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