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Ottawa Must-Sees
The Rideau Canal
The Rideau
Canal, which starts in Kingston, Ontario, winds its way through the
city. The final flight of locks on the canal are between Parliament
Hill and the Château Laurier. During the winter season,
the Canal forms the world's
longest skating rink. There is a large network of paved multi-use
pathways that wind their way through much of the city, including along the
Ottawa River, Rideau River, and Rideau Canal
(a UNESCO World Heritage Site). These pathways are used for transportation,
tourism, and recreation. Because most streets either have wide curb lanes or
bicycle lanes, cycling is a popular mode of transportation in the region
throughout the year.
Parliament Hill
Ottawa
is home to the federal seat of Canada’s government. Canada
is a federation of ten provinces and three territories, with each province and
territory having its own capital and legislature with varying rights and
responsibilities enumerated in the Canadian Constitution.
The Parliament Buildings are a
most distinct national landmark instantly recognizable to Canadians. Tours
are available free of charge, although reservations are required for groups
of more than 10 people. Tours
can vary in length from 20 to 60 minutes depending on parliamentary activity
and schedules are subject to change without notice. Tour times vary depending
on whether Parliament is in session but are available daily when Parliament
is not in session, from 9.00 am to 3.20 pm. Visitors enter through the
Visitor Welcome Centre located under the Peace Tower,
to the right of the main doors of Centre Block, to get tickets. The most unique and beautiful part of the
building is the octagonal Parliamentary Library, which is the only original area to have
survived the 1916 fire.
Location: Wellington Street
Web: www.parl.gc.ca
The Supreme Court of Canada
Created by statute in 1875, but
subordinate to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Downing Street until 1950, the Supreme Court of Canada
now exercises comprehensive, general jurisdiction, as the court of last
resort for litigants from all provincial and federal juridical
decisions. It embraces both the civil
law of the province of Quebec and the common law of all other provinces
and territories, consistent with Canada’s unique bi-juralism.
Construction of the building, designed
by Ernest Cormier, began in 1939. Occupied
by the federal government during World War II to meet wartime needs, the
Court eventually took possession and
heard its first case there in January 1946.
The building is open to the
public from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, with guided tours available by
pre-arrangement. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, guided by law students, and when the Court
is in session you are welcome to sit in on the hearing of any appeal.
Location: 301 Wellington Street
Phone: 613-995-5361
Web: www.scc-csc.gc.ca
The Supreme
Court of Canada
Library and Archives Canada
The
National Library of Canada has a comprehensive collection of books,
magazines, sound recordings, government documents and electronic
publications. Founded in 1953, the Library amalgamated with the National
Archives of Canada in 2003, uniting their extensive collections of public and
private documents. Library and Archives Canada provides information about the
individuals, issues and events that have shaped Canada’s history through
exhibits, genealogy resources, reference services, musical performances and
lectures. For Canadian heritage, a visit to Library and Archives Canada must
not be missed.
Location:
395 Wellington Street
(at Bay Street)
Phone:
613-996-5115 (General information and group tour reservations)
Hours:
Exhibition Rooms open from 9 am to 10 pm daily; all other rooms and staff assistance
from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
Web:
www.collectionscanada.ca
The National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada
is a visual arts museum of international stature that holds its collections
of art in trust for all Canadians. With a legislated mandate to develop,
maintain and make known a national collection of works of art with special
but not exclusive reference to Canada,
and to further knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art in general among
Canadians, the gallery is at the forefront of Ottawa’s cultural offerings. Founded in 1880, the Gallery boasts the
most comprehensive and important collection in Canada. It has changed locations
several times throughout its tumultuous history but its now official
location opened in 1988. The Gallery’s
collection includes Canadian and Aboriginal Art, European and American Art,
Contemporary Art, Modern Art, Prints and Drawings, and Photographs.
Hours of operation: Tuesday
through Friday from 10 am to 5, Thursdays until 8pm
Location: 380 Sussex Drive (Corner of Sussex
and St. Patrick)
Phone: 613-990-4888
Web: www.national.gallery.ca
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Perfect for visitors of all
ages, this museum site offers the most impressive view of Parliament, from
across the Ottawa River. Designed by award-winning Canadian
architect Douglas Cardinal, the Museum
of Civilization
provides a unique setting. Cardinal,
who also designed the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum
of the American Indian in Washington, D. C.,
has been credited with having created an indigenous Canadian style of
curvilinear, organic buildings.
Located on the Gatineau side of the
Ottawa River, this museum provides a wide range of programming and exhibits,
especially related to Canada’s
Aboriginal peoples. Currently, the museum is hosting an exhibit on the folk
art of Quebec. The museum boasts an IMAX theatre, a gift
shop, and a restaurant with lovely views of Parliament and the Ottawa River.
Location: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Hours of Operation and Ticket
Cost: Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm, Thursday to 9pm, $10 per adult
Phone: 613-239-5100
Web: www.civilization.ca
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
Affiliated with the National
Gallery, this museum is located next to the Château Laurier and is worth a
visit. The museum is a creative adaptation of an abandoned railway tunnel and
provides dynamic exhibitions by Canada’s best art and documentary
photographers.
Location: 1 Rideau
Canal
Phone: 613-990-8257
Web: www.cmcp.gallery.ca
The Canadian
War Museum
The newest national museum in Ottawa is definitely a
must-see attraction. Exhibits explore Canada’s military past and how it
has shaped the country. Through displays showcasing touching personal
stories, the museum features the experiences of people on the battlefields
and at home during times of war. The Museum’s dramatic architecture showcases
its vast collection, which includes photographs, military vehicles,
artillery, interactive presentations and art.
Location: 1 Vimy Place on LeBreton Flats at the
corner of Booth Street
and the Ottawa River Parkway
(west of Parliament Hill)
Hours of operation: Tuesday to
Sunday 9 am to 5 pm, Thursdays until 9
Admission: $10 per person
National Arts Centre
Canada’s best theatre, dance and
music performances are offered year round at the NAC. The restaurant Le Café
offers excellent dining and a wonderful view of the Rideau
Canal for lunch and dinner, across from the Château Laurier.
Location: 53 Elgin Street
Phone: 613- 947-7000
Web: www.nac-cna.ca
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INTERESTED IN
VISITING MOST OF OTTAWA’S
MUSEUMS? CONSIDER A MUSEUM PASSPORT!
If you are planning to spend
some extra time in Ottawa
and would like to visit its wide array of museums, consider purchasing the
museum passport. At a cost of $30 for an adult, the passport allows you
entrance into 10 museums over 7 days in Ottawa. It also entitles you to 20% off
of performances at the National Arts Centre. A passport can be purchased at
the Capital Infocentre at 90
Wellington Street.
All of Ottawa’s
museums offer free admission on Thursday evenings, so be sure to take
advantage of this great chance to visit Ottawa’s cultural offerings!
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