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