Ottawa is known for national icons
such as the Gothic Revival architectural style of its Parliament Buildings, the
annual Canadian Tulip Festival and winter skating on the Rideau Canal - but
there is another aspect to the City of Ottawa that may just be every bit as
interesting and certainly less crowded.
For starters, I toured the Inukashuk built in the Ottawa
River near downtown Ottawa at Remic Rapids Park, east of the Champlain Bridge,
off Ottawa River Parkway. One dedicated artist, John Felice Ceprano, rebuilds
these amazing objects each spring after the ice leaves the river.
Continuing along the Ottawa River Parkway to the downtown
area, I next visited Nepean Point, on Saint Patrick Street behind the National
Gallery of Canada. This park offers a magnificent panoramic view of Parliament
Hill and the core of Canada’s Capital Region. This monument of Samuel de
Champlain dominates the point. Another feature on the site is the Astrolabe
Theater, which seats approximately 700 people, and offers the beautiful backdrop
of Parliament Hill. The theater has been host to various events and productions
including the Carnival of Cultures.
Across Wellington Street, opposite Parliament Hill, sits a
magnificent memorial to Canadian hero Terry Fox. The Marathon of Hope, which he
founded in 1980, has helped to raise millions for cancer research. This statue
is the work of John Hooper.
Not to be missed is a view of our Prime Minister's back
yard. No wash hanging out here and for that matter no bikini clad sunbathers
either. Maybe I was just here on the wrong day.
The house at 24 Sussex Drive appears deceptively small from
the front but just go around back and the view is a whole new story. Built
in 1866, the house became the official residence of Canada's Prime Minister in
just 1951.
The
last stop on our brief tour of The Other Ottawa takes us to Green Island, just
up the street from the official residence. Leave your car at home for this one,
as parking is almost nonexistent. Here you will find The Commonwealth Air
Force Memorial, dedicated to the 800 airmen who died in WW2.
Last but not least, cool off beside Rideau Falls, right
next door.
TM
Ottawa is known for national icons
such as the Gothic Revival architectural style of its Parliament Buildings, the
annual Canadian Tulip Festival and winter skating on the Rideau Canal - but
there is another aspect to the City of Ottawa that may just be every bit as
interesting and certainly less crowded.
Continuing along the Ottawa River Parkway to the downtown
area, I next visited Nepean Point, on Saint Patrick Street behind the National
Gallery of Canada. This park offers a magnificent panoramic view of Parliament
Hill and the core of Canada’s Capital Region. This monument of Samuel de
Champlain dominates the point. Another feature on the site is the Astrolabe
Theater, which seats approximately 700 people, and offers the beautiful backdrop
of Parliament Hill. The theater has been host to various events and productions
including the Carnival of Cultures.
Parked in front of the National Gallery of Canada at 380
Sussex Drive, sits one big egg carrying spider. This sculpture is the work of
Louise Bourgeois and was acquired by the National Gallery in 2005. The work is
titled Maman.
Not to be missed is a view of our Prime Minister's back
yard. No wash hanging out here and for that matter no bikini clad sunbathers
either. Maybe I was just here on the wrong day.
The
last stop on our brief tour of The Other Ottawa takes us to Green Island, just
up the street from the official residence. Leave your car at home for this one,
as parking is almost nonexistent. Here you will find The Commonwealth Air
Force Memorial, dedicated to the 800 airmen who died in WW2.