Ottawa Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Ontario, southeast Canada.

Time Zone

GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).

Electricity

110 volt AC, 60 Hz; flat two-or three-prong plugs are standard.

Average January Temperatures

- 6ºC (21ºF).

Average July Temperatures

27ºC (80ºF).

Average Annual Rainfall

861mm (34 inches).

Cost of Living

Special Events

Canadian Tulip Festival
May
Heralds spring awakening with thousands of tulips in bloom on the 15km (9-mile) Tulip Route.
Alongside the Rideau Canal
Website: www.tulipfestival.ca

Changing the Guard
June/August
Expect a thrilling spectacle of the Changing the Guard ceremony.
Parliament Hill
Website: www.parl.gc.ca

Sound and Light Show
July/September
A spectacular sound and light show portraying songs, poems, stories and visions of Canada's achievements.
Parliament Hill
Website: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/soundandlight

Ottawa Bluesfest
July
Top blues musicians from around the world perform at the second-largest blues festival in North America.
Lebreton Flats, downtown Ottawa
Website: www.ottawabluesfest.ca

Alcatel-Lucent HOPE Volleyball SummerFest
July
The largest charity beach volleyball tournament in the world, followed by a benefit rock concert.
Mooney's Bay Beach
Website: www.hopehelps.com

Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
July/August
The world's largest chamber music festival, with concerts played in beautiful Ottawa churches.
Various locations
Website: www.chamberfest.com

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
August/September
Canada's largest balloon festival over the skies of Gatineau and Ottawa.
La Baie Park, Rue de la Baie, Gatineau
Website: www.balloongatineau.com

Winterlude
February
Winter festival with skating on the canal, ice sculpture and snowboarding competitions, beavertails (Ottawa's unique, deep-fried pastry) and hot chocolate.
Various venues
Website: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude