Free Things to Do in Ottawa
A guide to the best free things to do in Ottawa, from national museums with free admission windows to parks, markets, and landmarks that cost nothing to visit.
Ottawa is one of the best cities in Canada for free things to do. The national capital is home to world-class museums, historic landmarks, and kilometres of waterfront pathways — and a surprising amount of it costs nothing.
This guide covers the best free activities in Ottawa, from museums with permanent free admission to those with free evening windows, plus parks, markets, and landmarks that are always free to visit.
Always Free
These places are free every day, no special timing required.
Bank of Canada Museum
The Bank of Canada Museum is completely free, year-round. It's one of Ottawa's most underrated attractions — far more interactive than you'd expect from a museum about money.
Kids can design their own banknotes, launch a rocket ship to learn about inflation, and use an interactive wristband that personalizes their visit. Adults will find the economics exhibits genuinely engaging. The museum is small enough to visit in about an hour, making it easy to fit into any day downtown.
- Location: 30 Bank Street (at Wellington)
- Hours: Wed–Sun 10 AM – 5 PM
- Cost: Always free
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill offers free guided tours of the West Block (House of Commons) and the Senate of Canada Building. It's a chance to walk through the halls where Canadian laws are made — and the Gothic Revival architecture is worth seeing on its own.
The grounds are open year-round. The Centennial Flame, the river views over to Gatineau, and the sprawling lawns are all free to enjoy anytime.
- Tours: Free, book ahead at visit.parl.ca
- Note: Government photo ID required for adults. Arrive 25–30 minutes early for security
Ottawa City Hall
Ottawa City Hall houses two free art galleries on its main level — the City Hall Art Gallery and the Karsh-Masson Gallery. Both feature rotating exhibitions by professional artists and are open daily 9 AM – 5 PM with free admission.
The building itself, designed by Moshe Safdie, is worth a look. Jean Pigott Place, the public square in front, hosts seasonal events throughout the year.
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ottawa's defining landmarks. Walking, running, and cycling along its pathways is free year-round.
In summer, the canal is lined with joggers, cyclists, and families strolling between Dow's Lake and the Parliament Hill locks. In winter, a 7.8 km stretch becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway — the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink. Skating is free; you just need your own skates (or rent a pair nearby).
Commissioners Park
Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake is a beautiful green space year-round, but it's best known as the home of the Canadian Tulip Festival. Every May, over 300,000 tulips bloom across 26 flower beds — and walking through them is completely free.
Outside of tulip season, the park has pathways along the water, benches, and views of the lake. It connects to the Rideau Canal pathway network.
See our guide to the Tulip Festival → for dates and details.
ByWard Market
The ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. Walking through the market — browsing vendors, checking out street art, soaking in the atmosphere — is free.
The indoor ByWard Market Building is open year-round with food vendors and shops. In warmer months, outdoor stalls sell produce, flowers, and crafts. It's a good destination for a free afternoon of wandering, even if you don't buy anything.
Free on Thursday Evenings
Several of Ottawa's major museums offer free admission on Thursday evenings. This is legitimately one of the best deals in the city — you get access to world-class collections without paying a cent.
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is free every Thursday from 5–8 PM. The collection includes Canadian, Indigenous, and European art, plus the famous reconstructed Rideau Street Convent Chapel. Thursday evenings often include live music, free art-making activities, and themed tours.
- Free hours: Thursday 5–8 PM
- Regular admission: 20
- Location: 380 Sussex Drive
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum offers free admission every Thursday from 5–7 PM. The LeBreton Gallery — a massive hall filled with tanks, armoured vehicles, and a fighter jet suspended from the ceiling — is worth the visit alone.
- Free hours: Thursday 5–7 PM
- Regular admission: 22
- Location: 1 Vimy Place
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature is free every Thursday from 5–8 PM. Highlights include dinosaur skeletons, a full blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, and over 450 Canadian bird species on display.
- Free hours: Thursday 5–8 PM
- Regular admission: 24
- Location: 240 McLeod Street
Planning a Thursday Museum Crawl
You can realistically visit two museums in one Thursday evening if you plan it right. A few options:
- War Museum (5 PM) → National Gallery (6:30 PM) — Both are near each other along the Ottawa River. Walk or take a short bus ride between them
- Museum of Nature (5 PM) → National Gallery (6:30 PM) — The Museum of Nature is a 15-minute walk south of downtown; head north to Sussex Drive after
The War Museum closes its free window at 7 PM (earlier than the others), so start there if you want to hit two.
Free Daily Window
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers free admission every day from 4–5 PM. It's a short window, but the museum is well laid out and you can see the highlights in an hour — over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm, and the nose section of the Avro Arrow.
- Free hours: Daily 4–5 PM
- Regular admission: 19
- Location: 11 Aviation Parkway, Rockcliffe
- Tip: Arrive around 3:30 PM, browse the gift shop, then enter the galleries at 4
Free Seasonal Events
Ottawa hosts several major free events throughout the year:
- Canadian Tulip Festival (May) — Over a million tulips across the city. Free admission to Commissioners Park. See our guide →
- Vanier Sugar Festival (March) — Ottawa's only urban sugar shack. Free admission with maple taffy, live music, and lumberjack competitions
- Canada Day on Parliament Hill (July 1) — Free concerts, ceremonies, and fireworks on the Hill
- Winterlude (February) — Ice sculptures, skating, and snow activities across the city. Most activities are free
- Changing of the Guard (summer) — Free daily ceremony on Parliament Hill
Tips for Free Ottawa
- Thursday is your best day — Three major museums are free in the evening. Pick one or try to hit two
- Bring a lunch — Museum cafeterias are pricey. Pack a lunch and eat in the seating areas or nearby parks
- Walk downtown — Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, ByWard Market, and the Rideau Canal locks are all within a 15-minute walk of each other
- Check for special promotions — Museums sometimes offer free or discounted admission during March Break, Heritage Day, and other holidays. Check individual websites before visiting
- Ottawa Museums Passport — Not free, but if you plan to visit multiple museums at full price, the passport can save money. Available at participating museums
Featured Places
Bank of Canada Museum
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
Parliament Hill
Canada's seat of federal government and a National Historic Site, featuring the iconic Peace Tower, the Centennial Flame, and free guided tours of the West Block and Senate. Centre Block is closed for renovation until the early 2030s.
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's national art museum featuring the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadian art, plus impressive international works.
Canadian War Museum
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Canada's largest aviation collection with over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm from Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the largest surviving piece of the Avro Arrow. Free admission daily from 4-5 PM.
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
Rideau Canal
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter. Perfect for walks, cycling, and boating in summer.
Commissioners Park
The home of the Canadian Tulip Festival, with over 300,000 tulips across 26 flower beds along the shore of Dow's Lake. Free to visit year-round.