I can earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Ottawa does a certain kind of Sunday better than almost anywhere else. The kind that starts slowly and unfolds into a full, beautiful day, brunch that lingers, neighbourhoods that reward wandering, water you can actually get onto, vintage finds that feel like destiny, and the kind of city views that remind you why you chose to live here. I know the difference between tourist and local Ottawa. This is the latter: the places I go, the things to do in Ottawa, and the spots I recommend for a true city experience.
Whether you’re a longtime local seeking something new or a visitor with just a day, here’s your ideal Ottawa Sunday—from first coffee to the last sunset over the canal.
What Are Things To Do In Ottawa –Start With The Best Brunch
Ottawa takes brunch seriously. Every neighbourhood has its spot, every spot has a lineup, and everyone has an opinion. Here are the ones that consistently earn their reputation — and your Sunday morning.
Wilf & Ada’s — Centretown (The Classic)
If there is one brunch spot that Ottawa agrees on, it’s Wilf & Ada’s. This is a small, unpretentious scratch diner where almost everything is made in-house — the bacon is house-smoked, the juices are fresh-squeezed, the hollandaise is made from scratch, and you can taste every bit of it. There are no reservations. You wait in line. And you genuinely don’t mind.
- ORDER: The Mariposa Duck Benedict — braised duck, carrot chutney, homemade hollandaise. Their signature is for a reason.
- TIP: Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend lines start before they open.
Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner — Wellington West (The Personality)
Chesterfield bills itself as a “not so greasy spoon” and completely delivers on that promise. The menu takes diner classics and gives them a Caribbean-inspired twist — Jamaican-style eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, and plantains as a side option. For a woman from Trinidad and Tobago, stumbling into a brunch spot with plantains on the menu in Ottawa felt like a small miracle. The food is comforting with personality, and the Wellington West location means you’re perfectly positioned for a post-brunch wander through one of the city’s best independent shopping streets.
- ORDER: Jamaican-style benny. Trust.
- TIP: Walk-in only. Arrive early on weekends or expect a wait.
Gezellig — Westboro (The Special Occasion)
The name comes from a Dutch word for warmth, comfort, and togetherness — and this restaurant in a converted 1950s bank building lives up to every syllable of that meaning. Gezellig is where Ottawa’s most food-focused neighbourhood goes when it wants to feel taken care of. The brunch menu is seasonal, locally sourced, and beautifully executed. This is where you go when brunch is the occasion, not just the warm-up.
- ORDER: Whatever the seasonal special is. They know what they’re doing.
- TIP: Reservations strongly recommended, especially on weekends.
The Vanitea Room — Downtown (The Experience)
Ottawa’s first opulent salon de thé and eatery, The Vanitea Room, is an all-day brunch experience that feels like you’ve stepped into a world entirely outside ordinary life. Think bottomless prosecco and mimosas, lush décor, and a menu that accommodates gluten-free and vegan guests without sacrificing a single ounce of indulgence. This is the brunch you book for birthdays, celebrations, or the days when you deserve to be treated like royalty.
BOOK AHEAD: Available Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.
Fun Things to Do in Ottawa – Book a Boat Cruise on the Rideau Canal
If you have only done one water activity in Ottawa, let it be a cruise on the Rideau Canal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful waterways in the country, and seeing it from the water — rather than just walking beside it — completely changes how you understand the city.
The 90-minute Rideau Canal Cruise departs from behind the National Arts Centre (1 Elgin Street) and glides past landmarks including the Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The vessel is North America’s largest certified 100% electric passenger boat, so the ride is smooth and silent, and the live bilingual commentary makes it genuinely educational without ever feeling like a lecture.
For something a little more unexpected, the Floating Tiki Bar Cruise on the Ottawa River is a completely different vibe — festive, social, rated 4.7 stars, and perfect for a group outing. And if you want to linger after a full day of exploring, book the 4:30 pm slot on the canal cruise — sitting back as the afternoon light hits the water after hours of walking the city is about as good as a Sunday gets.
- BOOK AHEAD: Rideau Canal cruises start from around $42 CAD. Book through Viator or GetYourGuide.
TIP: The 4:30 pm slot is ideal — perfect light, and a beautiful way to wind down the day
Top Things To Do In Ottawa -Vintage Shopping: Ottawa’s Best Stores
Ottawa’s vintage scene is quietly one of the best in the country — and the shopping stretch from the ByWard Market through Centretown and out to Hintonburg means you can make a full afternoon of it. Here are the stores worth building your route around.
Darling Vintage — ByWard Market (9 Clarence Street)
This is Ottawa’s most beloved vintage boutique and for very good reason. Darling Vintage specializes in era-accurate pieces spanning the 1920s through the 1990s — think mid-century dresses, 1970s bohemian pieces, and 1980s power dressing — and every single item is meticulously washed, pressed, and organized before it hits the floor. The store is immaculate, beautifully merchandised, and completely free of the lingering “vintage smell” that deters some shoppers. If you only visit one vintage store, make it this one.
Ragtime Vintage — Centretown (Ottawa’s Oldest Vintage Store)
In business since 1978, Ragtime is an institution. Their collection spans vintage fashion for all genders, with everything from everyday retro pieces to eccentric costume finds — evening gowns, vintage tuxedos, tutus, go-go boots, hats, scarves, and jewellery that you absolutely cannot find anywhere else. The store is gloriously cramped and full of treasures in every corner. Every item is tagged with its era, which is genuinely helpful when you’re deep in the racks and time starts to feel irrelevant.
Bellwethers Vintage — Downtown Core
Nestled on a quiet street near Bank Street, Bellwethers is a carefully curated shop specializing in hand-picked vintage and designer pieces from the 1940s through the 1990s. The selection is intentional and glamorous — not overwhelming, just genuinely good. If you’re looking for something specific and high-quality rather than the thrill of the hunt, Bellwethers is your store.
Pop-Up 613 — Various Locations
My absolute top things to do in Ottawa. Keep an eye out for when Pop-Up 613 comes to town. This rotating local market brings together Ottawa’s best vintage sellers, independent designers, and sustainable fashion vendors all in one place — clothing, accessories, home décor, vinyl records, and more. Follow their social media for dates and locations. It’s the kind of event that makes a Saturday feel like a gift.
Souvenir Shopping: Bring Home Something Worth Keeping
Ottawa has genuinely good souvenir options — if you know where to look beyond the standard tourist fare.
Maker House Co. — Wellington West (987 Wellington St W)
This is the souvenir shop I send every visitor to. Maker House Co. is dedicated entirely to Canadian-made products from artisans across the country — functional, beautiful, and built to last. You’ll find everything from locally designed jewelry and ceramics to handcrafted leather goods, Ottawa-specific art prints, and food items like artisanal jams and maple products. The difference between shopping here and picking something up at the airport is the difference between a keepsake and a souvenir.
The Snow Goose — Parliament Hill Area
For Indigenous art and Canadian artisan goods, The Snow Goose is unmatched in Ottawa. Carvings, prints, and jewelry in wood, metal, and stone, made by Indigenous artists from across Canada. This is where you shop when you want something that carries genuine cultural significance and exceptional craftsmanship. The Parliamentary Boutique inside West Block also offers unique mementos — including pins made from the original copper roofs of the Parliament Buildings — and is worth a visit if you’re doing a free guided Parliament tour anyway.
The ByWard Market — General Souvenir Shopping
The ByWard Market is chaotic, touristy, and completely worth it anyway. Inside the market building, you’ll find artisan boutiques, including Eclection (locally made clothing and accessories) and Canada in a Basket (products sourced from every Canadian province). On William Street, across from the market building, Crazy Moose carries Ottawa-themed apparel if you want something immediately recognizable. And before you leave the market area, get a BeaverTail. This is not optional.
Must-See Attractions: The Ottawa List
Ottawa has 14 national museums and one of the most beautiful downtowns in the country. Here are the ones that have genuinely stayed with me.
Parliament Hill
Free guided tours of the West Block are far more interesting than you might expect. Standing inside the Centre Block (currently under renovation) or on the Hill itself, looking out over the Ottawa River toward Gatineau, is one of those moments that puts the country into perspective in a way nothing else quite does. Go. It costs nothing.
The National Gallery of Canada
Free admission on Thursday evenings. The permanent collection includes Canadian and Indigenous art that will shift how you understand this country’s history and identity. The building itself — designed by Moshe Safdie, with a soaring glass tower that mirrors the nearby Parliament Library — is one of the most beautiful in the city. The terrace view alone is worth the visit. The gift shop, run by the Ottawa Art Gallery, carries genuinely beautiful Canadian-made items if you’re still looking for something to take home.
The Rideau Canal Pathway
The full 7.8km stretch from downtown to Dow’s Lake is one of the most beautiful urban walks in Canada. Flat, accessible, and entirely lovely in every season. In summer, kayakers and paddleboarders share the water with the cruise boats. The pathway is lined with mature trees and punctuated by small parks and locks that feel like they’re from another century. Pack a coffee and go slowly. This is exactly the kind of walking that clears your head and reminds you why you live where you do.
What Do Locals Do In Ottawa – Take A Bike Ride On the Canal
If walking the canal pathway feels too leisurely for the kind of Sunday you’re after, get on a bike. The Rideau Canal cycling path is one of the most scenic and stress-free rides in the city — flat, car-free, and genuinely beautiful from start to finish. The 7.8km stretch from downtown to Dow’s Lake takes you past the Château Laurier, through canopy-lined pathways, past the Corktown Bridge with its sweeping canal views, and all the way to Dow’s Lake, where you can stop for a rest before looping back. It’s accessible for all fitness levels, perfect for families, and the kind of ride that leaves you feeling like you’ve actually done something with your Sunday — without it ever feeling like exercise. If you don’t own a bike, here is everything you would need before you buy one
Don’t own a bike? Here’s where to rent one:
RentABike Ottawa — Ottawa’s original bike rental company, in business since 1976, is located right on the canal at 2 Rideau Street, below street level beside the Senate of Canada. You literally step off the bike, and you’re already on the pathway — it doesn’t get more convenient than that. They offer standard, e-bike, and tandem bikes for all ages and skill levels, with helmets and maps included. Open daily April through October. Tip: their location is below street level under the bridge, so GPS can be confusing — look for the steps down beside the Senate building.
Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals — Located at 65 Sparks Street, steps from Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market, Escape has been Ottawa’s leading rental company since 2014. Every rental comes with a helmet, lock, and self-guided route maps tailored to your time and interests — whether you want a one-hour canal loop or a half-day ride out to Rideau Falls and Rockcliffe Park. They carry standard bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and options for families with children. The team will fit the bike to you before you roll out, which matters more than people think. Book ahead in peak season — July and August go fast.
→ TIP: Book your rental in advance online to guarantee your preferred bike type — walk-ins are welcome, but availability fills up quickly on sunny weekends.
Lansdowne Park – Farmers Market
On weekends, the Lansdowne Farmers’ Market sets up here — excellent local produce, artisan vendors, and a genuinely community-minded atmosphere. The park itself, with TD Place arena and the Aberdeen Pavilion, is architecturally interesting and surrounded by restaurants and independent shops. It’s the kind of public space Ottawa does exceptionally well: useful, beautiful, and completely unpretentious.
Your Perfect Things To Do In Ottawa Sunday, Start to Finish
Here’s how I’d put it all together: brunch at Wilf & Ada’s or Chesterfield’s, then a walk through the ByWard Market to browse Darling Vintage and pick up something from Maker House Co., then an afternoon boat cruise on the Rideau Canal, then a slow walk back along the canal pathway as the light changes. Stop at the National Gallery if it’s a Thursday evening. End the day somewhere on a patio with a local glass of something and the particular satisfaction of a Sunday well spent.
Ottawa doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t need to. The people who take the time to look discover one of the most liveable, most beautiful, most quietly excellent cities in the country.
I’m so glad I’m one of them.
Are you in Ottawa? What are your favourite spots? Drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for new local recommendations. And if you’re visiting and want a personalized local guide, book a consultation.
