Notable Building sights in Ottawa
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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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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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Prime Minister's House & Rideau Hall
You can have a quick peek at the prime minister's house, although tight security prevents visitors from exploring the grounds. Rideau Hall, home to the governor general, was 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.
Both houses are northeast along Sussex Dr. Rideau Hall is off Princess Dr, the eastern extension of Sussex Dr.…
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