town, south of downtown and west of the Rideau Canal.
This beautiful historic part of the city is home to some of the best examples of Victorian-era residential architecture in Ottawa.
Centertown’s main commercial thoroughfares, Bank Street and Elgin Street offer restaurants, nightlife, and neighborhood shops. Meanwhile, most of the other streets are primarily residential, showing a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings.
Centretown is home to some iconic Ottawa landmarks including the Canadian Museum of Nature, Dundonald Park, Jack Purcell Park, and the Ottawa Central Bus Station.
At the western end of Centretown, along Somerset Street, is Chinatown, Ottawa’s main Asian district, where you can find the best Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai restaurants in the city.
Centretown is not directly connected by the city’s light rail network, but the district is very easy to navigate on foot, and other neighborhoods can be reached via the many bus stops scattered around the area.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Ottawa, Canada:
- Chinatown
- Quiet zone
- Easy to get around on foot
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Accommodation in this area
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Nepean
Nepean is a district located 9 kilometers southwest of downtown Ottawa.
Until 2001, Nepean was an independent city, but it was absorbed by Ottawa to become one more district of the capital.
This area is especially known for its industrial estates and quiet suburban residential areas.
The main street in Nepean is Merivale Rd, a wide avenue that houses the main commercial and business centers and the industrial districts of the area.
This Ottawa district is a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of the aforementioned central neighborhoods and also has an abundance of parks, green areas, and natural areas such as Nepean Creek Park, Merivale Gardens Park, or Centrepointe Park.
Its relatively secluded location, miles from downtown Ottawa, means that Nepean is an excellent place to stay if you are looking for tranquility during your trip, and especially if you have a vehicle.
If you use public transport, getting from Nepean to the city center takes less than half an hour. Several bus lines connect this district directly to downtown Ottawa or to a light rail station.
Why is it a recommended area to sleep in Ottawa:
- Business and Technology District
- Area well connected by public transport
- Stores and shopping centers
- Accommodation in this area
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Kanata
Kanata is located 22 kilometers west of downtown Ottawa and is considered one of the largest suburbs in the city.
This planned community is also a major high-tech business hub. Many Canadian and international tech companies are based in their many business centers.
Some area attractions include the Kanata Centrum shopping center and Scotiabank Place, a major venue for hockey games and concerts.
Because Kanata is relatively far from downtown Ottawa, this area is best enjoyed by car.
Driving from Kanata to downtown Ottawa takes about 20 minutes, traveling by public transport (bus + light rail) about 40.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Ottawa, Canada:
- Quiet zone
- Kanata Centrum
- Technology zone
- Accommodation in this area
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