Hi all

i've only recently emigrated from the UK to Australia, but am going
to Ottawa for 4 weeks in April and wondered if anyone had any
suggestions on

1) Where to stay - i'll be on my own so somewhere fairly central I guess,
preferably with facilities close by (cinema, gym / pool etc)

2) What to go and see -especially weekends, but also what to do in the evenings ?
I like sports of all kinds, and would like to see the typical
tourist sites etc too ?

3) Any pubs / clubs etc recommended ?

4) Anything else someone should do on their first (and probably only) visit
to Canada, and Ottawa in particular ?

I'd appreciate any ideas !

Thanks

Neil

When are you going to be in Ottawa? The season makes a big difference. Winter is very cold (-15C) there and summer can be very hot (weather in the 80s and 90s F).

Not sure where you are staying, but I'd recommend downtown (near the Rideau Center or Parliament buildings). I'd go for either the Westin or the Chateau Laurier. The Chateau Laurier is more historic, but the Westin *might* be more comfortable. I'd go with the Chateau Laurier if you can. If you aren't traveling on business, some of the other hotels downtown might be cheaper but because I used to live there I can't name them.

Here are a few of my favourites:
1. Go to the National Gallery of Canada on Sussex Drive (downtown near the Byward Market, Parliament Buildings, Rideau Center). They have great traveling exhibits there including a Renoir exhibit this summer. The glass building alone is worth it.

2. Go for dinner in the Byward Market. There are some great trendy restaurants there, many of which aren't too expensive. I like the Blue Cactus for Mexican, the Keg for steak, and the Flying Tomato. But, my new favourite is Milestones on Sussex. I highly recommend Milestones.

3. Go for drinks in the Byward Market. There are some great live music bars (the Rainbow Room for Jazz is one) and pubs (the Heart & Crown, also the Snug Pub, I think). This link might help a bit: http://www.fyiottawa.com/cgi-bin/niv...tml&type_club=

4. Go to Winterlude if it is on while you are there. (Winter celebration, ice sculptures held on canal.) Other worthwhiles: Canada Day (July), Tulip Festival (spring), etc.

5. Go to the Parliament buildings, take a tour. Go up in the Peace Tower (the clock tower).

6. Go to the Rideau Center and shop. Huge mall. Downtown near parliament.

7. Go to Sparks Street - famous outdoor pedestrian mall. IMO, this is much better in the summer than winter.

8. Go to the Defenbunker in Kanata, if you have a car and it is open. It is an underground "coldwar" museum in case Canada was nuked.

9. Go hang out in the Chapters book store across from the Rideau Center. Huge bookstore. Worthwhile.

10. Rent a pair of skis and go skiing at one of the local hills (about 30 mins from downtown). A few hills are Mont Ste Marie, Adelwiess, Mont Cascade - ask at your hotel for info.

11. Go to the Royal Mint (where they print the money), the Military museum, or any of the new museums in Hull (e.g., the Museum of Civilization).

12. Go shopping to the little trendy craftsy shops in the Market.

13. Go to the Museum of Science and Technology, which is just plain fun on St. Laurent Blvd - East End. You will need to take the bus or drive there. I'd recommend driving.

14. Go on day or weekend trips to Montreal or Kingston (about 1.5 hrs by car).

15. Go to the Bytowne Cinema and see an artsy film.

16. Go for great Indian food in the Glebe - a trendy area with shops. There is also decent Lebanese food there.

17. Go for DimSum in Chinatown. Fuliwah's on Preston St (?) used to be one of my favs for this.

Have fun!

Slit your wrists when you realise the mistake you made heading for Australia instead of Gods own country.

It sounds like you are coming here on business. I can't think of any other reason to visit Ottawa in April. You're too late for the Winter fun and too early for most of the Summer touristy stuff. Put it this way, the Ottawa Tulip Festival takes place in May. The weather in April is crap. Daytime highs of about 10C, it rains a lot and it can snow.

Have a look at ottawatourism.ca

Ottawa does have a lot of museums, if that's of any interest to you. A trip into Gatineau Park (just across the river) is well worthwhile. If you are very lucky, some of the local ski centres may still be open. Anything to do with boats is probably out of the question.

I don't know what your budget is but there are plenty of hotels downtown. Several have gyms/pools. For a trip that long you might want to consider a "suites" hotel.

There is a cinema in the Rideau Centre, a downtown shopping mall. Most of the bars, restaurants etc are concentrated in the Byward Market area, also right downtown.

Why limit yourself to Ottawa? You can drive to both Toronto and Quebec City in about 5 hours; Montreal in half that.

Totally agree.

My cousin came over on 2nd April last year, it was the only time he could visit even though I talked him out of it.

The ski hills closed the week before, the ice on our lake was too thin to walk on but was still there so no boating . . . . swimming and sunbthing were out too. The sugar shacks had shut up shop and the sun didn't shine, even the wind sounded like it was crying. It was a desolate time and our hearts were heavy.

We still had fun though, stripping naked and taping bacon to our bottoms, rubbing ourselves against trees, shouting at Mounties, oh yes, there's fun to be had in Ottawa in April.

<note to self: never vist Low in April>

The new war museum is a must see

My Mum's coming over for three weeks in April - is this something you'd recommend? I was planning the more "regular" touristy things, but now you have me thinking...

Brilliant list - much appreciated!

Thanks

Neil

Hi

yes it's for business i'm afraid, dont have much choice in the when I go !

Still, thanks for the suggestions.

Regards

Neil

I'll only be able to pass comment after my 4 weeks