Designated Canada’s capital by Queen Victoria in 1857 and officially confirmed as the new confederation’s capital a decade later, "Westminster in the Wilderness" today is Canada’s classy G8 headquarters, crowned by the fetching Gothic edifices of Parliament Hill.
On the business front, Ottawa capitalizes on its hyper-intelligent brain trust and well-networked campus of high-tech companies, research universities and government labs to produce state-of-the-art technologies that make other technologies run, or run better. Innovation and integration are signature brand values, in turn making local firms attractive acquisition targets for major U.S. firms like IBM and Abbott Laboratories.
The old joke used to be that if you wanted good food in Ottawa, you went to Montreal—no longer, as pioneering local chefs are boldly reinventing culinary conventions.
And speaking of conventions, the confirmed April 2011 opening of the breathtaking new glass-clad Ottawa Convention Centre promises to elevate Ottawa’s profile and appeal to unprecedented heights.
Perched on promontories at the confluence of three rivers and featuring 112 miles of recreational pathways linking the city’s green spaces, attractions and more, scenic Ottawa moves at a relaxed pace. Delegates, especially those from major metros, will welcome the escape from clamor and stress.
Along with its appealing neighbor Gatineau across the Ottawa River in Quebec, Ottawa is also a cultural tour de force, with a diverse museum collection that includes three prestigious national institutions and celebrations and festivals to rival Montreal.
"One of the unique aspects of Ottawa is the wide range of compelling off-site venues for groups," says Jantine Van Kregten, director of communications for Ottawa Tourism. "With a wealth of cultural institutions, outdoor experiences and interesting culinary options so close by, compiling a spousal program or a series of tours for delegates is a cinch, and we frequently find that delegates choose to come early or stay later to explore all that the region has to offer."
Striking architecture and collections spanning the Canadian experience are hallmarks of cultural Ottawa, with group and event options guaranteed to enlighten and to inspire.
Local Pleasures
Curious about polar bears and Arctic landscapes? Intrigued by indigenous artifacts? Ottawa’s sweeping curatorial collection fascinates with answers to these and myriad other inquiries, imparting along the way a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, all things Canadian. There’s a local saying here that everything is 20 minutes away, and this is especially so for culture-seeking delegates based at meetings standouts such as the splendid Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the recently renovated Westin Ottawa or other downtown hotels, all at the epicenter of a rich cultural circumference. Use the landmark, French Renaissance-style Chateau (as it is known locally) as your base and let the cultural odyssey begin.
Adjacent to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is the still-operational Rideau Canal, the strategic waterway built between 1826 and 1832 that became the foundation of the future city of Ottawa.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, the canal provides a spellbinding winter stage when frozen and filled with people on ice skates. Descend the canal’s locks to discover the Ottawa story at the small Bytown Museum, housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, or venture along the canal into town to the National Arts Centre, Canada’s showcase performing arts venue. Housed in a century-old, Gothic-style castle farther along the canal, the fully restored Canadian Museum of Nature, with its jaw-dropping blue whale skeleton and dinosaur displays, reopened to great fanfare this year.
Opposite the Fairmont Chateau Laurier across the canal sits Parliament Hill. Crowned by the Peace Tower, Canada’s symbolic heart is as much about architectural splendor as federal decision-making. Inspired by the Houses of Parliament in London, three distinct Gothic blocks border an expansive lawn, with memorials and statues, including Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, enhancing the well-landscaped grounds. Daily tours and programs, including self-guided visits to the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber, are all free (groups of 10 or more must book in advance).
Turn left from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier to stroll along Sussex Drive. After passing the historic ByWard Market area down to your right and inviting Major Hill’s Park to your left, head for the silver-clad steeples of the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica: soon you will see Maman, the mammoth bronze spider in the plaza fronting the National Gallery of Canada, one of Ottawa’s three most prestigious institutions.
National Treasures
Permanent home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of Canadian art, the National Gallery of Canada is a masterpiece of concrete, steel and glass, with soaring colonnades and voluminous galleries exhibiting their own gravitational pull. Designed to mirror Parliament Hill’s Gothic library across the water, the gallery’s octagonal Great Hall is an especially luminous choice for events.
"Whatever the occasion, our clients come to the National Gallery of Canada to set their event apart and leave their guests with a lasting impression," says Jean-Francois Bilodeau, the gallery’s director, institutional advancement. "The setting is superb—from the architecture to the views of Parliament Hill—and guests also love the privilege of seeing our national art collections. They leave with a very real sense of wonder and discovery."
Directly behind the National Gallery of Canada lies Nepean Point, one of Ottawa’s most picturesque spots. Featuring the outdoor Astrolabe amphitheater, the just-installed One Hundred Foot Line tree sculpture and statue of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, this park’s vistas include an overview of Canada’s largest and most popular museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec. Easily reached by foot or car across the Pont Alexandra Bridge, this riverbank marvel of flowing curvilinear forms offers an amazing vantage point on Parliament Hill and Ottawa’s waterfront.
"Less than five minutes from downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of Civilization is a destination of choice in the National Capital Region," says Linda Culbert of the museum’s information and promotions department. "From guided tours to special events and meetings, we can offer an itinerary to suit your needs and interests."
The museum’s signature space is Grand Hall, featuring the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles.
Cross back into Ottawa’s Le Breton Flats Park to find the architecturally striking, emotionally stirring Canadian War Museum, which offers guided tours and flexible space for special events and meetings. Providing an unforgettable journey through Canadian military history, exhibits such as bullet-riddled cars and shell-struck tanks enthrall as the sounds of battle play overhead.
From the Royal Canadian Mint, where groups can watch currency being manufactured, to the globally preeminent aeronautical collection at the Canada Aviation Museum, there are many other cultural options besides in welcoming, safe and accessible Ottawa, enough to easily fill a multiday itinerary.
"Visitors who are curious about Canada as a destination find that by coming to Ottawa, the country’s capital, they can experience a bit of the whole country in one spot," Van Kregten says.
Regular contributor Jeff Heilman’s favorite Ottawa moment? Watching the sun rise from Nepean Point.
