Ottawa Tourism and its members are looking forward to hosting and immersing you in history, nature, Indigenous culture, and Canadiana at NTA Travel Exchange this November. While in Ottawa for TREX, experience some of the amazing attractions and activities that make the Canadian capital one of North America’s most popular packaged travel destinations. Here are some highlights:
Hidden secrets of Ottawa
Start with a walk on Ottawa’s darker side and hear some spine-tingling tales from The Haunted Walk. Step inside the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier and stroll through its historic halls, ballrooms, and hidden art deco swimming pool. Hidden between the Château and Parliament Hill, the magnificent Rideau Canal locks step down eight levels from the canal to the Ottawa River below. Learn how this engineering marvel from the 1830s operates, then tour the Bytown Museum—the oldest stone structure in the capital—which chronicles the story of the canal’s construction and early history of Ottawa. Finish off your day with a thirst-quenching, locally-brewed craft beer at Beyond the Pale Brewing Company.
Treasures of Ottawa
If you like money, artistic masterpieces, and a tasty pastry, this is for you. Start at the Bank of Canada Museum, where you will learn about the evolution of currency, see rare coins and notes, and get the bottom line on the Bank of Canada’s role in the economy. After learning about money, you’ll see how it’s made—literally—at the Royal Canadian Mint. The Canadian Mint makes some of the most valued collectors coins in the world from precious metals like gold and silver. Be sure to go next door and visit the National Gallery of Canada, home to the largest collection of Canadian art in the world. End the day with a stop at the BeaverTails stand in the ByWard Market. BeaverTails are an Ottawa original—a sweet pastry treat available with a wealth of topping options. Yum!
Canadiana Eh! beer and poutine
Head to Ottawa’s southeast for a taste of two of Canada’s favorite things: beer and poutine. Brew Donkey Tours, offering curated experiential beer tours in Ottawa by bus or on foot, will take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery that includes a curated and guided tasting. Jump on a motorcoach and head south, passing by one of many Popsilos—farm silos painted with color scenes and patterns—that dot the countryside. The final stop is the renowned St-Albert Cheese Co-op, where you will witness cheese manufacturing and top it off with a hearty plate of poutine—French fries topped with fresh curd cheese and delicious gravy. It tastes even better than it sounds!
Connect with Indigenous culture
Ottawa is located on the traditional and unceded lands of the Anishinaabeg Algonquin Nation. At the Canadian Museum of History, visit the Residential School Monument and learn about this dark chapter in Canadian history. Travel to Mādahòkì Farm, an Indigenous tourism operation that hosts seasonal festivals and Indigenous markets and is home to the Ojibwe Spirit Horses. From there, travel to other Indigenous tourism operations in Ottawa, including Makatew Workshops for traditional craft-making, Indigenous Walks for a walking tour downtown, and Beandigen Café for refreshments and reflection.
Discover our true nature
If you’re into the great outdoors, start at the Canadian Museum of Nature, where you can wonder at Canadian flora and fauna, findings from the fossil fields of Alberta, and other treasures and landscapes across this immense land. Just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa is Gatineau Park, Ottawa’s outdoor playground. To get the full experience, visit the Park’s Visitor Centre, stand at the dramatic Pink Lake Lookout, or check out the Abraska Lafleche Cave.
Sustainable tourism: We are how we eat
Discover the importance of sustainable food practices for the tourism industry at Rogers Centre Ottawa, the capital’s beautiful downtown convention venue where NTA’s TREX ’25 will be held. Here you will meet some of the people behind the À la Carte food recovery program, a destination-led partnership between Ottawa Tourism and la Tablée des Chefs. The program recovers leftover food from business and major events across the city to help combat food insecurity. Or, you can tour Just Food Farm with C’est Bon Ottawa and learn how this initiative is helping make sustainability part of the local food industry.
War & Peace, and the games people play
On the western edge of Ottawa you’ll find an intriguing place frozen in time: the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, an actual bunker built underground to house Canadian government officials and important services in the case of a nuclear attack. When you’re finished, make time for play at Fun Haven, an indoor playground for kids and adults alike.
Register for TREX ’25 in Ottawa!
Registration for NTA’s Travel Exchange ’25 in Ottawa, November 9–12, opens June 10. Watch for more details on sightseeing tours coming soon.
