No Nonsense Guide
Activities in Ottawa
when your relatives visit
From a fellow resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
From a fellow resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
It is imperative that you drive slowly, slow down, stop on yellow lights. Ideally you will be behind a bus. Enhance this experience and slow down - be one with the traffic
- Wellington Street, views of Parliament, tourists, witness some of Canada's oldest architecture. I would first start from Sussex and travel west bound.
- Bank Street, likely the most eclectic road in the downtown core. Start at Wellington, follow south to Riverside and then back again.
- Somerset, another busy and eclectic, Chinatown, Little italy, travel west from Bank St to Island Park and then back again
- Sussex Drive, CRA building looks like a castle, Cdn Mint, US Embassy, PM/GG Residence, Rideau falls, river views
All within walking distance
Parliament Building and surrounding properties
- Drive past Parliament on Wellington every time you are downtown, beautiful architecture
- There are tours available to see Parliament - book on-line
- Get out of the car and walk around, Sparks Street
- Walk the grounds, make your way around to the back side, see the old bell from 1916 fire
- Protests out front are always interesting to witness, they are always there
- Take your picture beside the Centennial Flame
- National War Memorial, Tomb of Unknown Soldier, larger than life statues
- Visit the locks right beside Parliament, Bytown Museum, old world flavor
- Boat tour up the canal, hosts provide history and great stories
- Kayak/Canoe paddle tour up the canal, another great family experience
- Hotel, Chateau Laurier, don't be shy, go inside and look around
- Bank of Canada Museum, for the collector types, Bank & Wellington
- Senate building, old rail station, tours available as well
- Bytown Market, shops, restaurants, souvenirs.
Rideau falls, there is a bar and grill right beside it.
Hogsback Falls, violent water
Chaudiere
Chutes de Plaisance, this in in Quebec about an hour, but magnificent.
Science and technology
nature
national gallery, free entrance thirsday evenings
military free entrance for veterans +1
aviation
history (Gatineau)
Merrickville
Almonte
Carleton Place
Mississippi Mills
Kemptville
Brockeville
Wilson Carbide ruins
Museum of History
mackenzie estate
plesence
zip line camp fortune
Misc
churches
beaches
Yardleys Antiques:Bank Street Ottawa
Parc Omega: Located in Quebec about 1.5 hours from Ottawa
Montreal is only a 2 hour drive
Zip Line Colombe
caves
Blakenly rapids
Scary?
There is a Haunted walk in Ottawa.