Summer must-do ’ s
Ottawa is a hot spot for visitors in the summer . The city keeps its cool thanks to water sports on three rivers , plus the national treasure that is the Rideau Canal . Ontario ’ s only UNESCO World Heritage Site . Diverse festivals throughout the summer have something for everyone , and spectacular daily shows on Parliament Hill — includling a light show and Changing of the Guard — offer the complete capital experience .
OWl rAFTIng
CHAngIng OF THe guArd
Water Adventure Ottawa may not be a coastal city , but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s without water adventures — from the pristine lakes of Gatineau Park to the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers .
Adventure can be found right downtown on the Ottawa River with Wilderness Tours ’ Ottawa City Rafting running half-day whitewater rafting trips within view of Parliament Hill . Explore further up river with OWL Rafting ’ s single or multi-day trips . “ High-sea ” adventure awaits little swashbucklers aboard Pirate Adventures ’ 50-foot ship on the Rideau River . Their interactive “ pirate-theatre cruise ” marks the spot for family trips with sunken treasure , defending the ship with water cannons , singing , dancing and more pirate p-aarrr-odies .
Of course , Ottawa ’ s most famous urban waterway is the Rideau Canal . Hop on board Rideau Canal Cruises , or explore the Ottawa River with Capital Cruises or the worldfamous Paul ’ s Boat Line .
Hot Town , Summer In Festival City
Ottawa ’ s cool little secret ? Music festivals . Sure , other cities host summer music festivals too , but nowhere will you get closer to big-name acts than in our capital . TD Ottawa Jazzfest kicks off the summer music festival season in June , with hundreds of headliners keeping all breeds of cats cool in Confederation Park . On its heels is RBC Bluesfest , where international big-names in DJ / Dance , Rock , Country , Blues ( of course ) and more fill four stages and 10 + days with music on the banks of the Ottawa River downtown . Music and Beyond melds classical music with visual arts , drama , poetry , comedy , circus and dance in the acoustic oasis of churches and concert halls in the downtown core . Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival works its charm in many of the same venues , with classical music ( and more ) filling these intimate , beautiful spaces .
Spotlight On History It ’ s not a trip to Ottawa without a visit to Parliament Hill . In the morning , see the Changing of the Guard , a daily performance by the Guard from its Cartier Square Drill Hall just south of Parliament Hill up Elgin Street . With its own regimental band and pipers , it ’ s quite the scene ! For the full capital experience , come back to the Hill in the evening to check out the Northern Lights Sound & Light Show , a spectacular nightly display that turns Centre Block into a giant immersive movie screen . The tradition of sound and light shows on Parliament Hill has an over 30-year history !
rIdeAu CAnAl