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