Every May, Ottawa transforms into one of the most colourful cities in the world. Over 300,000 tulips bloom across the city, in 60 different varieties, spread across 30 flower beds, turning parks, canal paths, and parliament grounds into a living painting. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, this guide covers every spot worth seeing, plus practical tips to make the most of your visit. Here are the best spots to see the tulips in Ottawa.
Quick Tips Before You Visit the Canadian Tulip Festival
- Best time to visit: Mid-May, when blooms are at their peak. I find May 10th-12th they are often at their peak with opportunities to visit before/after. Blooming might be quicker or faster depending on the weather that year.
- Best time of day: Early morning (7–9 AM) for soft light, fewer crowds, and better photos; golden hour before sunset is also stunning but often more busy. I also recommend weekdays over weekends for less people.
- How long to spend: A full day if you want to hit all the spots; half a day for Parliament Hill + Majors Hill Park + Rideau Canal
- Getting around: The Rideau Canal pathway connects many of the best spots — walking or cycling between them is the best way to experience it all.
- Accessibility: Parliament Hill, Majors Hill Park, Dow’s Lake/Commissioners Park, and the Rideau Canal pathway are all stroller and wheelchair-accessible
- Parking: Paid parking is available near Dow’s Lake and Commissioners Park; for Parliament Hill and Majors Hill, transit or cycling is recommended as parking is limited during festival season
Ideas to add to your Tulip Adventure:
- Brunch by neighbourhood in Ottawa
- Best patios in Ottawa by neighbourhood
- Where to see blossoms in Ottawa
- Ottawa waterfall guide
The History of the Canadian Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival began as an act of gratitude. During World War II, the Dutch Royal Family sought refuge in Ottawa while the Netherlands was under Nazi occupation. Princess Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on January 19, 1943. To ensure Margriet held Dutch citizenship at birth, the Canadian government temporarily declared the maternity ward extraterritorial Dutch soil, a remarkable gesture of solidarity.
After liberation in 1945, Princess Juliana sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa as a thank-you for sheltering her family and in recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadian troops in liberating the Netherlands. The tradition has continued ever since, with the Netherlands sending tulip bulbs to Canada every year.
Beyond being a pretty flower, to Ottawa, the tulip is also a symbol of a historic friendship between two nations.
When Is the Canadian Tulip Festival?
The Canadian Tulip Festival typically runs for about 10 days in mid-May. In 2026, the Canadian Tulip Festival will be from May 8th to May 18th.
The Best Places To See The Tulips in Ottawa
1. Parliament Hill
Why go: Iconic backdrop, central location
Parliament Hill is surrounded by carefully tended flower beds that line Wellington Street and extend onto the grounds themselves. Walk along Wellington, and you’ll pass bed after bed of tulips leading up to the Centre Block. Step onto the grounds, and you’ll find more blooms right at the base of the steps, making for a classic Ottawa photo. You can often catch some tulips on Sparks Street too, and it’s definitely worth a stroll for some wonderful patios, Little Victories, Rabbit Hole or Riviera.
Majors Hill Park
Why go: Best views in the city, multiple stunning photo angles, central and walkable
If you only have time for one stop, make it Majors Hill Park. Situated between the Château Laurier and the Ottawa River, this park offers something rare: tulip beds with world-class backdrops in multiple directions.
Face west toward Parliament Hill and the Library of Parliament and you’ll get one of the most iconic views in Ottawa, tulips in the foreground, the Gothic copper rooflines rising behind them. Turn around toward the National Gallery of Canada and you get an entirely different but equally striking composition.
From the same flower bed, if you face towards the National Gallery of Canada you’ll get this incredible view.
Keep walking through the park towards Notre Dame Cathedral, and you’ll see a ton of different varieties of tulips in these flower beds.
Major’s Hill Park is also a great spot for a picnic near the tulips. It can get quite busy during tulip season but even in the middle of the park you’ll be able to admire the tulips and landmarks.
Some ideas to add on:
- Sunset at Kiweki Point
- Drinks at Tavern on the Hill
- Patio hop in Byward Market
Rideau Canal
Why go: Scenic route connecting multiple tulip destinations, great for walking or cycling
The Rideau Canal pathway isn’t just a way to get between spots, it’s a destination in itself during tulip season. Flower beds line stretches of the pathway, and the combination of blooms, the water, and the city skyline makes for a uniquely Ottawa experience.
This is one of the best ways to spend a full tulip day: start at Majors Hill Park, walk south along the canal, and end up at Dow’s Lake, stopping to admire the beds along the way.
Parking Tip: On May 16th, the Glebe BIA is offering free parking at The Glebe Garage, 170 Second Avenue. Park here and then you can easily walk along the canal to Dow’s Lake
Dow’s Lake
Why go: The highest concentration of tulips anywhere in Ottawa, 30+ varieties in one place
Commissioners Park beside Dow’s Lake is the beating heart of the tulip festival and arguably the single best spot to see tulips in Ottawa. Thousands of tulips stretch out across the park in dozens of varieties: tall and short, single and double-petalled, striped, fringed, and parrot tulips alongside classic cups. You could easily spend an hour just wandering through and spotting your favourites.
After you’ve had your fill of flowers, Little Italy is just a short walk away, a perfect spot for lunch or a coffee.
Practical tip: Paid parking is available nearby, making this one of the easier spots to reach by car. On weekends during peak bloom, arrive before 10 AM to avoid the biggest crowds.
Voyageurs Pathway
Why go: Fewer crowds, cross-river views of Ottawa, a different perspective on the festival
Just across the river in Gatineau, the Voyageurs Pathway offers a quieter tulip experience with a bonus: stunning views back toward Ottawa. Look for tulip beds near Portage Bridge and the Canadian Museum of History.
While you’re in the area, the Gatineau Cultural Trail connects you to public art and local attractions — worth a stroll if you have extra time.
Practical tip: This spot is consistently less crowded than the Ottawa-side locations, even on weekends. A great option if you want the tulip experience without the festival crowds.
Supreme Court
This is another overlooked destination. Admire tulips in Ottawa with the supreme court as a backdrop. This is an easy add-on to the tulips around Parliament Hill. Although there are fewer flower beds, it’s an equally beautiful spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the tulips free to see? Yes, all of the outdoor tulip displays listed above are free to visit. The Canadian Tulip Festival may have ticketed events and programming, but the flower beds in parks and along public pathways are open to everyone at no cost.
What if I miss peak bloom? Tulip season in Ottawa is weather-dependent. A warm spring can push blooms earlier; a cold snap can delay them. I always update on the tulip status on my Instagram: @juliaxweber. The majority of my peak tulip shots have been around May 10-12th throughout the years, with plenty of chances to shoot them before/after that.
Can I pick the tulips? No, please don’t. The tulip beds are tended carefully and are meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Leave them for the next visitor.
Is it worth visiting outside of the official festival dates? Absolutely. Early May often has tulips (and possibly blossoms) already in bloom, sometimes with thinner crowds than the official festival window. If you can be flexible, watching for bloom reports and visiting when they peak — rather than going strictly by festival dates — is a great strategy.
Looking for something to do after the Tulip Festival? Check out my Ottawa ice cream guide and patio guide.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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