Things to do and places to visit in Ottawa

I have lived in Ottawa all my life.  There are lots of great places to visit and things to do in and around the city.  Even though I have grown up here, there are still lots of things I haven't done/seen.

While thinking of our summer bucket list (we make a list of things we want to do/places we want to go over summer vacation and cross them off as we do them), I thought that I would compile a list of places to visit in and around the area for people that may be visiting this summer or even for residents that are looking for something to do.


Here is my list - in no particular order (there are activities on here for both summer and winter)

1) Parliament Hill - watch the Changing of the Guard, take a tour of the Parliament Buildings and wander the grounds.

2) National Art Gallery

3) Museum of Civilization

4) Gatineau Park
   - take a drive through the park, a hike or visit MacKenzie King Estate)

5) Aviation Museum

6) War Museum

7) Museum of Nature

8) Museum of Science and Technology (the museum is closed for renovations)

9) Upper Canada Village  or Alight the Night  (they light the village with Christmas Lights in the December)

10) Shopping in the Byward Market (you can grab a beavertail while your at it!)

11) Dows Lake (rent a pedal boat  or skate on the Canal)

12)  Calypso water park / Mont Cascades

13) Papinak Zoo

14) Granby Zoo

15) Parc Omega

16) Bonnechere Caves

17) Busker Fest

18) check out any of the city beaches

19) Visit Hogs Back

20) rent a bike (or use your own) and take a ride down many of the Ottawa Bike Paths (running along the canal or down the parkway)

21) take in blues fest

22) grab tickets and check out a show at the NAC; this can be followed up by drinks in the market

23) take a tour of the old Jail (now a youth hostel)

24) join the haunted walk

25) Winterlude

26) Visit Rideau Hall

27) Supreme Court of Canada

28) Casino Lac Leamy
     - Fireworks competition
     - gambling

29) 1000 islands

30) Eco- Odysse in Wakefield, QC

31)Experimental Farm

32) Saunders Farm

33) ValleyView Animal Farm

34) Pirate Adventures

35) Funhaven

36) Stanley's Olde Maple Farm

37) Visit a Sugar Bush

38) Tulip Festival (MAY)

39) Canada Day celebrations

40) Pinhey's Point

41) Petrie Island

42) Numerous camping spots or cottage rentals

43) Vankleek Hill Vineyard

44) Beau's All Natural Brewing Company

45) Nordik Spa

46) Karters Korners (paintball, go karts, mini-putt and driving range) - this was a regular family activity for us growing up

47) Carp Custom Creamery for some delicious ice cream

48) Have a picnic at one of the many parks (Vincent massey is a great one, or Andrew haydon park)

49) spend the day at a splash pad

50) Visit St. Patrick's Basilica or Notre Dame Cathedral - 2 beautiful churches in downtown Ottawa

What is your favorite thing to do in Ottawa?