A beautiful sea of red and white filled the streets, sidewalks, shops, and restaurants of Ottawa on Canada Day. The city was alive with the spirit of Canada and I felt at home. Ottawa is a thriving city full of culture, government, business, and fun. It has numerous national attractions and s a plethora of other things to see and do. As the capital of Canada, I always envisioned my first visit to Ottawa to be on Canada Day and this year I made it a reality. From 7 am until 11:30 pm, we explored why Ottawa was a great place to visit on Canada Day and I’ve come up with 5 great reasons to visit Ottawa on Canada’s birthday.
Number 5 – Paul’s Boat Lines
One of the best ways to see Ottawa is aboard Paul’s Boat Lines. We rode along the famous Ottawa River getting the perfect view of Parliament Buildings, Supreme Court, the Museum of Civilization, the National Art Gallery, Rideau Falls, the residence of the Prime Minister, and countless other historic sites in Ottawa. As an introduction to the city, we were given a unique, water perspective in a family-friendly environment. Athena loved the views and clapped every time the guide shared information about Ottawa. She may not have known what the guide was saying but she liked her regardless. The cruise gave us a view of the city as it was first conceived with the river as it’s main highway and resource.
Number 4 – The Changing of the Guard
The Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill ran from morning to night. With ceremonial events including the Changing of the Guard, musical and dance performances, and fireworks there was something for everyone. We arrived on the hill at 8 am and it was already bustling with thousands of people. At 9 am, the Changing of the Guard Ceremony was a colourful event for all ages. The Ceremonial Guard is assembled from two regiments – the Governor General’s Footguards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards – and also has its own regimental band and pipers who perform in the ceremony. Most of the Ceremonial Guardsmen taking part in the ceremony are university and college students; all are primary reservists in the Canadian Forces. As the music began, the crowd glowed with excitement. We were proud to be Canadians and we wore our colors on our shirts and our hearts.
Number 3 – Various Street Performances and Entertainment
By 2 pm, Parliament Hill was full yet we somehow managed to move freely among the crowd even with the stroller. The busy, excited patrons were never too occupied to watch for this mom and her baby girl. It was like everyone was moving in unison and filled with a proud happiness. We were able to relax on the lawns of Parliament and wander the streets of downtown Ottawa while strolling buskers and drummers entertained us. The area was buzzing, but it never seemed quite as uplifted as when the Snowbirds flew over head. The sound of the CF-18 fighter jets turned up the volume of an already jumping Ottawa. Buskers, bikers, musicians, and vendors were littered throughout the city and red and white Canadians filled every other crevice.
Number 2 – President’s Choice Canada Day Fireworks
A spectacular fireworks show took place in Ottawa-Gatineau at 10 pm on Canada Day. The fireworks were launched from the Astrolabe at Nepean Point and lit the skies over the Ottawa River behind Parliament Hill. The display consisted of 1,177 fireworks items, 1,133 aerial shells, 74 of the largest shells allowed in Canada, and 2,356 projectiles/effects. There were many spots in Ottawa and Gatineau with great views of the fireworks, but Athena and I were personally invited by the Public Relations Director at Fairmont Chateau Laurier to watch the show from the turret of the hotel. The view was fit for royalty. Athena and I were princesses in our tower watching the show of a lifetime. It was an unexpected bucket list event that I didn’t have on my list because it was too wild for my imagination. I thought spending Canada Day in the nation’s capital was already astonishing, but the fireworks from the best location in the country was another world.
Number 1 – Heli-Tremblant Helicopter Tours
Did you think the views of Ottawa were beautiful from the boat? Wait until you see them from the air! Our Heli-Tremblant helicopter tour allowed us to admire the beautiful scenery over Ottawa from a bird’s eye view. With vibrant colors and an impressive landscape below, the picturesque surroundings filled my entire vision. We approached Parliament Hill from the left and could see the vein-like streets filled with red and white. The flight allowed us to discover the nation’s capital, the Ottawa River, the city of Gatineau, the Hill Casino, and various tourist attractions including the parliament building all in 20 minutes. No other tour will offer such extensive coverage in such a short time.
Ottawa truly is a wonderful city, and your post really captured the fun that a family can have there 🙂
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I wish that I had another week here. The possibilities are endless. Both Athena and I are having a blast. Are you Canadian?
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I am a proud Canadian living in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa. Ottawa is a great city to live in, especially on Canada Day!
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As someone who lives in the area, what would you say is the best thing to see in Ottawa?
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the Byward Market is a great place to visit, as is Rideau Hall, the home of our Governor General http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g155004-d155450-Reviews-Rideau_Hall-Ottawa_Ontario.html You could walk through the market area and then hop on a rickshaw to take you to Rideau Hall… there are also several interesting museums in the area: museum of nature, science museum, museum of civilization… have fun!Lorieb
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 13:30:30 +0000 To: [email protected]
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Awe that is so wonderful! I am, we’re a few hours from our nations capital 🙂
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Looks amazing!
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I think the flight was my favorite and Athena loved the boat the most. Do you prefer air or water activities?
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Oh Canada! Looks like you are having a great time north of the border. It’s great to see Canada and the United States celebrating their birthdays within the first five days of July each year.
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I’ll make it back for July 4th too. How will you be celebrating?
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Seeing some fireworks!
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Great shot with the RCMP.
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I love the expression on Athena’s face with the RCMP lol
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Such beautiful photos, especially for those of us who are a long way from Canada. Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip.
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Thank you! Where are you living now? When was the last time you were in Canada?
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I live in London, England. I was in Montreal and Toronto just over a year ago and am overdue a visit.
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Last year in the spring. I live in London, England and thoroughly enjoy your blog!
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Inspiring! 😀
❤
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Love Canada. Your blog and photos are such fun to read, xo LMA
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As a relocated CND this post made my day!
Thank you for reminding me what makes Canada so special!!!
Now I have an incredible craving for Nanaimo Bars!!!!
xo reversecommuter
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Athena’s face says it all. She really enjoyed herself. As for the pictures, wow!
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This momma is proudly from Ottawa!
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I’d love to visit Canada one day! Thanks for sharing your travels. I’m going to enjoy reading more!
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What a beautiful daughter you have.
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Hope you had a beaver tail!!
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What a full day you two have had. Sounds your girl is a good traveller .
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Looks like it was loads of fun!
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I loved Ottawa when I visited. My favourite thing is that the buildings are like a mini London. I stayed in the Old Jailhouse – probably the coolest accommodation I’ve ever had!
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Leslie, congratulations on another of your fabulous blogs, and of course what better location to choose to visit on our “special” day – Ottawa!! So pleased that you had such a fun-filled day here in my home city. I’m amazed that you managed to pack in all the activities into one day’s outing. Hats off to my favorite blogger!!! with warmest regards, Louise
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Lesley, apologies for spelling your name incorrectly in my comment above.
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Done this many times as I grew up there. It truly is a wonderful place to spend Canada Day. I wasn’t in the city this year and your post made me miss it. Thanks for a beautiful reflection of the nation’s capital. Glad you guys had a fun time!
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I visited Ottawa when I was 14 about 30 years ago, great to see it again. Must have been fantastic seeing the city in party mood
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that looks great!
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Yah Canada ! Lovely post on the nation’s Capitol. – what a perfect place to celebrate.
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Wonderful, thank you!
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Thank you so much for following my blog, I am so happy! it was one of my dream 🙂 ,
Love,
Chista.
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What great fun!!!
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I’ve lived in Ottawa for almost 4 years now and Canada Day is by far the best day of the year here. Glad you got to experience it. Hope you can come back in the winter to try skating on the Rideau canal and getting a Beavertail 🙂
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You lucky lady!! I would love to spend Canada Day in Ottawa and your description and pics have only whetted my appetite for more. Lovely post.
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Happy Canada Day! As a fellow Canadian, I am so glad you got to spend it in Ottawa!! We have family there so we often visit…great place to go again for when Athena is a bit older…lots of activities for families with children. The Children`s Museum at the Canadian Museum for National Civilization is truly worth visiting, as is the Canada Science and Technology Museum. We love, love, love the Gatineaus as well (we do a lot of nordic skiing there in the winter) Lovely in all seasons and so close to the city. Enjoy!!
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What an awesome experience huh….looks like so much fun!
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For my own thoughts & for my family to be, how did Athena take all the loud noise it seems to make other babies cry about? Thanks!
Rodney
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She was totally fine and enjoyed it. We both did. 🙂
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that’s very good! sometimes I guess you just have to get things just in case there is a problem.
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