The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ottawa

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

Updated June 14, 2023

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

Château Laurier

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

Ottawa, Ontario

Mer Bleue Bog

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

Ottawa, Ontario

Dinosaur Crossing Signs and Statues

These prehistoric replicas were based on actual skeletal remains.

Ottawa, Ontario

Central Experimental Farm

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

See All 16 Things To Do in Ottawa

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario

Vanier Sugar Shack

Watch maple syrup being made without ever leaving the city.

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Ottawa, Ontario

Architecture 4

Ecosystems 2

Intriguing Environs 2

Memorials 2

Museums 2

Monuments 2

Spiders 1

Science 1

Islands 1

Tunnels 1

Nature 1

Bridges 1

Prisons 1

Farms 1

Crime 1

Hotels 1

Art 1

Public 1

Statues 1

Automotive History 1

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Stories About Ottawa

Because of their exoskeletons, insects can remain in a collection for hundreds of years if they’re well cared for.

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, Atlas Obscura

November 25, 2020

One of the courses at Atelier’s drive-through: tuna tataki.

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

A server squeegees the window, too.

by Darcy Rhyno, Atlas Obscura

June 26, 2020

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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ottawa

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

Unusual Attractions in Ottawa

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Ottawa

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Ottawa Activity

Stories About Ottawa

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

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

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