Sure, I'll give it five stars. So what if Canada's most-important government landmark turns into a…read moreDisneyland spectacle every night?!? Lights, music, and fog machines - oh my!! Anyway, you just walk up to Parliament Hill 15 minutes or so before it starts (start times posted on their webpage), find a good spot to sit on the grass, and wait for the show to start. Bring a picnic blanket or something if you like ... if it's rained recently, the grass might not be too nice. The entire front face of the Parliament Building is the screen for this culture-infused video/light show that is Mosaika. It was somehow politically charged. I'm not too good with symbolism in the arts, but the European hand kept taking stuff from the First Nations hand, and gave very little in return. Plus there was a lot of French-English controversy. and no Asian representation. Spoiler alert: it all ends happily? Somehow all these differences come together through lights and music to form a happy Canada today. Also, there was a turtle involved somehow. I will admit that it got very very very very awkward at the end when people started to stand up and sing "O Canada!" I was just kicked back on the grass chillin, and I didn't know what to do. but hey, all this for a grand total of zero dollars!! It's definitely worth the cost of free, and that's why it gets five stars!

This is a trippy patriotic offering at Parliament Hill from July to September. The 30 minute shows…read moreare free, twice a night and with seating available anywhere on the lawn, including some bleachers. The Sound and Light Show mainly attracts tourists and families, but I often see many different people out at the show. It basically feels like a crazy, amped up Cliff's Notes version of elementary school social studies. You can't help but get drawn into the energy and feel happy you're able to partake in something like this on Parliament Hill's lawn. Obviously, there are parts where you feel like you're partaking in a bit of propaganda, so take the show with a grain of salt. Actually, the last time I went, the show was usurped by a couple of protesters, including one who peed on the building. I guess it offered a balance through extremes? Anyway, I would definitely recommend this free offering to anyone looking to do something a bit stereotypically Ottawa (capital of Canada, not city of Ottawa). It's a good time, energizing and kinda weird/funny.

The first thing I noticed after arrival on Parliament Hill to watch The Changing of the Guard, was…read moreone of the Red Coated soldiers collapse in a heap with his AK(real?), a victim of the sun and heat. He was carried off to a corner of the field, treated, and ultimately taken away in a van. It is easy to understand how that could happen to these fine young men. Their coats are either wool or polyester, designed to hold in body heat. Their black bear fur hats appear thick and also better for winter dressage than a hot August first. Most importantly, a closer examination shows a battalion drilled only for this show, and not for combat. So, it occurs to me that this spectacular Is primarily show business, secondarily nationalistic, and thirdly having anything to do with protecting the realm. That's cool, as it is very well attended, and draws cheers and applause from the thousands present to witness it. Too, the band has it going on! Especially the bagpipers in green. They blow their lungs out!

The Changing of the Guard Ceremony happens every year. It takes places at Rideau Hall on Sussex…read moreDrive, or, more popularly, Parliament Hill. In the summer, from about late June until late August, the Ceremonial Guard march to music and perform military drills. The ceremony begins at 10am sharp, and goes on until 10:30. They suggest arriving early at 9:45 to get more information and for the best view. I've gone to the Changing of the Guard on a few different occasions, mostly as a child. The kids seem to really love it and I remember thinking it was kind of like watching red toy soldiers come to life, with all of the marching. You'll find larger audiences on Canada Day, so it's definitely worth it to get there earlier to beat the crowd, especially if you're with your family.

When I was heading back home from my trip to Ottawa in November 2015, I wanted some bagels and a…read moresnack to keep me content during my drive. I stopped by Kettleman's and got my onion bagels, and snacked on a chocolate puff as I drove home. It took me this trip to realize that I had stopped by the Kettleman's location in The Glebe. I have been here. I just didn't know it! Earlier this month, I got an extensive tour of The Glebe (thanks, Jennifer!). I learned that glebe, the word, means church lands. It was originally known as the glebe lands of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. How fascinating! The Glebe reminds me of Osborne Village in Winnipeg. There are a ton of eclectic, unique stores. You can walk for hours, exploring various stores and stopping for a bite to eat or a drink as you continue leisurely checking out everything. Parking can be a challenge. I remember parking in a lot where construction is happening next to Kettleman's these days. I parked on a residential street this time around and walked over to check out 613flea. Even though it was a three-hour parking limit, I exceeded it by nearly an hour (oops). Luckily, the parking police were probably consuming a baked good in the area somewhere and I was okay. The residential part of this area felt great to walk through. There is a sense of community, with folks being friendly and smiling as you pass by them. This area has a nice, safe vibe. I need to return and explore some more. (297)

Ok folks, I'm trying to make it through some more Ottawa Local Flavour. Today it's The Glebe. The…read moreGlebe is a very eclectic neighbourhood. Technically I think it spans from Highway 417 to the north, to the Rideau Canal to the south and east, and then Bronson Ave to the west. However, the action really is along Bank St from about Glebe Ave to Lansdowne Park. There are a variety of businesses in the Glebe that range from kitchen supply stores, to specialty paper stores, to a compounding pharmacy (called The Glebe Apothecary - sounds a bit archaic yet cool, huh?). There are also lots of restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. It's considered a well-heeled neighbourhood, so prices are set accordingly. It's no surprise that The Glebe is home to Ottawa's only Whole Foods, and only Sporting Life. Since The Glebe is an old neighbourhood, houses are mostly very old and large, but some have been torn down and newer in-fill construction have been erected. Walking around, you will see lots of "book sharing structures" that people built and put on their lawns. They are like mini libraries. Very cute. Yay, literacy! The Glebe is home to the Great Glebe Garage Sale which is always the fourth Saturday in May (rain or shine) and it's been going on every year since 1986! Glebe residents pretty much sell things from their lawns, driveways, or porches. I've heard of people who don't live in The Glebe renting people's driveways/lawns in The Glebe to sell their stuff because the event attracts so many potential buyers. I hate crowds, traffic, and getting up early, so I have never been to this famous event, but apparently it's awesome (if you like garage sales). At the northern part of The Glebe, there's a park called Central Park which is quite pretty. You'll often see couples taking wedding or engagement photos there. Central Park is also where The New Art Festival takes place every June (it used to be called Art in the Park from 1992-2008). It's essentially an outdoor art exhibit that features artists from across Canada. The art is in all media - paints, woods, ceramics, metals, textiles, photographs, etc. This I have been to, and it's cool. Parking is a bit of a pain in this area. There are some paid parking lots and street parking is available but difficult to find. Read the parking signs carefully, folks, because some places are limited to 1 hour, others 2 hours, and others 3 hours, and there are limitations depending on day of the week and time of the day. Each street is different, and some stretches of the same street are different. Parking enforcement are usually out in full force (I see them often when I'm in the area) and ready to ticket you for parking infractions. If you don't want to deal with parking, there are several buses that run along Bank Street. Overall, a charming and eclectic part of town with some interesting shops, good restaurants, and pretty parks.

This is a no frills Chinatown. The main stretch is Somerset with a few side streets. If you are…read moreexpecting authentic Chinese shops and restaurants please get back into your car. If you are ready to take photos of Chinese monuments or statues, put your camera back in your pocket. There are more Vietnamese restaurants than Chinese who are heavily "pho based". Then there is a sprinkle of Indian and farm to table restaurants. It is a shame that the streets are filled with garbage and smell like urine. I do enjoy passing by though. I did pass by the Asian festival and enjoyed the dragon dance. Other than that, the food was astronomically high to the point that I could not fathom paying $13 for cut mango.

As of late, I seem to be visiting Chinatowns while being a tourist in my travels. It's fun…read morecomparing. My rating for Ottawa's Chinatown is 3.5 stars. I'm rounding up. I got to experience walking the entire area on my birthday, on a hot summer day. This Chinatown spans several blocks. It's twice as long as Winnipeg's! As you can tell, I have been on both sides of the Chinatown coin. I have lived in cities where their Chinatowns are either super tiny (Winnipeg) or non-existent (Rochester, MN). Both required that I import favourite products from the GTA. GTAers shouldn't take our access to numerous Chinatowns for granted. Ottawa has a good Chinatown where, if I lived there, I'd be content getting what I need and then some. Shrimp-flavoured chips? Yes. Bubble tea with six different types of coconut jelly? Check. At least half a dozen Vietnamese places to get high on pho? Definitely. I liked the Chinese gate. I've had dim sum in this area in the past and had a great experience. It's cool seeing what's here and how it continues to grow. I felt at home, which is the best feeling when you are on vacation. (274)

We have visited the canal for many years but this was our first time trying the ice bike…read moreexperience, and unfortunately, it will be our last. Renting from Capital Skates turned out to be an incredibly frustrating and frankly unsafe experience. The primary issue is the equipment maintenance: the tires on these "ice bikes" appear to be completely worn down and are clearly not fit for a natural ice surface. With absolutely zero traction, the rear tire just spins in place, leaving you drifting helplessly rather than actually cycling. This lack of grip makes steering nearly impossible; I spent most of the ride fighting a massive lag in responsiveness that nearly sent me veering into the canal edge multiple times. The mechanical failures didn't stop there, as the gear shifter took nearly 15 seconds to actually engage after being moved, making any kind of momentum impossible to maintain. To make matters worse, the business model feels designed to capitalize on their monopoly on the canal. You are forced into a rigid two-hour rental--no more and no less--which is a steep commitment for equipment this poorly maintained at nearly $60 per bike. We attempted to call the business to address these concerns, but the line went to a voicemail that hasn't even been set up. It's a shame that such an iconic Canadian landmark is served by a vendor that seems to have given up on basic maintenance. Save your money and your nerves--stick to traditional skates.

Wow! What a cool and unique experience! I learned how to skate as a child but am not a pro. I'm…read morenot very good at stopping, as an adult I usually stick to near the edge and run into the boards to stop, but after planning a trip to Ottawa during winter and hearing about this place I knew I needed to try it, and I am so excited I did. I was a little nervous not being a good skater, and having read some reviews that the ice is full of holes and not well surfaced, and that during Winterlude (when we were visiting) it gets crazy I was a little nervous, but I was glad to find that I had no problems. True the ice isn't perfect, that should be anticipated when on an outdoor rink, but it was still an enjoyable experience despite not being a confident skater myself. I went slowly and was able to make it through even rocky areas by holding my husbands hand. I went on Saturday during Winterlude and on Family day and both days were very busy, lots and lots of people on the ice, but that didn't take away from the experience. Faster and better skaters were able to go around me and other slower skaters and they were respectful of those of us who weren't as skilled. If you aren't a skater at all, you should still come and enjoy this cool place! My husband is not a skater and he walked in his boots the entire open length of the canal. I walked it one day and skated it the other day we visited. We also watched lots of others enjoy the space in the same way. I was also nervous about the ice conditions after watching them change between good, fair and poor in the week leading up to our visit. The day I walked the canal it was listed as "very good" and it seemed like it was. The day that I skated it was listed as "fair" and I found it not bad at all. There were certainly areas where the ice was bumpy and some holes but overall even as a weaker skater it was good, so don't let the ice conditions scare you, if you are here in winter give it a try! You can even buy beavertails and other food while still on your skates! Getting on the ice is free, and there are different entrances that have benches, bathrooms, food places, fire pits, places to hang out and so much more! Such a cool and unique experience, plan a trip out to Ottawa in winter ASAP!

Yet another fascinating and new public art installation! Located in Hull/Gatineau, on the corner of…read moreBoulevard des Allumettières and Boulevard Maisonneuve. The Alexandra and Portage bridges intersect here. Great addition by the NCC!

Doors Open is a annual event that is marked across Ontario. In Ottawa the event takes place the…read morefirst weekend of June. Here is a snippet from the website "communities throughout Ontario will once again open the doors to hundreds of fascinating heritage sites - including commercial buildings, courthouses, theatres, museums, places of worship, gardens and natural heritage sites. What makes this eagerly awaited province-wide program so attractive is the fact that many of the participating sites are normally closed to the public and admission is free." This year I got to see a bunch of cool buildings and museums for free on top of getting a very nice tour of the US Embassy. If you get a chance to check out this event I suggest you check out the Ottawa web page next year to see what buildings are open to the public. This year they had 128!!! http://ottawa.ca/en/rec_culture/museum_heritage/celebrations/doors_open/2012buildings/index.htm The Chateau Laurier had people dressed up in late 1800s to early 1900s clothing giving tours. It was pretty awesome. I can't wait to check out more sites next year!

One of Ottawa's favourite rites of spring…read more Every year, Doors Open Ottawa gets bigger and better. It is an opportunity to discover: - institutions - historically significant buildings - museums - government facilities - embassies - fascinating properties - science labs - places of worship that: a) are not usually open to the public b) would normally charge an entrance fee. As Doors Open Ottawa gets bigger, it seems the participants are putting more and more effort into their free offerings. Last year, the City created a mobile guide for 'Doors Open Ottawa' for iphone/ipad, Android and Blackberry. The spring celebration grants two days of free access to over 100 of a diverse selection of the National Capital's buildings, many of which are not normally open to the public.

The Jeanne D'arc Courtyard Gardens is a beautiful little courtyard in the Byward Market between…read moreYork St and Clarence St. There's a sculpture in the courtyard called The Dancing Bear which was installed in 1999. The sculptor is an Inuit artist named Pauta Saila. It's made of bronze and is beautiful. It's surrounded by benches, which are a great place to sit and rest from sightseeing in the Byward Market if you are a tourist, or for us locals who work in the area, it's a great place to eat our lunches in the summers to get some fresh air and Vitamin D ;) It's fairly quiet and because it's somewhat hidden, it's away from the hustle and bustle of the Byward Market. The entrances have gates that close between 11pm and 7:30am, so it's not accessible to the public overnight. Those who live in the buildings or own businesses along Jeanne D'arc Court have exclusive access during those hours.

Beautiful surprise to us! We were visiting and knew nothing of Ottawa. It is a relatively clean and…read moresafe. The people are very nice and French is primary spoken but English speaking. Visitors are made to feel very welcomed. The canals and waterways are stunning and Parliament Hill is an absolute must to visit. Summer time changing of the guard is a great experience and has to be on your list to watch. There are free tours of the Parliament buildings. I highly suggest doing this. It is a delightful city with boat tours, walking tours and interesting history.

This review is my 1,300th! It is fitting that I write about our nation's capital, as I am in the…read morehomestretch of writing my Ottawa reviews from my vacation earlier this month. Years ago, after graduating from university and joining the workforce, I wanted to visit Ottawa. My trips to Ottawa since then have always shaped my interests and the person that I have become in surprising, subtle ways. I flew into the city on my own the first time, in November 1996. I stayed at the Howard Johnson on Slater Street, which was affordable and is no longer there. I realized during that trip that I enjoy travelling and am good doing it on my own. I had a single credit card back then. I wanted to see what concerts were on while I was there. Jann Arden was playing at the National Arts Centre. I called the phone number listed in a magazine at the hotel and bought a ticket. I had to pick it up at a Ticketmaster a few blocks away, also on Slater Street. There was snow on the ground and it was a bit nippy, but I was pleased to fetch my ticket. I loved the acoustics at the National Arts Centre. I had a seat at the very back. I saw Jann Arden for the first time and was blown away by her voice, her live connection with the audience, and her humour. I have not stopped seeing her in concert since. Opening that night was Melanie Doane. She played the mandolin, violin, guitar, and has an amazing set of pipes. I became an instant fan and have since seen her in concert a number of times. My first cell phone? It was that fine ClearNet phone (pre-Telus days) that had a green monochrome screen. I got it at a Grand & Toy in downtown Ottawa for $99 before taxes. I asked the guy if I could get a Toronto number. He said yes. It has been my number ever since. I got an impromptu haircut at a salon while walking around downtown. I just walked in and said I wanted a haircut. I have been like that for ages, often getting my hair cut while on vacation in whatever city that I am visiting. This city has good eats. I said it recently at a Yelp event and folks felt like I was out of my mind. It was almost as if they felt that they had to be in larger Canadian cities to get good eats. No, people! You are similar to Winnipeggers in that you don't give yourself credit here. You do. Trust me! You have The Brig, where I have had the most creative, flavourful pub food in my life. There's Hangout, which offers six different varieties of coconut jelly. I have yet to see a similar offering in the GTA. My love for Montreal-style bagels at Kettleman's Bagel never waivers. I have to bring back at least a dozen home, as the ones around me do not compare. There's a lot to do in Ottawa as a tourist. This city offers a ton of museums. My goal every time I visit Ottawa is to drop by a museum. I have spent hours at the National Gallery of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint. I come out of them happy, inspired, and empowered with knowledge. The shopping is definitely better. In the past, when I stayed downtown, I liked shopping at Zellers when it used to be on Sparks Street. I avoided Rideau Centre like the plague. Since then, Rideau Centre has been revamped with more exciting stores. Tanger Outlets gets better each time I visit it. I got to shop more in The Glebe and the Trainyards, which I enjoyed. I could talk about Ottawa a lot more, but I'll end on Canada Day celebrations. I was on vacation and dropped by Parliament Hill earlier this month. As the nation's capital, it is expected that a higher standard is placed for its bash. I have celebrated Canada Day over the years in various parts of Canada. Ottawa does it well. From the French and English bands and singers on stage, to airplanes flying over all of us, it was a memorable, highly organized celebration. No matter where I walked that day, Canadian pride was oozing out of everyone. We were all decked out in red and white, unified as Canadians and happy to be Canadian. Although there are some impatient drivers that I came across during my recent visit, Ottawa is a tourist-friendly place to visit. I felt at home and can't wait to revisit the city. (286)