Learn about fascinating buildings at Doors Open Ottawa this weekend

Ever wonder what it’s like to live in an ambassador’s residence? Curious to learn about the new project to be built across Wellington Street from Parliament Hill? Would your kids like to see what really goes on inside a fire station? Then don’t miss Doors Open Ottawa, which is running online now and runs “in person” on June 4 and 5.

(Disclosure: I’m a member of the Doors Open Ottawa advisory committee, so I am a bit biased—but I really do think this is a great event. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be on the committee!)

So what, exactly, is Doors Open Ottawa?

It’s a huge, free event that gives you a chance to visit a wide range of notable buildings all over the city. Some are open for in-person visits, some you can tour online and some offer both options.

Doors Open events happen in cities across North America, but Ottawa’s is one of the largest. Here are just a few of the 90 buildings you can visit in person or virtually this weekend.

• Official residence of the Embassy of Denmark: This Rockcliffe home was completed in 1972 using classic Danish architectural techniques and lots of natural materials, including stone, pine and red cedar. And it’s filled with stylish Danish furniture.
• Abbotsford House: This 1872 Gothic Revival mansion in the Glebe is now a leisure and resource centre for older adults.
• Cancer research labs at The Ottawa Hospital: Did you know that The Ottawa Hospital is a world leader in cancer research? This behind-the-scenes video tour gives you a glimpse of scientists at work.
• Ottawa Art Gallery: Sure, you can visit this gorgeous gallery for free anytime, but why not take advantage of Doors Open Ottawa to check it out? Opened in 2018, it’s airy, sunny and one of my favourite buildings in the city. (See the photo of the gallery’s restaurant at the top of this post.)
• Orléans Health Hub: This award-winning building opened in 2021 to provide a wide range of healthcare services. Its design was inspired by the landscape of Petrie Island, on the other side of Orleans.

• Beechwood Cemetery: OK, this site on the edge of New Edinburgh and Vanier isn’t a building, per se. However, the historical tours here are excellent, illuminating local and national history through the stories of some of the 82,000 people buried here.
• Canmet Bells Corners Research Complex: This Bells Corners complex opened in 1968, and its 19 buildings reflect the Brutalist architectural style that was popular at that time. Today, it is home to Canada’s largest non-nuclear clean energy research centre.
• Ottawa Fire Stations 37 and 82: If you visit one of these modern stations—one in Richmond, the other in Riverside South—you might see one of the three firefighting vehicles at each (if they’re not out on call). Depending on the station, you could learn about pump trucks, tanker trucks, rescue trucks or tower (AKA ladder) trucks.
• Parliamentary Precinct Block 2 Redevelopment Project: A whole city block directly across Wellington Street from Parliament Hill is about to be redeveloped. You can drop by a public exhibition to learn about the plans.

For in-person tours, hours and dates vary—some buildings are open both days, while others are open only Saturday or Sunday—so do check the Doors Open Ottawa building list for details.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.