Life in Ottawa
About Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic city of more than one million people, a rich urban atmosphere with nature just a stone’s throw from your door. Located where the historic Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River in Ontario at the Quebec border, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets, and where you can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national sites and landmarks. It boasts world-class higher education institutions including the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College. It’s a city steeped in culture, with museums and galleries displaying stunning national collections and special exhibitions from Canada and around the world.
Ottawa is a uniquely beautiful place to live and a great place to raise a family. It’s famous for its vast selection of walking, bike and ski trails, set in stunning green space. There’s an easy going, friendly, cosmopolitan vibe here, bringing the feeling of community to this large city.
This is also a city that enjoys the finer things in life, with a culinary community that’s earning wide acclaim, unique boutiques and shopping districts, a lively local music and art scene, and an always exciting nightlife.
Summer in Ottawa
When it’s summertime in Ottawa, we take it outdoors, with dining on patios at restaurants, pubs and cafés across Ottawa’s urban neighbourhoods. It is a time when many local Farmer’s Markets pop up throughout the city selling local produce and products. On Canada Day, Ottawa is the place to be as the city takes on a party atmosphere for the big celebration. Feed your imagination and immerse yourself in culture as you take in the fantastic exhibits at the Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Aviation Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature. Many residents and visitors alike take in Ottawa's vibrant summer festival scene, enjoying some of the world’s biggest and most popular artists at RBC Bluesfest and TD Ottawa Jazz Festival. For the sports fan, the new Lansdowne Park is the place to be, home of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks and the NASL’s Ottawa Fury FC.
Winter in Ottawa
There is no shortage of indoor and outdoor activities to occupy your winter in Canada's Capital region. Skate, ski and sled before and after the annual Winterlude celebration. Become a true Ottawa resident by going for a skate on the world’s longest skating rink, the Rideau Canal, and enjoying a delicious BeaverTail pastry, right on the ice. Soak in the culture at museums, shop in unique neighbourhoods and savour the tastes of the region in local restaurants. Enjoy watching the NHL’s Ottawa Senators at the CTC in Kanata or the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s at TD Place.