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