/

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ottawa

14 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario

Updated December 26, 2022

Unusual Attractions in Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario

The Diefenbunker

Canada's subterranean Cold War museum has doubled as a movie set.

Ottawa, Ontario

'Maman'

Louise Bourgeois' 30-foot-tall steel spider sculpture.

Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa Jail Hostel

This inexpensive lodging house was once a prison notorious for its inhumane practices.

Ottawa, Ontario

Mer Bleue Bog

A boardwalk winds above this beautiful bog full of wildlife and a rare type of turtle.

Ottawa, Ontario

Château Laurier

The mastermind behind this palatial hotel perished on the Titanic weeks before its grand opening.

Ottawa, Ontario

Central Experimental Farm

A sprawling Victorian farm that has been surrounded by a capital city is one of Canada's greatest treasures.

Ottawa, Ontario

Hogs Back Lockstation

These locks on North America’s oldest canal are named after a porcine rock formation.

Ottawa, Ontario

Dinosaur Crossing Signs and Statues

These prehistoric replicas were based on actual skeletal remains.

See All 14 Things To Do in Ottawa

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Guided Tours of Ottawa

Explore Ottawa, Ontario

Intriguing Environs 2

Ottawa Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Ottawa.

Places Edited

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Ottawa.

Recent Ottawa Activity

findingthepowerwithin

wants to go to Remember Flanders
findingthepowerwithin

wants to go to Civic Pharmacy Sign
findingthepowerwithin

wants to go to Château Laurier
G

gracegp

has been to Château Laurier
G

gracegp

wants to go to Château Laurier

Stories About Ottawa

A Massive Collection of Dead Insects Lives Inside Filing Cabinets in a Canadian Office

Growing since 1886, this taxonomic library is among the largest insect repositories in the world.

by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson

November 25, 2020

This Restaurant Pivoted From Molecular Gastronomy to a 5-Course Drive-Through

A server squeegees the window, too.

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.