Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is a place for decision-making, but also a place
for people. Visitors can tour some of the buildings, watch
Parliament in action, and enjoy ceremonial spectacles like the
Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Three buildings make up Canada's parliament complex. The centre
block, with its distinctive Peace Tower, houses the Senate and
Commons chambers. Visitors can watch either chamber in action, take
a tour of the building, and climb the Peace Tower for a view of the
capital city region. The historic east block contains the restored
offices of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A Macdonald, and
other early statesmen. Visitors can enjoy tours of these historic
rooms. The west block contains the offices of members of
parliament, and is not open to the public.
Address: Wellington Street
Parliament Hill
Servez-vous
Canadian Museum of History
The Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million
visitors every year. Created to enhance Canada's understanding of
its own past and to strengthen the country's awareness of world
history, the museum is an interesting stop for anyone travelling to
Ontario.
Along with its ongoing exhibitions, such as the striking Grand
Hall, the museum presents many tremendous exhibitions focusing on
Canadian history, world history and civilisation. Visitors arriving
with kids may want to check out the Canadian Children's Museum as
well. It offers a truly child-friendly experience by including
games, toys, costumes and hands-on props. The museum also has a
500-seat theatre, and a 295-seat movie theatre equipped with a
giant 3D screen. All told, the combination of attractions should
keep the entire family happy for hours.
Address: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Michel Rathwell
Gatineau Park
Locals and visitors treasure Gatineau Park. Located just 15
minutes from downtown Ottawa, it is the capital's conservation and
matchless outdoor-recreation haven. Travellers can expect a fun
menu of activities, regardless of which season they arrive in.
Swimming, hiking, biking, camping, cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing are all on offer within an area renowned for its hilly
woodlands and clear lakes. Visitors typically enjoy exploring the
beautiful Luskville Falls, the diversity of forests along the King
Mountain Trail, and Lusk Cave: a marble cave and geological
phenomenon. Gatineau Park is definitely worth a full-day trip.
Gatineau Park
Lezumbalaberenjena
Ottawa's humid semi-continental climate boasts a vast range of
temperatures between summer and winter. Essentially, the city has
unpredictable weather conditions. Winters are generally snowy and
icy. Average low temperatures in winter (December to February) can
drop to 5°F (-15°C) at night. However, averages are misleading
because days can be much warmer or colder. Ice storms can occur.
Summer (June to August) in Ottawa is warm and humid, with
temperatures exceeding 80°F (27°C) fairly often, sometimes as early
as April and as late as October. Summers are usually short, though,
while spring and autumn are unpredictable, with potentially early
or late snowfalls, or unseasonal heat waves.
For sightseeing purposes, most visitors enjoy exploring Ottawa's
compact downtown area on foot or by bicycle. However, the OC
Transpo company provides a top-class integrated public transport
system. Travellers can purchase tickets when boarding buses and
streetcars. Day passes and discount tokens are available. Taxis are
freely available, but fairly expensive. Rates should be displayed
in the taxi cab and the meter rate should be set at one at the
start of a journey.
Ottawa is a green city, packed with parks and open spaces. As
the capital of Canada, it sports numerous national attractions and
top museums. Without question, a holiday in Ottawa is a busy whirl
of sightseeing.
The city also has a hectic events calendar, so it is wise to
check what's on when planning to visit. Fun festivals take place
throughout the year, from ice-carving in winter to exploring tulip
gardens in the spring.
Everyone will enjoy a holiday in Ottawa, though the city is
particularly well suited to more active vacationers. They'd enjoy
cycling along the city's miles of trails, or ice-skating down the
Rideau Canal in winter. Extreme outdoor activities like bungee
jumping and white-water rafting are also on offer just outside
Ottawa.
Top attractions include the National Gallery of Canada, and
Parliament Hill, the seat of Canada's federal government and the
site of frequent pomp and ceremony. Visitors should also stop at
the Canadian War Museum, the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal, and the
ByWard Market, an historic farmers' market by day and popular
entertainment venue by night. Visitors can tour the city on one of
the open-topped tourist buses.
Parliament Hill
Servez-vous
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Michel Rathwell
Gatineau Park
Lezumbalaberenjena
