Welcome to the
Best of Ottawa

Attractions, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, and Things to Do in Ottawa

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Ottawa Attractions

  • Commissioners Park

    11 Navy Private, Ottawa, ON K2C, Canada

  • Dows Lake

    Dows Lake, Ottawa Division, ON, Canada

  • Ottawa International Airport

    Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Via Rail Station

    VIA Rail Canada, Tremblay Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Canadian Tire Centre

    Canadian Tire Centre, Palladium Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • TD Place (Lansdowne Park)

    TD Place, Bank Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Ottawa City Hall

    Ottawa City Hall, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • University of Ottawa

    University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Carleton University

    Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Major Hills Park

    Major's Hill Park, Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Laurier House

    Laurier House National Historic Site of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Centre Shaw

    Shaw Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  • Byward Market

    Byward Market, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    is one of Canada’s largest public markets

  • Gatineau Park

    Sentier du Parc De-La-Gatineau, Gatineau, QC J9A, Canada

    offers hiking, biking and cross-country skiing

  • Parliament Hill

    10 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A, Canada

    The seat of Canada’s Federal Government, is only a short walk from the Lord Elgin Hotel.

  • Rideau Canal

    Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway, Ottawa, ON K1N, Canada

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the winter months, it becomes the world’s largest outdoor skating rink.

  • Rink of dreams

    110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1, Canada

    Ottawa’s newest and coolest outdoor rink located at City Hall, right across the street from the Hotel.

  • National Arts Centre

    National Arts Centre, Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Ask about our exclusive offers with the National Arts Centre, as the Lord Elgin is a proud partner of the National Arts Centre Dance series. Book your tickets to the show and save on a night at the hotel! 

Museums

Dining

Shopping

  • Tanger Outlet Mall

    Tanger Outlets, Campeau Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Located in Ottawa’s west end, just off Highway 417, this is Ottawa’s newest outlet mall. 

  • Bayshore Shopping Centre

    Bayshore Shopping Centre, Bayshore Drive, Nepean, ON, Canada

    This essential West Ottawa shopping destination offers major fashion retailers.

  • Byward Market

    Byward Market, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Take a stroll through one of Canada’s oldest and largest public outdoor markets.

  • St Laurent Shopping Centre

    St. Laurent Centre, Saint Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Just minutes from downtown Ottawa, find the best mix of shops and services

  • Rideau Centre

    Rideau Centre, Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Downtown Ottawa’s premier central shopping centre is truly a shopper’s paradise.

Events and Things to Do in Ottawa

  • Christmas Lights Across Canada

    December 7 - January 7

    Capital cities throughout the country are brought together by the annual celebration of Christmas Lights Across Canada.

  • Winterlude

    February 3-20, 2023

    Unique to Ottawa and at the Lord Elgin's doorstep, these three Winterlude weekends are filled with activities and many venues are open daily.

  • Winter Beerfest

    February 2023 (winter edition)

    This festival features three days of tastings: craft beers, spirits, gourmet food, local products and unique discoveries of all kinds!

  • Canadian Museum of Nature
    March Break in Canada's Capital

    March 13-17, 2023

    Ottawa provides more museums, attractions and stuff to do with the entire family than anywhere! You'll need a whole week to get it all in!

  • A view of the Ottawa Parliament building from below with red and yellow flowers in the foreground.
    Springtime in Ottawa

    March - June

    The weather is getting warmer and Ottawa is ready to showcase what the city has to offer in spring. There are many events highlighting the arrival of the new season, including the world-famous Tulip Festival

  • Ottawa International Children’s Festival - Mini-festival of the Arts

    May 11 - 14, 2023

    Since 1985, the Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse (OCF) has hosted an annual celebration of the best in live performing arts for children. Held at LeBreton Flats (Canadian War Museum & Arts Court)

  • Festival canadien des tulipes
    CanadianTulip Festival

    May 12 - 22, 2023

    Ranked the world's largest tulip festival, the Canadian Tulip Festival offers you the opportunity to explore colorful tulips in full bloom

  • Ottawa Cycling

    April - September

    Ottawa has embraced bicycles with bike lanes on city streets, and paths around the Rideau Canal and across the city. With many clubs, paths, rentals and tours biking is a unique way to see the city!

  • Ottawa Marathon - Race Weekend in May. Starting line is located just outside the doors of the Lord Elgin Hotel
    Canada's Best Running Event

    May 27-28, 2023

    Starting right outside the front door of the Lord Elgin Hotel. Canada's largest running weekend. More than 50,000 people participate in six events over the weekend! Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend!

  • Ottawa Fringe Festival

    June 15 - 25, 2023

    A Fringe Festival is a forum that unites artists and audiences in a fun, exploratory environment - where 100% of ticket sales go to the artists

  • Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street

    Summer 2023 dates TBA

    Break out your bibs! Canada's biggest BBQ returns to Sparks Street in June! There'll be entertainment, music, celebrity judging and more! 11 patios are ready for you and your friends!

  • A man, a woman, a young boy, and a young girl ride their bikes by the water. In the background you can see the Ottawa Parliament buidling.
    Summer in Ottawa

    June - September

    As Canada's Capital, Ottawa is in full celebration mode all summer long. From our numerous festivals, to all the attractions at our museums and galleries, you will have to stay a week to get it all in!

  • Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival

    June 1 - 30, 2023

    One of the few Aboriginal Arts Events that truly represents the cultural diversity of our urban Aboriginal community, with full participation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists

  • Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

    June 25-28, 2020

    Recognized as North America's largest dragon boating festival the four day celebration offers free admission to multiple stages with world class programming.

  • Jazz Festival
    TD Ottawa Jazz Festival

    June 23 - 30, 2023

    Held across the street from the Lord Elgin Hotel in Confederation Park, this annual favorite includes the avant-garde to big band and swing, come enjoy musical stylings to suit any jazz aficionado!

  • Changing of the Guard - Parliament Hill
    Changing of the Guard

    End of June to end of August

    Almost every summer morning, Canada's Ceremonial Guard marches by the Lord Elgin Hotel each day enroute to and returning from Parliament Hill.

  • Canada Day 2017 Ottawa
    Canada Day

    July 1, 2020

    Don’t miss Canada’s 153rd birthday in the capital, when the region resonates with pageantry and the sounds of celebration!

  • RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest - Lebreton Flats

    July 9-19, 2020

    Celebrating 25 years, Bluesfest is one of the largest international music events in the world, with over 220 musical acts on several outdoor stages, attracting more than 300,000 music fans each year.

  • Music and Beyond
    Music and Beyond

    July 4-17, 2020

    Music and Beyond is a classical music and arts festival that began in July 2010. Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and many other

  • Chamberfest
    Chamberfest

    July 25 to August 8, 2019

    Ottawa Chamberfest brings together the boldest names in ensemble and solo performance for musical celebration in the nation’s capital, through its concert series, community engagement and education (CEE).

  • HOPE Volleyball SummerFest

    July 13, 2019

    Each year, more than 25,000 players and spectators flock to Mooney’s Bay Beach in Ottawa for the greatest summer party in the region.

  • Ottawa International Buskerfest

    August 1-5, 2019

    Visit the historic Sparks Street and watch Incredible Street Performers  from around the world. Shows for the whole family including jugglers, escape artists, acrobats, fire eaters, and more!

  • Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

    August 31 to September 4, 2023

    See hot air balloons fill the Gatineau sky, and enjoy the amusement park, fireworks, and a number of exciting shows!

  • Ottawa International Animation Festival

    September 20-24, 2023

    Every September, the Ottawa International Animation Festival presents the world’s most cutting-edge, quirky and important animation — and transforms Ottawa into the centre of the animation universe.

  • National War Memorial Ottawa locaetd in downtown Ottawa, blocks away from the Lord Elgin Hotel and Elgin Street. Remembrance day ceremonies happen here every year on November 11th.
    Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Ottawa

    November 11th, 2023

    On November 11th each year, Canadians gather at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, standing in collective Remembrance of all who have fallen in the military service of their country.

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