Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Ottawa East Local area

Parliament Hill is the political heart of Canada. It's also a beautiful icon in our city, as the Gothic Revival architecture perches on a hill overlooking the Ottawa River. In addition to being gorgeous to look at (and less than 2 km from our hotel!), the Hill is where all Canada's federal legislative branches are housed. You can explore the grounds, go on a guided tour of the historic building, and see the Changing of the Guard ceremony during the summer.

The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches all the way from Ottawa to Kingston, over 200 km away. The historic locks, which date back to the early 19th century, are still manually operated, and the canal is actively in use. During the warmer months, you can go boating and kayaking on the canal or take a walk on the path. But a winter visit is a real treat: the canal turns into the world's largest skating rink with over 7 kilometers of maintained ice through downtown Ottawa!

ByWard Market is one of Canada's biggest and oldest markets. Designed and established in 1826, the market is a lively, sprawling space with dozens of shops, restaurants, and stalls to explore. There’s more than shopping here: take a stroll through the streets to enjoy public art and live music. Enjoy beautiful floral displays in the summer and twinkling holiday lights in the winter. No trip to Ottawa is complete without time spent at this iconic market, just a 9-minute walk from our hotel!

The National Gallery of Canada is a major art museum that houses an extensive collection of Canadian, Indigenous, and international artworks. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the building is a piece of art itself, a glass and granite structure that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Enjoy a day (or three) browsing the 93,000 artworks at this gallery, including photographs, paintings, and sculptures.

Visitors are invited to tour the Mint's Ottawa manufacturing facility, where the precise art and craft of coin-making is revealed. The Mint’s on-site boutique also features a large selection of unique gifts, collectibles and souvenirs. For quality, craftsmanship and innovation, the Royal Canadian Mint is one of the world's most respected manufacturers.

The museum presents the complete story of Canada’s rich aviation and aerospace heritage. The collection itself consists of more than 130 aircraft and artifacts (propellers, engines) from both civil and military service. The most extensive aviation collection in Canada, it is also considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world.

Located just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, Casino du Lac-Leamy offers a thrilling place to test your luck. The casino features slot machines, table games, and poker rooms. Beyond gaming, you can enjoy fine dining at the casino's on-site restaurants, live performances at the theatre, and relaxation at the adjacent Lac-Leamy spa. For added beauty, the complex is situated on the shores of sparkling Leamy Lake.