Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and, as such, there are many things within the city itself that are unique to capital cities throughout the world that should not be missed. This city is the heart of Canada and nowhere else in this vast country can one get such a good sense of the values and principles that the country was founded upon. Ottawa was chosen as the capital city of the country due to its closeness to the two major centers at the time, Montreal and Toronto, and the city still reflects the unity of French and English speaking Canada. Most residents of the city are bilingual and visitors will find it easy to operate in either English or French within the city. Although there is much to see in Ottawa, there are certainly some things that should not be missed.
The Parliament Buildings: This is the heart of the nation. The grounds are large and expansive and there are tours available throughout many of the principle buildings. If the parliament or the senate are in session, tours of the main building are still available, although somewhat restricted. During out of session times, there is an opportunity to see more of the main building; including the chambers themselves. The peace tower is also included in the tours. This tower, which fronts the parliament building, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Canada throughout the world.
The Rideau Canal: This canal was build to connect Ottawa to Kingston and is one of the most scenic places in the country, not just the city. During the winter, skating along the canal is popular pastime. Of course, during the summer months, it is perfect for a daytime stroll or for kayaking and other water sports.
Canada Day: If you are in Canada on July 1st, you should make your way to Ottawa. Canada Day is a huge celebration anywhere in the country, but nowhere is the celebration so prominent as in Ottawa itself. The grounds of the parliament buildings are transformed into an enormous party with events throughout the day. Ceremonies throughout the morning and afternoon include speeches by the Prime Minister and, as the day wears on, concerts and shows begin to take the focus; culminating with a terrific fireworks show during the night.
The Canadian Aviation Museum: As a capital city, Ottawa is full of museums and galleries, but one of the most popular is the Canadian Aviation Museum. As such a large country, aviation has played a large part in the history of Canada and this museum hosts over 130 aircraft that document that history beautifully.
The National Gallery Of Canada: This is the foremost art gallery in the country, and certainly not to be missed. It features many permanent exhibits from the national collection, as well as hosting all sorts of touring collections from around the world.
In short, Canada has much to offer the inquisitive traveler. If you come to Ottawa, be sure that you spend at least a little of your time exploring these historical hotspots. Not only will you learn a little bit about Canada’s history but you will also be able to appreciate all of the beauty offered within the Capital City. You definitely won’t regret it!
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This entry was posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 6:10 am and is filed under North America. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Thank you for those suggestions. I think the Rideau Canal especially is awesome. I love to stroll there with friends on the occasional visit and there is always so much to see and do.