Ottawa
by Clifford Morris |
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Ottawa
by Clifford Morris |
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Historians write that many moons ago, the Ottawa area was a rendezvous point for fur traders, European explorers and lumbermen. In 1613, Samuel de Champlain established a base camp here for his future expeditions. The first settlers arrived around 1796 and were later joined by veterans of the Napoleonic and the American Revolutionary War. This prosperous lumber village eventually became known as Ottawa, named after the Outaouac Indians.
Canada's capital city and a vibrant centre of culture, the City of Ottawa represents an exciting destination for travelers of every variety. Whether you seek a safe city to raise a family, are currently considering a career move, visiting as a tourist, or simply out for a walkable experience, Ottawa has much to offer. I comment as one who has lived here, since 1983. This city offers a rich history that is unrivaled across the nation.
To sum, Ottawa is an attractive, accessible city with great museums, natural beauty, and bountiful year-round recreation. Located an hour's drive north of the United States of America (USA) border at Ogdensburg, New York, and a two-hour drive west of Montréal, Ottawa has much to offer many. It takes approximately 4 hours to drive to Toronto. No matter what time of the year you are visiting, be it for for business or pleasure, Ottawa and the Capital Region offers world-class attractions and events. Filled with monuments and symbols of what makes this nation great, a visit to Ottawa is an truly memorable experience.
Before listing a series of web links highlighting a few of the many attractions in and surrounding the greater Ottawa area, here is a comment about a recent award that the Ottawa -- Gatineau region received.
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Some Activities and General Information About the Ottawa -- Gatineau
Region
Airports
Day-Trips
in and Around Ottawa
Maps
To see a map of the Kanata section of the city of Ottawa, go to MapQuest. In the City field, type in Kanata, and in the State/Prov. field, type in ON (for the Canadian province of Ontario). From there, one can zoom to various areas of the city.
Newspapers and Magazines
Nightclubs
Services
Shopping
Sports: Individual Sports
Swimming and Water Parks
Some Annual Events
January
....
February
Winterlude In February, weather permitting, one can skate on the world's longest skating rink (7.8-kilometres) as it meanders through the downtown of Canada’s Capital. This unique winter festival also features various weekend activities, such as ...Bed rac
Curling
Fireworks
Harness racing on ice
Ice boating
Parades
Snow and ice sculpture competitions
Snow playgrounds, including snowshoe races
Speed skating
Sporting events
... all which transforms Ottawa into a winter
wonderland. A popular Canadian
treat, is the "beaver tail," a whole-wheat pastry sprinkled with
sugar. While more popular in winter, this made-in-Ottawa
sweet can be purchased year-round throughout the BWard Market neighborhood. For
more information, call 613 239 5000. March ...................... April
Bicycling in and
around the Ottawa -- Gatineau Area The
Ottawa -- Gatineau region represents a great arena for
cyclists.
There are over 250 kilometres of bicycle pathways
throughout the area. Most of the routes along the Ottawa river, the Rideau Canal and especially throughout
the forested Gatineau Park are quite scenic.
Gatineau Park is a giant wedge of land measuring 363 square kilometres to the Northwest of Ottawa. There,
the National
Capital Commission actively protects plants and animals and manages numerous recreational facilities and
trails. Just 15 minutes from downtown, enjoy some 88,000-acre wilderness conservation area with 40 lakes, great
fishing, complete with hiking and biking trails. In winter, cross-country ski or snowshoe through the
park. I find it quite easy to bicycle on the roads as many of the major routes feature bike lanes. A
recent report indicated that the Ottawa region has more bicycle commuters than any other city in Canada and is second, in all
of North America, to San Francisco. Here are some additional bicycle links. May
Ottawa's biggest event is the Canadian Tulip Festival. For about 2 weeks in
mid-May, when the city is ablaze with 200 varieties of tulips enlivening
public buildings, monuments, embassies, homes, and driveways. (Among the best
viewing points is Dow's Lake.) The festival began in 1945, when the
Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada in appreciation of the role
Canadian troops played in liberating Holland. Festival events include
fireworks, concerts, parades, and a flotilla on the canal. (Contact 888 465 1867
for more information)
Gatineau Park: Hill Climbing up to Champlain Lookout Gatineau Park Visitor Center; 318 Meech Lake Rd.; Old Chelsea, PQ J0X 1N0; 819 827 2020 Across the river in Québec, north of Hull. Only 1.9 miles from Parliament lie 88,000 acres of woodland and lakes named after explorer Nicolas Gatineau of Trois-Rivières. The park was inaugurated in 1938, when the federal government bought land in the Gatineau Hills to stop forest destruction. Black bear, timber wolf, otter, marten, and raccoon are joined by white-tailed deer, beaver, and more than 100 species of birds. Also resident, but rarely glimpsed, are lynx and wolverines. Park facilities include 90 miles of hiking trails and supervised swimming beaches. Fee for vehicle access; fees to beach areas. You can rent boats (canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) at Lac Philippe and Lac la Pêche. Call 819 456 3555 for reservations. Most lakes can be fished (if it's not allowed, it's posted). A Québec license is required and can be obtained at many convenience stores around the park.
Steam Train Hull to Chelsea to Wakefield; Friends of the Steam Train May 08 -- October 31, 2010. All aboard for a memorable journey on board one of Canada's last remaining authentic steam-powered trains. Sunset-diner tours, Sunday brunches, and fall colour tours
R.C.M.P. Musical Ride Sunset Ceremony 613/ 993-3751 With outdoor evening performances of music and horsemanship, including jumping and dressage, as well the ride itself.
Central Experimental Farm At Experimental Farm Drive and Prince of Wales Drive; 613 991 3044; Admission charged; From May to early October, you can ride in wagons drawn by brawny Clydesdales, weather permitting, Monday to Friday 10 -11:30am. There are sleigh rides during the winter. From March to October, the agricultural museum, barns, and tropical greenhouse are open daily 9 - 5; November to February, except Christmas and New Year's Day, the barns and tropical greenhouse are open daily 9 - 4, but the museum's exhibits are closed. With 1,200 acres, it qualifies as the largest green space in the Ottawa region. Though now surrounded by suburban Ottawa, the farm has livestock barns housing various breeds of cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, and horses. Milking time is 4pm. The greenhouses shelter a noted chrysanthemum show every November, and there are also an ornamental flower garden and an arboretum with 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs.
June
Rideau Hall The official residence of the Governor General of Canada was originally built in 1838. Today, as many as 200,000 visitors come to Rideau Hall every year to tour the grounds, which include 32 hectares of green space, historic outbuildings, gardens, greenhouses, and a cricket pitch! Keep an eye out for pieces from the Hall's extensive collection of Canadian art and furniture that has impressed visiting dignitaries for years. Guided tours are available.
July
:ByWard Market One of the oldest public markets in Canada, the Byward Market was first founded in 1826 by Lieutenant-Colonel By. This vibrant and popular market is teeming with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and artisan handicrafts! Surrounded by numerous pubs and boutiques, the market is also an ideal destination for lunch, brunch, or even a late night snack.
Canada Day Events
On July 1, Canadians flock to the city to celebrate a huge birthday party with many kinds of entertainment, including fireworks. (800/465-1867), including the , to
Storyland Family Park
Storyland Road (RR #5), off Route 17 about 6 miles northwest of Renfrew
613/432-2222
Admission charged
Ottawa International Jazz Festival
Upper Canada Village In
Morrisburg, about an hour's drive south of Ottawa, time travels back to the 19th
century at Upper Canada Village. There, you can visit 40 buildings include a
one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith, a shoemaker, farmsteads, and houses. Costumed interpreters bring the era to life.
August
Central
Canada Exhibition
September
Museums, Libraries and Historical Buildings
For 10 days in mid-July, the city is filled with the mainstream and
cutting-edge sounds of local, national, and international artists giving
more than 125 performances at more than 20 venues. (613/241-2633)
more info
Ottawa Chamber Music Festival
North America's largest chamber music festival, with 74 concerts in the
city's churches. It lasts 2 weeks. (613/234-8008)
more info
10-days in mid- to late August. (613/237-7222)
more info
Billings Estate Museum
2100 Cabot St
Annual Heritage trades fair. Blacksmiths, quilters, cooks and others will
demonstrate their crafts, and sell items.: Special historical tours will be
offered; tea will be served on the lawn. Local artists will display their work.
Daily (except Mondays and Saturdays): Tea will be served under a large striped
marquee in the gardens. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.(613/247-4830)
Canada Agriculture Museum Prince of Wales Dr. at Experimental Farm Dr. Ottawa; 613 991 3053; 9 - 5; Admission charged. Call ahead for group rates and tours. Learn how grain is made into flour and bread, or help collect chicken eggs in the Poultry House. With cows, pigs, sheep, horses, chickens and rabbits, the Agriculture Museum is a working farm that celebrates Canada's agricultural heritage, located on the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum 11 Aviation Parkway, 613 993 2010; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays till 9 p.m.; Admission charged.; Free on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Daily 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m. Take a stroll down the Walkway of Time in this massive building, which houses one of the world's best collections of vintage aircraft. In addition to getting an up-close look at aircraft from different eras, visitors will hear some remarkable tales, from the adventures of Canadian bush pilots to the controversy surrounding the Avro Arrow project to the contributions made by women in wartime. Sit at the controls of a Cessna, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m. Wind-tunnel demonstrations, 10:30 a.m.
Canadian Museum of Civilization 100 Laurier St 613 776 7000 May 1 to June 30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., open Thursdays till 9 p.m. (Children's Museum till 7 p.m.) July 1 to Sept. 3: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays till 9 p.m. Admission charged. Museum Admission free on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., half-price on Sundays. Guided tours of permanent or special exhibitions offered daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Audio guides are also available for some exhibitions. The Grand Hall was built in the shape of an enormous canoe. Architect Douglas Cardinal was inspired by a native myth about the raven's magic canoe, which could shrink to the size of a pine needle or expand to hold the entire universe. The building also houses the Canadian Children's Museum, and an IMAX theater. The Museum of Civilization is the country's largest and most visited museum. The Grand Hall is the centerpiece of the museum. Learn about the people of British Columbia's north coast the Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit and Nisga'a. Or trace the history of the Coast Salish, the largest First Nations group in B.C. The hall is marked by several stunning totem poles and six Pacific Coast Indian house facades and a forest backer.
Canadian Museum of Nature 240 MacLeod St.; 613 566 4700; 9:30 - 5. Thursdays till 8.; Admission charged. Children under 3: Free. Free on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. As you walk through the front doors of the castle-like Victoria Memorial Museum building, you will come face-to-face with a replica of the 70-million year-old Daspletosaurus torosus, a dinosaur that once lived in what is now Alberta. The stone heritage building houses one of the world's largest natural history collections, covering four billion years of Earth history. Children will enjoy the Creepy Critters Gallery containing a variety of live insects, rodents and reptiles. The Finders and Keepers exhibit includes more than 400 specimens, from the enormous (such as a giraffe skeleton) to the microscopic (fleas and lice). Learn why the barren-ground caribou is so sure-footed in the snow in the Mammals in Canada gallery, where dioramas capture a moment in the life of Canada's mammals. Test your bird-identifying skills and find out more about seasonal migration patterns in the Birds in Canada gallery. The Animals in Nature gallery shows how pollutants have caused a decline in the number of predatory species such as the peregrine falcon. See how bees make honey or find out why Japanese companies are pumping the fresh scent of lemons into the workplace in the Plant Life and Nature's Pharmacy exhibits. Take an elevator ride beneath the surface of the Earth to visit a gold mine, and find out why gold is so valuable in the Mineral Gallery, where you can also board a time machine that will take you back to the origins of Earth and the forces that have shaped it. See a new replica of the chasmosaur or go digging for dinosaur fossils in the Life through the Ages gallery.
Canada Science and Technology Museum 1867 St Laurent Blvd.; 613 991 3044; Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission charged. Free Admission during the last hour. If the energy stored in a jar of peanut butter were transformed into oil or electricity, it could heat a house for several hours or drive a car 10 kilometres at high speed? That is just one of the many things you will discover here. A lighthouse, a locomotive, and rocket are located in the Technology Park in front of the museum. Interactive and hands-on activities.
Permanent exhibitions: Love, Leisure and Laundry explores the evolution of household technology. Canada In Space explores this country's scientific and technical feats in the space program. Includes a full-scale model of the Canadarm. Visitors can climb aboard steam locomotives in the Locomotive Hall. From telephones to radio to the Internet, Connexions explores all facets of communications technology and their impact on our lives. Beautiful antique cars are showcased in the More than a Machine exhibition, featuring vehicles from the 1900s to the 1930s. See if you can keep your balance in the Crazy Kitchen.The Diefenbunker is a privately funded museum buried < http://www.ottawaplus.ca/portal/profile.do?&profileID=60917 > deep under a hillside, at 3911 Carp Road, just past the Carp, Ontario fairgrounds. The 100 000 square foot, four-floor underground nuclear bunker was secretly designed, constructed and named after the Canada Prime Minister of the day, John George Diefenbaker.
October
Ottawa International Writers Festival, Fall Edition October 21-26, 2010 at St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts and Humanities. A celebration of the finest new and established writers from across Canada and around the world. 613 562 1243
The Rideau Canal was constructed between 1826 and 1832. Supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, this 125 mile waterway connects the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston on the St. Lawrence River. Every winter, a section of this waterway becomes the world's longest skating rink.
November
forthcoming
December
Christmas Lights Across Canada In the months of December and January, Parliament Hill, Confederation Boulevard and the downtown area are ablaze with a dazzling display of lights forming a symbolic link of similar Christmas Lights displays in other provincial and territorial capitals, as part of the National Capital Commission's (NCC) "Christmas Lights Across Canada" program 613 239 5000 or 1 800 465 1867
Ottawa by Clifford Morris | Home and Name Index and Subject Index
Revised on Monday, 10 May, 2010