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Ottawa, Canada - Things to do (1 Viewer)

dgreen

dgreen

Footballguy
I'll be in Ottawa in early June. I should have several hours to myself off and on during the week of June 5. I'm staying downtown. I don't think I'll have a car.

What should I see? Where should I eat? Any areas to avoid?

Tell me about your fine Capital. Assume I'm someone making potentially their only visit ever. What are the highlights?

 
We met a couple from Ottawa on a cruise and they wouldn't shut up about the architecture, how it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and how it always ranks near the top in quality of life worldwide. I remember they recommended Parliament Hill and the Prime Minister's house because I pretended like we might visit there someday. 

 
Yeah, I figured I'd walk by Parliament Hill. Looks like the Prime Minister's house (24 Sussex?) is a little outside of downtown, but I assume it's walkable. Are either of these open to the public? Or am I just looking at them from the outside?

Are there any Ottawans here? Ottawanites? Ottawanians?

 
Ottawa downtown is very walkable and there is great architecture, but in my opinion, unless you're really into history/museum/politics, it's a fairly boring city. Maybe I've just been there too many times though and it's lost it's appeal...

The standards are Parliament Hill, War Museum, Rideau Canal. 

Then you have Sparks Street pedestrian market, but on last visit there the pubs had all gone to Canadian chain types, which is a bit disappointing (BierMarkt, Darcy McGee's, 3 Brewers), I'm assuming this means the shops have done similar but I wasn't paying too much attention (because I was drunk).

I've always enjoyed the Canadian Museum of History (formerly Museum of Civilization), which is actually across the river in Gatineau, Quebec but still a short, nice walk and you can say you've been to Quebec.

Or, you know, just go to the Barefax

 
Been to Ottawa a couple of times but not in over a decade.  The strip clubs were fabulous.  It could have been Barefax but don't remember the names of the establishments I checked into.

 
I went there for some winter festival years ago.  I remember a Casino, a good museum, winter festival stuff like ice sculptures and skating on rivers/canals, and walking over the bridge to Hull (now Gatineau I think) to eat in French cafes.  It was a really nice couple of days.

 
jamny said:
:blackdot:

Heading to Ottawa in April to see a Rangers game and check out the town.
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Had a really nice time there. The weather was great so we didn't get to any museums but there are plenty of options for bars and restaurants. I wish we had an extra day but I'll be back some day. We had front row tickets for the hockey game so that was a great experience, outside of the pathetic game played by the Rangers. Good stadium but the concession stands are horrible. Like out of the 1970's

I recommend the Andaz Hotel if you go there. Right in the heart of Byward Market.

 
Heading to Ottawa in March for 48 hours before catching a train (presumably?) to Quebec City. 

Night one looking for a fun place to stay with the GF. Arriving at 3:30 so guessing it'll be mostly dark by the time we get checked in.. meaning fancy architectural sites/tours are prob out. 

Prob a decent area of bars/dining that night, maybe some cute shops for the GF in the morning? 

Heading to the Canadian Tire Centre around 3 or so to check in to a hotel near the venue for a concert that night. Guessing a surged Uber all the way back to Downtown would be brutal. 

Side note: any tips in the train from Ottawa to Quebec City. Heard it's 5-6 hours so prob gonna splurge for business class. Bar car on board? Any other tips? 

Bonus points for areas to stay in Quebec City for 48 hours (half of which is a show again) 😂

 
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[icon] said:
Heading to the Canadian Tire Centre around 3 or so to check in to a hotel near the venue for a concert that night. Guessing a surged Uber all the way back to Downtown would be brutal. 

Side note: any tips in the train from Ottawa to Quebec City. Heard it's 5-6 hours so prob gonna splurge for business class. Bar car on board? Any other tips? 

😂
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That Uber to downtown would be expensive but there's lots near the arena in Kanata, it's just mostly chain stuff. There's a faux-German beer hall that I've been to a couple times - Central Bierhaus. And the Cheshire Cat pub is supposed to be good as well.

I've never done the train (I'm assuming VIA) from Ottawa to Quebec bit I have done Ottawa to Montreal and on that one I think the bar car is only business class but it's also a much shorter trip.

 
The Heart and Crown in Byward Market is a fun time too. There will be live music and intoxication there every night in my experience (which to be fair is just some random weeknights when it was the best thing to do after a day full of work conference ####). 

 
Northern Voice said:
That Uber to downtown would be expensive but there's lots near the arena in Kanata, it's just mostly chain stuff. There's a faux-German beer hall that I've been to a couple times - Central Bierhaus. And the Cheshire Cat pub is supposed to be good as well.

I've never done the train (I'm assuming VIA) from Ottawa to Quebec bit I have done Ottawa to Montreal and on that one I think the bar car is only business class but it's also a much shorter trip.
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Good stuff here, THANK YOU! 

Yeah the plan is to spend the night Of the show very close to the arena (~2km) so getting back to the room wont cost a fortune. If we have energy we may hit a bar nearby, but guessing not since we will be taking the 10am train to Quebec City.
 

Speaking of, how early should we plan on getting to the train station assuming we are checking a bag (1 small carryon). You're correct that it's Via. Definitely doing business class for the extra $30 for a 6hr ride. Gives access to the lounge car and food. 

Thanks again! 

 
[icon] said:
but guessing not since we will be taking the 10am train to Quebec City.

Speaking of, how early should we plan on getting to the train station assuming we are checking a bag (1 small carryon). You're correct that it's Via. Definitely doing business class for the extra $30 for a 6hr ride. Gives access to the lounge car and food. 

Thanks again! 
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That drive from Kanata to the via station in the morning sounds like it will be during the tail end morning rush hour, which can be a nightmare in that direction into Ottawa, so I'd give yourself lots of time that morning. If it's the weekend, less of a concern. 

It's not that you need to be at the train station especially early, no more than half hour if you've already purchased tickets, but a good chance you spend longer than expected (or than Google maps tells you) on highway 417.

 
[icon] said:
Heading to Ottawa in March for 48 hours before catching a train (presumably?) to Quebec City. 

Night one looking for a fun place to stay with the GF. Arriving at 3:30 so guessing it'll be mostly dark by the time we get checked in.. meaning fancy architectural sites/tours are prob out. 

Prob a decent area of bars/dining that night, maybe some cute shops for the GF in the morning? 

Heading to the Canadian Tire Centre around 3 or so to check in to a hotel near the venue for a concert that night. Guessing a surged Uber all the way back to Downtown would be brutal. 

Side note: any tips in the train from Ottawa to Quebec City. Heard it's 5-6 hours so prob gonna splurge for business class. Bar car on board? Any other tips? 

Bonus points for areas to stay in Quebec City for 48 hours (half of which is a show again) 😂
Click to expand...
My tip is to walk to Gatineau in the morning and eat breakfast in some cafe.

 
Northern Voice said:
Seriously, budget the most time for Montreal, IMO.
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I haven't pinned down my time line yet

im headed to Kingston for a celebration of life for my uncle so will be spending a few days with family in Toronto and there 

im thinking 4-5 days with family , 3 days Ottawa - bus or train to Montreal , 4 days montreal  - bus or train to Quebec city 3 days

that's off the top of my head with no research so im gone for 2 weeks . if I can stretch it to 3 weeks that would be the best  

 
waiver wire said:
I haven't pinned down my time line yet

im headed to Kingston for a celebration of life for my uncle so will be spending a few days with family in Toronto and there 

im thinking 4-5 days with family , 3 days Ottawa - bus or train to Montreal , 4 days montreal  - bus or train to Quebec city 3 days

that's off the top of my head with no research so im gone for 2 weeks . if I can stretch it to 3 weeks that would be the best  
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I know Kingston very well (went to school there and it's still part of the territory I cover for work) if you have any questions there but with an uncle there, maybe you already know the city. 

I might actually prefer Kingston to Ottawa...

 
Northern Voice said:
That drive from Kanata to the via station in the morning sounds like it will be during the tail end morning rush hour, which can be a nightmare in that direction into Ottawa, so I'd give yourself lots of time that morning. If it's the weekend, less of a concern. 

It's not that you need to be at the train station especially early, no more than half hour if you've already purchased tickets, but a good chance you spend longer than expected (or than Google maps tells you) on highway 417.
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Good info! Thankfully it's Saturday morning so hopefully it won't be too bad but we will plan on leaving by 8 or 8:30 at the latest (10am departure) to be safe. 

Tick said:
My tip is to walk to Gatineau in the morning and eat breakfast in some cafe.
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Cool. Would be tough unless we get there around 7:30 or 8am then Uber back down to the rail around 9ish. Will have luggage too which sucks.

What's the scoop with cafes in Gatineau? Parisian feel or something?

Are they open at 7:30/8:00am on Saturdays?
Are Mimosas a thing there? 😂

Thanks guys! 

 
[icon] said:
What's the scoop with cafes in Gatineau? Parisian feel or something?

Are they open at 7:30/8:00am on Saturdays?
Are Mimosas a thing there? 😂

Thanks guys! 
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You can skip Gatineau IMO. It's not that much different than Ottawa and nowhere near what you'll find in Quebec City. 

 
Northern Voice said:
You can skip Gatineau IMO. It's not that much different than Ottawa and nowhere near what you'll find in Quebec City. 
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Awesome. 

In QC we Booked Hotel Manior Morgan in Old Quebec City with a "luxury" room overlooking Fairmont Chateau Frontenac. Plan is to explore Old Quebec City while there. Ride to the arena isn't bad (15min). Prob will surge from 12CAD to 50CAD post show 😂

In Ottawa booked Glo BW in Kanata the night of the show (planning on pizza at Tommy's before the show since its OTW and time will be tight), but got the Courtyard in the heart of Byward Market for the first day/night. Not sure how active the market aspect will be in March but seems like a nice area to explore. 

 
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