Established in 1992, the Jami Omar Mosque was located inside a renovated bungalow. In 2003, construction began on a new mosque located on the same property. Over the next 15 years, the new and much larger mosque was constructed. It provides various services for the community — including marriages, family counselling and funeral services.

Kadampa Meditation Centre of Ottawa (formerly Joyful Land Buddhist Centre) is the focal point for the Ottawa community of the modern tradition of Mahayana Buddhism called the New Kadampa Tradition. Housed in a classical Victorian red-brick building in Chinatown, it features a beautiful shrine with Buddha statues. Chat with members of the Buddhist community and learn about their many programs.

Knox Presbyterian Church is known for its high-quality building materials, beautiful interiors and gorgeous stained glass. The interior features Italian marble, British Columbia cedar and redwood, and British lantern lights in the sanctuary. Two stained-glass windows are illuminated from the east and west, highlighting the life of Jesus and the Book of Revelation. Nepean fieldstone was used for the exterior.

The Library and Archives Canada is in a prominent structure, comprising two symmetrical four-storey wings that wrap around a central nine-storey tower block. It’s located at the western extremity of Ottawa’s Parliamentary Precinct overlooking the Ottawa River. Clad in grey granite, the building is accented with polished granite panels and brushed aluminum railings. The building houses the National Library collection.

Ottawa’s first high school has occupied this prime downtown location alongside the Rideau Canal since 1874. The Gothic revival building has been extended and renovated several times. It has many distinct architectural features — including an impressive 660-seat auditorium that maintains much of its original character, and an attic that students used as a shooting range during the Second World War.

This sailing club is a family-oriented, volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging active participation in the sport of sailing and recreational boating. Since opening, the club has provided a range of cutting-edge public and member programs, as well as hosting important aquatic events and national regattas. The terrace offers stunning views of the Ottawa River.

Operating since 1973, the Osgoode Township Museum presents the story of Ottawa South’s agricultural and rural heritage. The main museum building is a mid-century two-room schoolhouse that holds the collection of nearly 11,000 artifacts. Explore the galleries, gift shop and research library during your visit. Then step outside and wander through the Agricultural Barn and discover their vast farming collection.

The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) is home to the art and artists of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, now housing a collection that numbers over 1,450 works — including paintings, sculpture, graphic arts, photographs and new media. In April 2018, OAG opened this modern purpose-built space. The gallery explores and reflects on diversity and social change through a spectrum of visual arts practices.

Founded in 2019, the Ottawa Glassblowing Co-op is located in the heart of Ottawa near Little Italy. Their mandate is to foster a glassblowing co-operative that operates inclusively to support the artistic creativity, learning and growth of its members and to educate the public in the art of glass. Come and see glassblowing demos by local artists!

The Ottawa Little Theatre, founded in 1913, is Canada’s longest continuously running community theatre. During Doors Open Ottawa, visitors will receive a guided, behind-the-scenes tour from one of the theatre’s dedicated volunteers. The tour will reflect an actor’s experience from first rehearsal to opening night and feature the talented production team who support them on that journey.

The Ottawa Muslim Association and the Ottawa Mosque was incorporated in 1964 as a charitable organization, with its first phase completed in 1970. The Ottawa Mosque is the first and the oldest mosque in the city, and is one of the oldest in Canada. Its distinct architectural design includes a two-storey prayer hall, library, minaret, central dome and multi-purpose basement.

Located in the ByWard Market, this school is in a four-storey, three-bay stone building of solid appearance with a richly decorated principal façade. During Doors Open Ottawa, visitors can join school staff and students in the lobby as they celebrate the school’s 145th anniversary, or take a guided tour. Throughout the day, art and artifacts will be on display.

The Public Works Big Wheels Expo offers kids of all ages an exciting chance to get a closer look at the trucks and equipment behind the city’s public works. Come and explore some of the city’s mightiest machines. Meet the fleet and climb into the driver’s seat — from garbage trucks and snowplows to sidewalk sweepers and road painting trucks.

Rideau Hall has been the official residence of every Governor General of Canada since 1867, and their workplace since 1940. It has nearly two centuries of history and has become an important gathering place and site of official activities. The grounds, the building and its interiors have evolved over time to reflect/reinforce Rideau Hall’s identity as a national symbol.

Headquartered in the historical building where the Mint was founded in 1908, this facility produces hand-crafted commemorative coins, gold and silver bullion, medals and medallions. A tour of the operations explains the many different coin manufacturing technologies. For an unforgettable souvenir, hold a 24-karat pure gold bar worth over $700,000.

Visit this unique museum to view collections that show how scouting contributed to Canada’s heritage while helping to develop youth into valued citizens. See displays of photos, uniforms, badges, scrapbooks, diaries and other memorabilia. The museum also houses their own amateur radio station (VE3SHQ), which allows youth to participate in the largest on-air and on-the-internet scout gatherings in the world.

The exterior of the Southminster United Church is Nepean sandstone, the same stone used for the Parliament Buildings. The entrance ends at a pointed arch gate that leads into the church porch, which opens into the narthex. Beyond is the nave, which consists of five bays on each side, a central aisle and smaller aisles on each side.

This site is a unique, non-denominational place of worship. Sathya Sai Baba’s life message is to "love all, serve all" and "help ever, hurt never," strongly promoting the unity of faiths as depicted through symbols and messages on the centre’s pillar. During your Doors Open visit, explore the stupa at the entrance, the main prayer hall, library and classrooms.

Having outgrown an earlier church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian was constructed in 1872 with wood provided by Ottawa lumber baron, J.R. Booth. Of note are the splendid stained-glass windows and the high vaulted ceilings. The raised pulpit is uniquely placed along the west wall. This placement follows the Scottish Presbyterian tradition that sees the ministers as teachers, with children around them.

This red brick building is a familiar Ottawa landmark. Note the separate entrance for the community thrift shop, while another door is the way into The Well — a day program for women. Throughout the summer, their Indigenous Engagement Coordinator offers smudging each Sunday. The bell can be heard throughout the neighbourhood. Music can also often be heard when passing by.

Although St. Mary the Virgin, Blackburn no longer offers Sunday services, it is available for use as a venue for musical presentations, art shows, a coffee house and more. Over the years, many changes and upgrades have been made. The stained-glass window was donated following the World Wars. The adjacent cemetery, too, pays homage to generations of area settlers.

This church was built after Old St. Mary's at Pinhey's Point was deemed structurally unsafe. Many of the pews and other interior fixtures are from the former church. Old St Mary's was the first Anglican church in the Ottawa diocese and is the oldest church in the Ottawa area. Of note are the stained-glass windows and the lovely wooden interior.

The capital region’s only therapeutic riding facility accredited by the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association provides therapeutic riding lessons and equine-assisted programming for children and adults with physical, developmental and learning disabilities. Situated on over 8 hectares (20 acres) of pasture and trails, this fully accessible facility includes an indoor and outdoor arena, box stalls and a classroom for additional programming.

The Studio at the University of Ottawa Press is a dynamic place for ideas, creation and encounters. Located at the downtown Sun Life Financial Centre with accessible facilities, the Studio is home to publishing professionals who work alongside authors. This downtown Ottawa base serves as a forum for the university community, members of government, non-profit organizations and the reading public.

Wallis House enjoys a rich and complex history. Constructed in 1873 as one of Ottawa’s first hospitals, it has been repurposed over the years as a seminary for aspiring priests, the Women’s Royal Canadian Navy Service and a shelter for veterans returning from the Second World War. It was saved from possible demolition and converted into loft-style condos/rentals in 1996.