Let’s Go Ottawa

Prince William and Kate Middleton to visit Ottawa on Canada Day

Friday, 29 April 2011 19:20

  Written by Jantine Van Kregten

Last year's Canada Day crowds before the fireworks at 10pm were huge. With William and Kate in town this July 1, who knows what to expect? PHOTO CREDIT: Ontario Tourism

Today’s magnificent Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton — now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — is just the beginning of their life together.

On June 30, the royal couple will embark on their first official foreign visit as husband and wife. They’ll start their trip to Canada in Ottawa, just in time for the huge Canada Day celebrations on July 1.

While the official itinerary is a closely guarded secret, we at Ottawa Tourism thought we’d suggest some activities.

• Take an open-cockpit biplane or helicopter ride at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum: William is a pilot, after all. There’s no better way to get the lay of the land — and paparazzi wouldn’t be a concern!
• Indulge in Canadian comfort food at Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro, Domus Café, Courtyard Restaurant, Le Café at the National Arts Centre, ZenKitchen, Beckta Dining + Wine to just name a few. All these restaurants — and more — are members of Savour Ottawa, an initiative to promote locally grown and raised foods. They’ll introduce the royal couple to the tastes of Ottawa!

  Could this be William and Kate this summer in Ottawa?

• Go for a canoe or kayak paddle or leisurely boat cruise on the Rideau Canal: The Rideau Canal is Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all, built by Lt. Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers between 1826 and 1832.
• Admire the Group of Seven and more at the National Gallery of Canada: Definitely take in some Canadian content but also check out the blockbuster Caravaggio and His Followers in Rome exhibit (June 17-Sept. 11, 2011).
• Visit Rideau Hall, the home and workplace of each Governor General of Canada: Since the Governor General is the Queen’s representative in Canada, it’s a no-brainer. Stroll the beautifully manicured grounds, admire the art collection and official function rooms, watch a cricket game and imagine, in winter, skating on the historic ice rink!
• Shop in the ByWard Market neighbourhood: Pick up a frock from funky designers on Dalhousie Street — Victoire, Workshop, and vintage shop Young Jane’s are all good bets — and take a break with a BeaverTail, a hot pastry treat that was born in Ottawa, from the kiosk at William and George Streets while listening to buskers.
• Groove to the beats of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival (June 23-July 3, 2011): Admission is free on Canada Day and the setting in Confederation Park downtown is intimate.

What do you think the Royal Couple should do while in the region?

Jazz Festival and Bluesfest announce lineups!

Tuesday, 26 April 2011 20:05

  Written by Jantine Van Kregten

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest — it’s a party!The past couple weeks have been great for music lovers in Ottawa. Both the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival and Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest have announced their lineups! These are two of the biggest and best summer festivals in town!

The jazz festival runs June 23 to July 3 in Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Featured performers include k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Robert Plant & the Band of Joy, Pink Martini, YOUSSOU NDOUR, Paco De Lucia, Return to Forever IV, Béla Fleck & the Original Flecktones, Lucky Peterson and Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub.

More traditional jazz fans will be happy with the Joshua Redman/Brad Mehldau Duo, Christian McBride and Inside Straight, Kenny Wheeler, and Kurt Elling as well as a great improvisational series.

Meanwhile, the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest announced its lineup at a gala event at the sexy new Ottawa Convention Centre on April 26. A well-rounded musical event, the Bluesfest takes place over six stages in and around LeBreton Flats (outside the Canadian War Museum) July 5-17.

More than 200 acts will perform, including Ben Harper, Billy Talent, Buck 65, Blue Rodeo, Bootsy Collins, Death From Above 1979, Erykah Badu, The Flaming Lips, Jennifer Hudson, Joe Satriani, John Butler Trio, John Fogerty, Peter Frampton, Soundgarden, Steve Miller Band, The Tragically Hip, Bedouin Soundclash, Buddy Guy, Cheap Trick, Danny Michel Band, Girls with Guitars, Huey Lewis and the News, Josh Ritter, Rise Against, Tegan & Sara, Theory of a Deadman, Three Days Grace, Trampled by Turtles, Wanda Jackson, and Yukon Blonde.

Tickets are available for Jazz here and for Bluesfest here.

Meanwhile, book your stay in Ottawa through Ottawa Tourism’s website – check out the Third Night Half Price option for even better value!

Sexy new Ottawa Convention Centre opens!

Monday, 18 April 2011 20:09

  Written by Jantine Van Kregten

Yes, there's a performer inside that pyrotechnic wheel outside the new Ottawa Convention Centre!The excitement was palpable last week when the sexy new Ottawa Convention Centre opened its doors. On April 13, over 1000 people filed through the sleek new building overlooking the Rideau Canal and downtown Ottawa skyline.

From delicious food and drink to meeting rooms dressed up in a variety of configurations, the opening was a stylish affair.

Topping it off were performances by circus acts, including a dazzling pyrotechnic show at the end of the evening. Politicians, tourism industry insiders, meeting planners and other VIPs were suitably impressed.

At almost three times the size of the former Ottawa Congress Centre, which it replaced, the new Ottawa Convention Centre is a bold addition to the Ottawa skyline, with a huge glass façade allowing people outside to interact with the building. It’s also an environmentally friendly building and wired from top to bottom for the latest technological gadgets — everything you need to host an impressive event.

The Canada Song video

Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:14

  Written by Jantine Van Kregten

Internet sensation Wilbur Sargunaraj visited Ottawa over the first week of Winterlude and filmed his latest video — The Canada Song — on the Rideau Canal Skateway, in front of Parliament Hill and in the ByWard Market neighbourhood. The result is amazing! Check it out:

National Aviation Day – February 23, 2011

Thursday, 10 February 2011 19:16

  Written by Beverley Carkner

The Tutor aircraft as it was being raised to the ceiling.There is no better time to celebrate Canada’s rich aviation heritage and contribution to the field of aviation and aerospace than at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on February 23, 2011: National Aviation Day. Learn all about the wonder of flight, from the Silver Dart to the International Space Station. Experience the story of humanity’s ancient dream of flight, and learn about the significant contributions Canadians have made to aviation and space flight from the beginnings of flight in Canada in 1909, to the present day.

February 23 is also the inauguration of the museum’s recently constructed new wing which features a high-tech, multi-purpose auditorium with 250 theatre-quality seats and state-of-the-art classrooms fitted for universal access and equipped with the latest in teaching technologies. In the new grand hall entry check out the spectacular Tutor jet suspended in mid-loop directly overhead, from the world-renowned Canadian Air Force Snowbirds Aerobatics Squadron, a fascinating sight for children and adults alike!

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is easily accessible at the intersection of Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways, just ten minutes east of Parliament Hill.