Ottawa: Top 5 places to visit.

 

Canada's capital, Ottawa stands as one of the major cities. Want to visit or just learn more? It's here!

 Its location on the border of Quebec has led him to be chosen as the capital by Queen Victoria to end the conflict between Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City and Kingston quarreling all the place: the queen would promote or Anglophones or Francophone.


Ottawa is sometimes the victim of bad publicity by Quebecers: it is certainly less alive than Montreal but is well worth a visit and offers many summer festivals (Canadian Tulip Festival, Bluesfest International Festival of Chamber Music Ottawa ...). Want to know What to visit? Follow the leader!

What to visit in Ottawa?

The Rideau Canal

Lying on the banks of the Ottawa River, the canal links the city of Ottawa to Kingston on Lake Ontario. It was completed in 1832 and continues to be active: it is the oldest canal system still operating in North America. He is also a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 The walk along this channel is very nice; you can even go down the stairs next to the locks to reach a path along the river. By traveling several meters you will find on the left a small wooden staircase hidden by trees right amount ... in Parliament!

In winter the Rideau Canal serves as Ice Park, and the summer you can see kayaks spinning on calm water.



Parliament

Parliament is located on a hill overlooking the Ottawa River; This is also the first thing you see when you walk on by Ottawa Gatineau (QC). The structure of the building is not the original one due to a fire in 1918: only the library was saved. Every morning in the summer months, you can watch the changing of the guard and a night light and sound show takes place on the walls of Parliament. All for free!

Similarly, free guided tours are offered every day! But be cautioned, it operates on a first come, first served. Otherwise you can make your visit an independent. It is also possible to climb to the third floor of the main tower for a panoramic view of the city of Ottawa and the river.

You can enjoy a ray of sunshine to rest in the grounds of parliament (beware balloons!) please scan the gargoyles of the main building, you may perceive that an Indian representative;-)



Byward Market

This covered market offers the takeaway (Mexican, crepes, Indian, etc.), a gift shop and more. Important point: the toilet! (Always good to know). On her little court found regularly souvenir stands or products maple base (the maple candy and maple butter are essential to test!).

Just across from the market is a little shack where you can enjoy a Canadian specialty: beaver tail! (or beavertail for English). It is a flattened oval dough fried with toppings to choose from (maple butter, chocolate / banana, etc.). If you're afraid it's too heavy (which is the case) or you feel guilty to swallow as many calories at once, ask the seller that you cut in half and find a kind soul to share.

The area situated around the market is the old center and you will find cobbled streets and several pubs and restaurants in the area.

York street in the ByWard Market

parks

In addition the park of Parliament, Ottawa has other parks in the city center. The best known, the headquarters of some festivals such as the Franco-Ontarian, is Major Hill Park. Pretty shady and pleasant, many people come here to lie in the grass with friends. You'll even have the chance to meet small animals like squirrels (red, gray and even black), marmots and chipmunks (yes, Chip and Dale:-))!

A little further on in the center, along Elgin Street, is the Confederation Park. There is a fountain from Trafalgar Square given by the United Kingdom. It even appears that it is haunted! Perhaps you have the (mis) fortune of seeing a ghostly bodies floating in the water from this poisoned chalice ...

Major's Hill Park with the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and American Embassy in the background

museums

Ottawa has several museums: the Museum of Flight, the War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature ...

For my part I visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Canada: a very interesting museum with one of the most important Canadian art as well as temporary exhibitions collections. Attention, as for all major exhibitions, must now buy their tickets in advance for a time slot set. Visit the site regularly; some Sundays the museum entrance is free.

Leaving the museum, you come face to face with Mom, a huge (and famous) bronze sculpture of 9.25m in height representing a spider hiding in her abdomen a bag containing 26 eggs in white marble; a realization of Louise Bourgeois.



The Museum of Civilization across the river side so Quebec is also very informative. We do not leave without learning something! This is also the most visited museum in Canada; it is especially hosting the largest indoor collection of totem poles.