Little Known Ottawa Tourist Attractions -- Canada's Capital Off the Beaten Path

By: Carl Chesal
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:23
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Touring visitors around Ottawa is one of those pleasures that just gets better and better as you uncover more intricate history, attractions and unique sights. The Capital City of Canada, Ottawa, could also be dubbed 'The Museum Capital of Canada'. With over 13 major museums, a dozen government attractions, and an extensive Art Gallery, there is something to satisfy every curiosity, every history buff, every art connoisseur and every entertainment taste. You could literally spend months touring this Museum Gem of Canada.

Chatting with the local guides, Members of Parliament (MPs), security persons and even Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has uncovered a few 'off the beaten path' attraction anomalies that add to the intrigue and beauty of the Canada's National Capital Region.

1)The Acoustic Anomaly of the Baldwin-LaFontaine Statue on Parliament Hill. Tucked to the right and behind the main Parliament building, up behind the statue of Queen Elizabeth II sitting on a horse. Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine established responsible government in Canada with the 1841 reunion of Upper and Lower Canada. Stand front and center and face this monument that looks like a mini stage. Speak in a normal voice and listen.. The sound has the natural acoustic amplification qualities like those of a mini Red Rocks Colorado amphitheater. Don't leave yet! Sit two people opposite each other; one at the extreme right and one at the extreme left edges of the 'stage'. Have the two whisper a conversation back and forth. WOW!

2)The Cat Sanctuary on Parliament Hill is to the left of the main Parliament building. For over 18 years and counting, volunteers have fed the 26 plus colony of stray cats. Formality and compassion in harmony. You can't get any more Canadian than that, eh!

3)Drive along Sussex Drive from Rideau Street and continue through the round-about at 24 Sussex and Rideau Hall (across the street) on up to the RCMP Musical Ride Training Facility. You might even get to feed the horses through the fence! On the return drive enjoy the Ottawa River look-off, zip up into Rockcliffe Park to see Embassies, Ambassadors' Homes and homes of the Ottawa elite. Park near Rideau Hall, walk its beautiful gardens and capture the Changing of the Guard.

4)No trip to Ottawa is complete with out a drive up into Gatineau Park, a short drive to an entrance just over one of the 5 bridges between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. This park is a mecca for mountain bikers. On one excursion we watched a black bear eating by the side of road just a short distance inside this park. Drive right up to the Champlain Look-off, which overlooks the Ottawa Valley and Ottawa River. Gatineau Park is on the edge of the Canadian Shield. An incredible site any time, but particularly a perfect place in the Autumn. You might be lucky enough to view the excitement of hang gliders or para-gliders against this pristine valley backdrop. Oh! You must exit the park through Chelsea so you can enjoy the homemade ice cream and waffle cones of La Cigale.

5)Bicycle along the miles and miles of pathways throughout the National Capital region. And if that is not enough, every summer Sunday morning, sections of the River Parkway are blocked to regular automobile traffic for your biking, walking and running pleasure. Ottawans are serious cyclists – even through the cold and snowy winters!

6)Early September (Labour Day Weekend) is the time to catch the fun and color of the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. Since 1988, this annual festival has been attracting huge crowds and hundreds of balloons. To view these Aerial Art Flotilla drifting over the Ottawa River and the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings is a photographers delight. Just listen to that distinctive deep 'whooshing' sound as they ignite the burners.

Most of Ottawa can be enjoyed with a walking tour. But treat yourself to one of the river or canal boat tours, bus tours or hop aboard the old Wakefield stream train for a step back in time. Nature. History. Geology. Outdoor Activities. Politics. Animals. Take a little time to enjoy Ottawa's other amenities.

And what does Ottawa offer during those cold Winter months? That's another story for another day.

Carl Chesal's years of experience in Business and Channel Development, Training, Internet Marketing and Photography is highlighted at the Bizfare Enterprise Inc website. Carl with wife, Janet, also operate a number of e-commerce web-sites:
MyLeatherExpressions.com,
CoolComfortWear.com,
PewterExpressions.com,
HomeAndBodyHowTo.com,
ExqusiteJewelryDesigns.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Travel & Leisure category

  • Australian Student Activities and Highlights - By: Dexter Nicholson
    Culture shock is probably the most abrupt effect felt by new international students studying in Australia. The Land of Opportunities is multicultural, this is something that student visa holders should know right before they decide to study down south. However, possessing multiple types of culture is not a negative issue. It can actually ease up your aim for faster adjustments. Even though you're novice to an Australian life, everything will be easier and handy. Coping up with the new environment is just like learning the alphabet. Everything will come automatic. Because as you try to keep up with an Australia life, most of the people around you would slow down and help you learn what you need to learn. Boredom and homesick is a big joke because there are a lot of recreations waiting for you inside and outside your school.
  • Recommended Budget Hotels in New York - By: Larry Austin
    New York City is the most populated city in the United States and even as a region New York is very popular among travelers. This is the number one destination in the Untied States for foreign visitors as it is the cultural, financial, entertainment, industrial, fashion and commercial center of the United States.
  • The Old Vicarage Ambleside Guest House Now Has an Indoor Swimming Pool - By: Kathleen Maze
    The Lake District is best known for its lakes but there is also a phenomenal amount of walking that can be enjoyed by all abilities. It is easy to find something suitable for all abilities, ranging from a gentle ramble, a mountain walk or an exhilarating high-level traverse.
  • 3 Ways Beach Chairs Make a Day at the Beach Bearable - By: MJ Marks
    Not sure if you are a beach type persons? Well, find out how beach chairs keep you comfortable and happy at the beach.
  • Working Students in Australia - By: Dexter Nicholson
    A lot of families and individual cannot support their studies so they either look for a scholarship, not study at all or work part time. As education is very important for the development of the young mind, every thing should be done to be able to get that diploma. Read more for the working students in Australia.
  • Six Reasons Why to Choose Aluminum Beach Chairs - By: MJ Marks
    If you go on a tropical getaway this summer, don't forget your beach chair! A great option are aluminum beach chairs. Here are six reasons why you should consider them for your
  • Tourism After Katrina - By: Jesse Henson
    Hurricane Katrina affected not only the local populations but also the once-thriving tourist industry in the area.
  • 101Malta and 101Dublin - a far cry from the usual online travel guides - By: Luciano Borg
    Log on to any site that claims to be your perfect travel guide and what do you get - a multitude of travel deals. Wherever you click you are instantly overwhelmed with special offers: book this, buy that, fly with us, hop on this, reserve that!
  • Getting in Touch with Nature in Malta - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese countryside is small and, like that of many other countries, threatened by over development. Thankfully, there is still enough of it that is protected to help one get away from the urban areas on the Island to be able to get in touch with nature.
  • Wreck Diving in Malta - the paradise of the Mediterranean Sea - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese Archipelago is a real paradise for divers and snorkellers. In the case of wreck diving, for many it is a dream come true. The islands have fortunately retained their natural state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its fauna.