Ottawa’s location on the “great river” (Kichi Zībī in Anishìnàbemowin) is no coincidence. Located at the meeting of three rivers, Ottawa became a meeting point for Indigenous people, a place for settlers to trade, a means for moving timber from inland to the rest of the world. This short outing traces that relationship, moving from cliff to water level, with opportunities to eat, rest, swim and reflect. Four stops, one river. Best done slowly on a warm afternoon.
4 stops · 1.2 km · 2-3 hours · easy, flat walking
1. Tavern at the Gallery — 380 Sussex Drive
Start with a snack on the terrace of the National Gallery. Sit under the cool shade of the trees or the wooden trellis and relax in this hidden oasis on Sussex Drive. This small kitchen features plates to share, a woodfired oven for flatbreads, and the bar offers a well-stocked wine list and delicious mocktails. On a clear day the wait for a patio table is the only real downside. It’s less a warm-up stop than a reason to slow down before you’ve even started.
2. Kìwekì Point — behind the National Gallery of Canada
A two-minute walk from the terrace, this hilltop lookout was recently redeveloped and renamed Kìwekì Point — Algonquin for “returning to one’s homeland” — by the National Capital Commission. Follow the River Walk Esplanade and take a brief repose at Whispering Point to take in the full view of the Alexandra Bridge. Carry along the path to the sculpture of Kichi Zìbì Innini (Great River Man) and see if you can spot the point where the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau Rivers meet. Take your time with this special viewpoint; it rewards a few extra minutes of standing still. Then cross the Pìdàban Passage for the next stop on your journey.
3. East Wharf Dock — Ottawa River Pathway
Tucked below Major’s Hill Park, this NCC-built dock is one of the city’s newly sanctioned river-swimming spots. The site features Muskoka chairs, a wooden sundeck, and a small kiosk for ice cream and cold drinks in summer. With Parliament looming directly overhead, it makes for a strange and satisfying contrast with cottage-y atmosphere at your feet. Warm up with the late afternoon sun, then get refreshed with a jump in the water, and repeat. Check posted water-quality notices before swimming — the NCC tests regularly, and levels can shift after heavy rain. Even off-season, this view from water-level is worth the short detour down from the path.
4. Bytown Museum — 1 Canal Lane
Finish your tour at the Bytown Museum, the oldest stone building in Ottawa. Built in 1827 as a supply depot for Colonel By’s Rideau Canal construction crews, it became a museum in 1952. The ground floor is free and features an exhibition on the history of the Rideau Canal courtesy of Parks Canada. Recently renewed and updated, the paid upper floors trace Ottawa’s origins from time immemorial to lumber capital of the world, from military outpost to a flourishing capital city. Nestled between the canal locks and the river, it’s the one stop that explains why the other three exist at all.