DESTINATIONS

OTTAWA
★★
Nestled at the junction of three scenic rivers and home to Canada’s federal
government, Ottawa is considered to be one of the most beautiful capital
cities in the world. Its famous Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage
Centre, becomes the world’s largest natural skating rink in winter. It’s no
surprise that our capital is often part of a Canada self-drive itinerary. Situated
just across the river from the province of Quebec, Ottawa is a dynamic
environment with strong French and English roots and a rich cultural and
ethnic diversity.
© Aqnus Febriyant

RID E AU C A N A L
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© Tourisme Ottawa
CE N T E N NI A L FL A M E CH A N G IN G O F T H E G UA R D

WHAT TO DO
—
CENTENNIAL NORTHERN LIGHTS ★
FLAME ★ Peace Tower, OttawaThis
The Centennial Flame in superb sound and light
front of the Parliament show will take you on an
of OttawaLocated in the unforgettable audiovisual
forecourt of Parliament journey through the history of
Hill, the Centennial Flame Canada against the backdrop of
commemorates Canada’s 100th the iconic Parliament Buildings.
anniversary as a Confederation. Presented free of charge on
The flame burns in the centre Parliament Hill. The show lasts
of a fountain surrounded by the 30 minutes.
12 coats of arms of Canada’s 111, WELLINGTON STREET, OTTAWA
provinces and territories, and is WWW.CANADA.CA/FR/PATRIMOINE-
the symbol of Canadian unity. CANADIEN/CAMPAGNES/SPECTACLE-

© Tourisme Ottawa
The Centennial Flame offers a SON-LUMIERE.HTML
superb view of the Parliament
Buildings. Time to get out your BOAT CRUISE ON THE N O RT H E R N LIG H T S
camera! The flame burns year- OTTAWA RIVER ★★
round, in summer and winter Take a sightseeing cruise on the
alike! famous Ottawa River for superb
111, WELLINGTON STREET, OTTAWA views of Rideau Falls, Parliament
Hill and the sumptuous homes
CHANGING of Sussex Drive, including the
OF THE GUARDE ★★ Prime Minister’s residence.
You can enjoy the music and CROISIÈRES OUTAOUAIS:
colourful drills of the changing 1, CANAL LANE, OTTAWA
of the guard (much like the one 819-246-3855
at Buckingham Palace). It begins WWW.CROISIERESOUTAOUAIS.COM/
on Parliament Hill at 10:00 TOUR-DESTINATION/CROISIERES-
every morning, but be sure to CAPITAINE-PAUL
arrive at least 15 minutes ahead
of time to get a good spot. Best
of all, it’s free of charge! Daily
from the end of June until the
© iStock-922023184, PaulMcKinnon

end of August, when weather

makes it possible.
111, WELLINGTON STREET,
OTTAWA

CRUIS E O N T H E OT TAWA RI V E R

★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see

 DESTINATIONS

BYWARD MARKET ★ 55, BYWARD MARKET SQUARE RIDE ON THE and its main attractions from
Established in 1826, the 613-244-4410 RIDEAU CANAL ★ your on-board tour guide.
ByWard Market (Marché By WWW.BYWARD-MARKET.COM The Rideau Canal is the Departing from the National
in French) is one of Canada’s heartbeat of Ottawa and an Arts Centre (1 Elgin St) below
oldest and largest public SPARKS STREET integral part of the lifestyle the Plaza Bridge (Rideau St.
markets. This quaint market, MALL ★ of its residents. One of the bridge).
covered in winter, is home Sparks Street is an attractive best ways to explore the Canal CROISIÈRES OUTAOUAIS :
to farmers with their fresh and thriving pedestrian and its magnificent views of 1, RUE ELGIN / 819-246-3855
flowers, fruits and vegetables mall lined with trees and the city is with a sightseeing WWW.CROISIERESOUTAOUAIS.COM/
throughout the warm months, colourful flowerbeds, shops cruise on its calm waters. TOUR-DESTINATION/CROISIERES-
and local artisans and and cafés, located just south You will learn all about the SUR-LE-CANAL-RIDEAU
specialty food shops year- of Parliament Hill. It is also history of Canada’s Capital
round. The area also features home to a wide variety
many cafés, restaurants, of events and activities
boutiques and tea shops, as throughout the year.
well as a dynamic night life! 100, SPARKS STREET / 613-230-0984
Open year round. WWW.SPARKSLIVE.COM
© iStock-854729804, KathrynHatashitaLee

© iStock-852281202, KathrynHatashitaLee

BY WA R D M A R K E T S PA R K S S T R E E T M A L L
© Tourisme Ottawa

RID E AU C A N A L

★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see

CANADIAN of totem poles in the heart of 100, RUE LAURIER, GATINEAU stone exterior, its two square
MUSEUM OF a reproduction of a West Coast 819-776-7000 towers, an ornately decorated
HISTORY ★★ tribal village. The museum WWW.MUSEEDELHISTOIRE.CA interior with vaulted ceilings
Canadian Museum of houses an impressive collection and extensive woodwork, and
HistoryThis museum complex of 5 million artifacts, with a NOTRE-DAME its interior sculptures carved
is dedicated to 1,000 years of focus on Canadian cultural CATHEDRAL by notable Canadian sculptor,
Canadian history. Learn about traditions. Visit the Canadian BASILICA ★ Philippe Hebert. Visits are not
the arrival of the Vikings, the Children’s Museum for a trip This magnificent Neo-Gothic permitted during mass hours.
art and traditions of Canada’s around the world, where you style cathedral was designated a 385, SUSSEX DRIVE
First Peoples and the country’s and your children will discover National Historic Site of Canada 613-241-7496
275 ethnic groups. You will a host of fascinating people in 1990 because of its great WWW.NOTREDAMEOTTAWA.COM
have the chance to admire the and places. The complex also heritage value. The building’s
world’s largest indoor collection features an IMAX theatre. notable features include its

© iStock-487570457, ChristopheLedent

© iStock-157592948, Bertlmann
C A N A DI A N M US E U M O F HIS TO RY

OTTAWA’S MUSEUMS...
N OT R E - DA M E C AT H E D R A L BA SILIC A
Art, history and science buffs are sure to enjoy their stay in the nation’s capital.
Ottawa is home to many world-class museums including seven of Canada’s nine
national museums. Here are some that you won’t want to miss:
NEPEAN POINT ★
• The National Gallery of Canada ★★★ :
380, Promenade Sussex / 613-990-1985 / www.beaux-arts.ca **Note: Nepean Point will be undergoing redevelopment over the next few
• The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum ★★ : years, resulting in closure or reduced access to the site.
11, Promenade de l’Aviation / 613-991-3044 / www.ingeniumcanada.org/
fr/maec If you want the most spectacular panoramic view of Ottawa and the lights on
• The Canadian Science and Technology Museum ★★ : Parliament Hill, visit Nepean Point, a site developed for Canada’s centennial in
1867, boul. St-Laurent / 613-991-3044 / www.ingeniumcanada.org/fr/mstc 1967. The view is also magnificent during the day, and the site features a ma-
• The Canadian Museum of Nature ★★ : jestic statue of Samuel de Champlain, who explored the Ottawa River in 1613.
240, rue McLeod / 613-566-4700 / www.nature.ca
• The Canadian War Museum ★★ : Nepean Point is behind the National Gallery of Canada (380 Promenade Sus-
1, Place Vimy / 819-776-7000 / www.museedelaguerre.ca sex), just steps from Alexandra Bridge.
• The Bank of Canada Museum ★★ :
30, rue Bank / 613-782-8914 / www.museedelabanqueducanada.ca www.ccn-ncc.gc.ca/endroits/pointe-nepean

Family ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see

© iStock-472113709, Sjo
DESTINATIONS

M ACK E N Z IE - KIN G D O M A IN

NEARBY
—
GATINEAU PARK ★ summer to visit historic sites, activities of predilection. 33, CHEMIN SCOTT, CHELSEA
This park, just 15 minutes such as the Mackenzie-King There are also scenic drives 819-827-2020
from downtown Ottawa, is Estate, to hike along its 183 leading to lookouts, lakes WWW.CCN-NCC.GC.CA/ENDROITS/
the largest green space in km of trails (accessible from and waterfalls. The park is PARC-DE-LA-GATINEAU
the Outaouais region, known April 15 to September 15), open 24 hours a day, all year
for its rich biodiversity and and to cycle, swim and camp. round, except during severe
its rolling green hills and In winter, snowshoeing and weather. The Visitor Centre is
forests. People come here in cross-country skiing are the open daily in May-October.

Family ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see

 © iStock-172124166, digi_guru
C A N A DI A N T U LIP FE S TI VA L

FESTIVALS
—
Canadian Tulip Festival visitors to admire the colour- presentations, concerts and Casino du Lac-Leamy
Dates : mid-May ful tulip beds and spectacular family activities. Sound of Light
What began with a gift from gardens along the canal. www.dragonboat.net Dates : August
the Netherlands as a symbol of www.tulipfestival.ca (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
international friendship quickly Ottawa Bluesfest The Casino du Lac-Leamy
blossomed into one of the most Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Dates : July Sound of Light is one of the
celebrated festivals in Canada Dates : end of June RBC Ottawa Bluesfest is one largest fireworks competitions
and the largest tulip festival in the Ottawa’s Dragon Boat Festival of the top ten music festi- in Canada. Watch the sky over
world. Ottawa, with its official is the largest of its kind in North vals in the world, according the lovely shores of Leamy Lake
flower, the tulip, has become the America. The festival takes place to Billboard Magazine. It is a light up in a dazzling pyromusi-
tulip capital of North America. at Mooney’s Bay Park. About multi-staged, two-week music cal display. Magical moments,
The highest concentration of tu- 200 teams made up of some showcase featuring some of colourful lights, music and en-
lips can be viewed in Commissio- 5,000 paddlers compete in the best talent available on the tertainment combine to create a
ners Park, where some 300,000 different race categories. More planet. Blues, R&B, rock, pop fun atmosphere that will appeal
flowers bloom. A shuttle service than 70,000 spectators enjoy and much more. to the whole family.
follows the Tulip Route, allowing a wide range of on-site cultural www.ottawabluesfest.ca www.feux.qc.ca
 DESTINATIONS
© 8-Tourisme Ottawa

PA R LI A M E N T BUIL DIN G S

WHERE TO EAT
—
1 SANSOTEI RAMEN ($$) variety of quality craft beers, charcuteries and cheeses, local organic produce. The
The first Sansotei Ramen warm and welcoming space, and the perfect wines by the exceptional service adds to the
opened in Toronto and it now and menu offering creative and glass to accompany them. pleasure of your fine dining
has several locations including contemporary takes on classic Local, sustainable and seasonal experience.
this one in Ottawa, which is comfort foods from around products from local farms are 150, ELGIN STREET, OTTAWA
gaining new fans all the time. the globe, with ingredients used in the kitchen. 613-238-7063
They serve a wide variety of sourced locally and seasonally. 1, YORK STREET, OTTAWA WWW.BECKTA.COM
ramen noodle soups made 37, FLORA STREET, 613-667-9207
from broths prepared daily OTTAWA WWW.PLAYFOOD.CA *** Hours may vary ***
on site and side dishes such 613-695-2339
as chicken wings, Zangi (fried WWW.FLORAHALLBREWING.CA 5 BECKTA DINING & WINE
chicken), gyoza (pan-fried ($$$$)
Japanese pork dumplings), 3 TOWN ($$-$$$) Beckta Dining & Wine is the
seaweed salad and gyudon Their slogan, “Town loves flagship restaurant of Stephen
(rice with beef and caramelized you and wants you to be Beckta, one of Ottawa’s
onions). If you’re in the mood happy”, says it all! Creative most renowned chefs. You
for dessert, try the mango cuisine made with fresh will love the refined, modern,
cheesecake. locally-sourced ingredients, seasonal cuisine, prepared with
153, BANK STREET, OTTAWA accompanied by good
613-695-1718 music, a warm atmosphere
WWW.SANSOTEI.COM and excellent service, at a
reasonable price. BRASSERIE
2 FLORA HALL 296, RUE ELGIN, OTTAWA BAS CANADA ($$)
BREWING ($$) 613-695-8696
This brewpub opened in WWW.TOWNCITIZEN.CA If you find yourself in Gatineau and you love a good beer, a visit to Brasserie
October 2017 in a remodelled Bas Canada is a must! This brewpub is known for its quality craft beers, inclu-
4 PLAY FOOD & WINE ($$$)
ding fabulous IPAs. You can also enjoy one of the delicious dishes prepared
1927 building that formerly by the team of Les Vilains Garçons restaurant, with an upscale bistro-style
housed an automotive radio Play food & wine offers menu.
repair business. It has since generous small plates to
become a popular Ottawa share, with a solid selection 455, boul. de la Gappe, Gatineau / 819-525-6162 / www.brasseriebascanada.com
gathering place with its wide of sweet and savory dishes,

Microbrewery $ Inexppensive $$ Moderate $$$ Upscale $$$$ Fine dining

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Must see