Parliament Hill.

Perched on a limestone bluff overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the neo-Gothic heart of Canadian democracy. While the iconic Centre Block and Peace Tower are currently undergoing a massive, multi-year restoration, the site remains the city's primary focal point. Visitors can now tour the legislative chambers in their temporary homes: the House of Commons is housed under a striking glass roof in the West Block’s former courtyard, while the Senate has moved into a grand, Beaux-Arts-style former train station nearby. Beyond the politics, the grounds function as a massive public park dotted with historical monuments and the Centennial Flame. Summer mornings bring the red-coated Changing of the Guard ceremony, while winter evenings feature large-scale light projections across the historic facades. It is a working government site that manages to feel like a communal front yard.