Top 10 Places to Photograph in Ottawa in the Summer
Whether you're a seasoned photographer looking for some print worthy shots, or are just looking to great some cool pics to up your Instagram game, Ottawa has some amazing places to photograph. Here are our top 10 places to photograph in Ottawa in the summer, whether you're touring as a visitor, or are a local looking to rediscover the city with fresh eyes.
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Watch as boats of all sizes travel up and down the canal, including people paddling by canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board. For a great vantage point overlooking the canal from above, head to one of the many bridges over the waterway including the Bank St. Bridge, Bronson Bridge or Pretoria Bridge. The Laurier bridge, closest to downtown, will give you a postcard perfect view of the canal with Parliament, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the Senate and Shaw Centre all in view. For those looking for a unique perspective, hop on an open cockpit vintage biplane with Ottawa Biplane Adventures or helicopter ride with Heli Tremblant, both taking off from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and get a bird’s eye view from above.
John Felice Ceprano Balanced Rock Art
For over 30 years artist John Felice Ceprano has been creating beautiful and unique balanced rock art by the Ottawa River. By carefully balancing different sized rocks from the river's edge onto one another, the shoreline of Remic Rapids park is transformed into a living art installation. At the end of each year the sculptures are deconstructed by the elements, returning the riverbank to it's original state, and creating a blank canvas for the following spring.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
At the end of August each year the skies fill with colourful hot air balloons of different shapes and sizes during the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. Head to the festival itself and get an up close view of the giant balloons (and even tour inside one) or book a flight in a balloon and get a bird's eye view of the city with balloons of different shapes and sizes floating effortlessly in the skies. Head to the Rockcliffe lookout for view of the balloons as they head over the Ottawa River - when the balloons take off with the wind blowing south or east, this spot is the best vantage point. Be sure to follow the festival's social media accounts for updates on flight information - balloons only fly in very specific weather conditions, so this will help you determine whether a takeoff is a “go” during the morning and late afternoon flight times.
Ottawa River
Flowing along the north edge of the city of Ottawa, the Ottawa River has many beautiful spots to photograph along its banks. Catch a picture perfect view with cocktail in hand from Tavern on the Falls which overlooks Rideau Falls; where the Rideau River and Ottawa River meet. Head west towards the Canadian War Museum and stop on the Eddy Street bridge to watch people fly over the river at up to 40km/hr on Interzip Rogers, the first interprovincial zip line linking Ontario to Quebec. A little further west head over to Andrew Haydon Park and meander one of its numerous beautiful paths, and catch the sunset with the park's iconic windmill in view.
House of Paint Festival and Neighbourhood Street Art
The House of Paint Urban Arts Festival is a celebration of urban arts, and the giant graffiti wall under the Dunbar Bridge is certainly one of the highlights. Head to the festival and watch as local graffiti artists create amazing artwork, and catch the hip hop and break dance battles to see b-boys and girls in actions as they spin and groove on the main stage.
Ottawa is also full of tons of amazing street art, and you can find colourful and imaginative creations in every neighbourhood in the city. House of Paint has a great Google Map highlighting virtually every mural in the city; a great resource when planning a tour of Ottawa, and scoping out those prime Instagram spots.
ByWard Market
Established in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of the oldest markets in Canada, and has some great opportunities for photo ops. Stop by the vibrant farmers' market and marvel at the wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby local farms. Head to the Clarendon Courtyard for beautiful stone architecture with a European vibe, and plenty of patios nearby to take in the historic ambiance.
There is a wide variety of street art in the ByWard Market, like the bright blue Our Shepherds by Patrick Bérubé sculpture in the Tin House courtyard, or Dancing Bear in the Jeanne d'Arc Courtyard. Just across from the Andaz Hotel, don’t miss the massive whale and hunter mural at the corner of George Street and Dalhousie (a collaboration between the Ottawa School of Art and a group of young Inuit artists). No visit to the market is complete without a stop at the giant Ottawa sign on York St lit in a myriad of colours at night, and the Birds of a Feather mural on the step leading up to Major's Hill Park is not to miss.
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada, while full of art, is also an art piece in itself. Not only is it full of interesting history, amazing art, and interesting exhibitions, but it also has some beautiful architecture to photograph. The first thing you'll notice when you enter the museum is the stunning glass and granite, cathedral-like entryway to the gallery called the Colonnade. You'll then enter into the Great hall, one of the most impressive areas architecturally, with its soaring windows and intricate glass panel design.
The Water Court (or the Michael and Sonja Koerner Family Atrium), is a stunning space which features a glass-bottomed pool, soaring skylights and some impressive large scale sculptures. If you're on the main level of the museum near the coat check and group check-in area, you can actually see up into the pool from below.
The Garden Court is a peaceful and calm place to relax in the gallery among landscaped courtyards containing massive Canadian Shield limestone, a gravel path (depicting a river bed), and a bed of greenery with ferns and orchids. Not only is it architecturally stunning, but it’s a beautiful spot to unwind and rest your feet mid-visit. Be sure to head up to the second level for a spectacular view from above, and on sunny days you'll be rewarded with some amazing shadows creating intricate patterns on the surrounding walls.
The Rideau Chapel is another must-see on a visit to the National Gallery. Originally part of Our Lady of the Sacred Hearts (a girls’ boarding school in Ottawa), in 1972 the historical structure was saved from destruction and eventually reconstructed inside the National Gallery of Canada space. It is one of only two architectural exhibits of this kind in North America, and you'll be dazzled by Janet Cardiff’s Forty-Part Motet, the sound installation inside which showcases forty separately-recorded choir voices played through 40 speakers positioned around the space.
Rideau Canal Locks
The Rideau Canal Locks are an engineering marvel and the best spot to capture an iconic Ottawa photo. For the best vantage point head to the Plaza bridge on Wellington beside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for a view down the locks towards the Ottawa River and watch as boats of all sizes slowly make their way up and down the series of eight locks. Head down to lock level and walk across one of bottom locks closest to the Ottawa River and you'll get a great view of the locks from a unique perspective. For those with a long lens, the Alexandra bridge over the Ottawa River is also another great vantage point, or hop on a cruise on the river from Capital Cruises or Paul's Boat Line to get that perfect shot from the Ottawa River with Parliament in view.
Parliament Hill
Perhaps the most iconic spot in Canada's Capital, Parliament Hill is a must-see and there are many spots to catch that postcard perfect shot. Head to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau for a breathtaking panoramic view of Parliament Hill with the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal Locks and Alexandra Bridge in your frame. From the back of the Supreme Court of Canada (best accessible on foot or by bike), you'll get a different perspective on this iconic building with West Block's stunning architecture on display. Head over to Major's Hill Park for perhaps the best view of Parliament Hill, with the Rideau Canal Locks below, or grab a drink at Tavern on the Hill and enjoy the view with a pint in hand. The rooftop patio, Copper Spirits & Sights at the Andaz Hotel, and the La Terrasse at the Chateau Fairmont Laurier also have spectacular views of Parliament Hill day or night, and are the perfect spots to capture that special pic while snacking on gourmet food.
Experimental Farm
You'll feel like you're smack dab in the middle of the country right in the heart of the city at the Central Experimental Farm. The farm is best explored by bike due to its expansive size, but the stunning country views are worth the pedal. In late summer head to the south west corner for blooming sunflower fields, and don't miss the fields of cows and farm animals grazing peacefully near the Agriculture and Food Museum.
