| Presenting Ottawa - Canada's Capital and An | | | | the near west end, Westboro is also an attractive |
| Exciting Travel Destination | | | | option for dinner and drinks. |
| In anticipation of my upcoming trip to Ottawa | | | | Of course, one could also choose to explore the |
| next weekend I have started to do some | | | | various options at the Casino du |
| research and contacted Ottawa Tourism.Visit here | | | | Lac-Leamy--whether it's gaming excitement or a |
| | | | show at its popular theatre or a dinner at its |
| Ottawa, as Canada's capital, is one of Canada's | | | | five-diamond restaurant Le Baccara. The region's |
| most popular travel destinations and it has a great | | | | other five-diamond establishment (two of only 11 |
| variety destinations, activities and events to offer. | | | | across Canada) is Signatures at Le Cordon Bleu |
| I had an opportunity to talk with Jantine Van | | | | Ottawa. |
| Kregten from Ottawa Tourism who was kind | | | | 7. Please give us an overview of the performing |
| enough to give me a great general overview of | | | | arts on offer in Ottawa. |
| things to see and do in Ottawa. | | | | The National Arts Centre is Canada's premier |
| 1. Please provide us with some general information | | | | performing arts centre, offering English and |
| about Ottawa. How large is the city, where is it | | | | French theatre performances, dance, and the |
| located, what is the weather like? | | | | National Arts Centre Orchestra. Numerous smaller |
| Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and its fourth | | | | theatres also abound, in both English and French, |
| largest city. With the neighbouring city of Gatineau | | | | including the Great Canadian Theatre Company, La |
| in the province of Quebec, the region has about | | | | Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Little Theatre, Third Wall |
| 1.2 million people. Ottawa is located in eastern | | | | Theatre Company, Odyssey Theatre (offering |
| Ontario, about four hours' drive northeast of | | | | outdoor performances next to the Rideau River), |
| Toronto; two hours west of Montreal; and one | | | | A Company of Fools, and many productions at |
| hour north of the border with the state of New | | | | Arts Court, a municipal facility. |
| York. | | | | From May 18 to June 11, the Cirque du Soleil will |
| Ottawa enjoys four distinct seasons, with | | | | bring its production of Quidam to Ottawa. The |
| warmest temperatures and sometimes high | | | | Canada Dance Festival takes place every two |
| humidity in July and August; a temperate fall with | | | | years (June 2-10, 2006) in Ottawa and the |
| gorgeous fall colours; a cold and snowy winter; | | | | Ottawa Fringe Festival (also in June) is one of the |
| and a wet spring. | | | | best ways to see new productions and new |
| 2. How can one get to Ottawa and what is the | | | | innovations. In |
| best way of getting around in Ottawa? | | | | The Centrepointe Theatre in the west end offers |
| Ottawa is accessible with direct flights from major | | | | a variety of performances, as do the University |
| centres in Canada and several U.S. cities including | | | | of Ottawa and Carleton University. |
| New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, | | | | Larger events are usually held at Scotiabank Place |
| Detroit, Atlanta and more. Ottawa is a major stop | | | | and the Ottawa Civic Centre. |
| along the Windsor-Quebec City corridor of VIA | | | | 8. What are some of the shopping opportunities in |
| Rail and bus service also links the city with other | | | | Ottawa? |
| Canadian cities. | | | | Some great shopping centres exist in Ottawa, |
| By car, major thoroughfares include Highway 416 | | | | including Bayshore Shopping Centre in the west |
| that links Ottawa with Highway 401. Highway 417 | | | | end, Rideau Centre downtown, the St. Laurent |
| runs through the city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 and | | | | Centre in the close east end, and Place d'Orleans |
| 148 are the major highways on the Quebec side | | | | Shopping Centre in the east end. These centres |
| of the river. | | | | offer the best of the well-known brands. |
| 3. Ottawa is Canada's capital and has played a | | | | For more eclectic offerings, the ByWard Market |
| significant role in the history of this country. Please | | | | neighbourhood offers great fashion and |
| tell us more about that and the Canadian Heritage | | | | housewares; as does the Glebe, Westboro, and |
| Experiences offered in Ottawa. | | | | some small towns on both the Ontario and |
| The story of Ottawa begins with the building of | | | | Quebec side of the Ottawa River--inclouding |
| the Rideau Canal between 1826 and 1832 by Lt. | | | | Merrickville, Manotick, Perth, Chelsea and |
| Col. John By of the Royal Engineers and | | | | Wakefield. |
| thousands of mostly Irish labourers. The Canal | | | | 9. What are the outdoor, recreational and sports |
| stretches 202 km (126 miles) through eastern | | | | opportunities in and around Ottawa? |
| Ontario to the St. Lawrence River and was built | | | | From a professional perspective, the Ottawa |
| to ensure a supply line in case of American attack | | | | Senators are particularly beloved by Ottawans, as |
| (which never came). The Canal was never used | | | | they march to a Stanley Cup victory! The |
| for a military purpose and its 49 locks are still | | | | Ottawa '67s offer a window to the Ontario |
| operated in the same way as when they were | | | | Hockey League. The Ottawa Renegades provide |
| built. In fact, the Rideau Canal is Canada's nominee | | | | Canadian Football League excitement while the |
| to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, | | | | Ottawa Lynx are part of baseball's International |
| which is expected in 2007, the 175th anniversary | | | | League (they're the Triple A farm team for the |
| of its construction. | | | | Baltimore Orioles). |
| Queen Victoria decreed in 1857 that Ottawa | | | | But sports in Ottawa are much more |
| would be the capital of the country that became | | | | participatory than that. Home to hundreds of |
| Canada. The majestic Parliament Buildings were | | | | kilometres of recreational pathways, Ottawans |
| constructed shortly thereafter and remain a | | | | love to cycle, inline skate and hike. The Ottawa |
| "must-see" attraction in the capital. As the capital, | | | | River offers unbelievable whitewater rafting, as |
| Ottawa is also home to 24 Sussex Drive (the | | | | well as canoe and kayak adventures for the |
| prime minister's residence and not open to the | | | | adventurous. |
| public); Rideau Hall (home of the Governor | | | | The highest bungee freefall in Canada is located |
| General, with guided tours of residence and | | | | just north of Ottawa, just outside Gatineau Park. |
| gardens available); and dozens of high | | | | Year-round, Gatineau Park offers something for |
| commissions and embassies from governments | | | | the outdoor lover. Whether it's camping, canoeing, |
| around the world. | | | | kayaking, hiking, mountain biking or swimming in |
| Don't miss Laurier House, home to both Sir Wilfrid | | | | summer; or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing |
| Laurier and WIlliam Lyon Mackenzie King, two | | | | in winter, the Park is beloved by all in the region. |
| former prime ministers, or the Mackenzie King | | | | As proof of how diverse a destination Ottawa is, |
| Estate, King's summer home in Gatineau Park. | | | | it's the only location where you can skate on the |
| 4. Please tell us about some of the major | | | | world's largest skating rink and play in the world's |
| attractions, museums and galleries in the Ottawa | | | | largest beach volleyball tournament? |
| area. | | | | 10. What type of accommodations options are |
| The latest addition to the national museum scene | | | | there in Ottawa? |
| is the impressive Canadian War Musuem, which | | | | There are over 11,000 hotel rooms in the |
| opened in May 2005 in a stunning location next to | | | | Ottawa-Gatineau region. The major chains (Hilton, |
| the Ottawa River. Canada's most-visited museum | | | | Fairmont, Westin, Marriott, Delta, Sheraton, |
| is Gatineau's Canadian Museum of Civilization. The | | | | Novotel, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn) |
| National Gallery of Canada offers the largest | | | | are represented, as well as more unique offerings |
| collection of Canadian art, along with European and | | | | such as the boutique ARC the.hotel or |
| American masters. Other cultural facilities include | | | | Brookstreet Resort. |
| the Canadian Museum of Contemporary | | | | Downtown locations are within walking distance to |
| Photography; the Canada Aviation Museum; the | | | | many major attractions. Several |
| Canada Science and Technology Museum; the | | | | bed-and-breakfast providers also offer a cosy |
| Canada Agriculture Museum; the Royal Canadian | | | | alternative to hotels. |
| Mint; the Currency Museum of the Bank of | | | | A comprehensive list of options is found at |
| Canada; and the Canadian Museum of Nature, | | | | 11. What are some of the major events and big |
| currently in the midst of a massive renovation | | | | news stories coming up in 2006 and beyond in |
| project, to be completed in 2009. | | | | Ottawa? |
| Other museums include the Bytown Museum, | | | | The Canadian Museum of Civilization celebrates its |
| which tells the history of Ottawa's early days, | | | | 150th anniversary in 2006. It began its life in May |
| including the building of the Rideau Canal; the | | | | 1856, as part of the Geological Survey of Canada. |
| Billings Estate Museum that traces the history of a | | | | The young museum grew into the National |
| prominent local family; and the funky | | | | Museum of Canada and then, into the National |
| Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, a | | | | Museum of Man. In 1986, it became the Canadian |
| four-storey underground bunker that was | | | | Museum of Civilization, moving into its magnificent |
| constructed between 1959 and 1961 as the | | | | Gatineau buildings three years later and continuing |
| location to which the Canadian political and military | | | | to present informative and entertaining exhibitions |
| elite would ride out the effects of a nuclear | | | | for a wide range of interests. |
| attack. | | | | The Casino du Lac-Leamy celebrates 10 years of |
| 5. Our readers would like to find out about the | | | | non-stop excitement in March 2006. Originally |
| festivals and special events in Ottawa. | | | | opened as the Casino de Hull, it has grown to be |
| The festival scene in Ottawa is a robust, | | | | one of the top attractions in Canada's Capital |
| year-round affair. The year kicks off with | | | | Region, offering gaming each day from 9:00 a.m. |
| Winterlude, a huge winter festival held over the | | | | to 3:00 a.m.; five-diamond dining at Le Baccara; an |
| first three weekends in February. In March, the | | | | adjoining Theatre offering matinees, musical |
| Irish community celebrates Irish week, and in | | | | programming, and variety shows of all kinds; |
| March and April, the maple syrup season spawns | | | | docking facilities; an adjacent Hilton hotel with spa; |
| a number of delicious festivals and events | | | | and conference facilities. The Casino is celebrating |
| celebrating this tasty treat. | | | | with a series of themed activities, including the |
| May belongs to the Canadian Tulip Festival--three | | | | popular 7 Lucky Days promotion which offers a |
| weeks of celebration of Ottawa's favourite | | | | different promotion each day of the week. |
| flower. During World War II, the Dutch royal | | | | Emily Carr is the featured exhibition from June 2 |
| family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess | | | | through September 3, 2006 at the National Gallery |
| Margriet was born here, in a hospital room | | | | of Canada. Her paintings of First Nations villages |
| designated Dutch soil for the event. Canadians | | | | and landscapes of the northwest Pacific coast, |
| played a huge role in liberating the Netherlands and | | | | including many images of totem poles, help define |
| when the royal family returned home after the | | | | Canadian art, especially that of the early 1900s. |
| war, as a gesture of friendship, respect and | | | | In the third Indiana Jones movie, the climactic |
| appreciation, they sent thousands of tulip bulbs. | | | | scene took place in a spectacular desert location |
| The bulbs have followed every year since and | | | | carved into the side of a cliff. That venue is part |
| now 3,000,000 tulips bloom in Canada's Capital | | | | of Petra, located in Jordan, and from April 7, 2006 |
| Region. | | | | through January 2, 2007, you can learn more at |
| Late May brings Canada's largest marathon as | | | | the Canadian Museum of Civilization's exhibition |
| part of the Ottawa Race Weekend. Over the | | | | PETRA: City of Stone. |
| summer months, festivals abound: Doors Open | | | | The Seven Years War is the focus of a new |
| Ottawa showcase heritage buildings; Italian Week; | | | | exhibit at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa's |
| the Ottawa Fringe Festival; the TD Canada Trust | | | | newest cultural attraction which opened with |
| Ottawa International Jazz Festival; the Nortel | | | | much fanfare in May 2005. The exhibit Clash of |
| Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival; Cisco | | | | Empires: The War That Made Canada runs from |
| Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (Canada's largest); the | | | | May 18 to November 12. |
| Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (the | | | | Outdoor activities are a crucial part of Ottawans' |
| world's largest); the Sound of Light fireworks | | | | lives. This summer, residents will be able to relish |
| festival; Ottawa Busker Festival; Ottawa | | | | in others' accomplishments, too, as Ottawa plays |
| GreekFest; CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival; the | | | | host to more than 3,500 athletes and coaches |
| Central Canada Exhibition; and Pride Week. | | | | during the 2006 Ontario Summer Games from |
| On Parliament Hill, two free activities occur daily in | | | | August 9 to 13, 2006. |
| the summer: the 10:00 a.m. Changing the Guard | | | | Québec Scene: April/May 2007: The National |
| ceremony and the evening Sound and Light Show. | | | | Arts Centre has played host to two previous |
| In the fall, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival | | | | "scenes"—Atlantic Scene in 2003 and Alberta |
| colours the skies; while the La Vendemmia | | | | Scene in 2005—and in 2007, it's Québec's |
| Harvest Festival tempts visitors' palates. The | | | | turn to shine, as the very best of its theatre, |
| Ottawa International Animation Festival | | | | music, dance, comedy, culinary arts, literature and |
| showcases artists from around the world while | | | | film forms the basis of this cultural festival. |
| the Ottawa International Writers Festival provides | | | | Treasures from Beijing: May 11-September 30, |
| a forum for authors' lively debates. Fall Rhapsody | | | | 2007: At the Canadian Museum of Civilization, learn |
| celebrates the splendid autumn colours. | | | | more about the development of Chinese |
| The capital lights up for the holidays with the | | | | civilization while viewing selected treasures from |
| Christmas Lights Across Canada program. | | | | the National Museum of China. There will also be |
| 6. What about restaurants and entertainment / | | | | an attempt to provide a glimpse of China's recent |
| nightlife areas in Ottawa? | | | | history, including economic reforms and the |
| Several neighbourhoods offer entertainment | | | | Olympic Games bid. |
| options in Ottawa. The ByWard Market is one of | | | | Renoir's Landscapes: June 8-September 9, 2007: |
| Ottawa's oldest neighbourhoods and also functions | | | | One of the best-loved of all the Impressionists, |
| as its entertainment district, with over 100 food | | | | Renoir will be front and centre next summer at |
| and drink options in just a four-block-square area. | | | | the National Gallery of Canada. |
| Whether it's fine dining, a good diner, a cosy | | | | FIFA World Youth Championship 2007: July 1-22, |
| bistro, or a romantic cafe, you can find it in "the | | | | 2007: Ottawa has been selected as one of six |
| Market." | | | | Canadian host cities for this three-week, |
| Elgin Street is another popular nightlife area, with | | | | 24-nation, 52-match tournament featuring the |
| an eclectic selection of bars, restaurants and | | | | best youth (under-20) soccer players in the world. |
| cafes in just a few blocks. Bank Street offers | | | | It is the second largest event staged by FIFA, |
| three or four distinct areas along its length, | | | | following the FIFA World Cup. |
| including a popular area known as the Glebe. In | | | | |