OT - Ottawa Canada Day Trip

[fnkyyellow]

Does anyone know where I can find information about the Canada Day festivities in Ottawa? I've heard mention of museums being open etc., but where would I find more specific details?

Thanks!

 

[lizabu]

Book your hotel now...some hotels are already sold out for July 1...don't wait...I think Will & Kate are coming. http://ottawastart.com/canadaday.php

 

[ccudmore]

Canada Day in Ottawa is something that, IMHO, every Canadian should do at least once. It's an amazingly great time. Blocks upon blocks of people, all wearing the red and white with music, activities, buskers and artists at every turn. There are generally well over 100,000 people at the celebration and I'd expect this year to be one of the biggest ever.

The the PP said, book now. Rooms are very hard to get that week, especially with the special guests this year. Plus with July 1st being on a Friday this year, there will be even more people due it being a true long weekend. Better yet, reconnect with some old friends who live in Ottawa and see if they'll put you up for the weekend It seems that every neighbourhood has their own Canada Day party as well.

The official site for the Canada Day celebrations is http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/canadaday/

There's no 2011 information up yet but I bet it'll be there soon. You can get a good idea from last year's details about what to expect.

Most museums are open and free on Canada Day, but chances are you'll have a full day of activities in and around Parliament Hill and will want to do the museums another day that week.

 

[ellen82]

I would suggest to book your hotel ASAP. Make sure to bring water and snacks as line-ups to restaurants and pubs downtown are long and the prices jack up!!

Getting a hotel downtown would be great so you can always go back to your room if you need a break.

I usually go behind the Supreme Court for fireworks anything on the Hill or Major Hill is super crowded!

Also staying downtown is key because if you are there until after the fireworks then its SUPER hard to get out-like a huge crowd!

 

[ccudmore]

I hope you've booked your hotel, because according to an article on the Ottawa Citizen today there are no hotel rooms left in downtown Ottawa for Canada Day. There's a huge increase in interest due to William and Kate's planned presence.

 

[susanv]

Hi there, we are booked into the university residence for Canada Day for a family wedding the next day. Any suggestions for a very active family with four kids under 8? I'm told there is a park next to the res, but it would be cool to see some celebrations while there. Problem being at least one of them (2 year old and 5 year old) are very talented at taking off!!!! We have purchased a harness for the younger one and the baby will be in a snuggly but don't know about the Hill because of the crowds and how easy it would be for them to get lost there. Would really appreciate any tips or hints!
Thanks,
Susan

 

[ellen82]

Hi,

Your best bet is to check out the NCC site: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/canadaday/

Museums are good for kids but honestly everything downtown is just so crowded. The lesser crowded areas are outside of the downtown core and can be found on that site.

That site should have all the info...

Again, restaurants are crowded and they jack up prices so I would recommend that you take lots of water and snacks and if you want to save some money, then eat outside of downtown or back at your University of Ottawa (if possible).

 

[susanv]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will give the site a try.

 

[ccudmore]

Hi there, we are booked into the university residence for Canada Day for a family wedding the next day. Any suggestions for a very active family with four kids under 8? I'm told there is a park next to the res, but it would be cool to see some celebrations while there. Problem being at least one of them (2 year old and 5 year old) are very talented at taking off!!!! We have purchased a harness for the younger one and the baby will be in a snuggly but don't know about the Hill because of the crowds and how easy it would be for them to get lost there. Would really appreciate any tips or hints!
Thanks,
Susan

Which University are you booked into? University of Ottawa, you're just as well to walk to Parliament Hill. If it's Carleton University, I'd suggest you take the OTrain and then a bus to get downtown.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Also the hill maybe a bit crazy this year just like last year was a William and Kate will be there for the 12:00 show. Last year was crazy as the Queen was there.

 

[susanv]

Which University are you booked into? University of Ottawa, you're just as well to walk to Parliament Hill. If it's Carleton University, I'd suggest you take the OTrain and then a bus to get downtown.

We are booked into Saint Paul University Residence at 201 Main Street. I have no idea where that is, LOL. Suddenly realized yesterday there is less than four weeks left. Guess I had better check out a map of Ottawa as well as that website previously mentioned. Am I out of my mind or is time speeding up! It can't be summer soooo soon. Mommy brain strikes again.

On the plus side, our room is booked and it has a kitchenette and bathroom in it!

Do we need different passes for the OTrain and the bus?

 

[ccudmore]

Saint Pauls in south-east of downtown and not on the OTrain line or a bus rapid transit line and isn't walking distance to downtown. So you're likely going to have to drive to downtown but be ready to walk a long way from where you parked since most of the roads downtown are closed to car traffic on Canada Day. I usually take the OTrain downtown on Canada Day so I unfortunately don't have any good parking recommendations for you.

If you do want to take a regular bus, I checked the OCTranspo site (http://www.octranspo1.com) and the #5 bus goes from St Pauls directly downtown. It's about a 20 minute bus trip.

You can use the same ticket for the OTrain and the bus - they're both run by OCTranspo.

 

[susanv]

Probably won't be driving downtown as our car only holds five and now there is six of us (MIL is bringing one of the kids on the way down and back), so will definitely take your advice on the bus system. Thank you for the link. Have printed off a bunch of info from the Ottawa Canada Day site to show DH tonight. Never been to Ottawa and have lived in Ontario entire life! An exciting trip even if not Canada Day, but this will be even better!
Thank you for all your help!!!!!!!

 

[ellen82]

Good luck Again, Ottawa is so so so crowded downtown. Not trying to scare you but just to let you know to plan for that.

FYI if you stay downtown for the fireworks and try to get on the bus then you will be waiting for a looooooonnnng time. Its thousands of people alll waiting for the free buses. They are worth it but just to let you know. You can usually see the fireworks along the canal, you can walk there if you dont mind walking for a bit. Walk up the canal and find a place where you can see the Chateau and the Hill, there you will be able to find a place to see the fireworks and it may be in walking distance to your residence.

 

[ccudmore]

Event details were released today at http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/canadaday/

There's 105 artists performing at various locations this year include the headliner of Great Big Sea. Also, in anticipation of overflow crowds this year, large-screens will be installed at Majors Hill Park showing all of the main stage activity. Sounds like this year is going to be a party to remember!