Ottawa Travel Forum

We would like to visit Ottawa on Valentine's Day weekend - 14-17th of February. Can you tell us whether or not we could expect to skate on the canal at the end of February.

Also, any recommendations on great hotels or B&B to appreciate the Ottawa culture.

Thanks and we look forward to coming.

Well, Winterlude festival is in those 2 weekends and everything is normally frozen over; see:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16298-22877-29498&lang=1&bhcp=1

Hotels: http://www.ottawa-conventions.com/frm_maps.html

PJ

Last time I stayed in Les Suites; see:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/1a0975

It all depends on your budget.

PJ

I went to Ottawa and thought it was very cool. It's well laid out and everything interesting is within walking distance. While the weather will be cold, the surroundings are also almost enchanting.

The Ottawa Tourism site has some cool Winterlude pictures in their image gallery. I've linked straight to the winter pics gallery below...

http://www.ottawatourism.ca/index.php?option=com_mg&id=1&Itemid=95&fSeasons=9

I would recommend staying at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. It's the most convenient property to everything Ottawa and it's right on the Canal. You can go from your room to skate and then, whenever you want to go up to your room to change, get warm, take a nap, get something you forgot, or whatever, you're right there. It's one of the best hotel experiences I've ever had. The interior and exterior are both beautiful and the staff (at least the ones I encountered) acted as if I could personally fire them. They were that attentive. And this was over Canada Day when you would hardly expect that good of service. I'll stay there every time I go to Ottawa.

Hi Jim,
Usually the canal is frozen and excellent for skating, but allow some flexibility, as the weather has a mind of its own. There are a lot of things to do & see downtown, and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Dining: for Italian food, take a 5-min cab ride from downtown, to Preston St (little Italy). There are plenty of good restaurants. For oriental cuisine, take Somerset going west from downtown (it actually intersects Preston) -- the MeKong is a popular dining spot, and again, plenty of good restaurants in the area. Otherwise, there's lots to eat in the market area, just north of Rideau St.

Culture: For art, check out the National Gallery on Sussex, but if you poke around the market, you'll find plenty of smaller galleries as well. Saw Gallery is an artist-run centre Nicholas & Daly, just south of Rideau St, and usually has some interesting shows.

Theatre and music: pick up a copy of the free bi-weekly, the Ottawa Xpress. You'll find a variety of listings & entertainment ideas.

If you're in the mood for some avant-garde musical theatre, check out "Making Necrophiliac" - a musical comedy, playing Feb 14 & 15 at Club SAW, 67 Nicholas (downtown Ottawa, just east of the Rideau Centre & canal). Music is blues/jazz and cabaret-style, and it's a wickedly funny show. Website is http://web.ncf.ca/fm557.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Ottawa!
cheers,
Maureen

The canal should be frozen unless we get a bout of warm weather! Was out skating on it last night and it was great!

For hotels, try to stick near/in the byward market if you want to be in the hub of it all. Chateau Laurier is a great location and great way to get the Ottawa feel, but is a tad on the expensive side. There are lots of restaurants in the market, though I agree that the better Italian and Asian restaurants are found on Preston and Somerset respectively.

Make sure and have a beavertail while taking a break from skating if you haven't had one before! It's an ottawa winterlude must and the stands are set up all along the canal (as well as the original Beavertails location in the market across from Oreganos).

Hi there,

Well, since I live in Ottawa, I can tell you that you have a good chance of being able to skate on the Rideau Canal when you come down. However, don't be surprised if you can't skate the whole thing. Only certain parts are open due to the mild weather, which doesn't seem to be easing up in the long-term forecast. Plus, the National Capital Commission has been keeping the Canal closed during the week, to ensure perfect skating conditions on Winterlude weekends.

See you out there!