Official language of Ottawa. Parliament building of Canada. Must see in Ottawa
Initially, today's capital of Canada was called Bytown and was founded as a camp for the builders of the Rideau Canal. And only after he was appointed the capital of this British colony in 1855, and it took 29 years, he received his current name - Ottawa (Ottawa). The answer to the question why such a small provincial town was chosen as the capital, and not Montreal or Toronto will come by itself if you look at geographical location cities.
Ottawa is located on the very border, separating, and most likely uniting, two provinces: English-speaking (Ontario) and French-speaking (Quebec). Thus, the choice of Canada's capital became a compromise between the two nations and helped avert disagreements. Today, both the descendants of the French and the descendants of the British are equally careful about the customs and traditions of each other. The mixture of cultures has contributed to the development of tolerance and tolerance among Canadians and to the fact that Ottawa, located on the banks of the river of the same name, seethes and at the same time enjoys its inherent rhythm of life. A life in which there is no hint of interethnic strife and disagreements.
The entire history of the capital of Canada is concentrated in the museum of the city "Baytown". It is located in the oldest building in the city, which was built in 1827. In the museum, in addition to exhibits dedicated to the history of the city, there is an exhibition of household items of the 19th century.
The monumental residence of the Canadian Parliament, located on top of the 50-meter Parliament Hill, is very similar in style to the architecture of the London Parliament. Its construction was completed just 4 years before Canada gained its own statehood. The building is open to tourists all year round, even when the Senate, the House of Commons and the Government of Canada are in session. In the summer months, everyone can watch the solemn changing of the guard, which gives this place additional solidity and magnificence.
In addition, Ottawa is an important cultural center Canada. The National Gallery, located near the Rideau Canal, houses an extensive collection of art objects, collections of Canadian paintings and world-class masters in its halls. With a capacity of more than 3,500 people, the National Center for the Arts hosts amazing performances every day. In May, Ottawa hosts the Tulip Festival, the oldest one taking place in the city. During the days of this festival, even the Dutch envy the inhabitants of Ottawa. In February, during the days of the Winter Festival, the capital of Canada turns into a snow kingdom. Along the Rideau Canal, the longest skating rink in the world is being poured. Its length is 9 km. During the days of the festival, competitions for the best ice sculpture are held, various celebrations, concerts and many other purely winter entertainments are held. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, annually receives about 5 million people.
And now we invite you to watch: Ottawa is a beautiful video.
Ottawa satellite map.
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Ottawa is not a typical capital. It is the main city of Canada, but definitely not its center. The city remains in the shadow of burgeoning Toronto and multicultural Montreal, and for many represents only the epicenter of diplomatic life. Canadians think that Ottawa is boring, but at the same time, among tourists, the city bears the gentle name of Little Miss Ottawa. One thing is for sure - the city definitely has its own charm.
In Ottawa, as in the capital of a bilingual country, when they meet you they will say: “Bonjour, hello” and they will definitely ask how you are. You will probably hear the word “sorry” from polite Canadians more than once in a couple of hours, and after a few days you will get used to the fact that you can easily talk about nature and weather in the park, at the ticket office, and at traffic lights. Ottawa and the neighboring city of Gatineau, where the province of Quebec already begins, together make up the National Capital Region. Only 1 million people live in the district, and in the tall building area - only 30 floors. But there is definitely something to see for an inquisitive traveler.
Prices are in Canadian dollars. In August 2018 €1 = $1.50 CAD
Guide content:
How to get to Canada
You can fly to Canada from Minsk and Moscow with transfers in London or Paris (KLM, Primera Air), Frankfurt (Lufthansa) or even Reykjavik (WOW Air), paying an average of $ 400 for a one-way ticket. A direct flight can be reached from Kyiv - here in June 2018 UIA began operating the Kyiv-Toronto flight. They fly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a round-trip ticket will cost around $ 1,100. Flight prices depend on the season, so it's best to plan your trip in advance, periodically looking at.
How to get to Ottawa
Most likely, the destination of all flights from Europe will be Toronto or Montreal. You can get to Ottawa from there by bus. Greyhound or train Via rail. It is better to stock up on a ticket early, as prices jump significantly closer to the trip: you can pay $ 30 a month before the trip or all $ 90 - a couple of days before departure. In Canada, there is the concept of rideshare - something like blablacar, when the driver takes fellow travelers on the road at an adequate price. So, for the road from Montreal to Ottawa in this way you will give only $ 15-20. Look for trips to kijiji or kangaride .
Public transport in the city
The capital has a well-developed public transport system: there are buses that cover the entire city, and also connect Ottawa with Gatineau. Each stop has a timetable, accurate to the minute. All transport is equipped with air conditioners, and if there was some kind of breakdown, in addition to the inscription “Out of service”, in place of the bus number, you can sometimes also see “Have a nice day” and a smiley. There is only one significant "but" - a one-time trip costs $ 3.5, and options, for example, for 3 or 7 days, have not been invented. True, there is an offer for a day for $ 10.5, but we are not sure that it makes sense to buy it - in Ottawa all the sights are located within walking distance from each other. We advise you to think carefully about your route before using buses: the capital of Canada - perfect place to explore it on your own.
In addition to public transport, there is always an option to take Uber or its equivalent Lyft. If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of Ottawa while traveling, think about a bicycle, which you can take, for example, on Rent a Bike. The city is very friendly to cyclists: paths are marked separately on many central streets, and there are enough bike rental points in Ottawa.
The correct option - AirBnb - will work in Ottawa too. In terms of matching price and location, consider Lower Town, Sandy Hill, and Center Town. Prices vary: you can spend the night for $40 or $100 - it all depends on your preferences and capabilities. Another option is to look for options in Gatineau. Usually, housing there is several times cheaper, but you have to spend time (and money on public transport) to get to downtown Ottawa.
Ottawa Backpackers Inn(203 York St) located a step away from everything: on the same street there are a bunch of pubs with shops, and after a few blocks - all the sights. The hostel itself is a typical Canadian old house, typical for residential areas of the city. A bed in a room for 10 people will cost $30.
For thrill-seekers in the capital there is HI Ottawa Jail Hostel(75 Nicholas St). The word "jail" in the name is not to attract attention: the hostel inside looks like a real prison, except perhaps more ... cozy. Living behind bars in a room for 8 costs $40 per night. Welcome to Jail!
Located 500 meters from the center Barefoot Hostel(455 Cumberland St) offering accommodation exclusively for women. For $42, travelers will receive a bed in a room for 8 people, a shared kitchen and the opportunity to chill on the terrace.
Guesthouses and hotels are more expensive options. For example, a double room Auberge des Arts (104 Guigues Ave) it will cost $ 85. There are also some pluses: firstly, this is a bed & breakfast type guesthouse, and secondly, in the morning you can afford to sleep a little longer, because it takes 10 minutes to get to the center at a slow pace.
Tourist classic
The main attraction of the city and the very reason why tourists go to the capital of Canada is Houses of Parliament(111 Wellington St). What's outside, what's inside Parliament is like Hogwarts, and visiting it leaves a strong feeling that you've been to royal palace and not in the office of top Canadian politicians. It is open to the public: you can see the most bizarre library of your life for free, look at the room where the senate meets, and climb Peace Tower to count the Canadian flags in the county. Get to Parliament Hill early for your ticket, because especially in the summer they are sold like hot cakes, forming lines for several blocks. There is only one “but”: in January 2019, the Parliament is closed for 10 (!) years for reconstruction, so if Canada is on your list of next trips, be sure to ensure yourself a visit to the capital. And from July to September, they project onto the central building in the evenings light show- a unique spectacle that describes the main events from the history of the country in 30 minutes. Around the same period, in the mornings in front of Parliament, changing of the guard .
Directly behind the Parliament is Major Hill's Park- one of the main parks of the capital, where such major events as festivals and concerts, including Canada Day, are held. The park offers an excellent view of the Parliament itself, the Ottawa River and the province of Quebec, which begins on the other side. This is a great location to chill out on the grass or taste the delicious hot dogs at Tavern on the Hill, which is located in the middle of the park (although "elegant" is certainly not the first description for such fast food that comes to mind).
Add a man-made waterfall to your list of places to visit Rideau Falls, which is located a three-minute walk from the main research center of the country National Research Council of Canada(100 Sussex Dr). Both attractions are worth attention: despite the fact that the waterfall is artificial, it looks no worse than natural ones and connects the Rideau and Ottawa rivers (by the way, rideau is French for a curtain, which describes the waterfall in the best possible way). NRC, in turn, looks very solid among everyday office buildings. When in June in Ottawa passes Doors open(days when a number of institutions, usually closed or paid to the public, can be entered for free), tourists have unique chance out of the corner of your eye to see the corridors of the research council.
Returning to the city center, do not overlook the cathedral Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica(385 Sussex Dr). Tourists can explore the stained-glass windows of the basilica both on their own and with a guided tour, after checking the schedule on the website.
It would not be superfluous to simply “get lost” in Ottawa, walking along Rideau Canal, which flows through the entire city, or exploring the quarters of sleeping areas. In the neighborhoods of Sandy Hill, Lower Town or New Edinburgh, every door has a story to tell - grab a coffee and just watch the everyday life of the townspeople. When you get to residential areas, pay attention to the flags on the houses: Canada is a very multicultural country, therefore, along with Canadian symbols, you can often see a wide variety of signs of the presence of all countries of the world.
For an exceptional Ottawa experience, head to ByTown Cinema(325 Rideau St). This cinema deliberately preserves the traditions of the 20th century: the posters look like those in those same North American films, and tickets are still sold only immediately before the show, only for cash. There is only one screen, and the red chairs in the hall are more like a theater. True, modern cinema is shown, and a ticket costs $ 12.
Perfect place for a weekend getaway Gatineau Park(33 Chemin Scott, Chelsea, QC) . You will have to get here either by bus or by car, but there is simply no better place to enjoy nature in the Ottawa district. Whether you are a fan of mountain climbing and watching waterfalls or an avid cyclist or hiker who seeks tranquility by the lake, the park will find something to do.
Museums
Absence of bubbling nightlife the capital compensates with the presence of museums and galleries on any subject. Every Thursday evening starting at 5, entry to most of them is free. The beauty of Ottawa's museums is that they create a sense of complete immersion. The interior, thematic sounds, capacious, but not boring descriptions of artifacts, various video and audio materials, as well as exhibits, next to which instead of “Do not touch” they write “Please touch”.
National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Dr). Must-see is not only for those who like to stare at still lifes and landscapes. Firstly, the works in the gallery are from different eras: from the beginning of the city of Kanata to contemporary artists. Secondly, special exhibitions are often held here, for example, they bring collections of the Impressionists or show films about the history of graphics. Thirdly, where else can you see a huge spider sculpture at the entrance to the museum? Art!
Down the street is Royal Canadian Mint(320 Sussex Dr). For $6 at the Mint, they will tell you about the process of coin production (in particular, about why and why they created a record million dollar coin), and they will also show you the medals of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Canadian Museum of Nature(240 McLeod St)- This is a museum of nature on 4 floors, for a detailed study of which you need to take at least 3 hours. There is literally everything here: dinosaurs, and glaciers, and the steppes of Saskatchewan, and the forests of British Columbia, as well as an endless number of butterflies, fish, artificial fur coats of polar bears, a bunch of interactive screens and a small 3D cinema.
Canadian Museum of History(100 Laurier St, Gatineau, QC) - another museum that has it all, only this time about history: lots and lots of information about the indigenous people of Canada, huge maps, a full-size reproduction of a real church, a half-floor stamp exhibition and much more. A nice bonus: the museum is located on the banks of the river in Gatineau, so you will most likely go to it along the bridge Alexandra Bridge. This is one of the best views to Parliament.
For the history of wars, head to Canadian War Museum(1 Vimy Pl). The museum will tell you in detail about Canada in the wars and about wars in general. An interesting detail is that you can often meet real veterans in the museum who can answer questions from visitors. There is a park across the road. Le Breton Flats, where it is pleasant to spend the evening watching the sunset over the river.
In addition to the usual Starbucks chain, Canada has its own alternative - Tim Hortons. The coffee there is more about the effect than the taste, but for the sake of a tick in the bucket list, it's worth a try. You don’t have to follow the map in search of Tim "s, as the Canadians call him, because within a radius of 50 meters from you, there will most likely be several of them at once.
Happy Goat Coffee Co.(317 Wilbrod St, 326 Elgin St) is another chain of coffee houses with a cozy atmosphere, suitable both for work and for business or friendly meetings.
Le Moulin De Provence By Ward Market(55 ByWard Market Sq)- in addition to coffee, they sell cookies in the shape of bees, buttons, maple leaves and Trudeau. In addition, a large portrait of Obama hangs on the wall of the cafe, and a video of his visit to Ottawa is constantly played on the TV. They say that he especially liked this cafe, which is now successfully used by him.
Traditional "beaver tails" can be tasted in BeaverTails By Ward Market (69 George St). The name of this product causes genuine interest and doubts in every tourist. In Canada, of course, everything is possible, but beaver tail is just a pastry shaped like a beaver's tail. You can order different flavors and add maple syrup if the pastries still don't feel Canadian enough for you.
Mantovani 1946(87 Murray St)– bright and elegant café, ideal for those with a sweet tooth, offering desserts and natural gelato for all tastes.
Pure Gelato (350 Elgin St)- another ice cream shop, where, in addition to gelato, there are delicious crepes, coffee and a cheerful interior.
Menchie's(80 George St)- a small place huge selection frozen yogurt sold by weight. The Menchie's network is obviously proud of its popularity not only among ordinary citizens, since all the walls of the cafe are hung with photographs of celebrities with cups of ice cream in their hands.
They say you haven't been to Canada if you haven't tried traditional putin(poutine). And they say that Putin, not made in Quebec, is just a pitiful imitation of it. A tourist traveling in Ottawa is lucky, since the province of Quebec begins just beyond the Ottawa River, in the city of Gatineau. For a real Quebec poutine for $5.15, go to La Pataterie Hulloise(311 Boulevard Saint-Joseph, Gatineau, QC) .
Mexican desserts in La Catrina Churros + Cafe Bar(105B Clarence St). The place bills itself as “the only churros cafe in Ottawa” and, in addition, boasts Mexican coziness and the presence of poutine churros on the menu.
Centertown West in Ottawa, located along West Somerset Street, is the main Chinatown in the country. Its boundaries are rather blurred, but it is best to visit West Somerset Street. The townspeople themselves call this area simply "Chinatown". In fact, it is not a place of residence for emigrants from the Celestial Empire, rather, here more than anywhere else in the city you can find characteristic Asian species.
Chinatown consists mainly of numerous shops, craft shops, restaurants and bars. If somewhere you should try Asian cuisine, then it is in the Chinatown area. Although, in addition to traditional Chinese dishes, you can find restaurants with Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean or Thai cuisine here.
parliament hill
Parliament Hill is a majestic architectural complex that serves as the seat of the Federal Legislature of Canada. Looking at the full power of the building, you understand that only competent specialists can work here.
But tourists are usually attracted far from members of parliament. It is much more interesting in the morning to look at the changing of the guard, admire the architecture and monuments, and then visit the famous Peace Tower, where the Books of Memory are stored containing the names of all Canadians who died in wars.
After a sad moment of remembrance of the dead, one should visit the central square of Parliament Hill, in the center of which an unquenchable fire burns - a symbol of Canada's unity. Brilliant minds have designed a pedestal for him - flames burst straight out of the water!
You can’t imagine a better day to visit the hill than July 1, because it’s Canada Day - every year on this patriotic evening, grandiose theatrical performances take place here.
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Rideau Falls
Rideau Falls is one of the waterfalls located in Canada. More precisely, there are two waterfalls, they are formed at the place where the Rideau River flows into the Ottawa River. Between these two waterfalls is Green Island. The waterfall itself is not particularly beautiful, but in winter, when the water freezes, it looks very unusual.
This name was given to the waterfalls by Samuel de Champlain in 1613, who was reminded of a curtain by the sight of falling water, in French it sounds “rideau” - rideau. Later, the river was also named that way, and already by the name of the river, many other objects in Ottawa were also named.
The Peace Tower is the heart of Ottawa, its symbol. Built to commemorate the lives lost in the First World War, the building has become a memorial to all those who lost their lives in the Wars of the 20th century. Proudly rising above the parliament building, the Peace Tower with its 53-hour bells is a reminder of the mistakes of the past.
At the base of the tower are metal plates melted down from shell casings from the battlefields. The plates record the dates of Canada's largest battles in the First World War. The walls of the tower were originally inscribed with the names of the dead, but due to lack of space they had to be transferred to the Books of Memory.
7 books of memory is a tribute to all Canadians who died in the wars. The lists are kept in the marble room of the tower on the second floor, and every day, at exactly 11 o'clock in the morning - the hour when the First World War, one page of each book is turned.
Visiting this historical building depicted on Canadian banknotes, you can not only feel like a part of history, but also enjoy a beautiful panorama of the capital of Canada from a 96-meter height.
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is the residence of the Governor General of Canada, where he holds international meetings. Now the residence has adopted the status of a semi-museum, where all excursions are absolutely free.
The secluded residence, built on the outskirts of Toronto in 1838 by a Scottish entrepreneur, then became the official residence of the Queen. Therefore, perfectly preserved examples of antique furniture, old paintings and other works of art are presented here. In addition, the collection is constantly replenished, and in Rideau Hall you can find the creations of contemporary authors, including a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II dated 2012.
In addition to exhibitions, various kinds of free events are regularly held here, aimed at familiarizing with history, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and stuff like that.
Everything is serious here - before visiting this historical place, you need to call and find out the opening hours of the museum, since this is a working residence, the schedule is constantly changing.
Parliament building of Canada
The Canadian Parliament Building is an architectural complex in which the government of the state sits. It is located in the capital of Canada, the city of Ottawa.
The building was built in the Neo-Gothic style, made of gray granite and covered with copper plates. The building was originally built in 1860, but was destroyed by fire in 1916. Then a new building was built in 1922. In total, the building consists of three blocks - central, western and eastern. most high part building is the Peace Tower, built to commemorate Canadians who died during the First World War.
The largest room in the building is called the Hall of the Confederations, or the Hall of Two Hundred, which is equal to the number of members of the Canadian Parliament. Also not far away is a memorial chamber in which the names of those who died during the First and Second World Wars are recorded.
On Parliament Square, surrounded by the flags and coats of arms of all the provinces of Canada, an eternal flame is burning, which is a symbol of the unity of the state.
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University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is not only the largest English-French research university in Canada, but also the oldest bilingual educational institution North America.
The university was established in 1848 as Bytown College under the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1861 it was renamed the College of Ottawa, and in 1889, by order of Pope Leo XIII, it received the status of the Pope's University. The reorganization of the university from religious to public was carried out in 1965.
The university owns 30 buildings located in different areas Ottawa and including
806 research laboratories, 300 teaching laboratories and 257 classrooms and conference rooms, as well as a museum, libraries and 7 student residences.
Now the university has more than 35,000 students in 10 faculties and about 6,000 graduate students, as well as more than 167,000 graduates.
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More attractions in Ottawa
The capital of Canada - the picturesque Ottawa is located on the banks of the river of the same name, among the hills of the southeastern Canadian state of Ontario. Today this city is a political, cultural and important economic center in the country. Ottawa is considered an ideal place to provide comfortable rest. attracts tourists from all over the world with an abundance of green parks that occupy kilometers of Ottawa's territory, and the unique interweaving of French and English traditions that have made a significant contribution to the formation of the cultural fund of this region.
Climate of Ottawa
The climatic features of Ottawa are characterized by humid continental conditions. It has a rather comfortable and mild winter, which lasts from December to the end of March. During this period, the average temperature reaches -4C, but during cold seasons it can drop to -21C. The summer period begins in early May and ends in mid-September, the daytime temperature in this period of the year is + 26C, but in the hottest months - July and August, it reaches + 31C.
How to get to Ottawa
The city has an airport international communication, which daily receives many flights from Europe, the USA and cities in Canada. There are several options to get from the airport to the city center: a taxi, which will cost an average of $30; shuttle bus that delivers Yow Airporter Shuttle tourists to hotels. The company's list includes more than three dozen hotels, and the ticket price will be about $15 one way, and can also be reached by the OC Transpo bus, which runs on schedule. In addition, from any big city countries in Ottawa can be reached by Greyhound bus.
Get to Ottawa from anywhere Canadian city You can take a Via Rail flight. The road from Montreal in time will take the tourist about two hours, and the frequency of train flights is 6 times a day. The cost of such a ticket starts from $35, depending on comfort conditions. From Toronto, the journey takes about four hours, and the frequency of the flight to Ottawa is 5-6 times a day, the ticket price starts at $60.
You can drive from Montreal to Ottawa by car on Route 417 or from Toronto on Routes 416, 401 or 7.
Must see in Ottawa
This city is famous for its festivals and museums. About six dozen different festivals are held annually in Ottawa, and in terms of the number of museums, it surpasses other cities in Canada. The most fascinating place among large-scale institutions is the National Art Gallery, which contains the richest collection of paintings, canvases and sculptures. And the Ottawa Military Museum stores exhibits collected during the two world wars. A visit to the Cold War Museum will plunge tourists into the atmosphere of a real bomb shelter. The Museum of Civilization exhibits exhibits illustrating the formation of Canadian history - from the time of the migration of the aborigines to the events of our time. No less exciting will be a tour of the Agricultural Museum with a functioning livestock farm located within the city.
Walking along the central alleys of the city, you can visit the complex of buildings of the Parliament, which is a symbol not only of the city of Ottawa, but also of the whole country. The unique structure of the Parliament consists of many majestic towers, among which the pride is the Peace Tower 96 m high. It houses the Book of Memory, which stores the names of Canadians who died in world wars, bells and the Altar of Victims.
Prices for hotels and local goods
In Ottawa, there are a lot of hotels that meet different levels of wealth and service. Among hotels in the price category starting from $150, the most popular are: The Ottawa Marriott and Chateau Laurier, which offer tourists a good level of comfort and close proximity to the Parliament building, most museums and large shops. Popular standard hotels include the following: the Victorian-style Albert House Inn with room rates $90 - $120; Avalon starting at $75; and Executive Suites The Bostonian. Of the budget hotels, Ottawa Backpackers Inn, Ottawa Jail Hostel and Barefoot Hostel are recommended, where you will have to pay from $25 per day.
Cuisine and restaurants in Ottawa
Among the gastronomic establishments, Ottawa can offer vacationers over a thousand pleasant places for a delicious dinner. Among the most prestigious and popular establishments, there is a national restaurant called Beckta Dining & Wine. For lovers of dishes from all kinds of seafood in Ottawa, there is a wonderful Pelican Grill restaurant. Fans of vegetarian cuisine can recommend Zen Kitchen. And all the fans french cuisine welcomes the restaurant Play Food & Wine and Stella Luna.
The quiet cozy capital of Canada, Ottawa has recently received metropolitan powers, but during this time it has managed to transform into a modern developed city with excellent ecology and excellent opportunities for tourism. It clearly showed the character of Canadians - calm, restrained, friendly. Residents know when to stand aside, but at the same time they are always ready to help or express themselves. It is no coincidence that from the first minutes of your stay in this city, you begin to understand more deeply why this particular country has become the standard comfortable life for most of the world. Tourist Ottawa is a real treasure, overgrown with green parks, mesmerizing neo-Gothic towers of parliamentary buildings, beckoning with the transparent surface of the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River.
The first settlers in this place were engaged in fishing, hunting and logging. small town originated in 1827, and consisted of British settlers who were building the Rideau navigable canal. It received its then name by the name of the colonel who controlled the progress of construction work - Bytown, and by 1850 its territory had expanded significantly. At the end of the 19th century, the city was renamed Ottawa, and it became not only part of Canada, but also received the status of the capital by decree of the English Queen Victoria. By that time, the settlement rather resembled a provincial town, but in the 20th century, after a grandiose reconstruction, it flourished in a completely new way: parks turned green, a complex of monumental government buildings appeared, canal embankments and modern quarters were equipped. It may seem that even today Ottawa is far from our usual understanding of the metropolis - everything here is measured, calm, and instead of skyscrapers and business centers, modest one-story houses and secluded squares are widely represented.
The Rideau Canal has become the heart of the capital – in winter, be sure to skate along it, because it is recognized as the longest skating rink in the world, and in summer, arrange a canoe or boat tour. Along the banks, you will see the stunning architecture of the Parliament Quarter with bizarre spiers and the Tower of Peace, from where you can see the panorama of the Gatineau forests, the river and the vast expanses of Canada. Walking along the pedestrian street of Sparks Street Mall, you will feel the mood of the Canadian capital, its tourist charm, and understand why tourists love to come back here again and again.
parliament hill
Perhaps the first place to go in Ottawa is Parliament Hill. It is an architectural complex consisting of the Senate building, the Library and the Parliament itself. All objects are active, if you wish, you can even get to a meeting of the Senate. On the hill, they not only conduct year-round excursions for tourists, but also celebrate all National holidays. The dominant feature of the complex, of course, was the Houses of Parliament - very reminiscent of the British Palace of Westminster, it is also made in the neo-Gothic style. In 1916, the building was significantly damaged by fire, but was restored in its original form. In front of the building you can admire the Centenary Flame, lit in 1966 in honor of the centenary of Canada, and behind the architectural complex there is a sculpture garden with stunning views of the river.
sparks street
Sparks Street Pedestrian Street is another city attraction in Ottawa. It was the city's first paved street, and is named after farmer Nicholas Sparks. It was he who paved the path on the site of the future Sparks Street, shortening the path from his house to the farm.
When Ottawa was proclaimed the capital of Canada, it was this street that became home to parliamentarians and important government officials, the Bank building was built on it, many public institutions and trading shops. The street really reached its potential in 1960, when car traffic was stopped, and it became completely owned by pedestrians. Today, tourists love to walk here, unusual sculptures, the National Museum of Art, Canada's first skyscraper, the post office building and other historical monuments are located here.
Rideau Canal
The largest shipping channel in North America, Rido is true pride Canadians. The two hundred-kilometer waterway connects the cities of Ottawa and Kingston, and was conceived as one of the options for military and trade route. Despite the fact that a lot of time has passed since the canal was founded (1832), it continues to amaze with the thoughtfulness of engineering structures. In particular, several dams are provided to maintain an optimal water level, beautiful embankments are equipped, Rideau is also popular with tourists. In summer, you can ride along its entire length on a boat or ferry, and in winter, the canal turns into a huge seven-kilometer skating rink, where it is so nice to spend time on Christmas Eve.
Gatineau Park
If you move away from the center of the Canadian capital for several kilometers, you will find yourself in an untouched world wildlife — unique park Gatineau with an area of 360 km². This is a huge forested area, home to 50 species of mammals, hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, freshwater, all within a 10 minute drive from Ottawa.
For lovers of hiking, this is a real paradise with equipped trails, difficult and easy routes, on which you will see the world of Canadian flora and fauna from the inside. Here you can sunbathe on several public beaches, learn how to canoe, rent a bike or go fishing. Zoologists, ornithologists and all connoisseurs of the animal world will discover a lot of amazing things, and in winter, snowboarding grounds are opened in the park, ski tracks are laid and skating rinks are filled in the very center of the forest thicket.
Notre Dame Basilica
Notre Dame Basilica is a Catholic cathedral classified as a monument of national importance in Canada, and this is understandable - its monumental architecture is strikingly striking in any part of Ottawa. The cathedral is perfectly visible from Parliament Hill, and without exaggeration is considered a symbol of the city.
The construction of the cathedral began on the site of a small wooden church in 1839, but the first service was held only 50 years later. Surprisingly, the first level of the temple is made in the neoclassical style, while the rest, together with the famous spiers, already belongs to the neo-Gothic style. However, what really causes delight is the interior of the cathedral. Gilded statues, sculptures, magnificent stained-glass windows, paintings on ceilings and walls, several organs, carved altars: many come here not only to defend the service, but also to admire this masterpiece of church architecture.
Leisure
Healthy leisure is valued in Canada, so everyone visiting Ottawa is advised to definitely visit the local Pine View Municipal golf center or the Rideau Carleton Raceway & Casino. If you are far from the world of sports, you can choose cultural events as entertainment - concerts of the National Symphony Orchestra, or go to one of the exhibition centers, where many art objects can surprise even sophisticated connoisseurs.
The entertainment center Pirate Adventures offers young travelers to feel like a real pirate - huge pirate ships are completely given over to little sailors who will not only learn the history of shipbuilding, but also have fun with the animators.
In the spring, millions of tulips fill the streets of Ottawa - in gratitude for helping the royal house of the Netherlands during the First World War, the Dutch authorities still send a kind of gift every year, turning the capital of Canada into one huge colorful flower bed.
How to get there
The city has an international airport, which daily receives many flights from Europe, the USA and Canadian cities. There are several options to get from the airport to the city center: a taxi, which will cost an average of 30 CAD; shuttle bus that delivers Yow Airporter Shuttle tourists to hotels. There are more than three dozen hotels on the company's list, and the ticket price will be about 15 CAD one way, and you can also get on the OC Transpo bus, which runs on schedule. In addition, from any large city in the country, you can get to Ottawa by Greyhound bus.
You can get to Ottawa from any Canadian city by Via Rail. The road from Montreal in time will take the tourist about two hours, and the frequency of train flights is 6 times a day. The cost of such a ticket starts from 35 CAD, depending on the comfort conditions. From Toronto, the journey takes about four hours, and the frequency of the flight to Ottawa is 5-6 times a day, the ticket price starts from 60 CAD. You can drive from Montreal to Ottawa by car along highway No. 417 or from Toronto along highways No. 416, No. 401, No. 7.
local transport
Modern public transport in Ottawa is represented by buses and a light rail line. railway O-Train. The only line 8 km long with 5 stations was opened in 2001. It crosses the city from north to south and connects the Ottawa areas of Greenborough and Bayview. Trains run in both directions at intervals of 15 minutes. For the convenience of passengers railway stations located in close proximity to bus terminals. It is possible to transfer from the bus to the O-Train train and, vice versa, with a transit ticket. Also in the city there are taxis, bicycles and water transport.
Hotels
Accommodation in the Canadian capital is offered by dozens of hotels, and most of of which belongs to the affordable middle class 3-4 *. The 3-star Radisson Hotel Ottawa Parliament Hill offers spacious rooms with Internet access, a cozy atmosphere and the possibility of complex meals in the restaurant. A good location directly opposite Parliament Hill is another undeniable advantage of this choice.
Coming to Ottawa for tourism or business, you can always book a five-star suite Fairmont Hotel Chateau Laurier, where not only luxurious accommodation is guaranteed, but also conference room services and a full range of assistance in preparing business events.
Jail Ottawa's quirky atmosphere will appeal to anyone with a history buff as it is housed in a restored historic building that was once a prison. However, almost nothing here reminds of such a past, the rooms are distinguished by an unusual modern design and the service is one of the best.
Restaurants
As in any capital of the world, in Ottawa you can have a quick and simple meal, or you can spend money on lunch in a luxurious restaurant - fortunately, there are enough establishments in the city for every taste and budget.
For example, the Elgin Street Diner cafe is most often visited by tourists who want to get acquainted with everyday Canadian cuisine. You should not expect special frills, but no one will leave here hungry. On the menu you will find many variations on the theme of smoked meat fries, onion rings, a variety of burgers and hot dogs, salads and sandwiches, as well as many desserts and milkshakes.
Clam soup, mussel dishes, oysters, shrimps in coconut milk, fried squid, lobster and other seafood are prepared at the Pelican Grill restaurant. Despite all sorts of maritime delights, the prices in it are affordable.
And if, of all gastronomic masterpieces, you prefer confectionery, the best place of this plan is the Stella Luna cafe with a huge selection of pastries, cakes and all kinds of sweet desserts.
Occo Kitchen serves Quebec's national dish, Poutine - French fries topped with baby cheese and topped with gravy, tacos and chips, bacon Caesar salad, juicy burgers and more.
shopping
You should definitely include shopping in the mandatory excursion program in Ottawa, and first of all you need to go to the oldest farmers market Bayward, which stood on this site even when Ottawa was still a modest settlement. And until now, its range of fresh vegetables, fruits, local food, clothes, souvenirs and everything else is not inferior to huge shopping centers.
If you prefer shopping malls, go to one of the huge malls: "Bayshore Shopping Centre", "Place d'Orléans", "240 Sparks Shopping Centre", "Billings Bridge Plaza".
If you're not planning on a big shopping spree, just stroll through the Sparks Street Mall, a unique shopping district selling traditional Canadian souvenirs - maple syrup, wooden animal figurines, Native American dream catchers and more.
