So.... it looks like I need to be in Ottawa next July.  I don't know if I can make it... it's either a 10+ hour drive from Ohio or a $500 flight... but if I make it I'd like to take a couple days around my event to look around as I've never been that far north.

Any suggestions for when I get there?

How about for cheap travel? *L*

 

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~Kes


Desperate times call for desperate measures
Open your mind to all life's little pleasures
The hole in this world could be healed if by chance
everyone just stood up, took their pants off and danced

~Bruce Guthro

Well, being the capital of Canada, there is quite a bit of touristy stuff you can do in the city. We also have museums up the yin yang. Science and Tech museum and civilization are good ones and the new war museum. Going up to the peace tower is a must, but you should also spend one day and just go downtown. Walk around the market, check out the irish village ( corner of as the heart and crown is a ottawa legacy, and Barrymores and Zaphods provide a great night life.

Sorry dont know what happened there, but the irish village is located on Clarence St and it is 4 pubs on one corner. It is a must.

Good suggestion, lyndachik.  The irish village is were I met GBS after the Ottawa concert in May, 2006.  More specifically, they walked down from the NAC where they were performing into the Heart and Crown.  No limos, no handlers, just Alan, Bob and a rep from Warner Records who was there to talk shop with the lads.  My friends and I greeted them at the door just as you would any newcomer-from-away.  Bob stayed and chatted with us, signed our CD's while Alan moysed up to the bar to check out the score of the Habs game and get a beer.  Once they had quenched their thirst, the lads were kind enough to let us take their pictures.  Alan wasn't too chatty, he clearly was into the "shop talk" with the Warners lady.  Bob, on the otherhand, really surprised us and was very willing to talk and welcoming.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Ottawa is a great place ot visit (and live).  Check out the festivals in town the week you plan on being here.  There is always something going on somewhere.  And if you're into music, don't overlook our neighbouring province of Quebec.  Lots of good gigs at the Black Sheep "up the line"!

Blues fest is in July. We always get some great acts for that. (But I think the name should be changed to the National Capital Music Festival, since not many of the headliners are blues). Ottawa is a beautiful city.We have more parks and greenery than any other city I have been to. The canal is a site to see and if you enjoy irish history you must check out the celtic cross. Its across the canal from the bytown museum and is a dedication to all the irish ( ond others) who lost their lives building the canal.

I want to go there too and I want to do a day trip to Montreal.

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"I don't belong here. This is not my life." ~ William Faulkner

No, don't do that. Montreal is so much more than a daytrip from Ottawa. It's better and more fun, but having lived in Montreal, I may be a bit biased.

Either way, it's a 2-2.5 hour drive each way, depending on driving style (local, out-of-towner, terrified tourist). Spend at least a few days in Montreal. It's a lot of energy and excitement and great for biking and rollerblading in the summer. Tons of music and art festivals going on all year, protests for everything imaginable, if that's your thing. It never stops.

Buff

It can be done, I have done it many times, and Fran came here for the day just before Christmas, but to get the full fun of Montreal you need at least a few days.

Best cheap stuff to do in O-town: walk along the canal(very romantic at night)

-watch the sunset from Major's hill park (behind the chateau laurier)

-pull up a chair on any patio in the byward market,enjoy a pint and people watch

-check museums websites..they often have 'free'times. National Gallery of Canada is just a spectacular building to walk around in, never mind all the amazing art works.

-climb the peace tower on parliment hill.

-don't try a montreal day trip...it's like trying to visit DC and daytrip to Boston. Both cities deserve more investigation.

Ottawa hits it's stride in the summer and the music festivals are some of the best in the world. The Jazz festival line up is always eclectic and always amazing. Enjoy our city, it's beautiful!

burbsmom:

-don't try a montreal day trip...it's like trying to visit DC and daytrip to Boston. Both cities deserve more investigation.

I can show you a full-day daytrip in Boston that'll exhaust you and be a blast, you just won't be able to do any of the museums!

 

 

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