What to do in Ottawa without a car? Your guide to car-free adventures

People say that Ottawa is boring, and so you might wonder what you can do around the city without a car.

Trust me, there’s so much to explore, and not driving won’t limit the activities you can do — especially if you’re staying in Saintlo Ottawa Jail hostel, which is in a central location, perfect for your trip to Ottawa.

Ditch the car when you’re visiting, and enjoy these recommendations for fun and walkable things to do, which will keep your trip eco-conscious (and budget-friendly)!

Explore all the culture Ottawa has to offer

Did you know that seven of the nine national museums in Canada are located in Ottawa? This city is perfect for cultural enthusiasts and has tons of exhibits and galleries for you to explore while you’re here!

If you’re staying downtown, you can easily walk to the National Gallery of Canada, ByTown Museum, or the Ottawa Art Gallery.

All of these are perfect if you’re travelling on a budget  — a few are even free on Thursday evenings! Or if you need to escape the freezing temperatures we sometimes get in Ottawa.

Don’t miss out on these must do activities

As Canada’s capital, Ottawa has some unique activities I was so excited to discover when I first moved here! Like the Parliament Immersive Experience, an innovative multimedia exhibition on Sparks Street, which is free to enjoy.

Or if you’re lucky enough to visit during Doors Open, you can go behind the scenes of buildings that normally don’t allow public access or that charge entry! This includes embassies, museums and one of my favourite spots to visit, the residence of the governor general — Rideau Hall.

And don’t forget to stop by Level One Game Pub, another standout spot, where you can enjoy food and drinks while checking out their collection of over 2000 board games and video games.

Explore Ottawa’s food scene

Ottawa might be overshadowed by its bigger neighbours — Toronto and Montreal — as a must visit spot for foodies, but we have a vibrant food scene here!

When you get hungry after all of your exploring, you can visit:

• Le Mien – A traditional hand-pulled noodle spot
• Beyond the Pale – A brewing company in one of the most historic areas of the Byward Market
• Peace-Garden – A secret oasis for vegetarian food
• Ahora – A colourful underground Mexican restaurant

And all of these hidden gems are under a fifteen minute walk from the Saintlo Ottawa Jail hostel.

If you’re looking to grab some drinks, Ottawa’s oldest Tavern, The Laff, is less than ten minutes away. And for an exciting atmosphere with live music, The Heart & Crown is nearby too.

See world renown nature

You can’t visit Ottawa without stopping to appreciate the Rideau Canal. We’re so lucky to have this UNESCO World Heritage Site right in the city. Depending on the season, you can walk along the banks, see thousands of tulip, watch the locks at work, or even enjoy skating on it.

But the amazing nature doesn’t stop there! From May until October, there is a free shuttle which can take you to Gatineau Park. Just walk over Alexandra Bridge to the pickup point at the Canadian Museum of History and get transported to the world famous fall leaves, incredible hikes, and scenic lakes, perfect to enjoy with a picnic.

And if you don’t feel like walking far, you have to check out this downtown oasis with incredible views of Parliament, Château Laurier and the Ottawa River — Major Hill Park. It’s beautiful in every season, but it’s famous for the tulips that bloom there in the Spring

Expand your scope with public transit

Of course, there are so many walkable things to do when you’re staying in downtown Ottawa, but if you want to expand your horizons a bit further, you easily can!

The Saintlo Ottawa Jail hostel is just 5 minutes from an O Train station, connecting you to many different parts of the city. And I personally don’t think a trip to Ottawa is complete without checking out other neighbourhoods.

Take the train west and visit Parkdale Market and the Canadian War Museum. Or travel south to Little Italy, Mooney’s Bay Beach, Hog’s Back Falls and more!

In short, Ottawa is full of surprises — and perfect for travellers without a car.

From museums and parks to great eats and one-of-a-kind activities, there’s no shortage of things to do.

And the best part? It’s all just steps away from Saintlo Ottawa Jail, your iconic (and budget-friendly) home base for exploring the capital.

History, fun, and local gems — there’s no better way to see Ottawa from a fresh perspective.