Sightseeing OverviewOttawa wears an elegant charm as Canada’s capital.
Ornate gothic buildings with steep spires and turrets overlook the
easygoing pace of the city built along the
River Ottawa.
The
Rideau Canal transforms from a popular
skating location and winter wonderland to a quiet waterway plied with
canoes and
canal boats in summer.
The world-famous
tulip festival marks the beginning of summer, as tourists, students, families and politicians stroll the gardens, cycle the paths and visit the many museums.
The neo-gothic
Parliament Buildings atop
Parliament Hill attract crowds
to the outdoor
summer concerts or the thrilling pomp and ceremony of the
Changing of the Guard. Daily tours allow visitors a view of
Canada’s House of Commons and the
Senate.
Across the river in Gatineau, Québec, is the
Canadian Museum of Civilization, exploring 1,000 years of Canadian history. West of parliament is the new, state-of-the-art
Canadian War Museum, featuring interactive exhibits of past great wars.
The
National Gallery, guarded by a monstrous bronze and steel spider sculpture, is home to one of the country’s finest art collections, including
native Canadian art.
Not to be missed is the
Stray Cats of the Hill, an open access kitty condo (run by volunteers) that offers food and shelter for the stray cat (and raccoon, squirrel and groundhog) population of the city.
Tourist InformationOttawa Tourism
130 Albert Street, Suite 1800
Tel: (613) 237 6822
or 1 800 363 4465.
Website:
www.ottawatourism.caThe main tourist office provides information in both English and French.
PassesMuseum Passports that last for seven days offer discounts at 10 museums and performances at the National Arts Center.
Key Attractions:Canadian Museum of Civilization
This museum boasts 1,000 years of Canadian history, life-size totem poles overshadowing the magnificent
First People’s Hall, and an
IMAX Theater with constantly changing features.
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Québec
Tel: (819) 776 7000.
Website:
www.civilization.caAdmission charge.
Canadian War Museum
Poignant and interactive exhibits reveal Canada’s military past, with a stunning collection of artifacts and airplanes from the world’s major wars.
1 Vimy Place
Tel: (819) 776 8600.
Website:
www.warmuseum.caAdmission charge.
Diefenbunker Cold War Museum
Descend 27.5m (90ft) underground into Canada’s once-secret Cold War bunker, now a museum after being decommissioned in 1997. Visitors can discover some of the mysteries of this huge, four-story bunker built to house the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear attack.
3911 Carp Road, Carp
Tel: (613) 839 0007.
Website:
www.diefenbunker.caAdmission charge.
Rideau Canal
This canal is cruised by boats in the summer, but then transforms into the world’s longest ice-skating rink in the winter, with a 7.8km (4.8-mile) channel of ice winding through downtown Ottawa. The canal extends over 200km (124 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, and links the River Ottawa with Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence Seaway. Requiring 24 dams and 46 locks, it was one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century.
Tel: (613) 283 5170.
Website:
www.pc.gc.ca/rideauAdmission charge.
Parliament Hill
Perched on a rise next to the fairytale
Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the neo-gothic
Parliament Buildings with their pointed copper roofs overlook the River Ottawa and neighboring Québec. Sit in on question time at the
Legislature, tour the newly refurbished library or enjoy the sound and light show on the illuminated
Parliament Hill.
Parliament of Canada, Parliament Hill
Tel: (613) 992 4793.
Website:
www.parl.gc.caFree admission.
Further Distractions:National Gallery
Located near the vibrant ByWard Market, the National Gallery is an architectural landmark with its striking glass towers, spacious galleries, quiet courtyards and gardens. It is the country’s finest art museum, showcasing the world’s largest collection of Canadian art.
380 Sussex Drive
Tel: (613) 990 1985.
Website:
www.gallery.ca
Canada Agriculture Museum
Visit a working farm in the heart of the capital city, where the sights and sounds of farm animals express Canada’s agricultural heritage. There are interpretive activities for children, demonstrations and rides in a horse-drawn wagon.
Prince of Wales Drive
Tel: (613) 991 3044.
Website:
www.agriculture.technomuses.ca
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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