Elegant spires grace the skyline of Ottawa, Canada's fourth-largest city and the country's capital. The gothic architecture of Parliament buildings competes with stretches of green, groomed parks for attention. This is a peaceful city, and for visitors there are a variety of entertainment options, from flash casino to historical sites, adventure getaways and long river stretches.
Located just up from the north end of Lake Ontario across the border from Quebec, the city of Ottawa makes a conveniently placed host. It may not be all about hustle here, but there's plenty to do to keep bustling. Find international art in the impressive National Gallery, good for several hours of perusal, while photography lovers won't want to leave town without stopping at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. Get some natural history at the Canadian Museum of Nature or figure out more about farming with a tour around the foliage at Canada Agricultural Museum. Military and machine buffs shouldn't overlook the Canadian War Museum or the Canada Aviation Museum. Even the young'uns won't mind tagging along at the Canada Science & Technology Museum where there are plenty of interactive exhibits to keep them happily occupied.
En route to this fine selection of cultural attractions, stop for a gander at some of the city's best-looking buildings, or take a spin around Parliament Hill. With time to spare, detour for Aboriginal history to the Turtle Island Aboriginal Experience or book an afternoon cruise along some of Ottawa's river routes.
If you're in need of a break from urban activity, cross over to Gatineau in Quebec and pass a pleasant day in expansive Gatineau Park.
Ottawa is 926 miles from Thunder Bay on Lake Superior, 120 miles northeast of Kingston, and 280 miles from Toronto.
