Must See Sights and Landmarks in Gatineau Area

"Canada’s political centerpiece and the home of the city’s government buildings, Parliament Hill is distinguishable by its impressive gothic-style architecture, which dominates the downtown area overlooking the Ottawa River. Ottawa’s Canada Day celebrations are also centered around this landmark, as are the light and sound shows that take place in the summer and during the festive season. It offers free guided tours, which are a great way to learn more about the area’s history and familiarize yourself with the city’s importance in Canada’s cultural landscape."

"Parliament Hill is an impressive group of buildings that house Canada's government. Free tours are offered throughout the year and the Hill is also the setting for national celebrations, like Canada Day - a holiday when Ottawa really comes to life."

"Both the oldest and largest church in Ottawa, Notre Dame Basilica was built in 1841 and boasts two towering twin spires which can be seen from both the city center and Parliament Hill not far away. While its neoclassical exterior looks quite austere, its inside is a feast for the eyes with elaborate carvings and magnificent stained-glass windows wherever you look. Now preserved as a National Historic Site, the cathedral’s exquisite interior is home to hundreds of sculptures of religious figures with the carvings in its choir being particularly impressive."

"The oldest and largest church in Ottawa, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica needs to be photographed. Located on Sussex Street, the church is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. Head inside to photograph the gold gilded altar, stained-glass windows, and beautiful vaulted ceiling."

"While you’re in the ByWard Market you’ll be close to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, so walk on over and head inside. Unfortunately there was a wedding the day I tried to go in October, but I was able to get inside in May and it is stunning!. Definitely worth a look."

"The official residence of the Governor General of Canada, this grand estate evolved from stonemason Thomas McKay’s private villa, later reconfigured with new wings and, in 1913, a pedimented entrance engraved with a Royal Coat of Arms. Following the English landscape style, the building is surrounded by lush — and in this case, public — gardens. “I think of it as a picturesque park as much as a building,” Gagnon says."

"Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor-general of Canada is open to the public and can be explored by taking free guided tours. You must explore the phenomenal and royal heritage gardens. The guided tours take you through the opulent Staterooms, tastefully done ballroom – the Tent Room and even know more about the Governor-General."

"An Ottawa landmark that features Regency, Norman Revival and Florentine Renaissance Revival architecture, Rideau Hall is out to impress. Along with the marvellous art and noteworthy cabinetry that fills the interior plus the gorgeous grounds; Rideau Hall is unquestionably Instagram-worthy. View this post on Instagram"

"The National War Memorial (Monument Commémoratif de Guerre) and Canada's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is at the foot of a striking bronze sculpture of World War I soldiers emerging from a granite arch. Around the base of the statue, which is also known as "The Response," are the years of conflicts where Canadian forces have fought. A brief, but solemn, Changing of the Guard ceremony here is led by a single bagpiper, and the monument is the center of activities on Remembrance Day, when it is traditional for people to leave poppies on the tomb."

"The focal point of the capital’s Confederation Square, the National War Memorial lies just a short distance from Parliament Hill and many of the city’s other main sights. Originally erected in 1939 to commemorate the Canadians who died during World War I, the moving memorial has since been rededicated to all Canadians killed in all conflicts both past and future. Towering to 21 meters in height, the granite arch is adorned with striking sculptures that represent various branches of the Canadian forces."

"Perched on a rise next to the fairytale Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, the neo-gothic Parliament of Canada overlooks the River Ottawa and neighbouring Québec and is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Sit in on question time at the Legislature, enjoy the sound and light show on the illuminated Parliament Hill or take a guided tour of Centre Block. Address: Parliament Hill, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0A9Telephone: +1 613 992 4793Opening times:"

"No visit to Ottawa would complete without at least one Instagram post of the iconic Parliament buildings!. Throughout the year there plenty of photo opportunities from fireworks at Canada Day, flowers at Tulip Festival, the Sounds and Light Show in the summer, or over the winter when the Parliament of Canada is lit up at Christmas."

"The Canadian Parliament was originally built between 1859 and 1878 in the Neogothic Style, similar to the Chateau Style. Inspired by French, English and Flemish architectural elements, its construction employed mostly wood. In 1916, a great fire ravaged the central building."

"Central Experimental Farm holds a lot of dramatic structures and attractions that your gallery will love. There’s the Dominion Observatory, Dominion Arboretum and Fletcher Wildlife Garden. There are also several gardens and fields, with some dedicated to rocks, roses, perennial plants and sunflowers."

"In late summer the Central Experimental Farm has a large sunflower field that makes the perfect backdrop for a selfie. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1SZz9CFScn/?. utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet"

"Just beyond, you can bike through the Dominion Arboretum and the Experimental Farm, where many species of trees colour the landscape. A jewel of nature near the city centre!"

"Located in downtown Ottawa behind the beautiful National Gallery of Canada, Nepean Point is where you’ll want to go for spectacular panoramic photos of the Parliament Buildings, the Ottawa River and the Canadian Museum of History at any time of the day or night. This is a great vantage point from which you can see all that Ottawa has to offer."

"To get brilliant views of the Ottawa skyline, head to Nepean Point. The hill provides a scenic panorama of the city of Ottawa, along with the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill and several other landmarks. View this post on Instagram"

"A not so secret but beloved by locals lookout point to get the most stunning views of Parliament and the Ottawa river. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Soulayma A (@soul.ayma) on Oct 19, 2018 at 5:28pm PDT"

"The Canada Science and Technology Museum examines technology and science from a distinctly Canadian lens—from medical developments to wearable technology. The museum also plays home to a children’s innovation zone with various kid-friendly activities as well as practical resources for parents (like a bottle-warming station and diaper-changing area)."

"The recently refurbished Canada Science and Technology Museum is a favourite for children to visit. It’s a popular spot during the summer months due to all the school groups, and the train ride outside is a particular favourite. The Crazy Kitchen is another favourite, and is one of the original experiences from when the museum first opened in 1967."

"Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like a kid again and be filled with wonder as you visit the impressive exhibits that explore topics like sound, wearable technology, and medicine."

"Boasting one of the best natural history collections in the world is the Canadian Museum of Nature which remarkably houses more than fifteen million specimens. Set just a short stroll to the south of the center, its interesting artifacts and exhibits explore over four billion years of the Earth’s history. Originally founded in 1856 in Montreal, the massive museum now occupies a fine Tudor-Gothic Revival-style building which itself is a National Historic Site."

"This is an excellent museum to visit if you’re interested in the natural world and visiting this museum should be high on your list of things to do in Ottawa with kids. The handsome heritage building has wings on four floors packed with museum exhibits like dinosaurs, polar bears, birds and other creatures. If you’ve seen the movie “Night At The Museum”, this is the closest museum in Ottawa to the one in the movie."

"240 McLeod street (at Metcalfe) Ottawa, ON 613-566-4700 TF: 1-800-263-4433 •  TTY: 613-566-4770nature.ca. Canada is all about nature and no trip to Ottawa is complete without a visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature. You will discover all of Canada’s diverse nature under one roof!"

"Established back in 1889, these 64-acres of rolling land showcases a large plant collection of 4000 species. The Dominion Arboretum is Canada’s oldest arboretum with 1000 tree species, several microclimates, and wonderful panoramic views.Address: Arboretum, OttawaWebsite"

"I think last summer I went here so often I could of drawn a detailed map of the whole park!. But it’s filled with so many different types of scenery. It’s right by the canal, so we have water."

"Major’s Hill Park is a beautiful spot in downtown Ottawa with some of the best views of the city. This is one of my favourite places for photography because you can see Parliament, the National Art Gallery, Fairmount Chateau Laurier, and Notre Dame just by spinning around!. Major’s Hill Park is a very popular picnic spot."

"If cycling to your picnic spot is your goal, Parc des Cèdres in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau should be high on your list. You can bike there from downtown Ottawa and Hull via the scenic Voyageurs Pathway along the Ottawa River, and you can reward yourself with a swim on the beach, too. Showers, change rooms, washrooms, a snack bar, beach volleyball courts, a bike repair station and children’s play structures are among the park’s many amenities."