Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in April
What April is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
April is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Snow melts, Rideau Falls run high and the first warm days arrive; can still be cold and wet.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with March (2°C (36°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:17
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 19:48
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Spring (March–May). Snowmelt and slush in March and April give way to the Tulip Festival in May, one of the prettiest times in the city.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes April one of the better-value months to book.
Events in April
April has no major recurring festival in Ottawa, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in April
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Palace · New Edinburgh
Rideau Hall
The official residence of the Governor General has 32 hectares of landscaped grounds open to the public, with trees planted by visiting dignitaries, a cricket pitch and greenhouses.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
Nature · New Edinburgh
Rideau Falls
Visit in April or May, when snowmelt makes the falls roar; in winter they freeze into icy curtains.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Gatineau
Gatineau Park
A 361 km² wilderness park in the Gatineau Hills begins about 15 minutes from Parliament.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
![– Wladyslaw [Disk.]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_-_ON_-_National_Gallery_of_Canada.jpg){kind=link}
Gallery · ByWard Market and Lowertown
National Gallery of Canada
Look for the Rideau Street Chapel, a complete chapel interior rebuilt inside the gallery; it is easy to miss.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 1°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Ottawa?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Snow melts, Rideau Falls run high and the first warm days arrive; can still be cold and wet.
+How warm is Ottawa in April?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in April?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.