The Ottawa River runs right past Parliament Hill, so you don’t have to go far to get on it, beside it or above it. Here are the best ways to see the river, from a floating tiki bar to a balanced-rock sculpture garden, with plain answers to the questions visitors ask most.
What is the best way to see the Ottawa River?
From the water. On land you get glimpses between buildings and trees. On the river you get Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, the Canadian Museum of History and the Gatineau shoreline all in one view. If you only have one afternoon or evening, a boat cruise shows you the most in the least time.
1. Cruise it on a floating tiki bar
A Palapa Tours cruise is 90 minutes on a Hawaiian-style floating tiki bar, with a licensed captain, a first mate behind the bar and room for up to 12 guests. You can buy individual seats on a public cruise or book the whole boat as a private charter for a birthday, a bachelorette, a team outing or a date night.
- Where it leaves from: you choose your dock when you book. The two main docks are the Ottawa Locks, beside Parliament, and the Canadian Museum of History docks in Gatineau.
- What you’ll see: Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, the Alexandra Bridge, the Museum of History and the Gatineau shoreline.
- Good to know: on public cruises we may pick up at both docks, which can add up to 15 minutes, but you always get your full 90 minutes on the water. Private charters leave at the exact time you booked.
2. Watch boats climb the Rideau Canal locks
Right beside Parliament Hill, a flight of eight locks lifts boats from the Ottawa River up into the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lock staff still open and close the gates by hand. Grab a spot on the stone walls and watch a boat work its way up. The canal’s boating season runs from mid-May to mid-October, and the Ottawa Locks are also one of the two main Palapa docks.
3. Paddle it yourself
The river has calm, sheltered spots that are good for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards:
- Downtown, near the NCC River House, with kayak and paddleboard rentals and views of Parliament from water level.
- Westboro Beach and Britannia Beach in the west end, both with board rentals in summer.
- Petrie Island in Orléans, with sandy beaches and quiet bays.
Wear a life jacket, check the wind before you go, and stay clear of the shipping and tour-boat lanes near the locks.
4. Walk or bike the riverside pathways
Paved pathways follow both shores. On the Ottawa side, the Capital Pathway runs west along the river from downtown. About four kilometres from Parliament you reach Remic Rapids, where artist John Felice Ceprano has been balancing rock sculptures on the riverbank since 1986. On the Gatineau side, the Voyageurs Pathway gives you the classic view back across the water to Parliament Hill.
5. Ride the amphibious bus
Yes, there is a bus that drives into the river. The Lady Dive amphibus tours downtown by road and then rolls down a ramp and floats on the Ottawa River. It’s a fun one with kids, and if you’re out on a Palapa you may see it splash in.
6. Take in the view from above
- Major’s Hill Park sits on the bluff beside the Château Laurier, with views over the locks, the river and the Museum of History.
- The Alexandra Bridge boardwalk lets you walk between Ottawa and Gatineau with the river under your feet. The bridge is at the end of its service life and is slated to be replaced, so enjoy the walk while you can.
7. Stay for the fireworks
Every summer, Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy lights up the sky on Wednesday and Saturday nights from late July to mid-August. People line both riverbanks to watch, but the best seat is on the water. Palapa runs special fireworks cruises on those nights. Book early for those dates.
8. Go further upriver for whitewater
West of the city, the Ottawa River has some of the best-known whitewater rafting in Canada. Several outfitters run guided day trips from spring to fall, so you can pair a calm downtown cruise with a much wilder ride.
When is the best time to be on the river?
Ottawa’s boating season runs from May to October. For photos, aim for golden hour, the hour before sunset, when Parliament glows and the water turns gold. Evening cruises catch the sunset and the city lights coming on. July and August are the warmest and busiest; September is quieter, and the evenings are still mild.
Quick answers
How long is a Palapa cruise? 90 minutes.
How many people fit on a boat? Up to 12 guests per boat.
Where do Palapa cruises leave from? You choose when you book. The two main docks are the Ottawa Locks and the Canadian Museum of History docks.
Is there a bar on board? Yes, a licensed bar, with your first mate as bartender.
What should I bring? Sunglasses, sunscreen and a layer for the evening, since it gets cooler on the water.
Ready to see the river the fun way? Book your Palapa cruise and we’ll see you on the water.
