Visiting Ottawa & Central Ontario

Ottawa and Canada’s capital region enjoy the longer days and warm season weather with festivals, events and activities. A showcase for Canada, Ottawa’s landmarks include the National Gallery of Canada featuring summer 2012's exhibit Van Gogh: Up Close; Parliament Hill, the seat of Canada’s national government, with summer’s Mosaika sound and light show; and the Rideau Canal, Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ottawa’s summer visitors enjoy the county’s biggest Canada Day Celebration, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival and the Ottawa Blues Festival among capital city events. Explore Ottawa and the Capital region and enjoy the best of art, culture and fun.

Art lovers don’t miss a visit to the National Gallery of Canada for the exclusive Canadian exhibition of Van Gogh: Up Close. View over 45 paintings by the Dutch artist offering an intimate look at his work. The show runs summer 2012 through September 3rd. Plan ahead and reserve tickets, the exhibit is expected to be popular. Ottawa’s Nation Gallery of Canada, is the only Canadian venue hosting the show.

Music fans are in luck summer 2012, Canada’s capital city hosts the Ottawa International Jazz Festival with the Escapade Music Festival running concurrently, followed by the Ottawa Blues Festival. June 21st through July 1st, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival fills venues throughout the city with top names in jazz music. See John Mayall at Confederation Park, followed by the Robert Cray Band; the Rideau Centre hosts Three Little Birds; and the Zakari Frantz Trio plays multiple nights at the Delta City Centre.

Visit the Canada Aviation & Space Museum June 30th through July 1st, for the 2012 Escapade Music Festival. A celebration of Canada Day in the National Capital Region, Escapade is dedicated to the development of electronic music. The festival features cutting edge DJ’s from across Canada and the globe, spinning high-energy music at the Canada Aviation & Space Museum.

The 2012 RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest comes to Ottawa July 4th through the 15th, on the grounds surrounding the Canadian War Museum. Five outdoor stages located on the banks of the Ottawa River, feature performers including Tangerine Dream, Seal and Norah Jones, among the many popular performers. The Barney Danson Theatre at the war museum, hosts a variety of comedy acts throughout the festival. Ottawa is a summer mecca for music enthusiasts.

The Rideau Canal, Ottawa’s historic lifeline to Lake Ontario, is honored at the 2012 Rideau Canal Festival. Celebrating the canal’s 180th anniversary over August's long-weekend, the festival is held in conjunction with the Ottawa Busker Festival. Walk, jog or bike along the canal and enjoy street performers; join Saturday night’s flotilla on Dows Lake, or a daytime flotilla down the canal to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre. It’s the season to enjoy the capital city’s great outdoors.

Ottawa & Central Ontario Hotel Map