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One of the best sights every spring in Canada is the blossoming of the tulips in Ottawa. Visitors from around the world arrive every May to see the stunning colours that burst up around the city.
Every year, for 10 days in May, you can see tulips in Ottawa while enjoying concerts and live performances around the city.
I make it my spring mission to visit the best spots to see tulips in Ottawa to help brighten up after a winter indoors. I take my dog with me now, although my first year living in Ottawa I went by myself.
You can see the tulips before the festival, but it’s more fun to go during the celebrations.
Join me in exploring the Ottawa Tulip Festival and where you should go to see the best flowers this year.
Ottawa’s Canadian Tulip Festival
The Ottawa Tulip Festival, also called the Canadian Tulip Festival, is an annual tradition in Canada.
It’s the largest tulip festival in the world, which is remarkable as visiting the tulips is a key thing to do in Amsterdam.
For 10 days, there is a packed schedule with events every day. All of the events are free to attend, making it an excellent option for budget travellers looking to explore the city. You’ll be able to participate in live concerts, view the fireworks shows, and get epic Instagram pictures in front of fields of colourful tulips.
The festival isn’t contained to one area. It’s spread out around the city. Every year the line ups and locations change slightly. Commissioners Park is the main locations with events like:
- WW2 history at the Heritage Pavilion
- Tulips and an educational display from the Embassy of the Netherlands at the Tulip Pavillion
- Guided Tulip Legacy Walking Tour (costs extra)
- Preston Square artists live painting the tulips
- Victoria Day fireworks (for May 24th, typically held on the holiday Monday)
- Kid Zone with activities
Return to Ottawa in winter for Winterlude Festival and see another seasonal celebration.
Why Does Canada Have a Tulip Festival?
The Ottawa Tulip Festival dates back to World War 2, when the Princess of the Netherlands, Princess Margriet, took refuge in Ottawa. Canada harboured Princess Juliana and her two daughters for three years.
While in Canada, the Princess gave birth to her third daughter.
To ensure the newborn princess’s right to the throne, the Canadian government declared part of the Ottawa Civic Hospital where she was born to be Dutch Soil. This way she would have Dutch citizenship entirely and could potentially ascend to the throne in the future.
In 1945, the royal family members were able to return to the Netherlands, where Canadian troops had played a large role in their liberation.
In thanks, Princess Juliana sent a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs, along with other treasures. Every year since then, the Dutch royal family sends a “Tulip Legacy” gift of more bulbs, which has led to the annual festival to celebrate the friendship of the two nations.
The festival was founded in 1953 at the suggestion of a renowned photographer, Malak Karsh, whose photos of the tulips also inspired Ottawa’s official flower.
Ottawa Tulip Festival 2024
The 2024 festival will run from May 10– May 20,2024. Click here to view the details of the celebration.
Where is the Tulip Festival in Canada?
Canada’s Tulip Festival takes place in the capital city, Ottawa, every year.
Plan to visit in mid-May to see the bright pink and yellow blooms that brighten the parks in the city.
The majority of the festival is held in Commissioner’s Park in Dow’s Lake, just south of the Downtown Core. However, you’ll find blooms throughout the city with less people around so you can get that dream Instagram shot.
You’ll find the Tulip Boutique to buy flowers to take home at Dow’s Lake.
Where to Park
There are a few parking lots around Dow’s Lake that are pay to park. The easiest lot is just across the street on the North Side from Commissioner’s Park.
If you arrive before 9am you may be able to get free parking in a lot of the Dominion Arboretum or on a nearby side street. However, you will need to check local parking regulations before doing this.
If you can avoid driving during the festival, do. It’s much easier to cycle or bus so you don’t have to worry about parking.
Tips for Visiting the Tulips Festival in Ottawa
- Be prepared for changing weather. Pack items for rain, sun, and cold.
- Wear good walking shoes
- Bring a camera with a lot of memory
- If you’re on your own, pack a tripod to get awesome shots of you with the tulips
- See tulips around the city, not just as the site of the Festival
- Pack lots of water! It gets very hot on sunny days
- Visit 1 week before the festival to see the tulips in full bloom, but with less people so you can get shots without dozens of people in the background
- Wait your turn to take pictures. Canadians are very polite, so we queue for our turn. If you shove in, you’ll have a lot of unhappy people to deal with
- Don’t pick the flowers
- Respect the barriers and do not cross over them for a picture
- If you need a break, head to the Dominion Arboretum and find a shady spot beneath some cherry blossom trees to relax. Pack a picnic blanket or towel and book to get some alone time
- If you bring your dog, keep it on a leash
Best Places to See Tulips in Ottawa
Ottawa is home to dozens of spots to see gorgeous tulips throughout Spring. It’s one of my favourite spring destinations to visit because of that.
Although the Ottawa Tulip Festival is mostly based around Commissioner’s Park, that’s not the only area where you can see the famous Dutch tulips in Canada.
I made it my mission to find the best places to see tulips in Ottawa so you can venture beyond Dow’s Lake during the 10 day festival.
Here are the best spots I found to visit the tulips and take epic pictures in Ottawa:
- Commissioner’s Park
- Major’s Hill Park
- Ottawa River Pathway
- Rideau Canal Western Pathway (Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Colonel Park Drive)
- National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway
- National War Memorial
- Rideau Hall
- Canadian Museum of History
- International Peace Garden
- Maple Lawn Garden
- Confederation Park
- Rockliffe Rockeries
- Gardens of the Provinces and Territories
- Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park (This one is a day trip)
1. Dow’s Lake Commissioner’s Park
The best place to see tulips in Ottawa is at the main site of the Ottawa Tulip Festival.
Every spring, Dow’s Lake bursts into bright patches of pink, yellow, purple, and white from the beautifully tended garden beds. Although these aren’t tulip fields that go on for miles like in Amsterdam, they have an equally breathtaking effect.
Visitors flock to these flower beds with cameras and pretty sundresses to take pictures with the flowers. I saw more than a few family portraits being taken, dogs posing for their Instagrams, and bright selfies to brighten a Snapchat story.
If you’re looking to see the tulips, head to Dow’s Lake early in the morning when the sun has just risen. You’ll find the fewest people so you can take more photos of the flowers without accidental photo bombers. You can walk the length of Commissioners Park to the Dominion Arboretum to find different swaths of the bright flowers.
To get to Dow’s Lake from Downtown Ottawa, you can walk (my personal preference), but it takes about 35 minutes each way. Alternatively you can take the 10 bus South to Bronson/Lakeview. Or drive 10 minutes, but you may have trouble finding parking.
Return at night for the blacklight boardwalk around 9 to 9:15pm. You’ll get to see the tulips bloom with spotlights on them in the darkness.
I recommend stopping by during the day, having food at the food trucks, and then walking the Dow’s Lake Boardwalk to the Arboretum until 7:30pm. Then. gowatch one of the free outdoor movies at Commissioners Park. When it ends around 9:30pm, go visit the lit up tulip beds.
2. Major’s Hill Park
I first fell in love with tulips in Ottawa at Major’s Hill Park, the park that looks out of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.
This park is a local hotspot. You’ll find all of Ottawa out on a sunny day lounging on the grass, enjoying a picnic, or taking a quick break from the office on a park bench.
The park is mostly open fields, but in spring it becomes dotted with tulips gardens. There are some by the lookout over Parliament around a statue, others alone the pathways, and larger flowerbeds down the hill near the art gallery.
Most people don’t think to go to Major’s Hill Park for tulips, so it’s often less crowded than Dow’s Lake. Since it’s right in Downtown, it’s also more accessible.
3. Ottawa River Pathway & Rideau Canal Pathway
My favourite walks in Ottawa are along the Ottawa River Pathway and Rideau Canal Pathway. Technically, they connect, so I consider them one long expedition that I enjoy walking every day.
The pathways follow the Ottawa River into the Rideau Canal, then circle the outside of Downtown Ottawa. They have a lovely bike trail and room for joggers or walkers to enjoy some nature in the city centre.
Along the route, you’ll find tulip gardens waiting to be explored.
I found so many that my friends on Instagram actually thought it was the tulip festival itself!
Getting to the tulips along the pathways takes a bit more work, as they’re really only accessible by walking. The best way to find them all is to cycle or walk the paths and happily stumble upon them as you go. You’ll even find the odd cherry blossom tree to help with your springtime flower spotting.
This is an easy walk with flat terrain that’s well paved. It’s not well shaded so bring a hat, wear sunscreen, and carry water with you. And don’t forget those good walking shoes!
Where to Stay During the Ottawa Tulip Festival
Ottawa has many amazing neighbourhoods to stay in when you visit. You’ll find great hotels for any budget. Some of my favourites are:
- The Ottawa Jail Hostel for a unique, budget-friendly experience
- Chateau Laurier for a luxury visit with amazing afternoon tea
- The Courtyard by Marriott for close access to amazing food
Closing Thoughts
The Ottawa Tulip Festival is an underrated Canadian tradition. We’re more known for our Canadian myths than we are for actually awesome festivals that we have to celebrate our history.
When you visit Canada in spring, be sure to plan a visit to Ottawa. The capital city is filled with so many brilliant historical monuments, the best gluten free bakeries I’ve found in Canada, and some of the prettiest flower fields you’ll find outside of Holland.
Looking for more spring adventures in Ottawa? Check out my ultimate guide for spring.
Read More Fun Things to Do in Ottawa this Spring!
- A Local’s Guide To Pink Lake in Gatineau Park
- 13 Best Gatineau Park Hiking Trails for Summer
- 47 Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Ottawa (Including Dog Friendly Hikes)
- 33 Best Brunch Spots in Ottawa by Neighbourhood (Local’s Guide)
- 26 Spots for the Best Ice Cream in Ottawa
- 5 Best Drive-in Theatres Ottawa (A Local’s Guide)
- 25 Day Trips From Ottawa (Within a 2 Hour Drive)
- 4 Best Places for Go Karting in Ottawa (Local’s Guide)
- 12 Best Ottawa Hotels With Jacuzzi In Room
- 35 Best Things to Do in Ottawa in Spring From a Local
Ottawa Travel Planning Guide
🚑Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?
100%YES!— There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.
💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?
Yes – ish— While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)
🚙💨Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?
Yes— Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.
📲Do I need to know French in Ottawa?
Nope!— The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)
🏩What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?
For Ottawa hotels,Bookingis the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also checkVRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
✈️What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?
For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommendSkyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.
🎫Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?
Likely Not— U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.
📍Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.
