Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in September
What September is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Ottawa. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Warm days, cool nights and the first autumn colour in Gatineau Park late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with August (25°C (77°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 13°C (55°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:41
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:15
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Bright fall colour in Gatineau Park from late September, comfortable sightseeing weather and lower prices; grey and cold by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in September
September has no major recurring festival in Ottawa, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Historic site · ByWard Market and Lowertown
Royal Canadian Mint
Book a tour on a weekday to see the production floor in operation.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Historic site · Carp
Diefenbunker
About 35 km west of downtown, this four-storey underground Cold War bunker was built to shelter the Canadian government in a nuclear war.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 10°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Ottawa?
One of the best months to visit Ottawa. The other best months are May–June and October. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is one of the best months to visit Ottawa. Warm days, cool nights and the first autumn colour in Gatineau Park late in the month.
+How warm is Ottawa in September?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in September?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.