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| Ottawa in the Summer1 |
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Known as the cultural hub of Canada, Ottawa is home to a vast array of art galleries, museums, fine dining, architecture and shopping. It is also one of the country's most picturesque cities with well-maintained parks, gardens and pedestrian pathways. Despite all the amazing amenities and attractions Ottawa has to offer, it does not have the atmosphere of a cold and unfriendly big city but rather it has maintained the welcoming allure, charm and friendliness of a small town.
Being the capital of Canada and home to the government and the Parliament buildings, all eyes are constantly on this eastern Ontario city situated on the banks of the Rideau, Ottawa and Gatineau rivers. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it may be hard for some to choose just a few things that make Ottawa such a great place to visit and live in. The options are endless but here are a few examples of Ottawa's best, from the well-known to the little-known, there's a little something for everyone.
WINTER ICE SKATING
Winter activities are a popular passtime for Canadians since most areas of the country experience long drawn out frosty winters. So what is one to do on a cold day? Perhaps stay indoors curled up on the sofa watching a favourite old movie or the latest reality TV show? This may be the most appealing option for some but no Canadian winter is complete without a fun day of outdoor ice skating. So where is the best place in Ottawa for outdoor skating? Try Rideau Canal, offering 7.8 km (4.8 mi) of pure unadulterated ice skating from late December to February and March if old man winter is still around. This is the longest skating rink in the world and Rideau Canal is also the main attraction during one of Ottawa's coolest winter events, appropriately named the Winterlude Festival.
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Winter Ice Skating on Rideau Canal2 |
PASTRY DELIGHTS
Fresh, hot, melt-in-your-mouth pastries are a comfort to many and a sweet little treat that needs to be indulged in every once in awhile. So for those who get that pastry craving, head on down to BeaverTails where that craving will be fully satisfied. Not a traditional pastry shop, BeaverTails adds a Canadian twist to their product by baking their pastry into the shape of a beaver tail, hence their name. They have been serving this unique treat since 1978 using whole wheat flour and topping the tails with butter or decadent flavours such as apple cinnamon, chocolate hazelnut and cinnamon sugar. They are served piping hot and are definitely a great snack after a day of ice skating or any other time of the year.
CAFFEINE FIX
For those who wake-up feeling like the walking dead or who need a boost when the afternoon lull rears its ugly head, a nice shot of espresso could be just the right thing needed to get things moving again. The French Baker is known to serve espressos that are never bitter or watery and come topped with a nice layer of cream froth. They're also known for their fresh baked croissants. Bon appetite!
GET LOST
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| The Winding Path of a Maze3 |
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Feel like spending an afternoon getting lost? Well, the best place in Ottawa to get lost in is the Hedge Mazes at Saunders Farm. This 40 ha (100 acres) farm features the largest collection of mazes and labyrinths in North America. The first hedge mazes were planted in 1994 and ever since then they have continued planting and pruning. Some of the mazes visitors can check out include the Canadian Experience Maze covering more than 3000 sq-m (23,000 sq-ft), and the Cedar Hedge Maze featuring more than 1500 cedar trees and stands over 2 m (7 ft) tall. Many more mazes and labyrinths are available to zip through or get lost in for awhile. Other highlights at Saunders Farm include a water spray zone for cooling down on a hot summer day, a 3 storey maze lookout tower for viewing the mazes from above, tree forts, century-old log buildings and a farm shop selling a variety of items. The mazes are open to the general public from the end of May to the beginning of September.
HAPPY HAUNTING
The best place to get spooked is by taking a walk on the freaky side of Ottawa with Haunted Walks Inc. Explore Ottawa's darker history and hauntings while hearing thoroughly researched stories from tour guides dressed in cloaks and carrying lanterns. Visitors will have several tour options to choose from including Ghosts and the Gallows, Crime and Punishment Jail Tours, The Original Haunted Walk, The Naughty Ottawa Pub Walk and of course they have some Halloween tours. Be sure to make a reservation to guarantee a happy haunting spot on the tour.
KISS
For those looking for a romantic spot to share a kiss with their significant other or maybe have their first kiss, the Pretoria Bridge over the Rideau Canal is a good choice. Featuring breath-taking scenery, this is a romantic place to share an intimate moment with a special someone. Built in 1915, the bridge shares its name with Pretoria Avenue and crosses the Rideau Canal linking The Glebe and Centretown to Old Ottawa East.
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Students at Le Cordon Bleu4 |
COOKING
Ever dreamed of being an exquisite chef and creating exceptional French cuisine? Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute is the best place to make those dreams come true. Evolving from a small 19th century Parisian culinary school to a conglomerate of more than 30 schools across five continents, the Ottawa location was the first one in North America. This educational facility is located in a Tudor style heritage mansion and features eight state-of-the-art kitchens. The instructors are all classically trained French chefs who highlight the rich legacy of French cuisine. The institute also operates their own in-house restaurant which is run and staffed by students. For those who are simply curious about cooking and not keen on a serious commitment to becoming a French chef, the school offers one-day courses on the weekends with no prior experience necessary, perfect for beginners.
SHOPPING & FOOD
So where is the best place for a bite to eat and some shopping while avoiding a big modern mall? Try Byward Market Square featuring a variety of food and dining options from deli items to gourmet dishes. Shopping is enjoyed in the artisan boutiques offering jewellery, clothing and souvenirs. Located in the city's central core in one of Ottawa's oldest buildings, visitors here will find more than 20 merchants to choose from. The original building was built in 1848 and the current one was done in 1926 with renovations occurring in 1975. In 1997, the market underwent more extensive renovations and restorations transforming it into its current landmark. Byward Market Square is open seven days a week and offers more than 5000 outdoor and indoor parking spaces.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Ottawa in the Summer; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Winter Ice Skating on Rideau Canal; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- The Winding Path of a Maze; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- c/o
Ottawa Tourism; Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
