10 things to do in Ottawa for free this spring

The tulips blooming in Major's Hill Park on Sunday, May 11. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

There are many things you can do for free in Ottawa this spring, including exploring the tulips, visiting museums and free activities for kids.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things you can do for free in Ottawa this spring.

Walk in the tulips

Explore more than one million tulips planted across Ottawa and Gatineau.

The showstopper display is at Commissioners Park, home to the Canadian Tulip Festival until May 19.

The Tulip Festival is hosting several free events, including the Big Bug Boardwalk, the Dutch Pavilion and a fireworks and drone show on May 18.

Other places to checkout the tulips include:

• The Rideau Canal: Stroll, run or cycle along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and see the tulips.
• Downtown Ottawa: The tulips are in bloom at Major’s Hill Park, along Confederation Boulevard and at the National War Memorial.
• Downtown Gatineau: Tulips are on display near the Alexandra Bridge, in Jacques-Cartier Park and at the Canadian Museum of History.

‘Play Free Saturdays’

The City of Ottawa invites children and youth, ages 17 and under, to take part in free drop-in activities every Saturday.

• Drop-in swims. Free drop-in swimming sessions on Saturday at city pools. The fees still apply for wave swims. Click here for a list of recreation and community centres with pools.
• Drop-in gym sports: Drop-in sports will vary by location. The city says activities will include badminton, table tennis, basketball, volleyball and more. For more information, click drop-in sports activities.
• Children and youth can skate for free at public and family skating sessions. View a list of facilities that offer skating on the city’s website.

NCC Weekend Bikedays

The National Capital Commission’s weekend bikedays are back for another spring and summer in Ottawa.

The parkways are reserved for active use on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

• Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Queens Elizabeth Driveway (Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre in downtown Ottawa offers several free activities through the summer. For more information, visit the NAC’s website.

Some of the free events include:

• Toddler Tuesdays with singing, dancing, games, story time and more!
• May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17: SoulRhythms
• May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25: Powwow Workout
• May 15: Jukebox Lunch Concerts: Felix Beaudoin
• May 22: Jukebox Lunch Concerts: Allydice, Nefe and Emily Jean Flack
• May 26, June 2, 9, 16: French story time with Luana
• June 6: Summer Indigenous Art Market
• June 22: Capital Sessions
• July 4: The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra – Project Titan

Museums

Museums in the national capital region offer free admission during the following periods over the summer:

• Canadian Museum of Nature Admission is free to all permanent galleries on Thursday evenings after 5 p.m.
• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Admission is free daily between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Canada Science and Technology Museum Admission is free daily between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum Admission is free daily between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Canadian War Museum Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A timed ticket is required.
• Canadian Museum of History Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A timed ticket is required.
• National Gallery of Canada Admission is free to all visitors every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Ottawa Art Gallery Admission is always free to the Ottawa Art Gallery. Donations are welcome.
• The Bank of Canada Museum on Bank Street is free

Parliament of Canada Tours

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.

For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience

Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.

The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.

Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.

Rideau Hall

Visit Rideau Hall, the official residence and workplace of the governor general.

Take a guided tour of the residence or explore the grounds of Rideau Hall.

For more information, visit the Rideau Hall website.

Doors Open Ottawa

Go behind the scenes at some of Ottawa’s hidden gems the weekend of June 7-8.

Doors Open Ottawa is a unique opportunity to peek behind the doors of over 100 significant buildings across the city.

For more information, visit the City of Ottawa’s website.

Access Passes

The Ottawa Public Library offers Access Passes for museums and parks.

Visit the Ottawa Public Library website for details on how to get access to the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada, Ingenium and the Ottawa Museum Network of 11 museums.