Ottawa: Good Hotels/Things to do/Places to eat? (Updated with photos! Thank you CP!) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Kipper is King · 07-26-2011, 10:49 AM

I may get to spend a couple days in Ottawa next month. Any recommendations for good hotels, things to see/do and places to eat? Is going into Gatineau worth it, despite the short amount of time I will be there?

malcolmk14 · 07-26-2011, 10:55 AM

Tour of Parliament is pretty cool if you've never been and you're interested in that sort of thing at all.

Gatineau is pretty dirty, you can tell as soon as you cross into Quebec that you're in a completely different place. It's quite amazing, actually.

The Reuben at Dunn's was pretty amazing but I'll put a disclaimer on that by saying it was about 2:30 in the morning and I had consumed a few wobbly pops.

Log · 07-26-2011, 10:57 AM

I stayed at a buddy's place when I was there in May.

Be sure to hit up Elgin Street Diner for a poutine.

CofR · 07-26-2011, 10:58 AM

The Canadian War Museum is a fantastic way to spend a day, very fascinating, lots of cool stuff to look at and its just on the edge of downtown. The Museum of Civilization is in Gatineau and is pretty interesting, but I don't recommend it as highly as the War Museum and if you just have a short amount of time I would skip it. The Parliament buildings are very cool, and something everybody should see. The Byward Market has some cool pubs and shops that set up daily, so its a great way to spend a sunny day. As far as places to eat I would highly recommend Elgin Street Diner, its nothing fancy, just great food... Dunn's is also fantastic, they have amazing amazing smoked meat.

vanisleflamesfan · 07-26-2011, 11:05 AM

Ottawa is a great town with lots to see and do. As a Canadian, there is something special about checking out Parliament Hill and everything associated with it.

Take a tour of the Parliament buildings. WEB Be sure to time your visit to see the changing of the guards. Also, the evening show that is on during the summer is actually quite good.

Going into Gatineau is worth it for the Canadian Museum of Civilization. HERE. The view of Ottawa from the back of the museum is the Million Dollar view.

Gatineau is also worth it for the casino if you are feeling gambly. HERE.

Ottawa has plenty of excellent museums. HERE. I particularly recommend the CMC, the War Museum and the National Gallery.

Other than that, check out the other things on the Hill like the Supreme Court, National Press Building, etc. Wander around the Byward Market for people watching, shopping, food and drink. The market can be a good place to party in the evenings.

Stroll along the canal. Eat a beavertail, some poutine and some smoked meat.

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-26-2011, 11:09 AM

The best hotels for location and quality are the Chateau Laurier and the Westin.

I'd avoid the Elgin Street Diner. It's okay but if you're getting poutine get it from one of the numerous chipwagons around the city. I've never found Dunns to be anything special. Go to Lone Star for fajitas.

Gatineau Park is nice but otherwise the only real reasons to go to Gatineau are if you're looking for the Museum of Civilization, a casino, a strip club or beer (Quebec has the cheapest beer prices in Canada).

vanisleflamesfan · 07-26-2011, 11:12 AM

I would second the idea of buying poutine from one of the chipwagons. The Elgin street diner is fun after the bars but by then you can expect a long wait for a table.

Tinordi · 07-26-2011, 11:18 AM

Gatineau is not worth it.

The war museum is probably the best museum in the city next to the National Gallery.

Tour of parliament is obvious, and it's free.

Chez Lucien is a great french Canadian bar located in the market, it has the best jukebox in the city.

Get a poutine at Smokes, the best there.

Shwarma Palace on Rideau has the best Schwarma's, huge plate of food.

Drink Beau's beer when you're there.

Northendzone · 07-26-2011, 11:20 AM

go to the bare fax - last i heard is was one of the more popular gentlemen's clubs in the entire nhl

also go to the parliment buildings and vist the room were they have all the names of all the soilders who have ever died for canada on the pages of several books - it is very humbling to enter this room

VladtheImpaler · 07-26-2011, 11:22 AM

Is the Mekong still around? Used to have fantastic Chinese 15 years ago... No reason to cross the river, except for dirty strippers. The Museum of Civilization is horrific, though a fitting monument to federal tax dollars at work in Quebec... The National Art Gallery and War Museum are excellent...

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-26-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

.
Chez Lucien is a great french Canadian bar located in the market, it has the best jukebox in the city.

Never been but everyone I know that has raves about it.

Quote:

Get a poutine at Smokes, the best there.

It's good if you want fancy poutine but just stick with a chipwagon instead.

Quote:

Drink Beau's beer when you're there.

Phenomenal advice!

Also go for pizza with gravy at House of Georgies/Sorrentos just off Elgin.

CofR · 07-26-2011, 11:41 AM

+1 for Beau's, fantastic beer.

troutman · 07-26-2011, 11:47 AM

Golden Palace - best egg rolls ever (just order those):

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/250/1421...-Palace-Ottawa

They are known for their egg rolls and they sell about 5,000 a day at $1.75 and are shipped all over. The egg roll is their claim to fame

http://goldenpalacerestaurant.ca/

Knalus · 07-26-2011, 11:56 AM

Check out the Diefenbunker, a museum just outside of town in Carp, Ontario - a 20 min drive. Huge, very well done up restoration of the cold war government bunker intended to run the country in the event of nuclear war. Absolutely worth seeing.

http://www.diefenbunker.ca/

Tinordi · 07-26-2011, 11:58 AM

Finally, highly recommend the Black Sheep Inn. If you have a rental car it is absolutely worth the trip.

It's a small quaint spot in Wakefield, QC that has excellent shows of local musicians. Food is great, atmosphere is great, music is great.

Check their website for their schedule of shows.

loob job · 07-26-2011, 12:18 PM

The market in Ottawa is the place to be, tons of bars and restaurants, great spot.

loob job · 07-26-2011, 12:19 PM

I've stayed at "The Minto Suites" and it was really nice.

Puppet Guy · 07-26-2011, 12:44 PM

Ottawa's a good place to spend a week or so. I'll vouch for the Museum of Civilization (ironic that the best view of Parliament comes from Quebec), the National Gallery and the Rideau Canal. Question for those who are in Ottawa: is the Aviation Museum still a separte entity from the War Museum, or did they combine the two?

Kipper is King · 07-26-2011, 12:57 PM

This is pure gold, CP! Keep the suggestions coming! I am now out of thanks, but please know I'm grateful for your advice!

HelloHockeyFans · 07-26-2011, 01:34 PM

It's unfortunate that you're only there for a few days 'cause Ottawa sucks IMO. If you were in town longer, I would say you should just go to Montreal.

Check out the obvious things like Parliament Hill and the War Museum. The party scene sucks though and it's a ghost town on weeknights and Sundays.