Ottawa is one of the top tourist destinations in the world without a doubt. With a rich history behind it, the city has grown immensely over the past few years to become one of the best know metropolis hubs of North America. It has several tourist attractions worth checking out both within the city and in nearby areas.
Tourist Attractions In Ottawa!
We have made a list of the top five places that you must see if you are planning to come here!
Parliament Hill
The seat of democracy in Canada, located near the Ottawa river is one of the best places to visit in Ottawa. It has several attractions like the fifty meters high Parliament Buildings, the Parliamentary Library, and the historic Centre Block which are truly magnificent structures. It also has an attractive grassed lawn in front of the Parliament buildings which is patrolled by Canadian Mounted Police. One of the ceremonies to watch out for is the Changing of the Guard with their full regimental band and pipers. Visitors never fail to queue in the mornings to witness this ceremony.
Rideau Canal
This canal, more than 200 km in length and around two meters in depth, connects the city of Ottawa with Kingston, located near Lake Ontario. Also known as the Rideau Waterway, this was originally designed to serve as a strategic route to connect Montréal with Lake Ontario for military purposes. One of the most popular activities here is to take the Rideau Canal cruise which certainly is a traveler’s delight. During winters this same canal is used as a recreational area for various purposes like festivals and skating.
Canadian War Museum
Situated just beside the Ottawa River, the Canadian war Museum is an architectural masterpiece that explores the military’s history in this country. It includes several exhibits of historical importance. Right from the battles between the French and Iroquois in the 16th century to the contribution of Canadian soldiers in the World Wars, this museum is extremely popular among historical aficionados. Some exhibits are interactive as well. They also have an impressive collection of military vehicles including tanks, motorcycles, jeeps, and armored trucks.
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is a splendid work of art complete with glass towers. It also has one of the largest museums for arts in North America. The museum has several attractions like the galleries displaying aboriginal and Inuit art. Anyone who is planning to visit Ottawa has to include this in the list of places because of the sheer amount of history associated with this place.
Peace Tower
This is one of the most famous destinations for tourists visiting Ottawa. It has a panoramic view at the very top from its observation deck, one of the highest points in the city. You will also get a view of the tower’s bells and the memorial room for Canadian citizens who died in the First World War.
Conclusion
No visit to the metropolis of Ottawa can ever be complete without viewing these five tourist sports. Of course there are several other attractive places within the city which you should definitely check out. Ottawa is certainly a tourist hotspot because of the historical and modern marvels that make the city truly magnificent.
