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I Went To Ottawa For The First Time Since My Junior High Trip, And It Turns Out There’s *So* Much More To Do Than Just Visit Museums

How many "Unofficial Museums" could I fit into this visit?

by
Visit Ottawa
by Visit Ottawa

Brand Publisher

,
Liza Hicks
by Liza Hicks

BuzzFeed Staff

Hi, I'm Liza, and I'm a BuzzFeed producer currently living in Toronto! Recently, Ottawa Tourism invited me to visit the city, and I was intrigued. I had only visited Ottawa a few times when I was younger, so I was excited (and curious) to return and experience the fun again as an adult!

The writer posing for a photo on a balcony with Parliament buildings behind her
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

To me, the definition of fun is hanging out on patios and enjoying gorgeous views, just like this one! 

To get some inspo for the trip, I turned to Ottawa Tourism's “Unofficial Museum” Guide and set out on an adventure to check off as many places as I could in 36 hours.

The writer with her arms spread in a garden, surrounded by flowers
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Let's do this.

After arriving in Ottawa in the evening, I knew I had to hit up Tavern on the Falls first. There's a reason this place is "The Unofficial Museum of Airplane Mode"... just look at that view from the patio!

The writer sipping a drink while leaning on a railing that overlooks a waterfall
Liza Hicks// BuzzFeed

Phone on airplane mode, sunglasses on, drink sipped — I was ready to take in all the Ottawa sites! The first one? This view of the point where Rideau Falls meet the Ottawa River.

Upon stepping foot onto the Tavern patio, I automatically went into vacation mode and had to order a Tavern Spritz.

Liza Hicks// BuzzFeed

We also ordered a charcuterie board and a Backyard Dog (they're known for their outrageous hot dogs). The Backyard Dog is BBQ pulled pork, slaw, bacon bits, and pickled jalapeños. Yum!

The next morning, I woke up bright and early and headed to Little Victories Coffee Roasters — "The Unofficial Museum of Latte Art."

The writer drinking a coffee in front of Little Victories Coffee Roasters
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

There's two different locations, but this Little Victories Coffee Roasters is right on Elgin Street, which makes it the perfect central spot — everything is about a 15-minute walk away. 

Andrew, one of the owners of Little Victories Coffee Roasters, is a coffee connoisseur. He showed me this pour-over coffee bar (one of the only ones in Canada!), and it was a super-unique experience.

Liza Hicks// BuzzFeed

I learned all about the different kinds of coffee roasts and their distinct flavours. This specific coffee had notes of berries and cherries! 

I ended up starting with one of their staple drinks, a flat white that had the cutest little swan as latte art.

Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

I knew I had a long day of exploring ahead, so I grabbed an iced latte for the road too!

Only a five-minute walk from Little Victories Coffee Roasters was the Rideau Canal, which is known as "The Unofficial Museum of Scenic Cardio"!

The writer posing with a coffee drink while leaning against the railing overlooking a canal
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

The Canal pathway is about 8 kilometers long, so you can jog or rent a bike if you're into exercising on vacation. Me? I enjoyed a nice slow leisurely walk, taking time to sit on the grass and enjoy the views.

All that walking got me hungry, so then it was on to the ByWard Market — "The Unofficial Museum of Locavorism" — to enjoy some delicious eats.

The ByWard Market building with clear blue skies in the background.
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

The ByWard Market is just a 10-minute walk from the Rideau Canal. The ByWard Market building is one of the oldest buildings in the city, but the ByWard Market itself is Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhood. There's a ton of scrumptious food options as well as little shops.

I ended up ordering hand-pulled noodles for lunch from Sushi Zone and Ramen Stop.

The writer using chopsticks to pull noodles so high that they're above her head
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Just LOOK at how long those noodles are!

Of course, I had to try the famous Obama Cookie from Le Moulin de Provence.

Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed, Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

These cookies were made famous by US President Barack Obama when he stopped by Le Moulin de Province during one of his Canadian trips in 2009. Apparently, he was buying these cookies for his daughters! Now, the Obama cookie is a popular staple at the bakery.

And no trip to Ottawa is complete without an obligatory photo with the Ottawa sign.

Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Touristy? Maybe. But here's proof of just how much fun I was having!

After filling up on noodles and cookies, I made my way to Major's Hill Park, which Ottawa has dubbed "The Unofficial Museum of Flowerbeds."

The writer smelling a flower in bloom
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the flowers! This little park full of gorgeous flowers overlooks Parliament Hill, which makes it the perfect picnic spot after grabbing snacks from the ByWard Market.

Frolicking in flowers really works up an appetite, so I headed to La Terrasse at the Fairmont Château Laurier, "The Unofficial Museum of Caesars and Views."

The writer holding a giant drink that also holds skewers of four mini sliders
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Is there anything more Canadian than enjoying a caesar overlooking Parliament Hill during the sunset? I think not! This extra large caesar topped with shrimp and sliders was meant to be shared friends but...I earned the whole thing after a day of exploring! 

Now, I know this post isn't about visiting official sites, but Parliament Hill is just a five-minute walk from La Terrasse — so I had to swing by just to take in the iconic sights.

Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Oh Canada!

Somehow, I still had some energy left in me, so I hopped into a cab to grab some pints from Beyond the Pale Brewing, "The Unofficial Museum of Grabbing a Cold One."

A "Beyond The Pale" pint filled with beer
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Beyond the Pale Brewing is a really chill spot just a 10-minute cab ride from downtown Ottawa. This place had a great patio, which is a huge summertime bonus. If live music is your thing, then this is also the spot for you. 

Beyond the Pale Brewing is famous for brewing everything in house. Locals recommend Tropical Breeze, Pink Fuzz, and Yummy.

A sampler tray holds small glasses of the three above mentioned flavors
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

I couldn't make up my mind, so I tried a flight of all three. It was the perfect midnight cap to end my day. Ottawa's craft beer and wine scene is thriving, so I'm glad I could check it out! 

With more than 12,000 steps under my belt (hooray walkable cities), I called it a day. But I still had a few more stops before leaving Ottawa!

For my last morning in the city, I headed to Drip House — "The Unofficial Museum of Avocado and Art" — to grab some coffee and breakfast.

A plate of avocado toast has the avocados cut and fanned in a satisfying design, topped with tomatoes, salt, and pepper
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Just look at how gorgeous this avocado toast is. A truly delicious work of art.

Of course I had to get a little bit of shopping in, so I also visited Birling, Highjinx, and some boutiques.

Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Birling is a skater-owned and -run skateboard shop that's known as "The Unofficial Museum of Finally Landing Your Kickflip." Just a 10-minute walk away is Highjinx, "Unofficial Museum of Second Hand Treasures." Highjinx is a vintage and thrift shop, dedicated to giving back to the community.

To end my epic Ottawa trip, I headed to Moo Shu Ice Cream, "The Unofficial Museum of Treating Yourself," to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Three ice cream cones in front of a "Moo Shu Ice Cream" sign
Liza Hicks // BuzzFeed

Moo Shu Ice Cream is famous for their unique flavours that incorporate local ingredients! Pictured here is Strawberry, Hong Kong Milk Tea, and Vegan Dalgona. The waffle cone was absolutely heavenly, too. 

And with that, my 36 hours in Ottawa was up. I learned that there was so much to do in the city! With countless patios, cute shops, and unique activities, there's an "Unofficial Museum" for everyone. You can check out more suggestions here, and let me know what Ottawa spots you'd add to the list!