The Carleton County Jail was built in 1862 and was run as a prison for 110 years, with room for approximately 150 prisoners. In 1972, the jail was shut down due to inhumane conditions. But it was repurposed and opened a year later as this hostel. After a night in a real cell block, you can visit Ottawa’s main sites.

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.

The Ottawa Mission, established in 1906, has been at this location since 1912. It comprises a small network of buildings, including the 1861 grey stone building that was designated in 1991. The red-brick structure is the main shelter building where the dormitories are located. Modern extensions have been added over the years, including a hospice, health clinic and learning centre.

Opened in 2005, the 9,290-square-metre (100,000-square-foot) Ottawa Paramedic Service Headquarters is a state-of-the-art facility that houses all paramedic operations (except for medical dispatching), a vehicle depot and administrative area for the service. This was the first LEED-certified building in Ottawa. Each day, more than 75 emergency vehicles are deployed to serve the communities of the nation’s capital.

Ottawa Valley Grain Products is a cornerstone building in the heart of Carp that reflects the village's strong agricultural roots and heritage. The building — a working mill — is a relatively simple structure that houses grain processing and milling equipment at its core, where they still grind grain to make flour and barley products. This business remains family owned.

The Ottawa Wedding Chapel was built in 1907 and served most of its life as Castor Valley Baptist church. In 2012, it was restored and opened as a venue for weddings and other gatherings. Check out the stunning stained-glass windows, the beautiful woodwork throughout, and the incredible acoustics. They host 45-50 wedding ceremonies of all sizes here each year.

Public Services and Procurement Canada invites you to visit Parliament Hill during Doors Open Ottawa. Although Centre Block is currently closed, visitors can meet subject matter experts on the Hill and get answers to all their questions. Visitors are free to roam to different stations to learn about the rehabilitation of the Centre Block.

Pinhey’s Point Historic Site stands as a testament to 19th-century upper- and middle-class rural life. Built in four stages from 1820 to 1849, the Georgian-style house maintains many of its original features, including the imposing entrance and staircase, servants’ quarters and 1860s wallpaper. Explore the history of rural water, from dowsing to boring wells, in a new exhibit.

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.

The Rideau Club occupies the penthouse of the Sun Life Financial Centre in downtown Ottawa. The club, which pre-dates Confederation by nearly two years, has entertained many distinguished visitors — including royalty and many governors general and prime ministers. This is its third home. It outgrew the first by 1911 and the second was destroyed by fire in 1979.

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.

This single-storey building is home to the tv Rogers and Rogers tv community production studios, where they create 300 original hours of programming every year. Come and visit the studios and learn more about the fascinating world of television. Check out their volunteer opportunities. Or suggest an idea for programming you’d like to see developed here.

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.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has guided learning for specialist physicians so they can deliver the best health care for all. This landmark building, which overlooks the Rideau Canal, is a classically inspired structure — featuring impressive stained glass and an interior courtyard. It was formerly a monastery for the Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood.

This is one of Ottawa’s monuments of religious architecture. The church boasts two bell towers — the largest of which showing Norman influence while the smaller is more Orthodox-inspired. Known for its exceptional acoustics, it hosts regular concerts by the Ottawa Chorale Society and Pro Organo Ottawa. Explore the site, noting its magnificent organ and the bells that came from France.

Designed by Hobin Architecture, the new School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) building was completed in just 43 days in the heart of Little Italy. The contemporary, purpose-built design is quintessential to the development of photography, with room for the SPAO Centre Gallery, classrooms and the most well-appointed darkroom in the Ottawa region.

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 South Nepean Muslim Community Mosque is excited to participate in this year’s Doors Open Ottawa, welcoming visitors to explore their beautiful and vibrant community space. Come and tour the facilities, including the spacious prayer halls, serene meditation areas and versatile community spaces that serve as hubs for learning, worship and social engagement. Light refreshments will be provided.

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 church was built a few years after the congregation was granted full status. The Christian Education Centre was added in 1955. A hall and offices were set up across the street, but that building was sold. Note the plaque that is dedicated to members of the congregation who served or were killed in the Second World War.

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.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church Vanier was the first Ottawa-area church to feature an apse. The ceiling of the sanctuary with its 12 apostle panels was painted by artist J.W.H. Watt, who also created the painting behind the altar. The pews were repurposed from a chapel at the University of Ottawa. Note the brass plaque commemorating Canadian landscape poet Archibald Lampman.