Travel Guide to Ottawa, Ontario

 

Photo from Britannica

Looking for your next weekend getaway? Look no farther than Ottawa.

Canada’s national capital has a lot to offer from the worlds largest outdoor skating rink to the historic buildings that make Parliament Hill. Ottawa offers a variety of attractions in the city and in the nature surrounding the National Capital Region. Make Canada’s capital your next destination!

How to get here:

 Ottawa is located 2 hours from Montreal, 4 hours from Quebec City, 4 hours from Toronto and only 1 hour from the US border.  Ottawa’s international airport provides frequent flights to Toronto and US destinations.

Ottawa – The Capital of Canada – Located on the Ottawa River.

Where to Stay:

Ottawa’s downtown core is centered around Parliament Hill. Nearby are the attractions of the Byward Market, Rideau Canal and many museums. When looking for a place to stay in Ottawa, I recommend a few options. 

For a reasonable price the Delta Hotel by Mariott located on Lyon St. N is a block away from the Hill. The Andaz Hotel located on Dalhousie St. is close to the Byward Market. The Andaz Hotel has a rooftop bar that is a great spot to catch sunset over the Ottawa River. Another convenient location is the Courtyard by Mariott Ottawa East off Vanier Parkway. 

Some higher end hotels include the Lord Elgin on Elgin St. is across from Confederation Park and the Rideau Canal. There is of course the famous Fairmont Chateau Laurier that has hosted prominent individuals and many conferences.

Getting a photo with the RCMP. Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) & RCMP are responsible for the security at The Hill 

Where to Dine:

Ottawa has a great selection of restaurants. There are a few restaurants that offer the Montreal style bagels. You can see the bagels baked in a wood fire oven at the Ottawa Bagelshop & Deli in Westboro and Kettlemans Bagels in the Glebe.

Zak’s Diner in the Byward Market is a popular restaurant, from milkshakes to omelets it is a great spot for Sunday brunch.  El Camino in the Glebe is a Mexican restaurant that has some great fish tacos. 

If you are looking to get a cup of coffee in the morning or get some work done downtown try Happy Goat Coffee and Origin Trade are located in the Byward Market. Bridgehead Coffee, an Ottawa-based chain has several locations in the downtown core. 

Dinner at Smoque Shack in the Byward Market

Bagel lunch at Ottawa’s Bagelshop 

Brunch at Zak’s Diner in Byward Market

Origin Trade Coffee 

Indoor Attractions:

For indoor attractions there are many options. Over the next few years, Centre Block at Parliament Hill is under renovations, however when this is completed you can get a tour of the House of Commons, Senate and the Peace Tower. Tickets are available at 90 Wellington St. across from the Hill. It is a first-come, first-serve system. While these renovations are underway there are tours for the West Block which was recently completed and is where the House of Commons is meeting currently.

There are many museums in the area, one that I enjoyed was the Royal Canadian Mint. Here you can see the manufacturing process from beginning to end for specialty coins. The coins that are in circulation are made at the sister plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here at the RCM you can see the coils of silver & gold valued at several million dollars. You can also hold a gold bar worth approximately $680,000 (CAD).

At the Royal Canadian Mint holding a gold bar under the supervision of security!

The Aviation Museum at the former Canadian Forces Base/Rockcliffe Airport is home to many aircraft from the RCAF. From the Avro Arrow to the CF-18s and the CH-113 Labrador helicopters. From this airport you can get plane rides over the National Capital region.

The War Museum just down the street from Parliament Hill tells the story of the military history of Canada with many replicas. Across the river in Gatineau is the History Museum with interactive displays and has some unique architecture making it a landmark in the area. 

Finally the National Gallery located on Sussex Drive is a comprehensive collection of Indigenous, European, American and Contemporary Art. There are other museums such as the Science and Technology Museum and the Museum of Nature in the south part of Ottawa.

At the Aviation Museum, the timeline of aircraft in Canada. 

Governor General House in Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood. Across the street from 24 Sussex, the official residence of the Prime Minister. 

Outdoor Attractions:

In the National Capital region there are many outdoor parks for both summer and winter activities. Rockcliffe park is along the Ottawa river where you can catch the sun setting over the river. Majors Hill park is adjacent to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, this park is close to the Byward Market. Dows Lake located in south Ottawa and is part of the Rideau Canal. Here at Dows Lake, you can rent paddleboards and canoes. The Rideau Canal goes through the heart of Ottawa, in the summer there are many recreational boats going through the locks. In the winter this transforms into the worlds largest outdoor skating rink.

In the summer there is a sound and lights show on Parliament Hill that goes through the highlights of Canadian history. This colourful show displays on the grand architecture of the Parliament buildings.

Gatineau Park is just across the river in Quebec. In the summer you can hike the many trails near Pink Lake, explore the ruins of Carbide Wilson house or go back in time to see the Mackenzie King Estate. Some of the lakes in the park have beach access. There are many lookouts along the trails and one that is accessible by car is Champlain Lookout. In summer, cyclists make their way up these challenging roads. If you are planning a visit in the summer or fall you might want to plan to arrive early. Parking can fill up fast as the fall colours are in their peak. In winter, there are activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on some of the trails.

About 30 minutes away is the town of Wakefield. Here you can find some restaurants, and the Moulin Wakefield Hotel + Spa which overlooks a local waterfall. There is also a covered bridge crossing the Gatineau River nearby.

Some attractions are the largest in Canada including the Nordik Spa, located in the town of Chelsea is the North America’s largest spa. Nearby test your courage at the Great Canadian Bungee, the tallest bungee jump in Canada. 

Tulips in Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood

Rideau Canal – adjacent to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier & Parliament Hill. 

Champlain Lookout – Gatineau Park

Beechwood Cemetery 

Ottawa River & The Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec

 

 

Winter Blog 2020

Winter Activities 2020

With the Winter season one can find it difficult to get outside with the cold and shorter days. In this blog I will be going through some activities you can do in southern Ontario & Quebec that will bring some holiday cheer & help you be active in a time of year that seems will never end. 

Kitchener – Waterloo: St. Jacobs Sparkles

1 Hour from Toronto

The picturesque town of St. Jacobs is known for its farmers’ market that draw many crowds and opens their doors in mid-November that brings holiday cheer to the town. St. Jacobs Sparkles is an annual 4-day event that has shopkeepers inviting customers with promotions and a pleasant holiday ambiance. Get a tour of the town with a free horse-drawn shuttle that takes you around the quaint village. 

Listen to the voices of Victoria Carollers that make their way through the town. At the St. James Lutheran Church @ 6PM there is the kick-off of the event & lighting of the tree at St. James Lutheran Church. Roast a marshmallow by a fire provided by the local fire department and pick up a hot chocolate or cider as you make your way to the many shops. This is a great event to welcome the season & start your holiday shopping.

Toronto Christmas Market

Following after European traditions, there are many Christmas markets in southern Ontario that offer many original cuisines and great shopping. The most well-known Christmas market is in downtown Toronto at the historic distillery district. A maze of shops lines the many streets where you can get an escape from the chilly weather. There are live musical performances and booths with many European foods. Above the crowds is a countdown to Christmas Day. 

Pretzel Bun, Chicken “Schnitzel”, & Sauerkraut

Muskoka (Huntsville)

2 Hours from Toronto

From January – March, Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great destination with many cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing, hiking and the famous 1.3 km skating trail. Warm up by a fire while you tie your skates and have an adventure with the family. In the past few years, a brand-new visitor center has been built providing a great facility for groups and where you can get skate and ski rentals. This has been my 3^rd year visiting this park, I highly recommend it.

Note: Weekends and Family Day can be busy at the park

Long Distance: Skating Montreal & Ottawa

4-5 Hours from Toronto

If you are one for a road trip in the winter, Montreal offers a nice experience during this time of year especially in the old city. Feel free to check out my itinerary to Montreal in my previous blogs. With many decorations and lights in the old city the ambiance makes for a perfect winter getaway. Montreal provides many opportunities & festivals during the winter to connect people during this season.  Festivals such as Montreal en Lumiere, which takes place in late February at the contemporary art museum brings life to the darker evenings. Other events include Igloofest & Ottawa’s famous Winterlude which take place in February. The La Grande Roue de Montreal, located in the old port is a ferris wheel that provides a great view of the city. In the evening this place transforms to a magical skating rink with the entire ferris wheel lit up. In Ottawa, the Rideau Canal attracts many visitors to the nations capital which boasts the worlds largest skating rink. The Sens Rink of Dreams is an alternative location for skating in Ottawa located at City Hall. 

La Grande Roue de Montreal

Old City, Montreal

Skating @ Sens Rink of Dreams – City Hall, Ottawa

If you have any questions feel free to email me at makinghorizonshistory@gmail.com

Get out there and explore your country!

Elijah Reinhardt

Ottawa Valley & The Mighty Ottawa River

October 24th, 2019

Reading week. A time to focus on priorities. Realign my goals. Evaluate my work so far. Fall is an awesome time of year, a good season to gain perspective and see the bright fall colours. One way that I like to gain perspective is to travel, you’re challenged, you meet new people and most importantly you’re out of your comfort zone.

A few Instagram posts had been drawing my attention to a hike in Ottawa scenic valley. Eagle’s Nest Lookout – less than an hour from the nation’s capital or 4 hours from Toronto.

If I had to put a theme on the blog it would be the awesome beauty of the Ottawa river. I have been to Ottawa several times and witnessed some of the damage of the floods in 2016 & 2019. Seeing the length of the Ottawa river to Mattawa was a reminder of the historical and economic importance that gave this region it’s identity.

I encourage you to dive into the history of the region before you visit. You will understand the significance this river and region played in the forming of our nation and our capital city Ottawa.

Getting there:

I left just before 4 am to get a head start on the day and skip the Toronto traffic. Just after 6 AM I was pulling off the 401 in Belleville and took Hwy 37 north to the town of Tweed & Hwy 7. From here I took Hwy 7 eastbound. In my travels to Ottawa I always preferred this scenic route over the typical 401 landscape. It was just after 7AM by the time I was in this area. With the winter season approaching the sun was just rising. This was one highlight of my trip; I could barely make out the marshes and landscape that was familiar to me and then as I rounded one corner…the brightest red sky it was awesome no pictures would give it justice. The road signs read 180 kms to the nation’s capital. In the small town of Kaladar I turned north and immediately there was a steep incline giving me a nice view of the sunrise to the south east. Some small towns were outside of Kaladar like Northbrook the last stop for gas for the next hour. Hwy 41 is quite remote from larger towns but the beauty is worth it. One nice stretch of road was along Mazinaw Lake (Bon Echo Provincial Park). Mazinaw Lake is the 7^th deepest Lake in Ontario including the great lakes. Steep cliffs mark the border of the lake. Definitely have to return to spend time in that area. There was a lot of scenic lakes, I stopped at one (Tooey’s Lake) with the mist coming off the lake it was so quiet. A good place for reflection.

By 830 AM I was at the trailhead, there was some rain. The trail is pretty easy, in total to the lookout it takes 25 minutes. In the last 10% of the trail there is a steep incline. There are many viewpoints along the ridge and one ledge that is the site of many famous Instagram shots. I highly recommend this trail. It is worth the stop, in ideal weather you could definitely spend some time here.

Here are some photos from my hike:

After this hike I passed through the town of Calabogie which has a ski resort definitely an ideal town to visit in the Fall or Winter for a weekend.

From here, the rugged Canadian Shield ends and the Ottawa River valley starts.

Here are some photos from the Town of Renfrew:

Nearby is Quebec, with the Laurentian mountains, an hour drive through this region provided a scenic drive. Towns I went through included, Portage du- Fort, and Fort Colougne.

By midday I was back in Ontario in the town of Pembroke – the heart of the Ottawa valley. There were many beaches along Hwy 17 to get glimpse of the Ottawa River, which is huge. There were murals in the town of Pembroke that displayed the history of the town. About 10 minutes down the road is Petawawa, known for the largest army base (by personnel) in Canada. Once again, I stopped at the river to see the view, there were quite a few islands between Ontario and Quebec. Definitely would love to come back to the Petawawa beaches in the summer. From here I got on Hwy 17 North another option would be to go through Algonquin Park on Hwy 60 if you would like to explore other areas. The next town is Chalk River where there is a large nuclear plant. Security is tight in this area as both sides of the road is an army base and there were many convoys on the road. After Chalk River, is the town of Deep River, I went to Lamure Beach which was on the south side of town. 

Here is a picture looking east to Quebec.

From Deep River I drove another hour and half to North Bay for dinner. There were times where there was no cell service along this stretch of road. During the whole drive you can see mountains in Quebec looking very majestic. Each time I got a glimpse of the mountains in Quebec it was a jaw dropping moment, the untouched landscape was a sight to behold. Pictures cannot grasp the entirety of the mountains; I did stop in Mattawa to take a picture of the scenery:

Opposite of Ontario on the Quebec side, the area is remote with mainly parks for camping. One bigger town in this area is Temiscaming which I visited in May of 2019.

The highway follows the Ottawa River to Mattawa where highway 17 heads to North Bay another 45 minutes. I passed the road (Hwy 630) to Kiosk, Algonquin where I had gone camping 4 years ago.

North Bay has been a favourite town of mine to visit for awhile, with a population of approximately 50,000 + it is a town for outdoor activities. I was in this area last in May of 2019. I recommend Duchesnay Falls on the north-west side of town. In the winter you can go ice fishing on Lake Nipissing and North Bay has many trails for snowmobiling, known as the gateway to the North. North of this town you can drive many hours into Quebec even reaching eastern Quebec townships like Saguenay and Charlevoix via Hwy 113&167. From North Bay I headed south and made a stop in Huntsville.

During this trip I used a different method to communicate the sights I saw. I used more videos and vlogging, the key to which is storytelling. I hope to improve this skill to interest those in exploring our province & country.

I hope you find this blog useful, I wanted to document my experience as I travelled instead of recommendations where to go, but if you would like to find out more about certain areas feel free to email me at makinghorizonshistory@gmail.com

Get out there & explore! Stay tuned for winter adventures!

Elijah Reinhardt

Travel Guide to Montreal

Summer is here, and you are ready for a road trip! But wait, where do you go? Where do you stay? Where do you eat?  What can you do there? Suddenly, you are overwhelmed with all the different questions to be answered. 

This blog will give you a guide to experiencing Montreal, Quebec. Welcome to Montreal!

makinghorizonshistory@gmail.com

Getting there:

If you are travelling within eastern Canada the best way to get there is by road. Montreal’s International airport is located 15-30 minutes from downtown on the west end of the city. If you are driving from Toronto, take the 401 east which turns into the A-20 east when you cross into Quebec, it will take you downtown Montreal.  If you are driving from Ottawa you can either take the A-50 from Gatineau which becomes one lane outside of Gatineau but has scenic views of the Ottawa River. The other option is Hwy 417 which is 2 lanes from the east end of Ottawa all the way to Rigaud and Montreal. If you're coming from the US such as NYC, I-87 from NYC turns into A-15 once you cross the border and will end up in downtown Montreal. From Boston, I-89 will take you to the border from there A-33 will take you to the A-10 which leads to the Montreal suburbs.

Google Maps View of Montreal

Distance to Montreal:

From Toronto (5 Hours)

From Ottawa (2 Hours)

From NYC (6 Hours)

From Boston (5 Hours)

From Moncton (9.5Hours)

Where to stay:

The hotel I booked was Holiday Inn & Suites Montreal Centre-ville Quest located on Rene Levesque Blvd W. This coincidentally was located about a 1-minute walk from the subway. Although quite convenient you can imagine the price was higher, this did save the inconvenience of finding parking on a week day (Friday). The hotel did charge $30 a day for parking. This hotel is located closer to the new area of Montreal. Local attractions include Bell Centre as well as Mary Queen of the World Cathedral which is the 3^rd largest church in Quebec.Nearby is the neighbourhood – Griffintown, which used to be the port lands of Montreal but recently has becoming a trendy area with cafes and small shops.

What to do:

Start your day with a walk down from the subway station (Place d'Armes), the spires of the Notre Dame will stand out. The main square in Old Montreal is a unique intersection of the Notre Dame, Masionneuve statue, and the head office of BMO. You can get a tour at the Notre Dame Cathedral (English or French) for the price of $8. This will not disappoint especially for a first-time visitor; the cathedral was at one point the largest church in North America for 50 years. 

Across from the Notre Dame, there is one room museum (free) in the BMO Building across the street. Parking is also available at a building in this square if you choose to drive downtown. From the centre square walk west on Notre-Dame St W, any of the side streets such as Rue Saint Jean, or St Francois Xavier will lead you south to St. Paul St W which I highly recommend to walk the length of. Many of the side streets are all unique and have a cozy coffee shops with unique environments.

Photos are courtesy of Elijah Reinhardt Photography

From Saint Paul St. W you can find your way down to the waterfront, there is a bike path if you choose to cycle the city. There are many shops on the north side of de la Commune St W.

Museums in this area include the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, & Montreal Science Center. Located nearby is the Bonsecours Market which houses boutiques & restaurants. At the water front is the famous Le Grande Roue de Montreal, the iconic ferris wheel which is lit up at night. If you are visiting in the winter months you can skate just below the ferris wheel or for those more skilled you can do a circle in the port. This was an incredible experience with the whole Ferris wheel lit up and the French music playing, it truly was a magical experience.

A short walk from the waterfront is the unique city hall of Montreal and the court house. A large square is located there, Place Jacques Cartier.

St. Josephs Oratory is a must see, this church was founded by Saint Brother Andre in 1904. This building has several floors in which each floor has a unique church. This building offers a spectacular view looking towards the north (Laval area). This is apparently the largest church in Canada. 

Mont Royal, located in the center of Montreal is a great location for hiking and cycling. The 5-minute walk up to the pavilion is a must -do when in Montreal. This view never gets old looking out over the city skyscrapers. On a clear day you can the Appalachians coming up from New York. Jacques Cartier was the first European in that area.

Other areas to visit include:

Biosphere Environmental Museum

Biodome

Olympic Stadium

Square Saint Louis

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Underground City (series of tunnels and buildings connected underground to form a mall)

Where to Eat:

1   1) Across the street from Notre Dame is a great café (Xavier Artisan) for breakfast, their pastries are baked fresh and you can try a Montreal style bagel.

503 Place d'Armes, Montreal, QC 

2) For an authentic Montreal experience, visit La Banquise located on Rue Rachel E. This restaurant offers a large selection of poutines with many toppings. The portions are also quite generous and well worth the price. Nearby is the La Fontaine Park which is great for an evening walk.

                 

994 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC

3) Lastly, one of the best restaurants I’ve been to is St. Paul’s Creperie, located on Saint Paul St. W. The restaurant itself has a unique vibe and cozy atmosphere. From your table you can watch the chefs create your Crepe masterpiece of many flavours from meat & cheese to dessert crepes such as banana and Nutella.

163b St Paul St E, Montreal, QC 

Conclusion

I hope you find this guide useful to get an idea of where to go, stay & eat in Montreal.

Montreal is a great city to explore and there are many pockets with a style and vibe of its own. If you have any further questions feel free to email at makinghorizonshistory@gmail.com

Welcome Blog

Making Horizons History

Welcome to this travel blog, Making Horizons History! On this blog, I will be sharing my traveling experiences. As a traveler, I know the importance of insider tips and recommendations. I am all about value, so I will be giving you information that you will find useful in your travels. My hope is that these blogs will inspire you to visit these places.

A little background about me:

My interest in traveling started a few years ago.  Many factors were involved, but the most important  was when I discovered my passion for geography. I started collecting maps, studying them and became a “walking Wikipedia”. I would often plan road trips or look up the most random places on earth. I competed in geography competitions locally to nation-wide. Also, I have always been interested in airplanes.  My dream job is to be an Air Traffic Controller. I love the rush at the airport, the selection of destinations and the idea of connecting people together across the world. From these interests, it sparked my desire to explore the world, experience cultures, meet people, and to see something different and bigger than I know.  I travel to write my own story and find new paths.

The frequency of the posts will be about one post a month. You can follow my Instagram: elijah.reinhardt for travel tips and photos. If you have any questions, feel free to email: makinghorizonshistory@gmail.com

 In closing, I’d like to share a quote that I believe is the definition of travel.

“Travel is not crossing geographical boundaries, but the boundaries that you have set for yourself.”

This is your world, your country, your province and your town. Get out there, explore, and see new places!
I am excited to start this journey with you!

Elijah Reinhardt