Little Known Ottawa Tourist Attractions -- Canada's Capital Off the Beaten Path

Touring visitors around Ottawa is one of thosehave fed the 26 plus colony of stray cats. Formality
pleasures that just gets better and better as youand compassion in harmony. You can't get any more
uncover more intricate history, attractions and uniqueCanadian than that, eh!3)Drive along Sussex Drive
sights. The Capital City of Canada, Ottawa, could alsofrom Rideau Street and continue through the
be dubbed 'The Museum Capital of Canada'. Withround-about at 24 Sussex and Rideau Hall (across the
over 13 major museums, a dozen governmentstreet) on up to the RCMP Musical Ride Training
attractions, and an extensive Art Gallery, there isFacility. You might even get to feed the horses
something to satisfy every curiosity, every historythrough the fence! On the return drive enjoy the
buff, every art connoisseur and every entertainmentOttawa River look-off, zip up into Rockcliffe Park to
taste. You could literally spend months touring thissee Embassies, Ambassadors' Homes and homes of
Museum Gem of Canada.Chatting with the localthe Ottawa elite. Park near Rideau Hall, walk its
guides, Members of Parliament (MPs), securitybeautiful gardens and capture the Changing of the
persons and even Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceGuard.4)No trip to Ottawa is complete with out a
(RCMP) has uncovered a few 'off the beaten path'drive up into Gatineau Park, a short drive to an
attraction anomalies that add to the intrigue andentrance just over one of the 5 bridges between the
beauty of the Canada's National Capital Region.1)Theprovinces of Ontario and Quebec. This park is a
Acoustic Anomaly of the Baldwin-LaFontaine Statuemecca for mountain bikers. On one excursion we
on Parliament Hill. Tucked to the right and behind thewatched a black bear eating by the side of road just
main Parliament building, up behind the statue ofa short distance inside this park. Drive right up to the
Queen Elizabeth II sitting on a horse. Robert BaldwinChamplain Look-off, which overlooks the Ottawa
and Louis LaFontaine established responsibleValley and Ottawa River. Gatineau Park is on the
government in Canada with the 1841 reunion ofedge of the Canadian Shield. An incredible site any
Upper and Lower Canada. Stand front and center andtime, but particularly a perfect place in the Autumn.
face this monument that looks like a mini stage.You might be lucky enough to view the excitement
Speak in a normal voice and listen.. The sound hasof hang gliders or para-gliders against this pristine
the natural acoustic amplification qualities like those ofvalley backdrop. Oh! You must exit the park through
a mini Red Rocks Colorado amphitheater. Don't leaveChelsea so you can enjoy the homemade ice cream
yet! Sit two people opposite each other; one at theand waffle cones of La Cigale.5)Bicycle along the
extreme right and one at the extreme left edges ofmiles and miles of pathways throughout the National
the 'stage'. Have the two whisper a conversationCapital region. And if that is not enough, every
back and forth. WOW!2)The Cat Sanctuary onsummer Sunday morning, sections of the River
Parliament Hill is to the left of the main ParliamentParkway are blocked to regular automobile traffic for
building. For over 18 years and counting, volunteersyour biking, walking and running pleasure.