Nestled in the heart of Manotick Village, Dickinson Square shares a remarkable past rooted in Canadian history and industrial ingenuity. Run by Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc., Dickinson Square comprises two sites: Watson’s Mill and the Dickinson House Museum. This heritage home explores the lives of the past mill owners. After touring this historical museum, check out the adjacent mill.

The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact. It is an impressive four-storey underground facility that operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack. Now a museum, the Diefenbunker offers a one-of-a-kind experiential learning environment, coupled with award-winning programs, events and exhibitions. Registration required.

The Dominion Observatory Campus consists of several scientific buildings used for astronomy, seismology, gravity and geo-magnetism. In 1904, the first building was constructed to house the retractable telescope. In 1905, a transit house was added to the western wing for the meridian circle telescope and transit instruments that were used to determine time, longitude and star positions.

This church, designed by architect Konstantinos Zourdoumis and constructed in 1975, is a fine example of the neo-Byzantine style with its classic domed structure. Highlights include hand-painted Byzantine icons on the domed ceiling and walls, a hand-carved wooden iconostasis wall in front of the altar, and beautiful mosaic tiles.

In 1866, Mother Marie of the Order of Our Lady of Charity came to Ottawa to conduct mission work in a building on this site. By 1877, a spacious new monastery building was constructed, which was further expanded in 1895. Following a devastating 1938 fire, the monastery was rebuilt. In 1972, the Chinese government purchased it as Chinese Embassy’s chancery.

Since the late 1940s, this building has housed three embassies — the Uruguayan Embassy, the Embassy of the Hungarian People’s Republic, and the current one. In 1995, the mansion was purchased and donated to the Republic of Armenia by a prominent Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist. Each year, they welcome hundreds of visitors interested in architecture and Armenian history.

Known as Toller House, this building was designed by Henry Horsey and J. Sheard in the domestic Gothic revival style. Many dignitaries lived here, including Frederic Toller, Auditor General of the Dominion’s Currency in the 1880s. In 1999, it opened as the Embassy of Croatia following an award-winning restoration. Guided tours will be offered for the ground level only.

Enriched Bread Artists is a not-for-profit collective of visual artists working in a range of media and techniques. It was formed in 1992 by graduates of the University of Ottawa looking for studio space and an artistic community beyond university. Today, its membership is global. The name refers to the former bread factory where these studios are located.

Fairfields Heritage House is an impressive 19th-century farmhouse with recreated rooms that tell the story of the many generations of the Bell family who made their mark on the home, the property and their community. The collection of 3,000 artifacts reflects the family’s shifting priorities. The property still features beautiful green lawns, gardens, a gazebo and statuesque trees.

This site is an example of 1930s art deco, built primarily of materials from Quebec and France. Highlights include the Salon de l’hon. George W. Vari (formerly the Birch Bark room), a replica of the Vimy Memorial, bronze decorations by André Bizette-Lindet, wall engravings and murals. No strollers, backpacks, metal objects, food (including chewing gum) or drinks. Photography restricted.

The Gladstone Theatre has been a theatre for nearly 50 years. Initially a garage, it was turned into a 230-seat theatre in 1983 by the Great Canadian Theatre Company, with further renovations in 2007. By 2016, it was regularly hosting 12 stylistically diverse theatre companies, with more than 27,000 tickets being sold per year. Come and explore this unique site!

Located in Stittsville, the Goulbourn Museum preserves and interprets materials from the Goulbourn Township area. Built in 1872, the building was once the old town hall for the former township. This popular community hub was home to council meetings, parties and dances. The adjacent office building is used as administrative offices, as well as the museum’s primary collections storage.

Originally built as the Ottawa Normal School, this site is now Ottawa City Hall. Built in the Gothic Renaissance style, it reflects the influence of the Parliament Buildings — with Italianate windows and Romanesque columns. Purchased by the municipality in 1987, the restored building opened as city hall in 2001. The Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame is now permanently housed here.

The design, architecture and interior shrines of this temple follow traditional Hindu architectural styles. Deities in these shrines are made of granite, marble and bronze. The large prayer hall hosts ceremonies throughout the year. The temple also houses a reference library on Hindu religion and philosophy. When visiting, everyone is required to remove their footwear.

The Ingenium Centre houses Canada’s science and technology collection, with more than two million archival, trade literature and library materials, and more than 150,000 artifacts. The Centre provides a controlled environment to protect the artifacts for the benefit of generations to come. It is designed to properly house artifacts made of materials such as plastic, wood, paper, textiles and ivory.

Established in 1992, the Jami Omar Mosque was located inside a renovated bungalow. But, 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.

Coming soon!

Laurier House commemorates two of Canada’s most notable prime ministers — Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King. For over 50 years, from 1897 to 1948, the house occupied a central position in Canada’s political life as the residence of Laurier and, after his death, of Mackenzie King.

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.

Discover the interim main library inside a former bank — designed in 1924 by John MacIntosh Lyle, one of Canada’s leading beaux-arts architects. In this unique setting, where modernism rubs against a classical esthetic, you will learn about the Library of Parliament’s collections and services as well as have a look inside its reading room, upgraded in 2018.

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.