Get your skates on
Helen Whitehouse delights in Ottawa, city of ice hockey, great food and cool art
Why go?
Canada is now open for fully vaccinated British tourists and with its world-class attractions, array of distinctive neighbourhoods and vast, scenic parks, Ottawa is a top city break destination.
Perhaps dogged by its reputation as a straight-laced government centre, Canada’s capital hasn’t drawn big numbers of tourists like Vancouver and Montreal.
Yet, on a trip to this thriving, cosmopolitan hotspot, tourists can tick-off major museums and art galleries, sample local foodie delights and revel in its unique beauty...
Culture fest
Life as the country’s showcase city mean’s Ottawa is home to Canada’s largest and most popular museum.
The fascinating Canadian Museum of History houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, (history museum.ca). Several are 65ft high – the tallest they could squeeze into the building. But some First Nations tribes on the West Coast made them twice as big.
Clear an afternoon, to explore the impressivelydesigned Ottawa Art
Gallery, which is spread over five expansive floors, (oaggao.ca) Its centrepiece is its gallery dedicated to the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art.
Wine and dine
There’s a buzz among the foodies seated around the open kitchen at Play Food & Wine on York Street, (playfood.ca). Its speciality is beautifully presented sharing plates
inspired by flavours from around the world, such as pan-seared rainbow trout and baby back ribs with crispy wontons. This is fine-dining without the high price tag.
Set in a former bank building, Riviera is a class act focusing on Canadian food such as fresh seafood platters, lobster spaghetti and striploin steak, (dineriviera.com). The trendy Wellington West neighbourhood is now home to some of the best vegetarian food in Ottawa. A tasting tour run by C’est Bon Cooking allows you to sample some of the best dishes on a 2.5 mile walk around the neighbourhood, (cestboncooking.ca).
Market leaders
The historic ByWard Market is a lively neighbourhood teeming with speciality food shops, vibrant craft stores, bars and clubs (byward-market.com).
For slower-paced Sundays, visit Ottawa’s Farmer’s Market at Lansdowne Park. The produce from the 150 vendors comes directly from farms within
60 miles of the market. (ottawafarmersmarket.ca).
Ice attractions
In winter, the Rideau Canal which snakes down through the city, completely freezes over turning, downtown Ottawa into the world’s largest skating rink.
The iconic skateway runs 4.8 miles, and is a key site for the city’s famous Winterlude celebrations in February featuring ice sculptures, snow playgrounds and light shows. Ice hockey is Canada’s national sport and, in Ottawa, it dates back to the 1700s. NHL team the Ottawa Senators play their home games in the Canadian Tire Centre and the Ottawa 67s, the major junior hockey team playing at the TD Place Arena.
Thaw out and chill
Just outside of the city, tucked in the woods in the glorious Gatineau Hills, the Nordik Spa-Nature boasts the largest spa facilities in North America, (chelsea.lenordik.com).
Just 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa, you can be transported to serenity at this Scandi-style jewel.
Or simply sip a glass of wine with friends and listen to the sounds of the breeze while taking in the views over the city from their steaming infinity pool, 10 outdoor baths and waterfalls. There are also nine saunas, steam baths infused MAJESTIC with Parliament
Hill citrus, freezing cold plunge pools as well as 28 massage rooms and fireplaces to curl up next to with a good book.
Stay in style
Named after Canada’s seventh Prime Minister, Wilfrid Laurier, the five-star Fairmont Chateau Laurier occupies a prime spot on the Rideau Canal opposite Parliament Hill.
Dominating the Ottawa skyline since opening in 1912, it boasts grand ballrooms, hand-painted ceilings and famous artwork. And don’t miss the 60ft Art Deco salt-water swimming pool in the basement.
Rooms ooze old-fashioned glamour with elegant lamps, heavy drapes, solid desks and marble bathrooms ( fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa).
In winter the Rideau Canal freezes over turning it into a huge skating rink