Day trip to Ottawa

It depends what you like to do. If you like to walk, I'd just walk around downtown to see parliament and maybe some other parks.

Walking along the Rideau canal is ok.

Consider visiting a small town on your way there or back, if you like that sort of thing.

Museum of Science and Technology

Museum of Agriculture

Museum of Civilization

Museum of Nature

Day trip from where?

If from Toronto, it'll take 4-5hr each way, not leaving a lot of time/choices. If you've never been in Ottawa, visits to the Parliament building area, and maybe drive by Sussex for PM and GG's residences may not leave a lot more time.

cristianosham wrote: ↑ Wondering what is the go to places in Ottawa?

What are your interests?

Last time I went I saw:
National Gallery of Canada (with the famous 'spider' structure)
Did a tour of Parliament Hill and Buildings (though the main block is closed for renovations, not sure if the wing is open for tours currently)
Climbed the Peace Tower (also probably closed)
Took a tour of Rideau Hall
Saw the changing of the guard (happens daily, but cancelled until 2022)
Took a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint
Took a tour of the Bank of Canada museum
Took a tour of the Supreme Court of Canada
Notre Dame Basilica
National War Memorial
Canada Aviation and Space Museum (most excellent)
Canadian War Museum, (most excellent)
Walked by Sussex Drive however you cannot see anything from the street so a bit of a waste of time.
Walked by the Museum of Nature with the distinctive glass section on the front of the building
And had a meal at St.Hubert's which sadly isn't in the GTA anymore

I missed going to:
Byward Market
the Ottawa Locks
Canadian Museum of History
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
Laurier House National Historic Site
Museum of Science and Technology
Museum of Agriculture
Museum of Civilization
Rideau Canal river cruise

depanneur rapido or costco gatineau for beer

Gatineau Park if you're into outdoorsy stuff. Chelsea is a nice little town. About 20 mins outside the city.