A Capital Welcome: Exploring Accessible Ottawa
After a scenic drive from Québec City, we arrived in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, and checked in at the Holiday Inn Ottawa-Downtown Parliament Hill. With just enough energy to stretch our legs, we dropped our bags in the room and headed straight out to explore the city by night.
Evening on Parliament Hill
We found ourselves on Sparks Street, a lively pedestrianised thoroughfare in the heart of downtown, and enjoyed a relaxed meal outside – a perfect way to ease into the city’s pace. From there, we wandered over to Parliament Hill, the political and architectural heart of Canada.
Although Centre Block – the most iconic of the Parliament buildings – is undergoing a major renovation until 2030, the surrounding area remains open to visitors. We followed the fully step-free pathway around Parliament Hill and caught the sun setting over the Ottawa River, casting a golden glow across the Gothic towers. It was a magical first impression of this stately city.
Day Trip to the Canadian Museum of History
The next morning began with a short drive over the river into Gatineau, Québec – Ottawa’s twin city across the water – to visit the Canadian Museum of History. This is Canada’s premier institution for national history and well worth the trip.
The museum was fully accessible, with lifts, step-free routes throughout, and complimentary entry for carers or companions. The exhibits are superbly curated, with a powerful focus on Indigenous and First Nations stories, alongside Canadian social and political history. During our visit, a fun and nostalgic temporary exhibition explored the evolution of Canadian pop music from the 1960s to the 1980s.
If you’re even slightly interested in history, this museum should be high on your list – not just for its content but for its accessibility and thoughtful design.
Accessible Metro & ByWard Market
After the museum, we returned the car to the hotel and tried out Ottawa’s O-Train metro system, which pleasantly surprised us with its accessibility. Unlike many older metro systems (we’re looking at you, London and New York), Ottawa’s stations are equipped with lifts, wide ticket barriers, and level boarding from platform to train – making city travel seamless for wheelchair users.
We took the O-Train just two stops to Rideau Station, right in the heart of the ByWard Market district. This trendy area is packed with local shops, street vendors, and buzzing eateries. We stopped for a light lunch inside the historic market building, where independent food stalls and cafes spill out into the surrounding streets. It’s a great place to try local flavours or pick up unique gifts.
Touring the Heart of Canadian Democracy
Of course, no visit to Ottawa is complete without exploring Canada’s Parliament. Guided tours of the House of Commons and Senate are free of charge, but English tours book up fast, so it’s best to reserve in advance. In our case, we managed to get tickets for a French-language tour and were later lucky enough to join an English tour thanks to no-shows.
Due to renovations, both the House of Commons and Senate are temporarily housed in separate buildings. This offers a unique opportunity to see parts of Parliament that are usually off-limits. Our tour guide was engaging and thoughtful, ensuring that we followed a completely step-free route and used lifts where needed. The building itself was modern and well-adapted for accessibility.
If time allows, there’s also the option to visit Parliament: The Immersive Experience, a multimedia presentation that takes visitors inside the still-closed Centre Block using state-of-the-art visuals and storytelling.
Diner Vibes & Local Eats on Elgin Street
We wrapped up our day by strolling down Elgin Street, known for its food scene and lively atmosphere. Here we dined at the original Zak’s Diner, a local institution that’s been serving up hearty North American fare for over 40 years. If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere, great food, and a dose of nostalgic charm, Zak’s is a must.
Elgin Street is also home to several other well-rated restaurants, so it’s well worth a visit if you fancy an evening away from the downtown crowds.
Next Stop: Into the Wilderness and Onto Toronto
With full stomachs and full hearts, we headed back to our hotel for a final night in Ottawa before the next chapter of our Canadian adventure: a journey into Algonquin Provincial Park and onward to Toronto.
