Ask Blue_Nose

I'm not sure what are the dates you're coming to Ottawa, but Winterlude is on from the February 2-18. It's quite nice to go around downtown/Market and see all the sculptures.
If you're not here during that time, you could always go skate on the Canal and eat beaver tails

There's a lot of things you could visit, but the ones you mentioned are probably the most popular. There's the Casino if you like that kind of entertainment. You can go visit the Governor General residence. If you like history, the Laurier house is close to the University of Ottawa. There's also the Mackenzie Estate, but that's in the Gatineau Hills

I would suggest looking at this link for more ideas http://ottawa.ca/visitors/attractions/index_en.html.

As for restaurants, I've never been to e18ghteen so I can't comment. I'm pretty sure it's in the market. The Market has TONS of restaurants with all type of food. If you like fish, the Lapointe Seafood and Grill might be the best place. If you like Italian, I suggest Little Italy on Preston (especially Trattoria Caffe Italia and Giovanni's). One of my favourite restaurant is Pho Thu Do - it's Vietnamese soup (pho) with a pretty crappy decor, but they make the best pho in the world Baton Rouge (either downtown or in Kanata) has the best ribs in Ottawa. I guess your budget will determine where you're going to eat as well...

If you need more info, I'll be glad to provide it! Just let me know!!

Karine

You could check out the Mint.

Thanks Snookums! I will check out that link, and look into those restaurants... Aside from not seeing each other for two months, we're celebrating my birthday and Valentine's Day, so our budget is higher than it normally would be

I'm not particularly interested in history in general, but I am interested in structures/architecture. I'll definately be walking across the Alexandra Bridge, and I'm sure there are plenty of other things to see!

Thanks, Tricks - I have been to the Mint in Winnepeg, so I probably won't be going that route this time.

What about aquariums? I tried to search for them, and all I'm getting are results for fishtanks.

As far as I know, we don't have an aquarium in Ottawa. There's an animal park about 1 hour drive from downtown, Omega Park, but it's only bambis, moose, wolfes, you know, cute animals You stay in your car and the animals come to eat in your hand. Probably of no interest to you though

If you're interested in architecture, I would recommend going to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Very impressive in terms of architecture (well, that's my opinion ). There's also the National Gallery of Canada - all built with glass, right across the street from the Cathedral. The Rideau Hall (which I already mentioned) is quite the building (and the tours are really great, with tons of information on when/how/why it was built). Oh and the Château Laurier, if you have the time.

My kids were in Ottawa last July, and the highlights for them were the changing of the guard at Parliamnet Hill and the War Museum. My son in particular complained that he didn't have enough time to see everything.

I've had ostrich - it's delicious, and really good for you.

Your birthday is near Valentine's Day?

Thanks again snookums, and lily - I'll probably check out the War Museum as well; I hadn't realized it was near where I'm staying.

My birthday was yesterday, actually (for real this time), but I'm just postponing the celebration by a month till I'm there.

Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

If you go to the Museum of Civilization, don't miss the Petra exhibition - I haven't been there yet, but I was told it's very impressive!

I'm not sure, but I think you are a university student? If so, bring your student card, it gets you in some museums at a discount

Thanks!

I also heard that there is going to be a Ron Mueck exhibit at the Art Gallery in March - unfortunately a few days after I leave . He's the guy who does those giant hyperrealistic sculptures:

If you go to "e18hteen", bring plenty of cash or good plastic. It is a very expensive place but a very good for a special dinner. If your appetite is good "Mother Tucker's" is a good place and they have a fondue joint in "the basement wine celler". A great place to go after a skate on the canal.

Speaking of the canal, if you find yourself on the other end you will be near Dow's Lake Pavilion There is a couple of good restaurants there. Mexicali Rosa's & Malone's. If it is too early in the day for dinner I suggest a Cappuccino and pastry in many of the Italian cafes off Preston St.

In the Byward Market I suggest "The Old Fish Market" For sea food, Across the street from there is the afore mentioned "Mother Tuckers", The Keg, and Ottawa's "Hard Rock Cafe". A good inexpensive Italian joint is "Oregano's" also in the market.

Dude, have fun in this fine city of mine!

And Happy Belated Birthday!



I would definately recommend e18hteen, but it is rather pricey. Lots of good restaurants to choose from in the Byward Market. You must enjoy Winterlude(hoping it happens) and the beavertails.

I restaurant I would recommend is Mexicali Rosa's. It's a Tex-Mex restaurant, and it has a location on Dow's Lake, where you can go skating. There is also another one on Bank St. near Holmwood, that is a few blocks away from the canal.

The War Museum si alright, but it's not near much of anything else, except Chinatown. I would recommend the Shanghai or Mekong Restaurants in Chinatown, since they are really good.

Little Italy is also fun. There's a nice but pricey restaurant called Il Primo. It's amazing. Little Italy is on Preston St., which takes you down to Dow's lake.


In terms of what to see, I'd say everything on your list plus the Byward Market, Notre Dame Basillica on Sussex, War Museum, The Hellish experience that is the Rideau Centre, the parks on Elgin between Lisgar and Wellington/Rideau, and Major's Hill Park. Great view of Parliament Hill, the Locks and the Chateau Laurier. The Glebe Neighbourhood also has some interesting things in it, but it's not a "must-see-it" type of destination.


Hope this helps...


P.S. I just remembered, another restaurant that is nice is Restaurant Joy. Good food, good service. It's Japanese/Korean/Asian Fusion. It's located on a beautiful little block. It's on Somerset between Bank and O'Connor, right beside a parking lot. For Japanese food, it's less pricey than other Japanese restaurants in Ottawa, but is still pricey nonetheless. If money is no object, go to Wasabi; great Tempura and Sashimi.