Legend
has it that, back in 1857, Queen Victoria blindly stuck a
pin into a map of Canada to choose the capital of the new
nation. The decision was probably made more carefully than
that, but the choice to make what was then a rowdy lumber
camp into the capital shocked many. And, in fact, it took
more than a different name, and more than a century, to transform
it into the pleasing place it is today. Indeed, as late as
the 1970s, a federal cabinet minister famously remarked that
the best thing about Ottawa was the train to Montreal.
Today, weary visitors from bigger, noisier cities are charmed
by Ottawa's human scale. The vibrant ByWard Market lies a
stone's throw from half a dozen museums. The Rideau Canal,
which winds through the heart of downtown, draws ice-skaters
in winter and cyclists to waterside paths in summer. Even
the capital's most famous landmarks, the neo-Gothic parliament
buildings, seem more welcoming than imposing. And laced through
all this is a distinctive culture, part British, part French,
part multicultural and wholly Canadian: cautious, polite and
hardy. |
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is at the political heart of Canada. Situated
on a bluff overlooking the Ottawa River, it is actually
a collection of three turn-of-the-century Gothic structures
known as the East Block, Centre Block and West Block. The
West Block and East Block contain the offices of Members
of Parliament. The House of Commons and the Senate are located
in the Centre Block with its soaring Peace Tower.
Hull-Wakefield Steam Train
This 64-kilometre train journey, from Hull to Wakefield,
will take you back in time while you enjoy the passing beauty
of the Outaouais region. The clickety-clack of the steam
train, which dates from 1907, will capture your imagination;
and the trip allows ample time to explore the quaint village
of Wakefield, where you can shop or grab a meal at one of
the fabulous restaurants. The half-day journey follows the
banks of the historic Gatineau River and winds through the
wilderness of Gatineau Park.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
This annual festival is now the fifth largest hot air balloon
gathering in the world, with attendance topping 200,000.
Some of the 150 colourful balloons on show come from as
far away as Holland, France and Sweden. Bizarre shapes can
be found over the skies of Gatineau and Ottawa during the
festival, including a giant frog, a Statue of Liberty, a
giant maple leaf, a bouquet of tulips and a telephone book.
The festival includes 200 shows, 40 fairground rides and
an amazing fireworks display.
Rideau Canal
Built between 1827 and 1832 without the aid of power machinery,
the Canal is one of Ottawa's oldest landmarks; it runs from
the Ottawa River near Parliament Hill to Hog's Back Falls
on the south end of the city. During the summer a wide range
of vessels, including tour boats, glide along the waterway,
while people in-line skate, jog or stroll on the canal's
picturesque banks. During the winter, the canal is transformed
into the "World's Longest Skating Rink," and is
a hub of activity during Ottawa's Winterlude festival.
River Cruises Sea Prince II
This 280 passenger, two-deck boat offers a variety of cruises
on the Ottawa River, departing from Hull beside Jacques
Cartier Park and from Ottawa near the Ottawa Locks. Daily
one hour sightseeing cruises are guided by bilingual staff
who will point out the points of interest along the way,
including the Parliament Buildings, Museum of Civilization
and the Prime Minister's Residence. There are also specialty
cruises, including Sunday champagne brunch and the Museum
Cruise Package.
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall, which was built in 1838, has been the official
residence of the Queen's representative to Canada since
1867. The grounds cover more than 32 hectares and feature
a magnificent greenhouse and ornamental gardens. Visitors
can take a self-guided tour or book one of the many guided
tours offered from 10am to 4pm during the summer months.
There are a number of events hosted by the Governor General
throughout the year.
Canadian Children's Museum
Visitors to this one-of-a-kind museum are given passports,
which they can stamp as they go on an interactive tour through
a series of exhibits representing different regions of the
world. Activities include playing African musical instruments,
decoding hieroglyphics in a miniature pyramid, shopping
in an international marketplace and constructing a Balinese
shadow puppet.
Nepean Point
Sitting high above the Ottawa River across from Parliament
Hill, this lookout is topped with a towering statue of the
country's founder, Samuel de Champlain. A French explorer,
Champlain established Canadian colonies in the early 1600s,
charted the seacoast from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts,
and explored river routes in Quebec and central Ontario.
In his spare time, he set up a vast fur-trading network
with Canada's native peoples. In the statue he clutches
his astrolabe, an instrument used for navigation, which
historians believe he lost on a portage of the Ottawa River.
Canadian Museum of Nature
A walk through this heritage building, which chronicles
Canada's natural history, will take you back in time to
when dinosaurs roamed the landscape and glaciers covered
80 per cent of the country's landmass. Exhibits examine
the country's biodiversity, the history of Canada's aboriginal
peoples and life in the far north. Admission is reasonable
at CAD13 for families, CAD6 for adults, CAD5 for seniors
and students 13 and older and CAD2.50 for children 12 and
under. Thursdays are half-price until 5pm and free from
5pm-8pm.
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Located on the shore of the Ottawa River, across from Parliament
Hill, the Museum of Civilization opened to rave reviews
in 1989 and is home to over 3.5 million artifacts and exhibits
of national historical and cultural importance. The museum
is also home to the interactive Canadian Children's Museum.
Several IMAX features are available. Admission: CAD10 Adults;
CAD7 Seniors; CAD6 Students; CAD4 Children 3-12. IMAX Admission
(/including museum): CAD9.50/17 Adults; CAD8/13 Students;
CAD8/14 Seniors; CAD7/10 Children 3-12.
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