Visiting Ottawa & Central Ontario

The Ottawa and Gatineau regions are a showcase of Canadian history and culture. Spring and summer 2013 bring a diversity of events including the spring edition of the Ottawa International Writers Festival, the Canada Cup FINA Diving Grand Prix and even a sheep shearing festival at the Canada Agriculture Museum. It’s time to say goodbye to the Ottawa Senators for the season, and head outdoors to the many Ottawa region events and festivals. Williamstown, 30-minutes northeast of Cornwall, is home to Canada’s oldest annual fair, celebrating the 202nd Williamstown Fair in 2013. After a successful inaugural event, the Cornwall Ribfest returns as well.

The community of Brockville, located along the St. Lawrence River, celebrates life along the St. Lawrence Seaway at the 2013 1000 Islands Wine & Food Festival, June 14th and 15th. Travel inland to Smith Falls, located in the heart of the Rideau Canal, for the 2013 Movies Under the Stars screenings in Centennial Park in June, while plans for the community’s August Canal, Railway and Music Festival are well under way. Enjoy the season and travel across Ontario’s Capital region.

Celebrate spring in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, at the Canadian Tulip Festival. Throughout Ottawa and Gatineau spring brings tulips bursting into bloom. The communities celebrate the 2013 Canadian Tulip Festival, May 3rd through 20th. Now in its 61st year, the tulip festival brings events and celebrations to venues across the capital region. Explore the gardens of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, National Gallery, and the Museum of Civilization among the many beautiful sites filled with blooming tulips.

Runners set your marks on the 2013 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend May 25th and 26th. Along with the Ottawa Marathon events include the Y Kids Marathon, half marathon, and 10, 5, & 2k courses. Tamarack race weekend brings a Health & Fitness Expo to the Ottawa Convention Centre, receptions, and the awards ceremony at the Ottawa City Hall Festival Plaza. Among the venues, be sure to visit Confederation Park for an amazing evening outdoors with the best of jazz musicians.

Canada’s capital region fills with the sounds of jazz music with the 2013 edition of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. Headliners including Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Macy Gray, and David Byrne make the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival the place to be June 20th through July 1st.

Ottawa & Central Ontario Hotel Map