Ottawa: a jewel year-round
Posted 04-23-2008 at 05:36 PM by Melanie Cox Chable
The National Capital Region (including Gatineau, Québec) has attractions enough for every season!
Most locals will spend at least some part of their day on the Rideau Canal. During the warmer months, people bike, jog and blade along its paths. And in the summer, you can see the locks at work carrying ships from the Rideau River to the lakes. There are tours on the canal, or bus tours that pass along it. During the winter, the water is lowered to allow it to freeze over and become the world's largest skating rink. Don't worry if you didn't bring skates -you can rent them- or if you don't skate at all! Sip hot chocolate and eat Beaver Tails (not literal, they are delicious pastry treats either savoury or sweet) and wash other people glide along!
The winter highlight is Winterlude... a festival of ice (in February) which includes concerts, games, snow slides and an international ice sculpture competition -on display in Confederation Park.
Other popular festivals are Ribfest (April), Tulip Festival (May), Bluesfest (July), and Greekfest (August). Canada Day is always a big event -rain or shine- throughout the National Capital Region.
Though Parliament Hill is generally the most recognised site -with tours possible, and the changing of the guard ceremony in the summer- there are other sights to be seen. There are a few museums to hold your attention: the Musée des civilizations (Gatineau), Museum of Science and Technology, Museum of Science and even a Currency Museum.
Nature enthusiasts might enjoy the Greenbelt around the city (provided by city planning, there is nature encircling the city, with paths throughout) and the Gatineau Hills across the river (stunning sunsets in the summer).
If you like to gamble, then head over to the Casino-du-lac-Leamy! There are shows (Cirque du Soleil has appeared) and a fireworks competition (August).
Sports enthusiasts proudly support the local Senators (Go! Sens! Go!) with playoff games being projected at city hall!
Most hotels are concentrated downtown, within walking distance of Parliament Hill, the Canal, the Rideau Centre (shopping mall and tourist attraction, open 365 days a year) and the Byward Market. The Market really comes alive in the summer with buskers and market stalls (fruits, vegetables and artcrafts). Bars and pubs abound in the Market and along Elgin and Bank Streets.
Getting around town is easy with OCTranspo (local bus service in Ottawa, STO in Québec), by car (watch out for one way streets), by taxi or on foot. The airport, train and bus stations are accesible by bus.
Give Ottawa a try, any time of year!
Most locals will spend at least some part of their day on the Rideau Canal. During the warmer months, people bike, jog and blade along its paths. And in the summer, you can see the locks at work carrying ships from the Rideau River to the lakes. There are tours on the canal, or bus tours that pass along it. During the winter, the water is lowered to allow it to freeze over and become the world's largest skating rink. Don't worry if you didn't bring skates -you can rent them- or if you don't skate at all! Sip hot chocolate and eat Beaver Tails (not literal, they are delicious pastry treats either savoury or sweet) and wash other people glide along!
The winter highlight is Winterlude... a festival of ice (in February) which includes concerts, games, snow slides and an international ice sculpture competition -on display in Confederation Park.
Other popular festivals are Ribfest (April), Tulip Festival (May), Bluesfest (July), and Greekfest (August). Canada Day is always a big event -rain or shine- throughout the National Capital Region.
Though Parliament Hill is generally the most recognised site -with tours possible, and the changing of the guard ceremony in the summer- there are other sights to be seen. There are a few museums to hold your attention: the Musée des civilizations (Gatineau), Museum of Science and Technology, Museum of Science and even a Currency Museum.
Nature enthusiasts might enjoy the Greenbelt around the city (provided by city planning, there is nature encircling the city, with paths throughout) and the Gatineau Hills across the river (stunning sunsets in the summer).
If you like to gamble, then head over to the Casino-du-lac-Leamy! There are shows (Cirque du Soleil has appeared) and a fireworks competition (August).
Sports enthusiasts proudly support the local Senators (Go! Sens! Go!) with playoff games being projected at city hall!
Most hotels are concentrated downtown, within walking distance of Parliament Hill, the Canal, the Rideau Centre (shopping mall and tourist attraction, open 365 days a year) and the Byward Market. The Market really comes alive in the summer with buskers and market stalls (fruits, vegetables and artcrafts). Bars and pubs abound in the Market and along Elgin and Bank Streets.
Getting around town is easy with OCTranspo (local bus service in Ottawa, STO in Québec), by car (watch out for one way streets), by taxi or on foot. The airport, train and bus stations are accesible by bus.
Give Ottawa a try, any time of year!
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