Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in May
What May is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Ottawa. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 14.9 hours of daylight. Tulips bloom across the city and the canal boats return; a lovely month, though blackflies appear in Gatineau Park.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (11°C (52°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:32
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:26
- Daylight
- About 14.9 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, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Canadian Tulip Festival (usually mid-May)
- Ottawa Race Weekend — marathon and shorter races (usually late May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · LeBreton Flats
Canadian War Museum
Allow time for the First World War gallery, which is the most powerful section, and the LeBreton Gallery of large vehicles.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Centretown
Canadian Museum of Nature
Housed in the turreted Victoria Memorial Museum Building — locals call it 'the castle' — the natural history museum has a full blue whale skeleton, a dinosaur gallery, a mineral hall and the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Architecture
Museum · Rockcliffe
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Drive or take a rideshare; it is about 15 minutes from downtown and awkward by bus.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Alta Vista
Ingenium – Canada Science and Technology Museum
Rebuilt and reopened in 2017, the science museum has hands-on galleries on space, medicine and sound, a hall of steam locomotives and the Crazy Kitchen, a tilted room that plays tricks on your balance.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 8°C and 13 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Ottawa?
One of the best months to visit Ottawa, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is one of the best months to visit Ottawa. Tulips bloom across the city and the canal boats return; a lovely month, though blackflies appear in Gatineau Park.
+How warm is Ottawa in May?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.