Bucket List
How Ottawan are You? At the end of 2017, check ‘em off and see how you did! 1-10: New to Ottawa? Welcome! 11-30: You’re an official Ottawan 31-35: You should start a tour business! 36 or more: You’re now the mayor
Where the Robots Are
Experience jaw-dropping (and free) performances when La Machine’s mechanical creatures roam the city (July 27-30)
See the Curtain Rise
Take in a show at the renovated National Arts Centre. Canada Scene (June and July) sets the stage for a new era of artistic excellence
Go Underground
Make time for Kontinuum, an immersive multimedia experience in one of Ottawa’s future Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations
Visit Rideau Hall
Take at tour of Rideau Hall — don’t miss the Tent Room (p. 43)
Dine with Justin
Eat at one of Trudeau’s favourite restaurants. North & Navy, Fairouz, Fraser Cafe, Fauna, and The Pomeroy House are among the PM’s go-to spots. (Spot him with Sophie, Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien at Bobby’s Table or Ola Cocina.)
Sip a Cuppa
Experience high tea at the Château Laurier
Sit Under a Tree
Pose for a pic at the Arboretum. (Bonus point if it’s on the footbridge — straight out of a Monet painting!)
The High Life
Enjoy gourmet food and drinks in the Sky Lounge (July 14-20)
Provincial Picnic
Bring your basket and blanket for an Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge (July 2). The event is sold out, but watching the spectacle from shore will also be quite a sight!
Eat Out
Explore Ottawa’s ethnic food scene. For starters, eat baozi at Jadeland
Chasing Waterfalls
Visit Hog’s Back Falls. (Bonus point if you spot its resident heron)
Meet Teddy
See the Teddy bear that came back from the frontlines at the Canadian War Museum
Country Charm
Cultivate your social life at Agri 150 — these unique outdoor, rural events will include wine and eco tours
History of Hops
Take a historical tour of local microbreweries: start with Beau’s, proceed to Beyond the Pale and Kichesippi, and finish with newcomer Stray Dog
Get Lucky
See Lucky Ron at Ottawa’s oldest drinking establishment, the Château Lafayette
Worldwide Wonders
Be diplomatic at the 2017 International
Pavilion. The new building at 7 Clarence St., open until December, welcomes 12 diplomatic missions
Front-Row Fireworks
Watch the Canada Day fireworks from the Laurier Bridge
Selfie with Justin
Be photobombed by the prime minister
Give Peace A Chance
Go to the top of the Peace Tower. (Bonus point if the PM photobombs you here.)
Pink Lake
Hike the trails at Pink Lake. (Bonus point if you hear a tourist complain that it’s not pink)
Question Period
Sit through Question Period; stay awake
Meet the Mayor
Watch Mayor Jim Watson cut a ribbon. (Various locations, all summer long!)
Do the Dow
Paddle across Dow’s Lake
Democracy Watch
Look for politicians along Sparks Street. Congratulate them for sticking around over summer break
Beach Bliss
Instagram yourself at an Ottawa beach and let your friends guess where you went on vacation
Spirited Away
Feel the chill of Patrick Whelan’s ghost at the old downtown jail-turned-hostel
Play God
Sit next to Adam and Eve; give ‘em heck for eating that apple (hint: see page 47)
Cattle Call
Line up for a chance to pet the animals (and smell manure) at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Cheer the Redblacks
Check out the defending Grey Cup champions
Be Inspired
Inspiration Village: This ByWard Market site will host live performances from each Canadian province and territory
Be Surprised
Experience Ignite 150, a series of 17 epic stunts in surprising and unusual locations
Pass the Pasta
Enjoy some of the city’s best lasagna at one of its oldest restaurants (and best kept secrets), Il Vagabondo
Travel the Canal
Kayak, bike, or skate the Rideau Canal. (But don’t swim; city bylaw prohibits swimming in the canal)
Pavilion Party
Ottawa Welcomes the World at the Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticulture Building. Take in the celebrations of over 25 different participating countries (ongoing until November)
Wabano Centre
Stand under the majestic medicine wheel at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Have Your Pie
Eat a slice of Banoffee Pie, one of Ottawa’s signature dishes. It’s almost like birthday cake. Happy 150th Canada!