Sight guide · Ottawa · Canada
Visiting Major's Hill Park
The capital's oldest park sits on a promontory between the Rideau Canal locks and the National Gallery, with lawns looking straight across to Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Major's Hill Park is a park in ByWard Market and Lowertown, Ottawa. Allow 30–60 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- ByWard Market and Lowertown
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, outdoors and couples
- Best months
- June–August
About Major's Hill Park
The capital's oldest park sits on a promontory between the Rideau Canal locks and the National Gallery, with lawns looking straight across to Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River. It is a main site for festivals, Canada Day crowds and tulip beds in May.
Tip: Bring a picnic from the ByWard Market and watch the sunset behind Parliament.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30–60 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: ByWard Market and Lowertown, market stalls, restaurants and the city's busiest bar streets beside Parliament.
Best time to visit Major's Hill Park
Major's Hill Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- August: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- July: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-August the sun sets at about 20:11 local time (calculated for Ottawa).
When to visit Ottawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Major's Hill Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks.
- No. 13 of the 18 sights in our Ottawa things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Ottawa.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Ottawa.
Near Major's Hill Park
Also in ByWard Market and Lowertown, so you can walk between them:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica — 30 minutes, free
- Royal Canadian Mint — 45 minutes, low cost
- National Gallery of Canada — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like Major's Hill Park
- Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks — Downtown and Parliament Hill, 1–2 hours
- Rideau Canal Skateway — Rideau Canal, 1–3 hours
- Rideau Hall — New Edinburgh, 1–1.5 hours
- Gatineau Park — Gatineau, Half a day
Staying near Major's Hill Park
Stay in ByWard Market and Lowertown ($$$) to walk here: market stalls, restaurants and the city's busiest bar streets beside Parliament. All areas to stay in Ottawa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Major's Hill Park?
Plan 30–60 minutes. With Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica nearby, it fits a half-day in ByWard Market and Lowertown.
+Is Major's Hill Park free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Major's Hill Park?
June–August for the most comfortable weather. Bring a picnic from the ByWard Market and watch the sunset behind Parliament.
+Do I need to book Major's Hill Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.