Ottawa, Ontario Family Attractions
Changing Of The Guard
Late June to late August, a colorful half-hour ceremony is held daily on the
Parliament Hill lawn (weather permitting). The parade of 125 soldiers in busbies
and scarlet assembles at Cartier Square Drill Hall (by the canal at Laurier
Avenue) at 9:30am and marches up Elgin Street to reach the hill at 10am. On
arrival on the hill, the Ceremonial Guard splits, one division of the old guard
positioned on the west side of the Parliament Hill lawn and two divisions of the
new guard, or "duties," on the east side.
The ceremony includes the inspection of dress and weapons of both groups. The
colors are then marched before the troops and saluted, and the guards compliment
each other by presenting arms. Throughout, sergeant-majors bellow unintelligible
commands that prompt the synchronized stomp and clatter of boots and weapons.
Finally, the outgoing guard commander gives the key to the guard room to the
incoming guard commander, signifying that the process has been completed. The
relieved unit marches back down Wellington Street to the beat of their drums and
the skirl of bagpipes.
Canada Aviation Museum
11 Aviation Parkway, 993-2010
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays till 9 p.m.
Admission charged.
Free on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Daily 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
Take a stroll down the Walkway of Time in this massive building, which houses
one of the world's best collections of vintage aircraft. In addition to getting
an up-close look at aircraft from different eras, visitors will hear some
remarkable tales, from the adventures of Canadian bush pilots to the controversy
surrounding the Avro Arrow project to the contributions made by women in
wartime. Sit at the controls of a Cessna, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m. Wind-tunnel
demonstrations, 10:30 a.m.
Canada Science and
Technology Museum
1867 St Laurent Blvd
(613) 991-3044
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission charged. Free Admission during the last hour.
If the energy stored in a jar of peanut butter were transformed into oil or
electricity, it could heat a house for several hours or drive a car 10
kilometres at high speed? That's just one of the many things you'll discover
here. A lighthouse, a locomotive and rocket are located in the Technology Park
in front of the museum. Interactive and hands-on activities.
Permanent exhibitions: Love, Leisure and Laundry explores the evolution of
household technology. Canada In Space explores this country's scientific and
technical feats in the space program. Includes a full-scale model of the
Canadarm. Visitors can climb aboard steam locomotives in the Locomotive Hall.
From telephones to radio to the Internet, Connexions explores all facets of
communications technology and their impact on our lives. Beautiful antique cars
are showcased in the More than a Machine exhibition, featuring vehicles from the
1900s to the 1930s. See if you can keep your balance in the Crazy Kitchen.
Central Experimental Farm
At Experimental Farm Drive and Prince of Wales Drive
613-991-3044
and 2 - 3:30pm.
Admission charged.
May to early October, you can ride in wagons drawn by brawny Clydesdales,
weather permitting, Monday to Friday 10 -11:30am. In winter there are sleigh
rides. March to October, the agricultural museum, barns, and tropical greenhouse
are open daily 9 - 5; November to February, except Christmas and New Year's Day,
the barns and tropical greenhouse are open daily 9 - 4, but the museum's
exhibits are closed. With 1,200 acres, it qualifies as the largest green space
in the Ottawa region. Though now surrounded by suburban Ottawa, the farm has
livestock barns housing various breeds of cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, and
horses. Milking time is 4pm. The greenhouses shelter a noted chrysanthemum show
every November, and there are also an ornamental flower garden and an arboretum
with 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park Visitor Center
318 Meech Lake Rd.
Old Chelsea, PQ J0X 1N0
819-827-2020
Across the river in Qu?bec, north of Hull. Only 1.9 miles from Parliament lie
88,000 acres of woodland and lakes named after explorer Nicolas Gatineau of
Trois-Rivi?res. The park was inaugurated in 1938, when the federal government
bought land in the Gatineau Hills to stop forest destruction. Black bear, timber
wolf, otter, marten, and raccoon are joined by white-tailed deer, beaver, and
more than 100 species of birds. Also resident, but rarely glimpsed, are lynx and
wolverines.
Park facilities include 90 miles of hiking trails and supervised swimming
beaches. Fee for vehicle access; fees to beach areas. You can rent boats
(canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) at Lac Philippe and Lac la P?che. Call
819/456-3555 for reservations. Most lakes can be fished (if it's not allowed,
it's posted). A Qu?bec license is required and can be obtained at many
convenience stores around the park.
Storyland Family Park
Storyland Road (RR #5), off Route 17 about 6 miles northwest of Renfrew
613-432-2222
Admission charged.
Early June to mid-September daily 9:30 - 6.
Features a puppet theater, paddleboats, mini-golf, a petting zoo, and more.
Upper Canada Village
About 31 miles east of Brockville along Route 2, just east of Morrisburg
To get from Ottawa to this region, take Route 16/416 south to 401 west, which
connects the towns, parks, and townships from Brockville to Port Hope
613-543-3704
Admission charged. children under 6 are free, and families get a 10% discount.
May to Canadian Thanksgiving, daily 9:30 - 5.
This is Ontario's effort to preserve its pre-Dominion past: a riverfront museum
village representing frontier life in the 1860s. Some 40 brick-and-stone
structures and interiors have been accurately restored using hand-forged nails
and wooden pegs. They appear as if still inhabited, because they are occupied by
costumed bilingual docents who perform the chores and crafts of the time (sewing
quilts, milling lumber, fashioning tin ware, conducting church services) and
answering questions. A waterwheel -powered woolen mill, blacksmith's shop, bake
shop, and lumber mill are a few of the authentic replicas of life in another
time. "True Canadian" draft horses draw both tour wagons and the barge
on the carp-filled canal cutting through from the river to a small lake behind
the village. |
