Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, hugs the south shore of the Ottawa River in southeastern Ontario.  Originally the site of an Algonquin settlement, the city was first known as Bytown when it was founded in 1826.  The name was changed to Ottawa in 1855, and the city was selected as Canada’s capital city (beating out Kingston, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City) upon Canada’s confederation in 1867.

Although I now live just over 100 kilometres from Ottawa, I seldom visit there as a tourist.  These photos were taken over the course of a number of visits, from 2009 to 2022.

Around the blocks.  The West Block of Parliament Hill was completed in 1865 and expanded twice since.  After this photo was taken (in 2009), the building was closed for renovations from 2011 to 2019.  The West Block is currently the temporary home of the House of Commons, displaced during renovations to the Centre Block building.  Free guided tours of the building are available.

Old stones.  The Rideau Canal was constructed in 1826-1832 and runs over 200 kilometres between Ottawa and Kingston.  Originally built to protect supply routes from a possible U.S. invasion, the canal’s 46 locks now serve as a scenic boating route.  The canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The stone building in the upper right of the photo is the oldest stone building in Ottawa (1827) still standing.  It houses the Bytown Museum.

Gothic towers.  The Fairmont Château Laurier towers above the Rideau Canal, opposite the East Block of the Parliament Buildings.  The 400-plus room railway hotel was built between 1909 and 1912, and is a National Historic Site.  Tourists can wander through its public spaces, even if they’re not staying at the hotel.

Pedestrian oasis.   Five blocks of  downtown’s Sparks Street comprise Canada’s oldest pedestrian street.  Lined with heritage buildings, the street has shops and restaurants, sculptures and fountains, and hosts occasional events.  The street is one block south of Wellington (and the Parliament Buildings.)

Art and history.  Ottawa has many worthy galleries and museums.  In addition to the National Gallery of Canada (shown in this photo), there is the Canadian War Museum, Museum of Nature, Science and Technology Museum, and the Aviation and Space Museum, plus many others.

Cultural kaleidoscope.  Ottawa’s residents, one-quarter of whom were born outside Canada, represent almost every culture in the world.  Among Ottawa’s ethnic enclaves are Chinatown, on Somerset Street, and Little Italy, on and around Preston Street.

Travel note:  Ottawa is served by the MacDonald-Cartier International Airport, approximately 10 kilometres south of downtown.  Ottawa is also along a major VIA train route, as well as the Trans-Canada Highway.  OC Transpo, the local public transit authority, runs bus and light rail routes all through the Ottawa area, including the airport.