Explore the green spaces and wonderful artistry that are found within the many gardens in Ottawa. Green spaces are magic in big cities. Get outside and explore your city!
Major’s Hill Park
Enjoy the wonderful hideaway that is Major’s Hill Park. It’s a lovely quiet place with photo-ready tulip gardens in cascading colours.
In the backdrop, you can take in the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal and the famous Parliament Buildings. Details
Address: Mackenzie Ave, Ottawa
Maple Lawn Historic Gardens
Step back in time with a visit to the Maple Lawn Historic Gardens, renowned for being one of Canada’s oldest, 19th century, walled gardens.
Enjoy a history lesson as you stroll, taking in the many plaques and signs explaining the historic significance of the gardens. Of course, you’re sure to enjoy the charming gardens scattered with Sugar maples, crab apple trees, lilac bushes and perennials! Details
Address: 529 Richmond Rd, Ottawa
Rideau Hall
Regarded as Canada’s “finest historic landscapes,” Rideau Hall is a unique spot designed after British traditional landscaping with over 70 acres and more than 10,000 trees. You’ll be charmed by the rose gardens with over 200 varieties, 11 circular flowerbeds, and trees planted by the likes of Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana. Details
Address: 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa
Credit: Dennis Jarvis /Flickr
Confederation Park
The park, which opened during Canada’s centennial celebrations, continues to be a hot spot for public events. With wonderful trees, fountains and monuments, it is a trendy spot to relax and catch some rays in the city. Details
Address: Elgin St, Ottawa
Central Experimental Farm
Located near the famous Little Italy region of Ottawa, the Central Experimental Farm is a significant location with multiple things to see including the Dominion arboretum, the memorable ornamental gardens and the tropical greenhouse! Details
Address: 960 Carling Ave, Ottawa
Fletcher Wildlife Gardens
Part of Central Experimental Farm, Fletcher Wildlife Gardens feels secretive, private and completely relaxing. Watch the local natural wildlife, including herons, frogs, songbirds, and butterflies, while enjoying the fresh garden, which is regarded as the “backyard” with stunning flowers and ferns. Details
Mackenzie King Estate
Perfectly maintained and picturesque, Mackenzie King Estate offers almost 600 acres of wonderful land to enjoy. Stop and smell the manicured flowers, towering trees, wooded trails and peaceful waterfalls. Snap pictures of the historic buildings and sip tea in the tearoom. Further, Mackenzie King Estate was once the home of Canada’s 10th Prime Minister – fancy! Details
Address: 75 Barnes Road Gatineau
Japanese Zen garden
Ottawa’s Japanese Zen Garden, at the Canadian Museum of History, was designed by renowned landscape architect and Buddhist monk Shunmyo Toshiaki Masuno and opened on September 22, 1995, by the Prince and Princess Takamado of Japan! Contemplate, meditate and find peace at the gardens, designed to build harmony between all nations. Details
Address: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, Gatineau
Olympic Garden
Sports fans, get outside and enjoy the impressive gardens, located near the Rideau Canal. The garden was brilliantly named to honor the 1988 Olympic torch re-lay so it features Olympic Flame tulips near the famous Vilem Zach’s sculpture “Share the Flame”!
Address: 450 Queen Elizabeth Dr., Ottawa
Landscapes of Canada Garden
Found on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Landscapes of Canada Garden is an exciting outdoor exhibition you won’t want to miss. With over 60 native trees and plants, and recreated and interesting boreal forest, arctic tundra and prairie grasslands. Interestingly, you can even enjoy an interactive re-creation of an ice-age ecosystem! Details
Address: 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa
Beechwood Cemetery Gardens
Beechwood Cemetery Gardens changes with every season – from signature tulip beds, roses, and a variety of perennials to changing colours of trees in fall and serene quietness in winter. Walk the trails that take you to the fish-filled pond, bridge, blossoming trees, and shady places to rest. Details
Address: 280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa
Canadian War Museum Rooftop Gardens
If you’re interested in the environment and all things green, head right to the top for a fabulous rooftop garden, featuring over 10,000 square metres of green on the roof. The greenery is actually the same that grows along the Ottawa River, making it a unique self-sustaining ecosystem with the plants cleaning the smog and pollution! This is also one of the largest greenroofs in North America. Details
Address: 1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa
Carleton Greenhouses
You can visit three beautiful gardens at Carleton University.
First, Nesbitt Greenhouses, a complex greenhouse used for research, teaching and visiting to see several thousand plants and specimens! Then, the Kitiganensag Community Garden, a special community food hub and last, Richcraft Hall Vertical Garden, a living wall that is captivating.
Every year the Carleton University Biology Department hosts its annual Butterfly Show in the Nesbitt Biology building. Details
Address: 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
Garden of the Provinces and Territories
Designed in 1960, the Garden of the Provinces and Territories is an elegant green space, dedicated to the harmony between Canadian provinces and territories. Stop and smell the perennials, or trot along ornamental grasses which mimic the landscape of the prairies, the tundra, and rocky shorelines of Canada’s coasts. There are plaques and fountains scattered throughout, and you can learn the history! Details
Wellington Street west of Bay Street, Ottawa
Algonquin College Horticulture Gardens
The gardens at Algonquin College campus are a hidden oasis in the city, ready to welcome you for a relaxing stroll, lunch break or cozy up to crack open that new book you’ve been putting off. Details
Address: 1385 Woodroofe Avenue, Ottawa
Jacques Cartier Park
Honouring one of Canada’s greatest explorers, Jacques-Cartier Park has been open since the 1930s. It offers over 50 acres of green space to relax in, and this popular park is an excellent choice for cycling, walking, and relaxing. While in the park you can enjoy the views of the river and the Rideau Falls. Details
Address: 285 Laurier St, Gatineau
The Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden is a special spot in the city, made for children by children! Here, children learn about fresh food, enjoy the gardens, trees, shrubs, sandboxes and run around! The perfect destination for a family day out. Details
Address: 321 Main St, Ottawa
The Herb Garden
The Herb Garden started in the 1960s by an inspired and well-travelled couple. The Herb Garden is a must-see destination, where you can enjoy the well-manicured gardens and herbs. It’s a nice spot to stroll around, visit, and it’s also used as an event space! Details
Address: 3840 Old Almonte Rd, Almonte
Rideau Woodland Ramble
Rideau Woodland Ramble is a sweet spot near Ottawa has been celebrated by locals for over 20 years. The gardens (and garden centre) are bustling with unique Japanese maples, rhododendrons, azaleas, and a range of trees, shrubs and perennials. There are beautiful areas of water, totem poles and exciting wildlife, all linked together by walkways to enjoy. Rideau Woodland Ramble has won tons of awards too, so you’re sure to be very impressed. Details
Address: 7210 Burritts Rapids Rd, Merrickville
Kiwi Gardens
The Kiwi Gardens strives to sprinkle magic into your day. Visitors are often captivated by the 10 acres of lush show gardens, woods, and nursery. Kiwi Gardens also offers one of a kind art classes, where participants are immersed in nature as they create art! Details
Address: 687 Harper Rd, Perth