Sights in Ottawa
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Parliament Hill
Vast yawning archways dominate this stunning complex of copper-topped towers. The city’s most picture-perfect attraction by far, Parliament is Canada’s nexus of political activity. The primary building, Centre Block, supports the iconic Peace Tower, the highest structure in the city. Venture inside to peruse the hand-carved limestone and make a stop at the gorgeous library with its wood and wrought iron. Visitors are allowed to see the Commons and Senate while they’re in session. Question Period in the House of Commons is particularly popular, occurring every afternoon and at 11am on Fridays. Admission is on a first-come first-served basis.
Free 45-minute tours run …
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National Gallery of Canada
Canada’s largest art gallery is a must, housing the largest collection of Canadian and Inuit art in the world. The structure is a piece of art in itself – one of Ottawa’s modern architectural gems. The striking ensemble of glass and pink granite was concocted by Moshe Safdie, a noted architect who also created Montréal’s well-known ‘Habitat’ (a unique apartment complex). His emphatic glass spires at the museum’s rear echo the ornate copper-topped towers of the Parliament nearby. The dialogue between the heavy metallic roof and the floating crystalline steeple is magical even on the dreariest of days.
On the interior, the vaulted galleries display classic an…
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Canadian Museum of Civilization
This must-see museum documents the history of Canada through a spectacular range of exhibits. The stone exterior has been sculpted into smooth ripples – like the undulating wave of a current. In fact, you won’t find any corners at the museum, as it is believed in aboriginal lore that the evil spirits live in these angled nooks. Allow at least an entire afternoon to explore the museum and to take in the stunning views of the Parliament across the river.
The Grand Hall, with its simulated forest and seashore, illuminates the northwest coastal aboriginal cultures with towering colorful totem poles. Kids get a passport when they enter the Canadian Children’s Museum, a v…
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Canada Science & Technology Museum
This hands-on museum, about 6km southeast of downtown, is a wonderful place to tickle the senses. Ambient squeaks and boinks fill the air as contented visitors gingerly turn knobs and push buttons.
Clever displays are designed to teach visitors about the basic scientific laws that govern our world. Permanent collections explore optical illusions, the laws of physics, and Time, with a capital ‘T.’ A walk through the Crazy Kitchen is a must – the lopsided galley dips at a 10-degree angle causing passers-through to cling to the railings as they try to stumble from start to finish. Climb aboard the heavy-duty trains at the back of the museum to learn about the science beh…
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Canada Agricultural Museum
Nope, the Canada Agricultural Museum isn’t about the history of the pitchfork – it’s a fascinating experimental farm. The government-owned property, southwest of downtown, includes about 500 hectares of gardens and ranches. Kids will love the livestock as they hoot and snort around the barn. The affable farmhands will even let the tots help out during feeding time. Guided tours lead visitors to an observatory, a tropical greenhouse and an arboretum. The rolling farmland is the perfect place for a scenic summer picnic, and in winter the grounds become a prime tobogganing locale. The farm can be reached on the city’s network of cycling routes.
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Canadian War Museum
This museum still has that new-car smell. The metallic building is itself an eye-catching sculptural gesture, and is worth a glance even if you don’t plan on visiting the exhibits. Fascinating displays wind through the labyrinthine interior, tracing the country’s military history with Canada’s most comprehensive collection of military artifacts. Many of the exhibits were constructed on a human scale, including a haunting life-sized replica of a WWI trench. Don’t forget to take a second look at the facade in the evening – flickering lights pulse on and off spelling ‘Lest We Forget’ and ‘CWM’ in Morse code (in both English and French, of course).
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Canada Aviation and Space Museum
With nearly 120 aircraft housed in the steel triangular hangar, the aviation museum almost feels bigger than Ottawa’s actual airport. Stroll through the mammoth warehouse, try the flight simulator, and get up close and personal with colorful planes ranging from the Silver Dart of 1909 to the first turbo-powered Viscount passenger jet.
Call ahead to check opening hours, as they vary according to attendance levels and time of year. If you show up an hour before closing, you might be let in for free. The museum is 5km northeast (along Rockcliffe Pkwy). Take bus 129 from downtown.
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Royal Canadian Mint
Although Canada’s circulation-coin mint is in Winnipeg, the royal mint holds its own by striking special pieces like the Olympic medals for the Vancouver games. In fact, the imposing stone building, which looks a bit like the ominous Tower of London, has been Canada’s major gold refiner since 1908. Excellent tours (reservations recommended) of the coin-making process are offered regularly (as often as every 15 minutes in the height of summer) – during the workweek, visitors can glimpse the transformation as sheets of metal are spun into loads of coins. Sorry, no free samples.
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Canadian Museum of Nature
Sparkling after a massive, seemingly endless renovation, this vast museum pokes its Gothic head up just beyond the skyline, south of downtown. The gaping four-story museum houses an impressive collection of fossils, minerals and animals, a full skeleton of a blue whale, and an excellent stock of dinosaurs from Alberta. Everyone’s favorite section is the realistic mammal and bird dioramas depicting Canadian wildlife. The taxidermic creatures are so lifelike, you’ll be glad that they’re behind a sheet of glass.
Buses 5, 6 and 14 transport passengers to McLeod St.
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Bytown Museum
Bytown Museum, sitting at the last lock before the artificial canal plunges into the waters of the Ottawa River. This well-curated collection of artifacts and documents about Ottawa’s colonial past is displayed in the city’s oldest stone building. The 1st floor is devoted to a nature exhibit, the 2nd floor details the arduous construction of the canal system, and, if you’ve got the kids in tow, don’t miss the pioneer dress-up station on the 3rd floor.
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RCMP Musical Ride Centre
While the name sounds like Disney’s newest attraction starring chipper red-vested policemen, the musical ride center is actually the stage where the Mounties perfect their pageant. The public is welcome to watch the dress rehearsals and equestrian displays, though it mostly appeals to equestrian enthusiasts. Call for practice time details and the sunset ride schedule. If traveling by car, take Sussex Dr east to Rockcliffe Pkwy, and turn right on Birch St.
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Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
Wedged between Château Laurier and the canal in a reconstructed railway tunnel, the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography houses the country's vast photographic archives, and offers dynamic rotating exhibits. Past displays have included artist retrospectives, surveillance videos, documentary pieces and many other convoluted themes. Call ahead before planning a visit as the museum space is often closed between exhibitions.
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Laurier House National Historic Site
This copper-roofed Victorian home, built in 1878, was the residence of two notable prime ministers: Wilfrid Laurier and the eccentric Mackenzie King. The home is elegantly furnished, displaying treasured mementos and possessions from both politicos. Don’t miss the study on the top floor. It’s best to visit in the early morning (that is, before the chatty tour buses arrive); you’ll have the knowledgeable guides all to yourself.
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Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica
Built in 1841, this shimmering tin-topped house of worshipis the oldest church in all of Ottawa and the seat of the city’s Catholic archbishop. Pick up the small pamphlet at the entrance outlining the church’s many idiosyncratic features, including elaborate wooden carvings and the dazzling indigo ceiling peppered with gleaming stars. The cathedral is situated across from the glass spires of the National Gallery of Canada.
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Rideau Hall
Home to the governor general, built in the early 20th century. There are free 45-minute walking tours of the posh residence, with poignant anecdotes about the various goings-on over the years. Tours are offered throughout the day in summer, or you can stroll the grounds all year. At the main gate, the small changing of the guard ceremony happens on the hour throughout the day from the end of June until the end of August.
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Supreme Court of Canada
This intimidating structure strikes an intriguing architectural balance with a modern concrete shell and a traditional copper roof. Visitors can stroll around the scenic grounds, vaulted lobby and dark oak-paneled courtroom. In summer, law students from the University of Ottawa conduct friendly and insightful tours, which depart every 30 minutes. During the rest of the year, tours must be booked in advance.
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Library & National Archives of Canada
The mandate of this monstrous concrete institution is to collect and preserve the documentation of Canada. Behind the tiny checkered windows lies a vast anthology of records, including paintings, maps, photographs, diaries, letters, posters and 60,000 cartoons and caricatures collected over the past two centuries. Rotating exhibits are displayed on the ground floor.
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Currency Museum
Make sense of cents at this small museum tucked within the greenhouse lobby of the Bank of Canada building. Various displays detail the global history of money, from seashells and whales’ teeth to banknotes and credit cards. Don’t miss the giant Yap stone – used to display a family’s wealth – sitting amid exotic foliage near the museum’s entrance.
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Aboriginal Village
This intriguing replica of an Aboriginal village offers glimpses of the original inhabitants of Ottawa and the region. Spend an afternoon in the native encampment watching vibrant dance performances, sampling authentic cuisine and learning about traditional craftworks. Turtle Island is within walking distance of downtown.
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Centre Block
The primary building in Parliament Hill, Centre Block , supports the iconic Peace Tower, the highest structure in the city. Venture inside to peruse the hand-carved limestone and make a stop at the gorgeous library with its wood and wrought iron.
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Prime Minister’s House
You can have a quick peek at the prime minister’s house, although tight security prevents visitors from exploring the grounds.
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Stray-Cat Sanctuary
A bizarre, little-known quirk worth seeing is the Stray-Cat Sanctuary, with dollhouse-like shelters. It's on Parliament Hill between the West Block and Centre Block, toward the river. Some say, loftily, that it represents the Canadian ideal of welcoming and caring for the world's needy, but then again, maybe it's just nutty.
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