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 frequently; be prepared for tight security. In summer you can book tours at the conspicuous white tent; in winter there’s a reservation desk inside the building. The grounds can be explored on one’s own as well. Pick up a free copy of the Walking Tour of Parliament Hill at the information center across the street. The pamphlet details little-known facts about the buildings – learn about the gargoyles and grotesques that haunt the sculpted sandstone.

The tour schedule is quite convoluted and confusing – the best bet is to check out the parliament’s website.

At 10am daily in summer, see the colorful changing of the guard on the front lawns. At night during summer, there’s a free bilingual sound-and-light show called Mosaika on Parliament Hill.

After exploring the architectural allegories to nationalist ideals, there’s a bizarre, little-known quirk that should not the missed. The stray-cat sanctuary, with its dollhouse shelters sits 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.