| In anticipation of my upcoming trip to | | | | Festival; Ottawa GreekFest; CKCU Ottawa |
| Ottawa next weekend I have started to do | | | | Folk Festival; the Central Canada |
| some research and contacted Ottawa | | | | Exhibition; and Pride Week.On Parliament |
| Tourism. Ottawa, as Canada's capital, is | | | | Hill, two free activities occur daily in |
| one of Canada's most popular travel | | | | the summer: the 10:00 a.m. Changing the |
| destinations and it has a great variety | | | | Guard ceremony and the evening Sound and |
| destinations, activities and events to | | | | Light Show.In the fall, the Gatineau Hot |
| offer.I had an opportunity to talk with | | | | Air Balloon Festival colours the skies; |
| Jantine Van Kregten from Ottawa Tourism | | | | while the La Vendemmia Harvest Festival |
| who was kind enough to give me a great | | | | tempts visitors' palates. The Ottawa |
| general overview of things to see and do | | | | International Animation Festival |
| in Ottawa.1. Please provide us with some | | | | showcases artists from around the world |
| general information about Ottawa. How | | | | while the Ottawa International Writers |
| large is the city, where is it located, | | | | Festival provides a forum for authors' |
| what is the weather like?Ottawa is the | | | | lively debates. Fall Rhapsody celebrates |
| capital of Canada, and its fourth | | | | the splendid autumn colours.The capital |
| largest city. With the neighbouring city | | | | lights up for the holidays with the |
| of Gatineau in the province of Quebec, | | | | Christmas Lights Across Canada |
| the region has about 1.2 million people. | | | | program.6. What about restaurants and |
| Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, | | | | entertainment / nightlife areas in |
| about four hours' drive northeast of | | | | Ottawa?Several neighbourhoods offer |
| Toronto; two hours west of Montreal; and | | | | entertainment options in Ottawa. The |
| one hour north of the border with the | | | | ByWard Market is one of Ottawa's oldest |
| state of New York.Ottawa enjoys four | | | | neighbourhoods and also functions as its |
| distinct seasons, with warmest | | | | entertainment district, with over 100 |
| temperatures and sometimes high humidity | | | | food and drink options in just a |
| in July and August; a temperate fall | | | | four-block-square area. Whether it's |
| with gorgeous fall colours; a cold and | | | | fine dining, a good diner, a cosy |
| snowy winter; and a wet spring.2. How | | | | bistro, or a romantic cafe, you can find |
| can one get to Ottawa and what is the | | | | it in "the Market."Elgin Street is |
| best way of getting around in | | | | another popular nightlife area, with an |
| Ottawa?Ottawa is accessible with direct | | | | eclectic selection of bars, restaurants |
| flights from major centres in Canada and | | | | and cafes in just a few blocks. Bank |
| several U.S. cities including New York, | | | | Street offers three or four distinct |
| Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, | | | | areas along its length, including a |
| Detroit, Atlanta and more. Ottawa is a | | | | popular area known as the Glebe. In the |
| major stop along the Windsor-Quebec City | | | | near west end, Westboro is also an |
| corridor of VIA Rail and bus service | | | | attractive option for dinner and |
| also links the city with other Canadian | | | | drinks.Of course, one could also choose |
| cities.By car, major thoroughfares | | | | to explore the various options at the |
| include Highway 416 that links Ottawa | | | | Casino du Lac-Leamy--whether it's gaming |
| with Highway 401. Highway 417 runs | | | | excitement or a show at its popular |
| through the city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 | | | | theatre or a dinner at its five-diamond |
| and 148 are the major highways on the | | | | restaurant Le Baccara. The region's |
| Quebec side of the river.3. Ottawa is | | | | other five-diamond establishment (two of |
| Canada's capital and has played a | | | | only 11 across Canada) is Signatures at |
| significant role in the history of this | | | | Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.7. Please give us |
| country. Please tell us more about that | | | | an overview of the performing arts on |
| and the Canadian Heritage Experiences | | | | offer in Ottawa.The National Arts Centre |
| offered in Ottawa.The story of Ottawa | | | | is Canada's premier performing arts |
| begins with the building of the Rideau | | | | centre, offering English and French |
| Canal between 1826 and 1832 by Lt. Col. | | | | theatre performances, dance, and the |
| John By of the Royal Engineers and | | | | National Arts Centre Orchestra. Numerous |
| thousands of mostly Irish labourers. The | | | | smaller theatres also abound, in both |
| Canal stretches 202 km (126 miles) | | | | English and French, including the Great |
| through eastern Ontario to the St. | | | | Canadian Theatre Company, La Nouvelle |
| Lawrence River and was built to ensure a | | | | Scene, Ottawa Little Theatre, Third Wall |
| supply line in case of American attack | | | | Theatre Company, Odyssey Theatre |
| (which never came). The Canal was never | | | | (offering outdoor performances next to |
| used for a military purpose and its 49 | | | | the Rideau River), A Company of Fools, |
| locks are still operated in the same way | | | | and many productions at Arts Court, a |
| as when they were built. In fact, the | | | | municipal facility.From May 18 to June |
| Rideau Canal is Canada's nominee to be | | | | 11, the Cirque du Soleil will bring its |
| named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, | | | | production of Quidam to Ottawa. The |
| which is expected in 2007, the 175th | | | | Canada Dance Festival takes place every |
| anniversary of its construction.Queen | | | | two years (June 2-10, 2006) in Ottawa |
| Victoria decreed in 1857 that Ottawa | | | | and the Ottawa Fringe Festival (also in |
| would be the capital of the country that | | | | June) is one of the best ways to see new |
| became Canada. The majestic Parliament | | | | productions and new innovations. InThe |
| Buildings were constructed shortly | | | | Centrepointe Theatre in the west end |
| thereafter and remain a "must-see" | | | | offers a variety of performances, as do |
| attraction in the capital. As the | | | | the University of Ottawa and Carleton |
| capital, Ottawa is also home to 24 | | | | University.Larger events are usually |
| Sussex Drive (the prime minister's | | | | held at Scotiabank Place and the Ottawa |
| residence and not open to the public); | | | | Civic Centre.8. What are some of the |
| Rideau Hall (home of the Governor | | | | shopping opportunities in Ottawa?Some |
| General, with guided tours of residence | | | | great shopping centres exist in Ottawa, |
| and gardens available); and dozens of | | | | including Bayshore Shopping Centre in |
| high commissions and embassies from | | | | the west end, Rideau Centre downtown, |
| governments around the world.Don't miss | | | | the St. Laurent Centre in the close east |
| Laurier House, home to both Sir Wilfrid | | | | end, and Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre |
| Laurier and WIlliam Lyon Mackenzie King, | | | | in the east end. These centres offer the |
| two former prime ministers, or the | | | | best of the well-known brands.For more |
| Mackenzie King Estate, King's summer | | | | eclectic offerings, the ByWard Market |
| home in Gatineau Park.4. Please tell us | | | | neighbourhood offers great fashion and |
| about some of the major attractions, | | | | housewares; as does the Glebe, Westboro, |
| museums and galleries in the Ottawa | | | | and some small towns on both the Ontario |
| area.The latest addition to the national | | | | and Quebec side of the Ottawa |
| museum scene is the impressive Canadian | | | | River--inclouding Merrickville, |
| War Musuem, which opened in May 2005 in | | | | Manotick, Perth, Chelsea and |
| a stunning location next to the Ottawa | | | | Wakefield.9. What are the outdoor, |
| River. Canada's most-visited museum is | | | | recreational and sports opportunities in |
| Gatineau's Canadian Museum of | | | | and around Ottawa?From a professional |
| Civilization. The National Gallery of | | | | perspective, the Ottawa Senators are |
| Canada offers the largest collection of | | | | particularly beloved by Ottawans, as |
| Canadian art, along with European and | | | | they march to a Stanley Cup victory! The |
| American masters. Other cultural | | | | Ottawa '67s offer a window to the |
| facilities include the Canadian Museum | | | | Ontario Hockey League. The Ottawa |
| of Contemporary Photography; the Canada | | | | Renegades provide Canadian Football |
| Aviation Museum; the Canada Science and | | | | League excitement while the Ottawa Lynx |
| Technology Museum; the Canada | | | | are part of baseball's International |
| Agriculture Museum; the Royal Canadian | | | | League (they're the Triple A farm team |
| Mint; the Currency Museum of the Bank of | | | | for the Baltimore Orioles).But sports in |
| Canada; and the Canadian Museum of | | | | Ottawa are much more participatory than |
| Nature, currently in the midst of a | | | | that. Home to hundreds of kilometres of |
| massive renovation project, to be | | | | recreational pathways, Ottawans love to |
| completed in 2009.Other museums include | | | | cycle, inline skate and hike. The Ottawa |
| the Bytown Museum, which tells the | | | | River offers unbelievable whitewater |
| history of Ottawa's early days, | | | | rafting, as well as canoe and kayak |
| including the building of the Rideau | | | | adventures for the adventurous.The |
| Canal; the Billings Estate Museum that | | | | highest bungee freefall in Canada is |
| traces the history of a prominent local | | | | located just north of Ottawa, just |
| family; and the funky Diefenbunker, | | | | outside Gatineau Park. Year-round, |
| Canada's Cold War Museum, a four-storey | | | | Gatineau Park offers something for the |
| underground bunker that was constructed | | | | outdoor lover. Whether it's camping, |
| between 1959 and 1961 as the location to | | | | canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain |
| which the Canadian political and | | | | biking or swimming in summer; or |
| military elite would ride out the | | | | snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in |
| effects of a nuclear attack.5. Our | | | | winter, the Park is beloved by all in |
| readers would like to find out about the | | | | the region.As proof of how diverse a |
| festivals and special events in | | | | destination Ottawa is, it's the only |
| Ottawa.The festival scene in Ottawa is a | | | | location where you can skate on the |
| robust, year-round affair. The year | | | | world's largest skating rink and play in |
| kicks off with Winterlude, a huge winter | | | | the world's largest beach volleyball |
| festival held over the first three | | | | tournament?10. What type of |
| weekends in February. In March, the | | | | accommodations options are there in |
| Irish community celebrates Irish week, | | | | Ottawa?There are over 11,000 hotel rooms |
| and in March and April, the maple syrup | | | | in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The major |
| season spawns a number of delicious | | | | chains (Hilton, Fairmont, Westin, |
| festivals and events celebrating this | | | | Marriott, Delta, Sheraton, Novotel, |
| tasty treat.May belongs to the Canadian | | | | Holiday Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn) |
| Tulip Festival--three weeks of | | | | are represented, as well as more unique |
| celebration of Ottawa's favourite | | | | offerings such as the boutique ARC |
| flower. During World War II, the Dutch | | | | the.hotel or Brookstreet Resort.Downtown |
| royal family took refuge in Ottawa and | | | | locations are within walking distance to |
| Princess Margriet was born here, in a | | | | many major attractions. Several |
| hospital room designated Dutch soil for | | | | bed-and-breakfast providers also offer a |
| the event. Canadians played a huge role | | | | cosy alternative to hotels.A |
| in liberating the Netherlands and when | | | | comprehensive list of options is found |
| the royal family returned home after the | | | | at |
| war, as a gesture of friendship, respect | | | | 11. What are some of the major events |
| and appreciation, they sent thousands of | | | | and big news stories coming up in 2006 |
| tulip bulbs. The bulbs have followed | | | | and beyond in Ottawa?The Canadian Museum |
| every year since and now 3,000,000 | | | | of Civilization celebrates its 150th |
| tulips bloom in Canada's Capital | | | | anniversary in 2006. It began its life |
| Region.Late May brings Canada's largest | | | | in May 1856, as part of the Geological |
| marathon as part of the Ottawa Race | | | | Survey of Canada. The young museum grew |
| Weekend. Over the summer months, | | | | into the National Museum of Canada and |
| festivals abound: Doors Open Ottawa | | | | then, into the National Museum of Man. |
| showcase heritage buildings; Italian | | | | In 1986, it became the Canadian Museum |
| Week; the Ottawa Fringe Festival; the TD | | | | of Civilization, moving into its |
| Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz | | | | magnificent Gatineau buildings three |
| Festival; the Nortel Ottawa Dragon Boat | | | | years later and continuing to present |
| Race Festival; Cisco Systems Ottawa | | | | informative and entertaining exhibitions |
| Bluesfest (Canada's largest); the Ottawa | | | | for a wide range of interests.The Casino |
| International Chamber Music Festival | | | | du Lac-Leamy celebrates 10 years of |
| (the world's largest); the Sound of | | | | non-stop excitement in March 2006. |
| Light fireworks festival; Ottawa Busker | | | | |