? Discover Ottawa?s Francophone culture with the Circuit Vanier and the Vanier Museopark (p. 47) Explore Ottawa?s French side with at stop at the Vanier Museopark. The indoor and outdoor exhibits highlight the heritage of the former town of Vanier, the bastion of Francophone culture in the Ottawa region for over a hundred years. The 17-acre park has a maple grove and the only sugar shack in an urban setting. The Circuit Vanier is the ideal way to see the many murals in Vanier! ? Parliament Hill A trip to Ottawa would not be complete without a tour of Parliament Hill and its neogothic buildings that date back to 1859. The Parliament Buildings offer a large selection of activities to visitors. In addition to guided tours, you can enjoy self-guided tours, the Changing the Guard ceremony and a carillon concert from the ringing bells of the Peace Tower. Take a 30-minute tour of the Supreme Court of Canada (p. 47) and marvel at the grandiose marble Grand Entrance Hall. You can even sit in on a hearing! Accommodations Stay in the largest suites in Ottawa at the Albert on Bay Suite Hotel (p. 47) or the Best Western Victoria Park Suites (p. 47), both located in downtown Ottawa. It?s your home away from home! CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION © PHILIPPE RENAULT CUMBERLAND HERITAGE VILLAGE MUSEUM © PHILIPPE RENAULT Days 2 and 3 Exploring Ottawa?s museums and theatres is a full-time job! The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau is recognized the world over for the excellence of its collections and interpretation programs, not to mention its majestic architecture. Discover the key events and defining moments in Canada?s military history at the Canadian War Museum (p. 47). The museum displays thousands of artifacts from personal stories and medals to the impressive Voodoo jet. With its stunning architectural design, it is a military history museum of international stature! Would you like to know where money comes from? The Royal Canadian Mint produces money for Canada as well as other countries and offers various products and services. During a guided visit, discover how art, technology and heritage come together in Canada?s coins. Step back in time and explore the evolution of money around the world and through the ages at the Bank of Canada?s Currency Museum. View the most complete collection of Canadian coins, tokens and bank notes in the world, as well as a wide representation of foreign currencies. Take part in family activities, including farm animals and exhibits, at the Canada Agriculture Museum (p. 46). Founded in 1856, the Canadian Museum of Nature (p. 46) boasts an enviable reputation! Fossils, mammals, birds, discovery zones and 36 complete dinosaur skeletons are exhibited in state-of-the-art settings. Located 20 minutes outside the city of Ottawa, the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum (p. 46) tells the story of rural Francophone life in the 1920s and 1930s. The museum, which collected 28 pioneer buildings from Cumberland County, recreates the life of our ancestors and depicts several trades and occupations. © FESTIVAL FRANCO-ONTARIEN © VANIER MUSEOPARK Theatre? Dance? Symphony? Located in front of Confederation Square and Parliament Hill, the National Arts Centre is Canada?s largest arts complex. Classical music, theatre and dance are on the ticket. Enjoy the show! For more information contact Ottawa Tourism (p. 46). © NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE The ByWard Market is the ideal place to find a good restaurant or a lively bistro. Browse through the kiosks and discover a treasure in an artsy boutique. Sink your teeth into a beaver tail, a typically Canadian pastry, which has become an Ottawa specialty! At lunchtime or dinnertime, the whole family can enjoy a great meal at The Fish Market Restaurant (p. 47), located in the heart of the ByWard Market on York Street. BYWARD MARKET © OTTAWA TOURISM For more tour ideas, contact www.directionontario.ca/circuits.cfm directionontario.ca 45
