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Guide to Ottawa, Canada
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OttawaDubbed as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, Ottawa is truly a feast for the eyes. From its Gothic governmental buildings to its cozy niches where art galleries and cappuccino drinkers thrive, Ottawa remains one of the top destinations for those in North America, and continues to see larger numbers of European visitors each year. It is one of the biggest hotspots for cultural events and the performing arts in Canada (which goes well with its status as the countrys capital), yet none of the buzz takes away from its unmistakable charm allowing Ottawa to retain its city-town atmosphere and accessibility.
When to go:
Ottawa experiences beautiful climatic conditions throughout the year. Its location means rain for quite a number of days throughout the year, but for bearing with the gray days, you get beautiful sunny skies, a green landscape, and perfectly warm summers. The temperatures from May to September never go above 80F (26C), and the air rarely holds enough humidity for one to notice. Of course, at the other end of the weather spectrum you have loads and loads of snow in winter, which, if youre interested in skiing and/or snowboarding, can be the deal-broker for your vacation plans. Spring and autumn are warm, if a bit chilly, and are great options if you cant make it to Ottawa in the summer, or if you want to avoid any price increases associated with high-season.
Getting there and around:
Ottawa International Airport serves a great number of carriers of both domestic and international origin. The facility is state-of-the-art and caters to all travelers needs, whether youre looking for a caf, restaurant, bar, retail outlet or a duty-free shop. Ottawa International is also not-too-close but not-too-far from the city. At 10km, youll be saved from the continuous drone of aircraft engines overhead, while still getting a short and speedy ride to and from the terminal. OIA also gets two thumbs up for the availability of numerous transport options. Take taxi, bus, limo, or rental vehicle into town; we usually go with the taxis for their knowledge of the streets and their reasonable fares, unless of course the hotel offers free shuttle service - something we would not pass up.
Most people get around Ottawa either by foot or by bus. Taxis are not as numerous as youd think in the capital of Canada, and a reasonably comfortable bus seat is always a better option than a hard bicycle seat. If youre feeling a bit adventurous, hire a rickshaw to take you around to various sights, and be a good fella and tip the guy when the ride is
Attractions:
Parliament Hill is one of the chief destinations for visitors in Ottawa. Here, clusters of Gothic buildings are watched over by Peace Tower. There are three areas of buildings on Parliament Hill: the Chamber of the House of Commons and Senate, the offices of Canadas first prime minister (Sir John A. Macdonald), and the offices of members of Parliament. The Chamber of the House of Commons and Senate is where most visitors go to get a comprehensive view and understanding of the nations governmental system. Inside, you can even catch live sessions if you come at a specific time. In the center of the Chamber is Peace Tower.
Ottawa has dozens of museums and galleries, as many know. But one museum that stands out the most to us is the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This massive establishment holds some of the most fascinating exhibits youll ever come upon, including the worlds oldest-known boat. The emphasis on technological displays aids in the museums delivery of the best experience possible. There are live cultural performances here, and the giant screen at the Imax Theatre on-site always draws a crowd. Also inside the museum are the Canadian Childrens Museum and Canadian Postal Museum.
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