Ottawa
Canada’s capital city of Ottawa and its adjoining city of Hull, Québec, is noted for it’s historic, cultural and visual attractions. The imposing beauty of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, the sinuous curves of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, or the vibrant, contemporary National Arts Centre, all framed by beautiful parks, give the city its proud character.
Besides being the political hub of Canada, Ottawa is a vibrant four-season destination where people skate to work in the winter on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink (according to Guinness World Records), and where thousands play in HOPE Volleyball Summerfest, the world’s largest beach volleyball tournament, in the summer. In spring, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the blooming of millions of tulips, creating an exotic mosaic of colour and beauty along a 15 km Tulip Route through Ottawa and Gatineau. Festivities include events all over the city and include the Tulip Explosion flower and design show.
Ottawa in Autumn is just as spectacular when Ottawa’s millions of trees and the Gatineau Hillsturn brilliant oranges, reds and yellow in the fall. Automobiles do not rule in this city. Hundreds of kilometres of paved pathways meander next to the Rideau Canal, Rideau River and Ottawa River. The roadways next to these same bodies of water are closed to vehicles on summer Sunday mornings so that cyclists, walkers, runners and inline skaters can have free rein.
Gatineau Park, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, offers over 35,000 hectares (86,000 acres) of wilderness. There’s hiking, biking, canoeing, camping and, in the winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. An hour west of Ottawa brings you to some of the most hair-raising whitewater rafting adventures you’ll ever have. More tranquil “float” trips are also offered.
The Ottawa International Jazz Festival in June is followed by the rollicking good fun of the Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest in July. The Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (the world’s largest) holds its summer concert series in beautiful downtown churches with superior acoustics.
In addition to the magnificent Museum of Civilization in Hull, you can also learn more about Canada’s first peoples on Victoria Island on the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Gatineau. Aboriginal Experiences introduces you to the lifestyles of the diverse nations across Canada through living displays of a tipi, wigwam and longhouse. You can also explore ancient technologies and tools used in building birch bark canoes, tanning hides, making baskets and more through hands-on demonstrations. There are also interactive dance presentations and a chance to sample traditional food including bannock, wild rice and game meats.
Rideau Hall, home to Canada’s Governor General (the Queen’s representative) is open to tours of both the interior reception rooms and lavish gardens, where you can often catch a cricket game in progress.
More recent additions to the attractions scene include the brand new Canadian War Museum. The museum is a living memorial to Canada’s proud military history—from the earliest days of New France to current-day operations. More appealing to kids however, is Fortune Aerial Experience in Gatineau Park. Enjoy the thrill and excitement of soaring through the trees as you experience the giant zip line, suspended walkways, and rope bridges in their aerial playground.