Nestled in the Ottawa Valley, at the junction of the Rideau, Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers, lies Canada’s
capital, a sophisticated city of 898,000 inhabitants that retains the intimacy of a small town.
Once an unruly logging settlement in the hinterland, this metropolis is now home to all but one of Canada’s
national museums, making it an ideal vacation spot for those looking to immerse themselves in culture and
history. But it is also a city of contrasts, offering many activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including
cycling on hundreds of kilometres of paths, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing and, of course,
the world’s longest outdoor skating rink.
“We have a little bit of all of Canada in Ottawa — people from across the country see themselves reflected
here. We've got the amenities of a G8 capital, but the friendliness and ease-of-access of a smaller centre,”
says Jantine Van Kregten of Ottawa Tourism. In fact, travellers can find a little bit of the world in Ottawa
since it’s home to government officials from around the globe.
As well as deeply-rooted French and English cultures — Ottawa is one of Canada’s most bilingual cities — its
rich ethnic diversity also includes thriving German, Lebanese, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Portuguese and Asian
communities, among others. Straddling the Ontario-Quebec border, Ottawa sits on the south bank of the Ottawa
River; together with the city of Gatineau, located across the river, they comprise the National Capital
Region. The area is home to a number of cultural centres, including the spectacular Museum of Civilization,
the National Gallery of Canada and historic Parliament Hill.
Feeling cultured out? Just north of Ottawa is Gatineau Park, a 361-square-kilometre preserve with hundreds of
hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as a number of lakes, ideal for summer canoeing (especially since
motorboats are banned on much of its water). It’s the perfect retreat from urban pressures. “Gatineau Park is
Ottawa's playground. You can be on your skis literally 15 or 20 minutes after leaving downtown — now that's
convenience,” says Van Kregten.
Of course, the capital gets nippy in the winter, but the cold climate is actually a point of pride to be
celebrated, with no shortage of indoor and outdoor activities. So pack a woolly tuque and a thermos of coffee
(Irish or otherwise) and spend this season exploring one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS
Skating on the Rideau Canal
When the ice on the Rideau Canal freezes to a thickness of 25 to 30 centimetres, the National Capital
Commission's Ice Safety Committee declares it open for skating; locals then take to the ice, with many
commuting to and from work or school on skates. The 7.8-kilometre Skateway — which extends from the heart of
downtown to the Hartwell Locks near Carleton University — is generally open from late December to early
March.
Winterlude
Billed as the greatest winter celebration in North America, Winterlude dominates the capital region
every February. Highlights from Feb. 4 to 21, 2011 include the Skateway, magnificent ice sculptures in
Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa, Aboriginal performances and the opening-night sound and light show,
including a fireworks extravaganza celebrating the 100th anniversity of Parks Canada, at the Canadian Museum
of Civilization. From Jan. 27 to Feb. 21, 2011, Taste of Winterlude offers an ideal opportunity to sample
some of the city’s culinary delights. The revamped program this year will shift away from prix-fixe menus in
favour of unique culinary “experiences,” such as “East to West — A Culinary Journey Across Canada” at Benitz
Bistro, and “Chocolate Painting with Miss Chocolat” for the young ones. Don't forget to visit the Sun Life
Snowflake Kingdom with over 30 snow slides, giant snow maze, shows and games for the kids.
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The museum explores one thousand years of Canadian history, including the Canadian Children’s
Museum, the Canadian Postal Museum and an IMAX Theatre. Along with its permanent exhibits, which take
visitors through time from the East to West Coast, the museum will feature “Exhibition Arctic” from April 21,
2011 to April 29, 2012 and “JAPAN: Tradition. Innovation.” from May 21, 2011 to Oct. 10, 2011. The Canadian
Postal Museum presents “Philatelic Treasures from Liechtenstein” from Oct. 5, 2010 through Feb. 28, 2011.
Confederation Boulevard
Some of Ottawa’s key cultural highlights are all within a 7.5 km walk of each other, known as
Canada’s Discovery Route. The route crosses the Ottawa River several times taking visitors past a number of
landmarks, including Parliament Hill, the prime minister's residence at 24 Sussex Drive, the Rideau Canal
National Historic Site, the Château Laurier, the historic Union Train Station (now the Government Conference
Centre) and the National Gallery of Canada.
ByWard Market Square
Just east of Ottawa’s government and business districts is ByWard Market, Canada’s oldest, continuously
running farmers’ market. Bordered by George, York, ByWard and William streets, the market boasts more than
120 places to eat and drink in a four-block radius, from haute cuisine to finger foods. A perennial favourite
is the original BeaverTails stand, where the world was introduced to its namesake — a hot, flat, whole-wheat
pastry treat topped with a variety of delights like cinnamon and sugar or maple butter.
Parliament Hill
With its Peace Tower and Centre Block, this neo-Gothic building is one of the most recognizable
landmarks in Canada. In addition to its daily guided tours, Parliament Hill offers the opportunity for
self-guided visits to the Peace Tower’s observation deck or the Memorial Chamber, where one will find a
collection of books honouring Canada’s war dead. •
