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OTTAWA
A Capital chosen by a Hatpin
Folklore has it that on New Year’s Eve 1857, Queen Victoria chose a capital for the then-province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) by sticking her hatpin on a map between Toronto and Montreal – right onto Ottawa. Though purely hearsay, it makes for an interesting conversation piece for an interesting destination!
Spring and Summertime
Each May, Ottawa draws admirers to the world’s largest Tulip Festival. After the Dutch Royal Family took refuge in Ottawa during World War II, a gift of tulip bulbs resulted, and continues each year!
On July 1 each year, Ottawa is the best place to celebrate Canada Day, the nation’s birthday.
Ottawa holds records too. The 4.8-mile-long Rideau Canal Skateway is the world’s largest skating rink in winter and Ottawa is home to the world’s largest beach volleyball tournament and chamber music festival.
Sights and Sounds
Start in the downtown core, with Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site,
the National War Memorial, and the bustling ByWard Market neighbourhood. Explore the Canadian Museum of Civilization or the National Gallery of Canada.
Shopping
The ByWard Market neighbourhood offers great food and fashion accessories, and as it is just steps from Rideau Centre’s 180 shops, you will be spoiled for choice!
Gastronomic Delights
Ottawa’s location on the Ontario-Québec border results in the best of English and French Canadian cuisine. Indulge yourself at five-diamond restaurants Signatures by Le Cordon Bleu
and Le Baccara at the Casino du Lac-Leamy or munch on a BeaverTail, a wholewheat pastry treat that was born in Ottawa. Look for restaurants that are part of Savour Ottawa; they use only local products to make give you an authentic
local experience.
Night Cap
Yearning for a roll of the dice? Meet Lady Luck at the Casino du Lac-Leamy. Or join the locals at a hotspot in the ByWard Market or on Elgin Street, in Westboro or in the Glebe. For the best in performing arts, take in an evening at the National Arts Centre.
Do:
• Take a tour to get your bearings – by boat,
by bus, in a rickshaw or on foot.
• Check out a festival while you’re in town – there’s something on year-round.
• Practice your French. Many people speak both French and English in their daily lives.
• Get outside. Outdoor activities dominate year round, offering a plethora in summer winter pursuits.
Don’t:
• Worry about transportation. Ottawa has a compact downtown core. You can walk to many major attractions or take a quick taxi ride or public transit.
• Be surprised by who you see. As a national capital, you’ll sometimes see the Prime Minister, celebrities and visiting dignitaries on the streets. Smile and say hello!
• Stay only one night. There’s so much to see and do. Make sure you have the time to enjoy it all!
16 SEPTEMBER.DECEMBER