Ottawa, Canada’s capital

Why go

Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks and the National Gallery sit close enough to form a civic and cultural walk. A longer day can add the Canadian War Museum. Ottawa began as Bytown before becoming the capital, and the river remains a useful way to understand its link with Gatineau and Québec.

What to look for

• Parliament Hill faces the Ottawa River.
• The Rideau Canal locks connect the canal to the river.
• Gatineau lies directly across the river in Québec.

Useful to know

• Walk the gallery, canal locks and Parliament Hill as one central sequence.
• Give the Canadian War Museum a separate block if you want to spend time in its galleries.