Hi Everyone! Going to Ottawa...

[Mermaid02]

... the 16th thru the 19th and staying at The Westin..any advice on things to do and or restaurants to try out??

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Ah.......The Westin Ottawa.......I love that hotel! Used to stay there a lot in my other life!
I always went to a restaurant called "Mama ______" It was a great Italian restaurant not too far from downtown, located in a old house. Someone from Ottawa please help with the name.....we just called it "Mama's"
Have a great time!

 

[DisFan2]

Mama Theresa's. Sadly Mama passed away recently. I'll see about coming up with websites for things to do and see!

 

[DisFan2]

Here's one for starters: http://www.ottawastart.com/tourism.shtml#attractions

and: www.ottawakiosk.com

and: www.ottawaplus.ca

Will there be kids coming as well? Will you be driving or renting a car? How adventurous are you when it comes to dining?

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Originally posted by DisFan2
Mama Theresa's. Sadly Mama passed away recently. I'll see about coming up with websites for things to do and see!

Thanks DisFan2! I hate that when you cannot remember a name!

 

[Mermaid02]

Thanks for the responses! We are driving from Bangor Maine... leaving about 9 am on Thursday morning. No kids- we are going with a lot of other couples... My husband is a Shriner and there is a big convention there this weekend.

How adventuresome when it comes to dining.... I'm not sure- what do you have in mind??? We have lots of people's different tastes to please, but we will break off from the crowd if something sounds interesting enough!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well, don't be offended if someone tells you to "go to Hull", as that is just accross the river. There is tons to do in Ottawa, and every time we go back we find something new. But for starters you might want to tour Parliament, and head to the National Museum. As I recall, the museum has a pretty decent cafe, with a very memorable "Screech Cake" on the menu (having been introduced to Screech by a Newfie friend, I was intrigued, and it was very good). But plenty of good dining and interesting things to do. Enjoy!

 

[StarWarsMan]

Look for a place called "Oh so Good" in the market...Can't remember which street..
Desserts....dessets.and more desserts...

Other than that...

Golden Palace on carling Ave... Has the best eggrolls in the world...People buy them by the dozens....mmm...mmmm

 

[DisFan2]

There's an OK variety of restaurants in the Byward Market - I think "Memories" is still around on Clarence Street - strictly desserts and really good ones at that! Empire Grill is good but very $$$$. A really nice restaurant is located about 2 miles from the Westin - its on Queen Elizabeth Drive at 5th Avenue. It sits right on the Rideau Canal and its called "The Cana Ritz". Really pretty in the evening. The address is 375 Queen Elizabeth Drive - I checked Yahoo! Maps, but it doesn't really give the best directions. The hotel could probably give you the best instruction on how to get there.

Unfortunately you arrive too early to see the fall leaves - the Gatineau Park will be spectacular in about three-four weeks. Having said that, it looks like the weather will be good on Thursday, but a little downhill from there. Let us know how the trip goes!!!

One more for now: if you're a fan of Trading Spaces (TLC tv show), Vern Yip will be at the fall home show at Lansdowne Park on Saturday and Sunday!

 

[lmk]

Hi Mermaid!! Hope you enjoy your stay here!! The leaves are just starting to change so it should be really pretty for you!

First off, the Westin is great. You won't be disappointed.

As for restaurants: regarding some of the previous posts - "Oh So Good" is closed - they relocated to Elgin St. and are no longer in business to my knowledge. As far as Canal Ritz goes, we have a very different opinion - have eaten there 3 or 4 times trying to give it yet another chance and I'm sorry to say, we have never enjoyed a meal there. Although the view is very pretty.

Here are some places I would suggest: For casual dinners downtown or nearby: The Keg, Black Tomato, Mama Grazzi, Maxwell's, Big Daddy's Crab Shack for yummy seafood, Mukut for Indian

Finer dining: Domus, Kinki for Sushi, Restaurant 18

A bit further: Bella's on Richmond - excellent Italian, Bekta on Richmond, Coriander Thai, Papagus for Greek, The Works - over 80 varieties of burgers, Lone Star for tex-mex

For dessert - Memories downtown

Drinks - Vineyards (wonderful wine bar - can try by the glass)

Most of these places are either walking distance or a 10 minute cab ride from downtown.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask if you want specifics about any of the above. Enjoy!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Thanks! We are getting really excited- that burger place is right up my dh's alley...we will HAVE to try that out! If anyone thinks of anything else...post it here! I'm going to print this out Thursday morning before we leave!!

 

[Baboo]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Beaver Tails yet! After all, Ottawa is the home of this Disney treat! Byward Market has the original Beaver Tail store in it.

 

[DisFan2]

Things are looking up weatherwise for the weekend!:

http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?yow

Just a little chilly in the a.m. I also thought of one other attraction that might interest you, depending on how much time you have - it's the Wakefield steam train. Here's the link:

http://www.steamtrain.ca/

My parents have gone on it and really enjoyed it - the "fall foliage" excursion is really spectacular, you're just a little early (I think they start in a couple of weeks) but the regular trip is fantastic.

 

[Mermaid02]

Thanks! Getting really excited now!!! Friday and Saturday (dh will be in the parade Saturday) are the only 2 days we really care about the weather.... especially Saturday!!

BTW- it will be a big parade, not sure of the route, but it's usually pretty good. Come see it!! We will be there for the NorthEast Shriner's Convention....

 

[DisFan2]

We look forward to seeing you Mermaid! Do you know when the parade starts and is there a website for information?

 

[Twinkles6892]

This is Mermaid02........... We just got back... We loved it Loved it LOVED IT! What a fantastic city!! OMG.... it was so much fun.... We ate at The Highlander (a couple of times...FANTASTIC FOOD AND GREAT SERVICE!) The hotel was gorgeous... took a bus tour of the city.... I just can't tell you how much we loved it! Thank you for all of your help and suggestions.... And the icing on the cake was....THERE WAS A DISNEY STORE IN THE MALL!!!!

 

[mickey65]

Glad you enjoyed your visit! I saw a clip of the parade on our local TV station. It looked like a good turnout!

 

[DisFan2]

Hey Mermaid!

I saw your parade from the other side of the canal! It cut me off - I was trying to get downtown. What a perfect day on Saturday, quite a bit colder than usual, but a brilliant blue sky showed up! Glad you enjoyed your stay - come back anytime!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Did you happen to see any of the Shriners walking dogs? That would be my dh's therapy dog unit- they take them to nursing homes and hospitals to visit the patients!
Sorry the parade cut you off though!

We really had a great time- the convention will be back there in 10 years...

 

[dreamerAl]

Mermaid02,
Glad you loved Ottawa. It really is a beautiful city. My wife and I visit all the time. We just came back from a biking trip. Ottawa has some of the nicest bike paths I have ever seen. We didn't even see a car on these paths they are so well kept.