I’ve only been in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa for 2 days, it’s true – but in those 2 days I’ve seen quite a bit and gotten a feel for the city. Despite it being cold enough to make all my extremeties go numb after 5 minutes, there are plenty of things I’m already loving about Ottawa.
Ottawa is walkable. I’m staying at the Courtyard by Marriott downtown, right in the heart of the Byward Market neighborhood. Staying downtown means that I’m within walking distance of most of the city’s major sites, from its museums, to the Rideau Canal, to Parliament Hill. This is the kind of city I love — one where I can just pick a direction and walk, and always find something interesting.
Ottawa is bilingual. I’ve never really spent much time in a city that appears to be truly bilingual. Almost everyone speaks both English and French, which I guess I knew but was still surprised by. And, really, is there anything cuter than a little kid speaking French? (The answer is no.)
Ottawa is full of great restaurants. Before coming here, I definitely did not consider Ottawa a foodie’s paradise. But you know what? It kind of is. There are restaurants and cafes everywhere, and many of them participate in the “Savour Ottawa” program. This initiative works to bring together local farmers and producers with local chefs and consumers, which I think is fantastic. There are also great pubs and bakeries here — and of course the famous Beavertail stands!
Ottawa has so many bookstores. This may seem like an odd addition to this list, but as I’ve been walking around downtown a lot (and especially in the Byward Market area), I’ve been noticing a huge number of bookstores here. This is a big contrast to where I’m from, where we’re lucky to have one Barnes and Noble per city. Canadians must be much more interested in reading than we Ohioans are!
Ottawa is not overwhelming. I realize Ottawa has nowhere near the population of some other world capitals, but I’ve been struck by how much Ottawa DOESN’T feel like a huge, overwhelming city. The traffic isn’t scary, people have generally been very friendly, the streets are clean, and it’s very easy to find your way around. I’m a country girl at heart, and so don’t generally love big cities. But Ottawa is doing a pretty good job of making me love it so far.
I can’t wait to see what else this city has in store for me!
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Have you been to Ottawa? If so, what do you like (or dislike) about the city?
*Disclaimer: My stay at the Courtyard by Marriott is being graciously taken care of by Ottawa Tourism, who is also helping me out with food/activities around town. As always, though, all opinions are my own.
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you MUST go to the museum of civilization…it is one of my all time favorite musuems. very interactive. leaning made painless. and it’s a beautiful complex too right on the river.
Annette Baesel recently posted..Review: Montreal 24
Have no fear, it’s on the agenda for this weekend!! Ottawa certainly doesn’t seem to ba lacking in cool museums!
I’m hoping to add this city to my travels late this year. Glad you love it, and thanks for the info.
William recently posted..The floating city of Belen
Awesome! Stay tuned for plenty more Ottawa coverage! There plenty more where this came from.
I love Ottawa and I love that you’re showcasing Canada’s capital city here! I haven’t been there in a while but when I visited a friend in university about 10 years ago, I recall there being some great bars, I think in the ByWard market area. Enjoy the rest of your stay!
I feel like perhaps unlike Washington DC, Ottawa might not get the travel blog love it deserves as a world capital! So I’m happy to have the chance to give it some attention.
And yes, there definitely are tons of pubs and bars all over the place here. Unfortunately, they aren’t as much fun when you’re traveling solo and don’t drink! Lol.
Hi Amanda,
It’s nice to hear that you are enjoying yourself in Ottawa. I have not had the pleasure of visiting this city, yet. So, I am just appreciating the ride here!
I have to agree with you on how wonderful it is to visit a city that is “walkable” and easy mass transit. I like the feeling of being able to take my time and see things on eye level. Like I did in San Francisco, which (minus the hills), is still very walkable.
Bundle up and enjoy!
Barbara recently posted..Nan Nan
A city that’s walkable is usually sure to win me over. While Ottawa does seem to have a good bus system and affordable taxi services, I much prefer to walk everywhere if I’m able to. You get such a better feel for a city when you’re seeing it on foot!
That last photo is super cool. I don’t know about the cold, though – I think I’d visit Ottawa in the summer!
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Budapest’s Steamy Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Haha, yeah, Ottawa would be great in the warmer months! (Not that it’s not great now… but you certainly have to bundle up to go outside this time of year!)
Love the photos Amanda
Have fun in Ottawa!
Laurence recently posted..A trip to Wilsons Prom, Victoria
Thanks, Laurence! There’s plenty more where these came from, too!
I’m so glad you like my capital city. I’ll admit that I only visited when I needed to get my UK visa, but I really loved the downtown area and the proximity of the green spaces. I think it represents Canada really well (except for its notable resident Stephen Harper, but that’s a whole other story), with its laidback attitude and diversity.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Eurotrip Tips recently posted..Visiting Stonehenge: Ancient Rocks, Motorways and Velvet Ropes
I haven’t really seen anything outside of downtown… but I’m really liking what I’ve seen thus far! It’s a much cooler city than I was originally lead to believe!
Glad to read that you are enjoying my neck of the woods. For a great croissant or chocolatine, head to Le Boulanger Français on Murray Street (the restaurant Murray Street accross the street is great for lunch or brunch – a bit more expensive at night). For the best sandwich ever, head to Edgar on rue Bégin in Hull, accross the river. The best coffee can be found at the different Bridgehead locations in the city. Enjoy !
melodie recently posted..Mariage écossais
Thanks so much for the great recommendations! There certainly are enough places to find great food here!
I’ve never been to Ottawa but now I am very intrigued! Did you say bookstores?? I love wandering bookstores and we, unfortunately, only have Barnes and Noble too.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..When You Can’t Get to Germany for New Year’s
Yes, TONS of bookstores! Used books, new books, specialty books… all sorts of book stores everywhere here, especially in the Byward Market neighborhood! And lots of cafes, too, which are the perfect spot to cuddle up with a coffee and read on cold days like this!
I love Canada and would love to visit Ottawa some day!!!
Why are all cities to the north just so much cuter then what we have down south:-)?
Glad you are having a great time!!
Rebecca recently posted..ABC’s of Travel
Well if you ever get the chance to go to Ottawa, I’d say do it!
Check out the Hintonburg and Westboro areas for the 1st Thursday of the month art walk. You can visit 6 art galleries (many offering snacks and wine) for free from 5 to 9pm! http://www.wellingtonwest.ca/ And there are great restaurants, bars, cafes in the area for afterward. It’s a far walk from the Market/downtown area though, best grab a bus.
There’s also the Urban Craft market this Saturday as well. http://www.wellingtonwest.ca/newsandevents/calendarofevents/detail.asp?id=506
Thanks so much for the suggestions!!
Ottawa is a great city to visit in any season – glad to hear you’re enjoying our capital!!
Lisa recently posted..Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – An 8 Year-Old’s View
Definitely am enjoying it, despite it being cold. I’m an Ohio girl, so the temps aren’t bothering me too much. Plus, there’s plenty to see and do here to keep my mind off the cold!
I love Ottawa! It is clean and friendly! And great art and musuems if you are into that
I’m not as into art as I’d like to be, but I’m definitely checking out a couple museums here!
I agree that this city comes off as very clean and friendly!
We had no idea you’d be visiting Ottawa!! Can’t believe how different the city looks in the winter – we had such a great time there in the summer (which was actually much hotter than we thought) – hope you’re not too cold to enjoy the city
Have you tried a beaver tail yet?
Dani | Globetrottergirls recently posted..Polaroid of the week: Novice monks at Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ottawa was kind of a last-minute decision, but I’m loving it! I can imagine it would be even more awesome in the summer, though!
And no, I’m saving the BeaverTail for Saturday! But it is absolutely on my list.
I’ve never been to Ottawa (aside from an airport layover) but it’s definitely a city that I’d love to visit. Walkable, good food, books – I’m pretty much sold.
Alouise recently posted..Road Trip Memories 16 – Beaver, Utah
You should definitely visit if you ever have the chance, Alouise! There actually seem to be a good number of Canadian tourists here right now, which is nice to see!
I love the snowy photos of the parliament building! You’ve created a great atmosphere in the cold, snowy photos. I don’t know anything about Ottawa so this is a great introductory post. Can’t wait to see what else you get into there!
Laura recently posted..Mendoza Grapes – Thursday Travel Photo
Thanks, Laura! I’ve got plenty more photos to share, too. And I think most people are in a similar boat, not knowing much about Ottawa (I certainly didn’t before I came here), so I’m happy to be able to share what I’m learning! Stay tuned.
I absolutely love Canada. And there is nothing cuter than a little child speaking French.
Maria D. recently posted..The Definitive Guide to Making Money with Your Travel Blog
Except maybe a little kid speaking in a British accent… that is also ridiculously adorable.
It’s been quite a number of years since I’ve been to Ottawa, but it’s a city I really would like to revisit. We were there a couple of times during the summer, so we enjoyed walking around the Byward Market and exploring the amazing selection of worldwide cuisines we found available in the city’s restaurants (one of my favorite meals was in a little Dutch restaurant). The Museum of Civilization is a must f’sure.
We stayed downtown and had a birds-eye-view of the parade leading up to the changing of the guard at Parliment Hill. We also happened to be there one year during Canada’s 125th anniversary, so I remember seeing a great fireworks show. I’ve always wanted to go during the winter, though.
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I feel like there would be a much different vibe to the city in the summer — for instance, I know the whole Byward Market area transforms into basically one big outdoor patio when the weather is nice. I’d love to come back and see the city in the warmer months, too!
LOVE Ottawa! Spent lots of time there. Parliament Hill is beautiful, and I love the bilingualism. There’s more French in Ottawa than Montreal, for the love of god.
(That may or may not be an exaggeration.)
Candice recently posted..Photos of Me Riding Things
Parliament Hill is indeed beautiful. I’ve made a point of it to walk by at least once a day, just because we don’t have buildings like that where I’m from!
Also, as for the French, I was told today that because the government is now required to be bilingual, most kids have to take 8 or 9 years of mandatory French classes in school here. So I suppose it makes sense that so many people speak 2 languages in Ottawa!
I love how you thought that the abundance of bookstores was an odd addition. I love bookstores and the fact that they are going out of business is heartbreaking! The photos you included in the post were so crisp, I feel like I’m seeing everything with my own eyes.
Rachael Sena recently posted..Travel Cheap in Paris, France
It makes me super sad that there are so few bookstores around these days — which is probably why I took notice of them in Ottawa!
Glad you liked the photos — check out my Parliament Hill post for even more!
Glad you enjoyed my home town.
You may already be gone, but if you’re ever back… here are some restaurants to try.
Mid-scale dinner – Stoneface Dolly’s in little Italy (not Italian though)
Interesting dinner – Sweetgrass in the market (it’s aboriginal fusion… or something)
Cozy pub – Pub Italia in Little Italy (Irish, actually)
Best brunches – Baker Street Cafe in Westboro and the Manx on Elgin (if you can handle the hipsters)
A bit wacky – the Works, several locations (burgers like you’ve never had before)
Bakery – Art-Is-In Bakery in or near Little Italy (I think they may have moved but there still in that area). Mindblowing breads among other things, and apparently they also do a brunch there but I’ve never been.
If you’re here in the summer, and once they repair the tracks after last year’s flooding, the Wakefield steam train is a great activity (especially in autumn) and you get to poke around the tiny town of Wakefield (little shops and an incredible bakery, among other things). My family cottage is just outside Wakefield, so I’ve spent a lot of time there and still don’t get tired of it.
Thanks for the great suggestions! If I can manage it, I’d definitely like to visit again in the summer.
I’m going to Ottawa in a week, so this is good to read. Any favorite restaurants while you were there?
Anwar recently posted..Funny stories from travel in the land of the rising sun
Awesome! Have a good time.
As far as restaurants go, I mostly ate in the Byward Market neighborhood. You can get quick, cheap take-away meals in the market building itself. Planet Coffee has good desserts and some good soups. La Bottega (an Italian grocery store) has a little deli in the back where you can get really good sandwiches for $5. And if you’re looking for a fancier (and much more expensive) meal, I had a delicious dinner at The Courtyard.