Visiting Ottawa
 

Super excited because I have just booked a surprise 5 day birthday trip to Ottawa for Mr Cookie and bagged us a couple of fab seats at the Senators Vs Blackhawks game. This will be our first ever NHL game hence the super excited part :thumbsup:

Looking for recommendations for nice places to eat (hidden gems) and must see attractions bearing in mind it will be late March. We are staying downtown. Thanks :)

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

pre or post game check out

http://www.cheshirecatpub.com/ great food, great draught and friendly staff...it is is an old one room schoolhouse and it was just recently re-built after a fire. It is about 4 km nw of the sens place.

http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/

this is closer to downtown....small menu, always changing, great selection of beers

however, for the true Ottawa experience try
http://www.shawarmapalace.ca/

lively, open late at night, lots of garlic laden dishes to be had

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Over the bridge to the dark side for the History Museum, it was the Museum of Civilisation. The National Gallery, Houses of Parliament tour, especially see the library there. Byward Market, Dunn's on Elgin for breakfast.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Some think I'm wierd, but Ottawa is one of my favourite getaway destinations!

I've enjoyed the Vineyards Wine bar (Bistro food - order tasting menu - & very interesting wine/port/beer tastings - they call 'em "flights"), with good live Jazz, in Byward Market; also their sister restaurant upstairs (Fish Market?) Neither are "hidden gems", but are consistently good. NOT Coasters (same ownership, I think, same building)

Also a couple of very good Indian restaurants, & a Moroccan one; struggling to remember names, but can probably find them (via ex's encyclopedic brain) if you're interested.

I'll vote for the history/civilisation museum too. Great walking trails in and around the city too.

Where in Downtown are you staying? Most of the big name hotels have some darn good packages including free entry to various museums/galleries/attractions, as well as restaurant discounts etc., which may be worth asking about even if you have already booked.

Will you have a car, or rely on public transport? I have a couple or three other ideas depending on your answer ;-)

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

I know the downstairs bar at vineyards....soon after I moved here the professional organization I'm a member of had their annual christmas 'do' there and it was 2 free drinks per person. I was always trying the unusual belgian beers they had there but most of the crowd stuck to 'blue' 'ex', 'canadian' and other such dirge.

The Moroccan restaurant you may have been thinking of at Preston/Gladstone is gone. I was there a couple of times and it had belly dancing etc.

Good indians include 'east india company', 'light of india', 'little india cafe' 'host' (it is on Montreal Road). East india company is the most upmarket and little india is quite downmarket. Light of india will give you free beer if your take out order takes too long.

As per my earlier response, I think Ottawa is more renowned for shawarma, although none of the shawarma places resemble much in the way of ambience or romantic venue.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Thanks for the tips! Good to have a few recommendations for dining and must sees. We won't be driving since we are staying on Albert St. We are good for walking though, weather permitting or use cabs and public transport. Have to work out how to get to the Canadian Tire Centre. Think we will go really early and have supper over that way so we are not travelling with the rush.

Really looking forward to this trip - Going to absorb all things cultural. Already have free passes for the War museum and Rideau Centre Savings Directory because I booked my accommodation through Ottawa tourism - they surprisingly beat hotels.com etc for price on my chosen hotel.

Also went on a few websites for hockey tickets before getting the best deal from Vivid Seats for tickets in Section 111 behind the visitors goal so hopefully we will see plenty close up Senators action. Used this website to work out best seats for us http://www.rateyourseats.com/. We have spoken for years about going to an NHL game. For 7 years we have gone to our local Junior A games every week and we also pop down to Halifax to see the Mooseheads. Going to an NHL game is so exciting :eek:

Its a hard secret for me to keep so I have decided to tell Mr cookie next week when he comes home from Alberta. That way he can look forward to the trip for a few weeks and share my excitement :thumbsup: :heart:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Don't forget to get a beavertail or two during your trip. Byward Market ;)

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

The Canadian Tire Centre is quite a way out.

If you're going to a Chicago/Ottawa game, I think you'll find that most of the action will be centered around the Sens net.

The War Museum is pretty good. Two tips. In the main bit, go round it always turning to your right. The second bit, with the tanks etc, is in a different part of the building. You could miss it if you don't know it's there.

"Play" in the Byward Market is a good restaurant. We went there recently and enjoyed it.

You could also pop over the river to Les Brasseurs du Temps. I haven't been there but it looks nice.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

How can the Canadian tire center be "ways out" if the OP is going to be there watching those loser Sens, and my beloved Blackhawks? I am going to be there actually for that game.

I was in Ottawa on the weekend, and there is a lot to do in the CENTRUM area. If you feel like a nice dinner out, head to Milestones in the centrum blvd.

Downtown: The ice sculptures are on display in confederation park as we speak, I took a few pics of some fabous work by Russian, French and Norwegian ice sculptors.

When I go now, I stay at the courtyard marriot in the byward market beside the CTV station. You are walking distance to the Mall, and on the main drag there you have lonestar restaurant, shawarma, Sushi and Indian restuarants aplenty

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

I was there 3-4 weeks ago for the Montreal game (pretty poor game unfortunately). We stayed at the Holiday Inn in town and drove to/from the game so that we could walk into town.

We'd never been to Ottawa before and walked around the market trying to find somewhere to eat but struggled as everywhere was full. Not sure if it is like that all the time but may be worth trying to book somewhere to eat.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

ETA....I'll urge the OP to venture onto the Quebec side if you are going to be downtown anyway. Walk down the street from parliament to the war museum, and then less than 1km you are on the Quebec side

You can claim to have been to Quebec :D Gatineau park is nice place to go for a walk, snow shoeing, skiing, snowboarding, and the information center in Chelsea is very good. The Chelsea pub serves a nice grub.

Note: GPS reception in downtown Ottawa is crap, so arm yourself with a nice map and mark out all the landmarks and points of interest before hand.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

"The Works" burger places started in Ottawa and they're usually nominated/win awards every year. When we lived in Ottawa we'd go to the one in The Glebe fairly often. Was always great.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

I can attest to this, the burger at "the works" that is, conveniently placed just before hwy ramp. The Glebe of course is a very pretentious place full of yuppies....some people will fit in just well there :D

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Yuppies in the Glebe? It was full of students and rather rich older people in their million dollar plus homes with fleet of Audis and Mercs in the drive.

Neither of those seem to fit the young upward professional tagline.

Then again I wouldn't know. I only lived there.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Are we talking about the same Glebe here? Yes the Glebe am talking about has loads of young professionals there, who continued to fight when the one school was getting closed down and they had to go to another school not far away

I guess I wouldn't know either as I only lived there for a few years, as well as on the Quebec side also :blink:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Thanks again everyone.

We are staying within 1 km of Parliament Hill. I love travel and always do the touristy stuff on vacation. Prefer city breaks to a beach vacation, and enjoy architecture, arts and history :) Montreal and Quebec are definitely on my bucket list :thumbsup:

Mr cookie flies home overnight tonight and I am still trying to decide when and how to surprise him :p

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

You and I both on all those things you mentioned....where have you been all my life? :rofl:

I am sure you will know how and when to "surprise him"...wink wink ;)

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec in five days? Without a car? Good luck.

I hope you realise that you have not picked exactly the best time of year for this trip. The weather is usually crap and a lot of the touristy stuff in Ottawa will be still be closed.

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You might need to quantify your numbers. You started off with "full of" and now "loads of".

I didn't find it particularly "over run" when I was there.

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Definitely no belly dancing!! The ex tells me it was Gatineau side anyway, & is also gone :-(

Cookie, I was specifically thinking Ottawa Tourism for good package deals, glad you found them :-) I think I know where you'll be staying, & it's nice.

I've frequently visited Ottawa in the "off" season, & always found plenty to do & see. I'm a walker, & it's a great city for that. (I'm a country bumpkin & easily amused ;-) )

SB

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No, just Ottawa for 5 days. Montreal and Quebec are on my bucket list. That trip would be during warmer weather :)

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Both are nice regardless of the time of year (just frikkin cold sometimes).

Five days in Ottawa is a lot, unless you are fanatical about museums. You could easily do a day trip to Montreal by train. It's a couple of hours at most, the trains are pretty frequent these days and they are quite cheap.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Agreed. 5 days in Ottawa is a lot. Montreal definitely worth a trip even for 1 day/night.

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Checked out the train schedule so might just do that the day before Mr cookie flies back to Alberta and I head home to NS :thumbup:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Or you could take the bus. More options and probably cheaper. I don't think it takes any longer than the train.

You'd need to have a wazz before getting on the bus though. They do have bogs but using them is quite the experience.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

$66 each for a return train ticket and I might just need to pee ;)

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Also while in Ottawa you can take a tour of the Canadian Mint if that was of interest.

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Ewwwwww...... Greasy.

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Surprise done! Got all caught up in the excitement of the Olympics hockey so the timing was good. Mr Cookie is one happy chappy. Only thing is, his beloved Sens could get thrashed by the Blackhawks ;) Either way we will have a blast :thumbsup:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

We are here! Was on one of the first flights out after the big NS weather bomb! Had a busy few days already. After 7 years of going to hockey (Junior A and Q League), we went to our first ever NHL game last night and saw the Senators beat the Blackhawks 5-3 :D

So far been to Parliament buildings and was surprised to get the chance to sit in on Question Period at the House of Commons! We then headed over to Notre Dame Basilica which is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes and I am neither catholic nor go to church!

Today it's a short walk along to the Byward market, so it's leisurely shopping and good food. Tomorrow we are headed to the War Museum. Still trying to decide what to do Monday but since the sun will be out I will be taking plenty photos :thumbsup:

Attached photo was taken with my iPhone. Can't wait to check out my camera pics when I get home!

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

For good food, I would suggest:

Shawarma Palace @ 464 Rideau...cheap, filling, traditional Ottawa food

or the bakery/deli/sandwich/pizza place (Le Moulin de Provence)at the north end of the Byward Market food building that has shops on the inside and outside. It is the place that Obama visited when he was here.

As well, you will have to try a Beaver Tail in the Byward Market or get a sandwich to go @ Nicastro's.

There is a good indian on Somerset called the East India Company.

Enjoy the time in Ottawa

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Just eaten supper at the Shwarma Palace. Someone had recommended it earlier. I am absolutely stuffed full. It was ever so good. Wonder how many days it will take for my garlic breath to fade :rofl:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

I was the one who suggested it a couple of months ago and again today. Glad you enjoyed it.

You need to go there with someone who is nearest and dearest to you and had the same thing to eat as you did.

Multiple drinks may make the garlic breath go away and it will be replaced by another type of breath.

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Do they still have his mug prominently displayed as you walk in?

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Shared an apple cinnamon Beavertail - yummy! Also went to le Moulin de Provence twice. So many yummy cakes and desserts! Have fallen in love with chocolate Florentines so just as well I am heading home today with a few in my bag :rofl:

Also went to the Highlander Pub yesterday and had 'Scottish Thai Curry'. Was very dubious as to what it would be like and to my great surprise I absolutely loved it :thumbsup: who knew that curry with mashed potatoes, carrot and turnip tasted that good. I know I will crave it when back in NS so will try to make my own version :D

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Don't you find the disco lighting a bit tacky?

Nonetheless, enjoy the rest of your trip. :)

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I did find the frequent colour changing banner quite distracting. They should just change it during the stoppages.

What always makes me chuckle is the game being stopped during the TV adverts. Imagine stopping a football match for the same reason :rofl:

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Err, I meant in the Basilica. :(

Re: Visiting Ottawa
 

Nope, no disco lights when I was there. Maybe all the stained glass was too much for you ;) I thought the church was stunning inside and out.

Didn't even notice how beautiful the outside was until I went back a few days later when it was sunny :)