Canada’s capital city Ottawa is located in Ontario, east of Toronto and south of Montreal. The city is named after the Ottawa River. The origin of the name “Ottawa” comes from the Algonquin word “adawe” which means “to trade” as the river was heavily used for trading purposes. There are many fun things to do and places to see, so grab your backpack and let’s go!
Attend a Festival
If you have time in Ottawa, consider attending a festival. Two of the most popular festivals are:
The Ottawa Jazz Festival
It’s held annually at the Confederation Park during the last week in July. This event offers free concerts, food vendors, beer gardens and art exhibits from local artists.
Bluesfest
This festival is another popular summer event occurring annually at LeBreton Flats Park on the riverfront near downtown Ottawa. It features Canadian blues musicians and international bands from around the world.
City Beer Bus Tour
Tasting craft beer in Ottawa is like eating poutine in Montreal. The City Beer Bus tour takes you to the best breweries and distilleries in the city, where you’ll enjoy food and beer samplings and other beverages, along with an informative tour guide at each stop. The tour runs on weekends and weekdays, so if you’re coming to Ottawa to experience its unique craft beer scene, add the City Beer Bus tour to your itinerary.
Rideau Canal Cruise
The Rideau Canal, located in Ottawa and named after the French word for ‘canal,’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of Canada’s oldest canals built to allow ships to travel through it during the winter when most lakes and rivers freeze over.
The cruise is a great way to see the historic locks used during its construction and the beautiful scenery on both sides of the canal. You’ll pass by some fantastic landmarks like Dow’s Lake, Rideau Hall, and many other beautiful parks and gardens.
Visit a Spectacular Casino
The Rideau Carleton Casino has everything you’d expect to find at any other top-of-the-line facility, including restaurants, bars and entertainment. The city also offers a wide range of online casinos with plenty of entertainment options such as online slots or blackjack and roulette games you can play anywhere at any time.
Take a Haunted Walk
Try a Haunted Walk tour offered around Halloween time, which takes participants through some of the city’s most haunted areas. Guides tell stories about ghosts and legends as they walk around downtown Ottawa.
You might even see one of these special spectres. The best part? You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience with ghost hunting to go on this tour. Guides ensure that everyone has fun while learning about Ottawa’s history and mysterious past.
Conclusion
Ottawa is a great place to plan your next trip. This city has something for everyone, whether spring, summer or fall. Ottawa offers many fun attractions like the Parliament Buildings and Rideau Canal Skateway when winter comes around. We hope you’ll enjoy your visit as much as we enjoyed writing about all these beautiful places in Ottawa.
