.gif){kind=small} OTTAWA'S WINTER WONDERLAND |
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 Skating on the Rideau Canal |
ULAN
BATOR, MONGOLIA, is the coldest
capital in the world. Ottawa is second -- beating out even Moscow
and Reykjavik. Despite this dubious claim to fame, Ottawa is without doubt my favourite Canadian winter destination. I got to know Ottawa while attending Carleton University. Living in Ottawa allowed me to experience Ottawa's many facets. |
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Some people may still see Ottawa as a "subarctic lumber
village converted by royal mandate into a political cock-pit"
as a 19th-century commentator once described it. Granted, the
politicians are still scrapping like angry roosters in the 'cock-pit'
that is Parliament
Hill, and it is definitely cold, but Ottawa has become
a bastion of Canadian culture -- indoors and out, summer and
winter. Unlike Toronto, where I currently reside, Ottawa is not a city of slush. It gets blanketed with snow. This whiter-than-white cityscape is truly incredible, and keeps residents of Ottawa enjoying winter, rather than complaining about it like we do in Toronto. |
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| The world's longest skating rink,
the Rideau Canal, is the hub of Ottawa's
winter activities. Before living in Ottawa, skating meant doing
circles on local rinks, which was fun for about ten minutes.
However, the seven-kilometre canal affords a good long skate
with changing scenery. Not only is it the site of events such as Winterlude (a winter festival in February), it is also a great place for people watching. One will see parents teaching children to skate, impromptu hockey matches, Elizabeth Manley and Kurt Browning wannabes, and executives skating to work, briefcases in hand. |
 Sunset on the Rideau Canal |
| Skating from Carleton
(where the rink begins) to downtown would definitely include
at stop at an on-ice kiosk for hot chocolate and Beaver Tails.
Beaver Tails are a local specialty that consist of fried dough
covered with a multitude of toppings, including my favourite,
butter and maple syrup (click here for the recipe). It is true that some days in Ottawa the weather can be so cold that outdoor activities are unfathomable. This is the perfect time to spend a long day experiencing the city's world-class museums. There are so many wonderful museums or historical places in the Ottawa/Hull region: Museum of Nature, Museum of Civilization, Museum of Science and Technology, War Museum, Royal Mint, National Archives, Supreme Court, and more. All well worth a visit. |
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 The National Gallery of Canada |
My favourite is the National Gallery. The architecture is
stunning inside and out, making just strolling around a treat.
Their travelling exhibits are first-rate, and their Canadian
art, specifically the Group of Seven, is the best. Where they
really surpass most museums around the world is in their exemplary
modern art collection. They go out of their way to find not only collections of the famous but also works by lesser-known, equally inspired artists. I also relish sitting by the infamous "Voice of Fire," listening to how many people point out: "they spent millions on that?" or "my three year old could do that!" |
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After a day skating or museum-hopping, I love heading to the ByWard Market for a cappuccino at Café Whim or a meal at any number of fabulous restaurants. Almost every cuisine imaginable is found in this downtown area within a range of prices. The Market is also know for its interesting stores, artists shops, grocers, and boutiques so it's always fun to walk around. I loved Ottawa so much I swore that every year I would return. Nine years later, I haven't missed a year. Glen Farrelly, Web Intern |
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