As capital cities go, Ottawa is arguably the most visitor-friendly capital in the world. Small enough that everything worth seeing is within a brisk walk or an inexpensive cab ride, the city is also large enough to have something to offer nearly every taste whether it be cultural, culinary, athletic or historic.
As Ottawa has grown, so has its cultural diversity. There are many theater companies including the
Downtown
While Ottawa's downtown core is home to many of the city's major attractions including
One can also find many fine restaurants in the downtown core including
For a taste of Ottawa's nightlife, be sure to visit some of the nightclubs and restaurants along Elgin Street including
The Glebe
South of the Queensway running along both sides of Bank Street, is the Glebe. As a trendy arts and specialty shop district, the Glebe, attracts many suburban transplants looking for a little downtown living.
Sandy Hill and the Byward Market
Across from the downtown core on the eastern bank of the Rideau Canal is the University of Ottawa, which borders the stately Sandy Hill district where a majority of the city's embassies are located. Across Rideau Street to the north of Sandy Hill is the Byward Market where every sense can be satisfied.
The "Market" is a tourist Mecca attracting both vacationers and locals to its many special shops and restaurants during the day, while in the evenings the streets are filled with late night revelers touring the area's many bars and nightclubs including
Somerset Heights
Situated to the west of the downtown area is Somerset Heights, which was previously known as Chinatown before the age of political correctness and an influx of Vietnamese immigrants in the late 1970s. If it's Asian food you're interested in, then the Heights is the place to come. Along Somerset Street one can find some of the finest Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in the city including the
About a 10-minute walk west down Rue Somerset from the Heights is Preston Street, the cultural center of Ottawa's Italian community. Every year during the last weekend in June the street overflows with people returning to their roots to celebrate
Running north and south along the eastern edge of the downtown core is the
Vanier
Further east from Sandy Hill is Vanier. This small neighborhood is the last bastion of the francophone community in Ottawa and they maintain their heritage with immense pride.
Rockcliffe Park
To the north of Vanier is Rockcliffe Park where one can find some of the most expensive real estate in Canada including the multi-million dollar home of Corel founder Michael Cowpland. Rockcliffe is also the home of
Hull
Across the river from
Western Suburbs
Further to the west of the downtown core are the suburban neighborhoods of Bells Corners, Barrhaven and Kanata. While Barrhaven and Bells Corners are mostly bedroom communities with a smattering of restaurants and hotels, Kanata is the high tech center of Ottawa and home to many high tech giants such as Nortel, Mitel, Alcatel, Mosaid and Entrust. In Kanata, you can also find the
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Ottawa gets its identity from two major sources—its geographic location at the confluence of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers, and the fact that it is the seat of power for the entire nation. For centuries the area that overlooks the two rivers was the meeting grounds for the First Nations tribe the Algonquin Indians, who were indigenous to this part of central Canada.
The first European to set eyes on the area was Samuel de Champlain in 1613. In fact, a statue commemorating his discovery sits atop Nepean Point overlooking the Ottawa River. For the next 200 years the area remained a meeting place where natives met with French fur traders, who took valuable beaver pelts further downstream to Montreal and Quebec City. In 1800, a United Empire Loyalist named Philemon Wright left Massachusetts after the Revolutionary War and settled across the Ottawa River from the heights, in what is now Hull. Originally named Wrightsville, the small community grew into a burgeoning lumber town that helped to fuel Britain's desire for sturdy wood with which to build its navy.
In 1826 construction began on Ottawa's second most identifiable landmark besides Parliament Hill. Lieutenant Colonel John By was commissioned to build a canal that ran from the Ottawa River in the north to Kingston in the south—a distance of 200 kilometers. Construction on the Rideau Canal was completed by 1832. During the building of the canal, development began to take place on the Ottawa side of the Ottawa River, in and around what is now known as Lowertown, which is the site of Byward Market. By the time the canal was completed, the new settlement was called Bytown after the canal's chief builder.
The new waterway made the shipment of lumber to markets south of the border much easier. As a result, several American lumber barons came to the area bringing with them a wave of immigration from Poland, Scotland and Ireland, all looking for work in the forests around the fledgling city.
By the late 1850s Ottawa had finally come into its own, although it still possessed a reputation as a remote and rather uncivilized place. In 1860 something completely unexpected and remarkable happened. While looking at a map of the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada, Queen Victoria decided to pick Ottawa as the new capital over both York, which is now Toronto and Montreal. The decision was very controversial, but appeased Lower Canada (mainly French) and Upper Canada (mainly English. Also, because of its proximity to the American border, the choice would change Ottawa's destiny forever.
Immediately after Queen Victoria had selected Ottawa as the colony's new capital, construction began on the neo-gothic Parliament Hill. In 1867 the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec (Lower Canada) and Ontario (Upper Canada) decided to form a confederation and the Dominion of Canada was born, with Ottawa designated as the fledgling nation's capital.
Completed that same year, the Parliament buildings were dubbed the "Westminster in the Wilderness." A bizarre study in contrasts, the stately center block of Parliament Hill, with its Peace Tower, towered over the haphazardly planned bustle of industrial Ottawa.
Rideau Hall was also completed the same year and became the palatial residence of the Queen's representative in Canada. All of Canada's Governors General have lived there since its construction.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Canadian government concluded that if Ottawa were to be a worthy capital some planning was in order. A wholesale restructuring of the city ensued with the creation of several scenic boulevards, an extensive park system beginning with Major's Hill Park.
In 1936, Prime Minister Mackenzie King commissioned French civil architect Jacques Gréber to provide a blueprint for a broad park and green space system that would encircle the city. Today Greber's creation is called the Greenbelt, which contains several natural trails as well as a number of working farms.
For most of the 20th century, Ottawa grew up as a government town—and an extremely conservative one at that. Small influxes of immigrants after both World Wars helped spice things up as a large number of people from Italy, Lebanon and China decided to call Ottawa home. Each immigrant community established neighbourhoods with names like Little Italy, where the annual Italian Week is celebrated in June, and Chinatown, both of which still exist today.
It was not until the 1970s and the birth of the high-tech sector that Ottawa began to slowly transform from a government town into something much greater. Ironically, the transformation was lead by a small cabal of former government computer scientists who started companies such as Digital, Mitel and Northern Telecom. Soon Ottawa was being called by another name—"Silicon Valley North"—and highly skilled workers from all over the world began to flock to the area. Today, Ottawa is one of the leading computer telecommunications centers of the world, with most of the industry located in the city's western suburb of Kanata.
As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa has been a magnet for immigrants looking for a better way of life and the hope of a brighter future. Besides enriching the city's cultural heritage, the waves of Italian, East Indian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, and other new arrivals, have brought with them a culinary smorgasbord that is reflected in the many fine restaurants which can be enjoyed throughout the city.
Italian For Italian fare one should go no further than Mamma Teresa Ristorante on Somerset Street in the downtown core. Though slightly on the expensive side, a trip to Mamma Teresa's is worth every penny. For years Ottawa's political movers and shakers have met and dined on the restaurant's succulent veal entrees in any one of a number of semi-private alcoves.
Other Italian eateries that can be depended on for excellent food and fine service in the downtown core include the small, but quaint Fresco Bistro Italiano on Elgin Street and Fratelli on Bank Street in the Glebe. Meanwhile, in the Byward Market there is the slightly upscale Cafe Spiga Trattoria on Dalhousie Street, the always consistent Mangia across the street from Spiga, and the Cafe Baci located just down the street.
Of course, if it's Italian food you're after, you can always take a short cab ride to Little Italy, located along Preston Street, and sample from the menus at either Allegro Ristorante or Leonardo's.
But perhaps the most romantic Italian eatery is the Canal Ritz, located along the side of the Rideau Canal where you can either dine indoors or al fresco on the restaurant's expansive patio.
Further a field there is Capone's in the west end of the city and The March House located in Kanata.
French Stradling the Ottawa River and the Ontario/Quebec border, as Ottawa does, the city is also home to many fine French restaurants. Chief among these is the Cafe Henry Burger, which is actually located on Laval Street in Hull across from the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The menu at the Henry Burger is impeccable and the service is second to none. But be forewarned, it is also one of the more expensive restaurants in the city.
Back in Ottawa, Le Cafe, located on the main level of the National Arts Centre, adjacent to the Rideau Canal, is another not to be missed dining experiencem, although a night out for two can cost between CAD 80-100.
Elsewhere in Ottawa, Le Metro located on Somerset Street in the downtown core and Le Jardin in the Byward Market are also sure to please.
Indian For some reason Ottawa has a wealth of fine, reasonably priced Indian restaurants mostly located in the Glebe, just south of the downtown core along Bank Street, and in the Byward Market.
Most notably among these is the smallish, but always excellent Light of India on Bank Street. Also located on Bank Street is the New Delhi, while the Haveli Indian Restaurant and Cafe Shafali can both be found in the Byward Market.
Chinese and Vietnamese While there are many fine Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa, the best among them are located along Somerset Street in Somerset Heights, about a five-minute cab ride from many downtown hotels.
Whether you choose the Yangtze, the Mekong Restaurant or the Shanghai Restaurant you cannot go wrong. But for a real treat, that is both a culinary delight and light on the pocketbook, check out the unassuming Ben Ben Restaurant located across the street from the Yangtze. Ben Ben has been a popular mainstay of the local Asian community for over 15 years. For lovers of Vietnamese food there is the popular and affordable Cam Kong, also located in Somerset Heights.
Mexican Lovers of Mexican food also have quite a few eateries to choose from to please the palate including, Las Palmas and the Blue Cactus, both located in the Byward Market. Traditionalists will love the authentic Mexican fare served up at Feleena's in the Glebe, while for the best of the bunch for the money is Pancho Villa located on Elgin Street.
Seafood Seafood afficiandos can have their appetites satisfied at any one of three recommended restaurants, each in a different part of downtown. In the Glebe, seafood lovers have made Flippers a mainstay, while The Fish Market Restaurant in the Byward Market is known for its fresh product and succulent lobsters. More centrally located is Nick & Jerry's Simply Seafood on Albert Street.
Alternative fare For the more adventurous gastronomic travellers Ottawa has much to offer in the likes of the Savana Café which serves up rather eclectic Carribean fare on Somerset Street in the downtown core and the popular Big Daddy's Crab Shack and Oyster Bar which offers up wonderfully diverse Cajun fare including grilled alligator. Then there is Santé at Rideau Street and Sussex Drive in the Byward Market which changes it's experimental menu on an almost weekly basis.
Nate's Delicatessen on Rideau Street is another restaurant not to be missed during any visit to Ottawa. Owned by restauranteur Dave Smith, Nate's is the premiere deli in the city. And if you have the time, why not check out Moe's World Famous Newport Restaurant which doubles as the headquarters of the Elvis Presley Sighting Society and is filled with tons of Elvis memorabilia.
As Canada's capital, Ottawa prides itself on being accommodating to all peoples. Whether you are visiting on business or for pleasure, you will be sure to find accommodations that meet your comfort and price preference. It is also comforting to know that Ottawa is a very centralized city with many attractions within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels.
Downtown
Top hotels in downtown Ottawa are the Chateau Laurier and the Westin Hotel. While decades apart in age, they are simply located across Rideau Street from one another. Both hotels are within easy walking distance of attractions along Sussex Drive, Parliament Hill, the Sparks Street Mall and the Byward Market.
If it's history and ambience your after, than the century old, neo-gothic Chateau Laurier is the place to go. But the Westin has the added advantage of being connected via elevated walkways to the Rideau Shopping Centre and the Ottawa Congress Centre. High season room rates for both hotels are expensive, but not staggeringly so.
Elsewhere downtown, somewhat less expensive accommodations can be found at the Quality Hotel, Novotel Hotel behind the Rideau Centre, the Ramada Hotel & Suites and the Delta Hotel. All are moderately priced and within easy walking ditance of many downtown attractions.
Other chain hotels located downtown include the Ottawa Marriott at Kent and Queen Streets, the towering Crowne Plaza Hotel on Rue Lyon and the Sheraton on Slater Avenue near O'Connor Street. All are moderate to expensively priced depending on the season.
Still less expensive but centrally located are the Econo Lodge Parkway Motel and the Downtown Days Inn both can be found on Rideau Street and are moderate to inexpensively priced.
Suburbs
While most of the more expensive and well-known hotels are located downtown, there are a plethora of more affordable lodgings at either end of the Queensway, the city's main east-west artery.
Kanata
Home to Silicon Valley North, Kanata is somewhat lacking in the accommodation department, although several new hotels have begun to fill the void. Chief among these is the Holiday Inn Select just off the Queensway near Terry Fox Drive. There is also a Days Inn on Katimavik Drive near Eagleson Road that offers all the amenities that one has come to expect from the popular budget hotel.
The West End
Fifteen minutes from downtown Ottawa is Bells Corners, which has several affordable hotels that are both comfortable and convenient for travellers visiting the area by car. Situated on the main thoroughfare in Bells Corners, the moderately priced Best Western Baron's Motel offers all the amenities visitors have come to expect from the famous chain. Slightly less expensive is the Days Inn Ottawa West on Moodie Drive.
The East End Affordability is also the name of the game in the eastern part of the nation's capital, where one can find such budget choices as the WelcomInns and the Chimo Hotel grouped together near the St. Laurent Boulevard exit from the Queensway, about 10 minutes from downtown.
Hull Located across the Ottawa River in Hull, Quebec are several excellent hotels, all within a short taxi ride of downtown Ottawa. The two most popular are the Holiday Inn Plaza La Chaudiere on the corner of Rue Montcalm and Taché Boulevard and the Ramada Plaza Hotel, located on Victoria Street across from the Museum of Civilization.
Bed and Breakfasts A bevy of B&B's have also sprouted up in Ottawa in recent years. Most present an excellent alternative to hotel accommodations. Among them are the Albert House Inn on Albert Street and Bronson Avenue, Haydon House on the Driveway near the Rideau Canal, the Rainbow Bed-and-Breakfast on York Street and the Canal View Bed-and-Breakfast. Once again, all are within easy walking distances of most of the major downtown attractions.
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