Ottawa, Canada’s beautiful capital city, welcomes group travelers from around the world each year, offering them a unique combination of cultural discovery, sightseeing, and adventure in the great Canadian outdoors. A city of just over one million people, Ottawa is located at the junction of three rivers on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg–Indigenous people, who settled in the region over 8,000 years before Europeans arrived. In fact, the name Ottawa is derived from the Algonquin word ‘adawe,’ which means ‘to trade.’
Experience Indigenous culture
Groups visiting the city can experience Indigenous culture at a number of attractions and events. Mādahòkì Farm in the city’s rural west end offers groups live entertainment, wooded trails, and a marketplace featuring authentic Indigenous crafts. It’s also the site of four seasonal festivals, which include pow wow competitions, Indigenous music, performances, celebration, and food. Another local Indigenous tourism experience, Makatew Workshops offers groups a welcoming space to learn about Indigenous culture and have fun while making a sacred traditional item. In downtown Ottawa, groups can join Indigenous Walks, a guided 1.5-mile tour that looks at Ottawa’s architecture, landscape, monuments, and art from an Indigenous perspective.
Cruise the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site
Europeans started settling in the Ottawa area in earnest during the construction of the Rideau Canal in the late 1820s. Built to provide a link from the Ottawa River to the St. Lawrence River 125 miles to the south, the Canal was the work of Colonel John By of the British Royal Engineers. The settlement that would become Ottawa was first named Bytown after the colonel in 1826. Today, the canal is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and groups can take sightseeing cruises on the canal through the city during warm months. In winter, it freezes over to become the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world. The Bytown Museum, located next to the canal, tells the stories of its construction and early Ottawa history.
Explore national sites and attractions
Ottawa was named the capital of Canada by Queen Victoria in the 1850s, and construction of Parliament began soon after. Located on a majestic hill overlooking the Ottawa River in the heart of downtown, the historic Parliament Buildings welcome group tours to both the House of Commons and Senate of Canada, telling the story of Canadian democracy along the way.
Telling Canadian stories is the speciality of Ottawa’s seven national museums, which welcome groups with open arms—and special group rates! The National Gallery of Canada, located just around the corner from Parliament, houses the world’s largest collection of Canadian and Indigenous art. The Canadian Museum of History on the shores of the Ottawa River presents the history of Canada’s Indigenous people and the Europeans who came after them. At the Canadian Museum of Nature, groups can immerse themselves in the flora and fauna of Canada, from ancient dinosaurs and birds to polar bears. The Canadian War Museum is filled with massive artifacts tracing the country’s military history. At the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, groups can trace the journey of food—from farm to fork. The Canada Science and Technology Museum highlights the country’s innovation and achievements. And at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, groups can wander through one of the world’s finest collections of vintage aircraft and learn about Canada’s contribution to space exploration.
Get out and about
While Ottawa is filled with urban delights, the city is also surrounded by waterways, parks, parkways, and wilderness areas. Over 600 miles of paved recreation pathways mean groups can rent bikes and pedal to many of the city’s popular sights. For thrill-seekers, there is white water rafting on the Ottawa River and a zipline that zips right over it from shore to shore. The nearby National Capital Greenbelt and Gatineau Park offer adventure experiences, from hiking and rock climbing to mountain biking, cave exploration, and Canada’s highest bungee jump. In winter, it all switches to cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and sled-dog rides.
Bring more groups, earn more rewards
NTA members can now sign up for Ottawa Tourism’s Visitor Inspiration Program (VIP). The more qualifying tours a member brings to Ottawa, the more points they earn to use on rewards —including personal travel to Ottawa, Visit Ottawa Passes, and more.
Ottawa looks forward to hosting the 2025 NTA Travel Exchange. We hope to see you here!
Contact: Kelly Dean
Photos by Ottawa Tourism unless otherwise noted
