Park Near Ottawa’s Attractions Without Guessing
Ottawa has beautiful museums, historic landmarks, lively markets, and scenic waterfront paths. However, finding convenient parking can be difficult when several attractions share the same busy downtown streets. Therefore, this guide helps you choose a garage that fits your destination, visit length, budget, and walking route.
Whether you are touring Parliament Hill, exploring ByWard Market, or spending an afternoon at a museum, you will find practical parking choices below. In addition, the maps and official links will help you check current restrictions before leaving home.
WEEKEND DAY MAX
Quick Answer: Where Should Visitors Park in Ottawa?
For a downtown sightseeing trip, start by deciding which attraction you will visit first. For example, City Hall Garage at 110 Laurier Avenue West is a useful option for the southern part of downtown. Meanwhile, the ByWard Market and Dalhousie garages serve visitors exploring the market, restaurants, and nearby cultural attractions.
If you are visiting Parliament Hill, remember that public visitor parking is not available on Parliament Hill itself. Therefore, choose a downtown garage and allow time to walk to your specific tour entrance.
On weekends, City Hall Garage is especially worth checking because the city’s published daytime maximum is just $2. However, the most convenient garage still depends on your route and mobility needs.
Ottawa Visitor Parking Rates: Quick Comparison
Municipal garages can offer predictable rates for visitors. However, each facility has different time limits, evening rules, and maximum charges. As a result, the cheapest garage for a short visit may not be the right choice for a full day.
The following rates come from the City of Ottawa’s published municipal parking information. Nevertheless, check the official listing and entrance signs before paying because prices and restrictions may change.
| Location | Parking | Useful for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Hall Garage 110 Laurier Avenue West |
Weekdays: $3 per 30 minutes, $22 daytime maximum. Weekends and holidays: $1 per hour, $2 daytime maximum. |
Downtown sightseeing, City Hall, and Parliament-area walking. | Weekday and weekend rates differ considerably. |
| ByWard Market Garage 70 Clarence Street |
$4/hour Monday–Saturday daytime; $3/hour Sunday daytime. Evening and overnight maximum: $8. | Short visits to the heart of ByWard Market. | Three-hour daytime limit. Pay & Display rules apply. |
| Dalhousie Garage 141 Clarence Street |
Weekday daytime maximum: $15. Weekend and holiday daytime maximum: $6. |
Longer market visits and nearby attractions. | Check the rate period if staying into the evening. |
| Gloucester Street Garage 210 Gloucester Street |
Weekday daytime maximum: $21. Weekends and holidays: free under published rules. |
Downtown visits where the location suits your walking route. | Confirm access and posted restrictions before leaving the car. |
| Glebe Garage 170 Second Avenue |
Levels 1–2: $5 maximum with a two-hour limit. Levels 3–4: $15 maximum. |
Glebe shopping, dining, and nearby neighborhood visits. | Lower levels have shorter time limits. |
Parking Near Parliament Hill and Downtown Ottawa
Parliament Hill is one of Ottawa’s most popular destinations. However, visitors cannot use public parking on Parliament Hill itself. Instead, park at a nearby public garage and walk to the appropriate tour entrance.
City Hall Garage is a practical option to compare because it has 845 spaces, 20 accessible spaces, and a published height limit of 2.16 metres. In addition, its weekend and holiday maximum is considerably lower than its weekday daytime maximum.
Before choosing a garage, check the exact building on your tour confirmation. For example, a House of Commons tour and a Senate tour may start at different locations. Therefore, the nearest parking facility for one tour may not be the most convenient for another.
City Hall Garage
$2 weekend maxLocated at 110 Laurier Avenue West, this municipal garage is worth comparing for weekend sightseeing. Moreover, its large capacity makes it a useful starting point when planning a downtown visit.
845 spaces • 2.16 m clearanceGloucester Street Garage
Free weekendsThis municipal garage is another downtown option. In particular, its published free weekend and holiday periods can help visitors control parking costs when the location suits their route.
210 Gloucester Street • 2 m clearanceCheck Your Tour Entrance
Allow walking timeParliament-area tours can have different meeting points. Therefore, confirm your entrance before selecting a parking garage.
Follow current security and visitor instructions.ByWard Market Parking: Short Visits and Longer Stays
ByWard Market is ideal for restaurants, independent shops, cafés, and sightseeing. However, busy streets and changing parking restrictions can make an unplanned arrival frustrating. Therefore, choose your garage before entering the market area.
ByWard Market Garage — 70 Clarence Street
This garage is centrally located and operates 24 hours a day. Since March 30, 2026, it has used a Pay & Display system rather than exit tickets and gate arms. As a result, visitors must pay after parking, either through the PayByPhone app or at a payment machine.
During the day, a three-hour limit applies. Therefore, this garage works particularly well for shorter market visits. If you plan to spend most of the day exploring, compare Dalhousie Garage instead.
Dalhousie Garage — 141 Clarence Street
Dalhousie Garage has 459 spaces and a 2-metre height limit. Moreover, its published weekend daytime maximum is $6, which can make it useful for visitors planning a longer market visit.
On weekdays, the daytime maximum is $15. Meanwhile, the evening maximum is $5 under the city’s listed rate periods. Therefore, calculate the total if your visit crosses from daytime into evening.
Parking Near Ottawa’s Museums
Ottawa’s museums are spread across several neighborhoods. Consequently, there is no single parking garage that works equally well for every museum. Instead, check the museum’s own visitor parking information before choosing an alternative.
National Gallery of Canada
The Gallery has an underground parking garage for visitors. However, its 1.8-metre height clearance may exclude taller vehicles. In addition, the garage is cashless and does not allow overnight parking. Therefore, check your vehicle height and visit schedule first.
Canadian Museum of Nature
The museum offers onsite parking. Nevertheless, spaces can fill quickly on busy weekends and holidays. As a result, arriving early or identifying a nearby alternative can make the visit easier.
Canadian War Museum
Check the museum’s current parking and accessibility information before traveling. Furthermore, consider the museum’s exact entrance when comparing other downtown parking options.
Rideau Canal Parking: Choose the Right Section First
The Rideau Canal extends through a large part of Ottawa. Therefore, searching for one universal canal parking garage is unlikely to give you the most convenient result.
For example, visitors heading to the downtown locks may prefer a central garage near their sightseeing route. Meanwhile, people exploring the canal farther south should look for parking closer to their chosen starting point.
In winter, skating plans also depend on current ice conditions and official access points. Therefore, confirm the operating status and your intended entrance before driving.
TD Place and Lansdowne Parking for Events
Parking around TD Place can become busy before major games, concerts, and other events. As a result, arriving without a plan may leave you searching for an alternative while traffic builds.
First, check the event organizer’s parking instructions. Next, confirm whether onsite spaces can be reserved. If parking is unavailable, consider public transit or a legal parking location farther from the venue.
Moreover, nearby residential streets may have restrictions designed to protect local access. Therefore, do not assume an empty street space is available for the duration of your event.
Where Can Visitors Find Free Parking in Ottawa?
Free parking is possible in selected municipal facilities and during certain rate periods. However, free payment periods do not remove posted time limits, access rules, or other parking restrictions.
For example, Gloucester Street Garage currently lists free parking on weekends and holidays. In addition, its published overnight free period runs from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays.
Meanwhile, City Hall Garage is not generally free on weekends. Nevertheless, its $2 maximum for the published daytime period offers a low-cost alternative for many downtown visitors.
Residential Visitor Parking Permits in Ottawa
If you are staying with friends or family, a residential visitor permit may be relevant. However, these permits are not general downtown sightseeing passes. Instead, the resident must apply on behalf of a visitor at an eligible address within a designated residential parking zone.
For 2026, the city’s listed summer rate for one week or less is $9.25 plus HST. In contrast, the winter rate for the same duration is $43 plus HST. Furthermore, approval can take up to five business days. Therefore, visitors should not leave the application until the day they arrive.
Before applying, confirm the address is eligible and collect the required residency and vehicle documents. In addition, remember that the city lists these permits as nonrefundable.
Accessible Parking and Vehicle Height Limits
Accessibility should be part of your parking decision from the start. For example, City Hall Garage lists 20 accessible spaces, while ByWard Market Garage lists six. However, availability can change, so a published space count is not a guarantee of an open space.
The City of Ottawa also publishes specific benefits for valid accessible parking permit holders at selected municipal facilities. For example, eligible permit holders may park for up to four hours free at ByWard Market Garage. Therefore, review the current facility-specific rules before your visit.
Vehicle height is another important consideration. City Hall lists a 2.16-metre clearance, ByWard Market lists 2.2 metres, and Dalhousie lists 2 metres. In comparison, the National Gallery’s underground garage has a lower 1.8-metre clearance.
Ottawa Visitor Parking Map
Use the map below to explore central Ottawa before you travel. Then, open the directions for your chosen garage rather than navigating only to the attraction. This way, you can approach the correct parking entrance and avoid unnecessary downtown turns.
Useful Parking Map Links
For a direct route, open City Hall Garage, ByWard Market Garage, or Dalhousie Garage. However, follow current signs for the final entrance because downtown access arrangements can change.
Before You Park: A Practical Visitor Checklist
A little planning can save both money and time. Therefore, complete these checks before entering central Ottawa.
Before leaving home
- First, confirm the exact entrance to your attraction.
- Next, compare the parking rate for your visit length.
- Then, check the garage’s height limit and operating hours.
- In addition, save a backup garage nearby.
- Finally, review any event-related road closures.
After arriving
- First, read the signs at the parking entrance.
- Next, confirm the maximum permitted parking time.
- Then, pay immediately if Pay & Display applies.
- Also, photograph your parking level or space.
- Finally, save your walking route back to the vehicle.
Official Ottawa Parking Resources
This guide is designed to make parking choices easier. Nevertheless, the City of Ottawa remains the source for current municipal rates, restrictions, and permit rules. Therefore, check the official pages before relying on a price or free parking period.
Ottawa Visitor Parking FAQs
Where should I park when visiting Parliament Hill?
Public visitor parking is not available on Parliament Hill itself. Therefore, compare central downtown garages such as City Hall Garage. Before parking, confirm the entrance shown on your tour booking.
Is Ottawa City Hall parking cheap on weekends?
Yes. The city’s published weekend and holiday daytime rate is $1 per hour with a $2 maximum. However, confirm the current rate period and posted rules when you arrive.
Where can I park near ByWard Market?
Start with ByWard Market Garage at 70 Clarence Street for a short visit. Alternatively, compare Dalhousie Garage at 141 Clarence Street if you expect to stay longer.
Does ByWard Market Garage have a time limit?
Yes. A three-hour daytime limit applies under the garage’s current Pay & Display system. Therefore, check your planned visit length before paying.
Where can I find free weekend parking in Ottawa?
Gloucester Street Garage currently lists free weekend and holiday parking. However, posted restrictions and access rules still apply. Therefore, check the official listing and entrance signs.
Can visitors get a residential parking permit?
Eligible Ottawa residents can apply on behalf of visitors staying at qualifying addresses. However, the permit is not intended as a general downtown sightseeing pass. In addition, processing can take up to five business days.
Is parking available at the National Gallery?
The National Gallery has an underground visitor garage. However, it has a 1.8-metre clearance and does not permit overnight parking. Therefore, check your vehicle height and the Gallery’s current visitor information before arriving.
Should I drive to TD Place for a major event?
Driving is possible, but event parking can be limited. Therefore, check the event’s parking arrangements in advance. Alternatively, consider transit if onsite parking is unavailable.