8th International Dublin Core Metadata Initiative Workshop (DC-8)
Ottawa, Canada, October 4 - 6, 2000

Ottawa Tourism

Canada's Capital: An Overview

Getting Around

From May until October, train buffs can enjoy a half day trip along the beautiful Gatineau River on one of Canada's last authentic steam-powered trains; the steam train is the only one of its kind still operating in eastern Canada. Ottawa also boasts one of the most modern public transit systems in North America. As well, there are many taxi and car rental firms available to transport visitors around the town. For tourists in town and out using their own vehicles, they can relax - traffic in and around the capital is light and it's easy to get around.

Life in Canada's Capital

As it is situated on the border of Quebec and Ontario, Ottawa has developed as the result of a blend of English and French cultures; almost half of the residents are bilingual. Added to this mix is a growing ethnic diversity inspired by the city's German, Lebanese, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Portuguese and Asian populations, among others. The result is a truly cosmopolitan city that celebrates its heritage in many colourful, multicultural festivals and events throughout the year.

Population

Economy

Education

Communications

Shopping

The capital region is also home to 70 large shopping centres. The largest include the downtown Rideau Centre, Bayshore Shopping Centre to the west, and Place d'Orleans and St. Laurent Shopping Centre to the east. Some smaller shopping centres in the downtown core also offer an interesting mix of stores and services, including the World Exchange Plaza, Place du Centre in Hull, and 240 Sparks and Place De Ville in Ottawa.

Not to be overlooked are the gift shops in any one of the capital's 12 national museums. They are a treasure trove of pure Canadiana, including jewellery, sculptures and glass, native art, models and scientific specimens, educational toys, cards, posters and books.

Entertainment

Dining

A City of Culture

Arts and Culture

The National Arts Centre, opened in 1969, is Canada's premier showcase for the performing arts. It features three stages, where visitors can enjoy the best of English and French theatre, dance - avant garde to classical, music, opera and variety performances year-round. Under the direction of the newly-appointed and world-renowned celebrated conductor, Pinchas Zucherman, the National Arts Centre Orchestra has gained a high international reputation, touring at home and abroad.

Located in a heritage building which was once the county court house, Arts Court is now a municipal centre for the visual and performing arts. Housed within Arts Court is the Ottawa Art Gallery which showcases local and Canadian artists and also has a rotating exhibition of Group of Seven works from their own fine collection. One of the groups within Arts Court is Le Groupe de la Place Royal Dance Lab, the only dance lab dedicated to research and development in dance, which features a dance theatre, where the public can view new pieces choreographed by national and international artists year-round. The Carleton University Art Gallery, on the campus of the university, had its official opening in September 1992. The gallery has developed a small but representational collection of Canadian and European art and presents a stimulating program of temporary exhibits in their recently renovated space.

The Great Canadian Theatre Company highlights Canadian content in their production schedules, and the Ottawa Little Theatre stages popular works performed by local amateur actors on a year around basis. During the summer months, the Odyssey Theatre presents professional outdoor theatre in the style of the Italian Comedia dell'Arte at Strathcona Park, one of the city's historic parks on the Rideau River.

Ottawa's own Opera Lyra brings opera centre-stage with its performances at the National Arts Centre.

Museums

Just steps from the By Ward Market, the National Gallery of Canada is located in a beautiful structure of granite and glass which was designed by the celebrated architect, Moshe Safdie, and opened in 1988. (Since the completion of the gallery, Ottawa has become home to another Safdie design - the reworking of Ottawa's City Hall on Green Island.)

Through its vast archaeological, ethnological, folkloric and historical collections, the Canadian Museum of Civilization traces Canada's development from the Vikings to the present day. Métis architect Douglas Cardinal designed the building to represent the geological formation of Canada. Its location, on the Ottawa River, is one of the most spectacular in the region offering amazing views of Ottawa's skyline and river shores. As part of its permanent exhibits, the museum houses the recently-expanded Children's Museum, reputedly one of the largest in the world, and the new Postal Museum. It also contains the world's first combined IMAX/OMNIMAX theatre; screenings in this theatre surround the audience and allow the viewer to feel the sensations of flying and movement as no other theatre can.

The Canadian War Museum houses the most comprehensive military collection in Canada, providing a chronicle of Canadian military activities over the past three centuries. The War Museum also holds the second largest publicly owned art collection in the country, with almost 11,000 works. Life-size displays of artifacts and an extensive collection of war medals are just a few of the museum's attractions.

The recently opened Cold War Museum gives visitors an understanding of the chilling fear of a nuclear attack that characterized the early days of the 1950's Cold War. Nicknamed the Diefenbunker - after Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker - it is a four-story deep, 100,000 square-foot bunker. Built underground, its purpose was to withstand a nuclear blast from close proximity and shelter members of the federal government.

From large-scale models of sailing ships to giant steam engines, the National Museum of Science and Technology traces the history of transportation and provides fascinating "hands-on" exhibits, ranging from telecommunications to space travel. It also showcases Canada's remarkable contributions to scientific research and development, especially in the realms of telecommunications, space exploration and high technology.

The Canadian Museum of Nature with its five million specimens, including dinosaurs, exotic animals and precious gems, showcases natural history at its best. Six large exhibit halls plus audio-visual shows, lectures and a children's discovery area provide fascinating glimpses into the world around us. The museum is also home to the Viola MacMillan Mineral Gallery with its breathtaking mineral displays and authentic reconstructed gold mine.

The National Aviation Museum contains a world-class collection of 118 national and international antique aircraft, including the strikingly delicate Silver Dart - the first powered aircraft to fly in Canada back in 1909 - as well as other aviation-related exhibits. Many of the displays are unique to this particular museum. Exhibits provide a wonderful environment for children, and for the adventurous, flights in an open cockpit biplane provide a memorable and spectacular aerial view of the capital.

Visitors interested in historical documents, literature, film and photographs can visit the National Library and the National Archives. The library preserves and promotes Canada's published heritage, while the archives holds over 60 million manuscripts, and a million maps and drawings.

Next to the library and archives is the Supreme Court. Completed in 1946, it is home to Canada's highest court.

The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, sister museum to the National Gallery of Canada, is located in a reconstructed railway tunnel alongside the Rideau Canal locks and houses an impressive collection of over 158,000 photographs, focusing on the work of Canadian contemporary artists.

Of interest to people of all ages is the Royal Canadian Mint, where commemorative coins are minted for Canada and many other countries of the world. Canada's coin currency is now minted in Winnipeg but the mint in Ottawa has gained a world-wide reputation for producing high quality coins for numismatists. The Currency Museum, housed in the Bank of Canada building, traces the history of money over a period of 2,500 years.

The Canadian Ski Museum and the Museum of Canadian Scouting will appeal to ski and scouting buffs and their families.

At the foot of the Rideau locks, and in the oldest stone building in Ottawa, is the Bytown Museum, which explores local history.

Interesting exhibits depicting the history of an Ottawa area family, are found at the Billings Estate, a restored 1827 pioneer homestead. Laurier House, the preserved home of two former prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King, displays interesting insights into the political life of these two men and of the nation's capital as a political centre.

In Gatineau Park, just 15 minutes north of Ottawa, visitors will find the charming Mackenzie King Estate (Kingsmere), the summer home of Canada's 10th and longest-serving Prime Minister. The grounds contain a restored cottage, a collection of historical ruins, lovely gardens and a tea room. King bequeathed the estate to the Canadian people and visitors and locals alike have been the lucky beneficiaries; this is the perfect tranquil get-away for a summer's afternoon.

Heritage Attractions

During the summer, Parliament Hill hosts the daily Changing the Guard ceremony, a military tradition dating back to the 19th century. The biggest day of the year is July 1 when tens of thousands flood Parliament Hill and Confederation Boulevard for Canada Day celebrations. Most summer evenings, "Reflections of Canada: A Symphony of Sound and Light", which vividly narrates the emotional story of the building of a nation, unfolds on the lawns in front of the Centre Block; the show is offered in both English and French. In the months of December and January, Parliament Hill, Confederation Boulevard and the downtown area are ablaze with a dazzling display of lights forming a symbolic link of similar Christmas Lights displays in other provincial and territorial capitals, as part of the National Capital Commission's "Christmas Lights Across Canada" program.

A most popular and interesting place to visit in Ottawa is the historic By Ward Market. Established in 1826, the market is Canada's oldest, continuously-operating farmers' market. Today, it maintains its old-world charm with its cobbled courtyards and busy streets, but it has also become a bustling centre for shopping, restaurants and entertainment, offering cuisine from around the world, small boutiques and a variety of bars, cafés and night spots. The spring of 1998 saw the restoration of the ByWard Market Building, the original structure where farmers and loggers carried out their trade and socialize back in the 1800's. The building now houses speciality shops, delis, chic cafés, and crafters.

The Rideau Canal, which winds its way 202 kilometres (125.5 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, is one of the most popular attractions for residents and visitors alike. It is a system of natural lakes and rivers made navigable by locks, dams and canal cuts.

Originally constructed for defence and trading purposes, the Canal is today used for leisure and pleasure. During the winter, the Ottawa portion of the canal is transformed into the world's longest (7.8 kilometre/4.5 mile) skating rink. During the summer, the canal provides a haven for hundreds of boating enthusiasts and, for those on shore, a constantly changing panorama of boats of all shapes, sizes and vintages.

Rideau Hall, originally built in 1838, is the official residence and workplace of Canada's Governor General. Set on 79 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds just minutes from downtown Ottawa, Rideau Hall is accessible to the public throughout the year. During the winter, Rideau Hall is open for guided tours (by reservation only) and public skating on the historic rink. Summertime visitors can enjoy the colourful Ceremonial Guard, guided tours of the historic residence, its grounds and gardens, and free outdoor concerts. The park-like setting is idyllic for picnics, and children will enjoy hands-on activities and guides in period costume.

Ottawa is very much a city of monuments. All around the city sightseers will find fascinating memorials and historic statues. Visitors only have to stroll the grounds of Parliament Hill and Ottawa parks to view dozens of statues of historical figures and events in Canadian and world history. The National War Memorial, in the centre of Confederation Square, was first dedicated to the memory of war veterans in 1939. Opposite the National Gallery of Canada is the National Peacekeeping Monument, entitled "Reconciliation." Human Rights Monument is located near the headquarters of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton on Elgin Street. Near the Rideau Centre is the Terry Fox Memorial, a monument to the young one-legged Canadian hero who ran half way across Canada - raising millions of dollars for cancer research -- before succumbing to the disease himself.

Many beautiful and architecturally-pleasing churches are found in Ottawa, the majority of which were built in the 19th century. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, founded in 1828 on Kent Street, is Ottawa's oldest Protestant church. The Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame, erected in 1839 on Sussex Drive, has soaring twin spires and is one of the finest examples of painted and carved neo-Gothic interiors in Canada. Saint Patrick's Basilica on Kent Street at Nepean Street was founded in 1855 and is the oldest parish in Ottawa serving English-speaking Catholics; Saint Patrick's was elevated to Basilica status in 1995. Christ Church Cathedral, on Sparks Street, was founded in 1832 and is the capital's Anglican Cathedral. The city's First Baptist Church, on Laurier Street, was founded in 1857. These are just a few of the beautiful old heritage churches of Ottawa. Visitors are welcome at area churches, some of which provide tours or printed guides for interested guests.