Ottawa International Profile

Ottawa
exPeRIence Ottawa!
every country has a city where its stories are
told. this is canada’s. Rising on the shores
of three rivers and straddling two provinces,
Ottawa is a cosmopolitan G7 capital where
you can be welcomed in english, French and
myriad other languages.
this is where we celebrate great national
occasions, gather for exuberant festivals and
events, and discover canadian cultural and
artistic accomplishment at national museums,
galleries and attractions.
there are many impressive sites to see,
and many ways to see them: the Rideau
canal—a UnescO world heritage site;
double-deckers and coach tours: cruises on
the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal;
amphibus; biplane and helicopter; cycling
and walking. networks of paved recreation
trails, waterways and parkland make
Ottawa a dream destination for cyclists,
runners, kayakers—and skaters and skiers
in winter!
and the city’s community of talented chefs,
its thriving performing arts scene, and its
unique districts and neighbourhoods provide
visitors a diversity of ways to cap off their
days in the capital.
For itineraries, presentations, videos and
images, visit our online travel trade toolkit.
GETTING
HERE
DIRECT
FLIGHT
(hrs)
DRIVE
(hrs)
Kingston, ON
n/a
2
Montreal, QC
.5
2
n/a
6
Quebec, QC
1
5
Toronto, ON
1
4.5
Vancouver, BC
5
5 days
Boston, MA
1.25
7.5
Chicago, IL
2
13
Detroit, MI
1.5
8.5
New York, NY
1.5
8
Washington, DC
1.5
9.5
CANADA
Niagara Falls, ON
UNITED STATES
INTERNATIONAL (Year Round)
Frankfurt, DE
London, UK
www.OttawatOurism.ca
7.5
n/a
7
n/a
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
“MUST SEE” ATTRACTIONS
January to February – Skating on the Rideau Canal
Enjoy a skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s longest
skating rink!
http://rcs.ncc-ccn.ca/
Aboriginal Experiences (GROUPS ONLY)
An authentic Voyageur canoeing experience on the
Ottawa River reliving the history of Canada, combining trade,
dance, native food and legends at Canada’s only urban aboriginal
experiences www.aboriginalexperiences.com
February – Winterlude
One of North America’s premiere Winter Festivals: outdoor
concerts, skating, ice carving and snow sculptures, family iceslides, Canada’s largest cross-country ski event, etc.
www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude
March/April – Sugaring Off Season
Experience the “Eastern Canada joy of spring”—maple products,
lumberjack style meals with traditional music. ww.fultons.ca
Casino du Lac-Leamy
Features a 1000 seat state-of-the-art theatre, a five-diamond
restaurant, Alea nightclub, plus more than 1,700 slot machines
and 60 gaming tables, Texas Hold’Em poker and electronic games.
www.casinosduquebec.com/lacleamy
May – Canadian Tulip Festival
This annual world-famous festival centres around Ottawa’s love
affair with the tulip, and includes a million tulips blooming in public
areas. www.tulipfestival.ca
Gatineau Park
Located only 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau, this
magnificent park is easy to get to by car or bicycle and encompasses
over 363 km2 /140 sq.mi. of rolling hills, forests and one of the most
unique ecosystems in North America.
www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park
Late June/early July – TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival
Top names in jazz perform in downtown Ottawa.
www.ottawajazzfestival.com
Le Nordik – Spa Nature
In a pristine setting adjacent to Gatineau Park the Nordik Spa is the
largest day spa in North America. www.lenordik.com
Late June to late August – Changing of the Guard
Ceremonial parade daily at 10 a.m. sharp on Parliament Hill.
www.parl.gc.ca/visitors
Parliament Tours
Touch 450 million year old fossils; see neo-gothic architecture from
the highest point in town! Guided tours available of Canada’s seat
of government. www.parl.gc.ca/visitors
July – RBC Bluesfest
One of North America’s most important music events with
top names from around the world. www.ottawabluesfest.ca
Late July to early August – Ottawa Chamberfest
World’s largest—100 concerts over 2 weeks; 250 of the world’s
best musicians. www.chamberfest.com
Late July to August - Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of light
One of the largest fireworks competitions in the country featuring
international pyrotechnical artists. (Wednesday & Saturday
evenings at the Canadian Museum o f History) www.feux.qc.ca
September – Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
Canada’s largest hot air balloon festival.
www.montgolfieresgatineau.com
September/October – Fall Foliage
Some of the most spectacular autumn colours in the world.
Experience Indian summer! http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-tovisit/gatineau-park/fall-rhapsody
November to April – Maple Harvest Experience
Guided tour, vibrant dance performance and an interactive
fireside demonstration on the traditional methods of preparing
maple. Using ash logs, antlers, and heated stones, hear the
story of Waksis and the discovery of maple syrup.
www.aboriginalexperiences.com
Ottawa Tourism,150 Elgin Street, Suite 1405, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1L4
Updated April 2016
The Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage site
Cruise, drive, paddle, pedal or hike over 202 km/126 miles of
North America’s oldest continuously operating waterway. Enjoy ice
skating on the world’s largest skating rink in winter!
www.rideauheritageroute.ca
A Treasure Trove of National Interactive Museums
Ottawa boasts numerous national gems, including the most-visited
in the country, the Canadian Museum of History,
www.historymuseum.ca; the National Gallery of Canada,
www.gallery.ca home of the largest collection of Canadian art; the
Canadian War Museum (one of the top 3 war art collections in the
world) www.warmuseum.ca; and the castle style Canadian
Museum of Nature www.nature.ca showcasing Canada’s flora and
fauna.
Whitewater Capital of Canada
The Ottawa River is recognized worldwide as one of the best whitewater destinations in the world. From screaming high-adventure to
gentle family float trips, the magic of whitewater lasts a lifetime!
Runs May to September. www.owl-mkc.ca; www.riverrunners.com;
www.wildernesstours.com; www.ottawacityrafting.com;
www.raftingmomentum.com
For more information - www.ottawatourism.ca/traveltradeinfo