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While Ottawa may be the capital of Canada, many people, especially those outside the country, don’t know much about it. Whether you live there now, are thinking about making a move, or just plan to visit, these are some awesome facts about Ottawa you might want to be familiar with.
It’s Home to the World’s Largest Naturally Frozen Skating Rink
The Rideau Canal is a 125-mile-long waterway connecting the city to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River at Kingston, Ontario. One of Ottawa’s most popular and historic attractions, constructed in the early 19th-century, it’s central to life here. In the summer, it’s filled with boats of all kinds, but as soon as temperatures drop, it becomes the longest naturally frozen skating rink in the world, providing the ideal way for locals to skate to school or work while offering visitors a fun way to explore. You can glide across the entire frozen canal while stopping at snack stands along the way selling “beaver tails” (pastries topped with sugar and cinnamon) and hot cocoa.
It’s a City of Festivals
Ottawa hosts nearly three dozen festivals every year, including the Canadian Tulip Festival in May and the famous 18-day Winterlude Festival that starts in early February, with a focus around the frozen Rideau Canal. The festivities not only include lots of skating on the ice, but live music, a parade, and ice sculpture competition.
It’s a Great Place for Employment and Start-Up Companies
Canada’s capital is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the North. It’s home to more engineers, scientists, and PhDs per capita than any other city in the country. It also hosts more than 1,800 tech companies that employ over 76,000 people though many also find employment through the federal government, the city’s largest employer.
Winters are Cold
There’s no denying that the winters are cold in Ottawa. On December 28, 2017, the overnight temperature dropped to 20.2 degrees below Fahrenheit, colder than one of the world’s typically chilliest cities on average, Ulan Bator, Mongolia which experienced -14.8 Fahrenheit temperatures. But the cold just offers the perfect excuse to cozy up with the one you love, perhaps next to the warmth of a roaring fire, sipping hot chocolate and watching the flakes gently fall out your window. You can always bundle up and get out there and take advantage of the snow and ice, from ice skating and hockey to snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding and more.
Ottawa was Once Known as Bytown
You might hear some refer to Ottawa as Bytown, as that was its original name. It started out as a staging area for the construction of Rideau Canal in 1826 and within a year it had grown and was called Bytown after John By, the leader of the Royal Engineers who constructed the canal. Less than 30 years later, it was incorporated and changed to Ottawa – soon after Queen Victoria named it the capital of the province of Canada.
Now that you know these awesome facts about Ottawa, this city should not be missed on your travels through Canada. The historical buildings are amazing while the city is constantly evolving and modernizing. The people are as warm in winter as in summer, so don’t hesitate to see it, no matter what the time of year.
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. Now that the children are gone, but still saving for retirement, she enjoys traveling in an affordable way and wants to share those ideas.
These were some really cool points. Well, I have heard about Ottawa a number of times, especially from friends who have moved to Canada.
The frozen skating rink sounds amazing. 3 dozen festivals is festive. I would love to attend some of them someday. I have heard about the extreme winters and I know its a great place for start ups. Bytown, its old name was new to me.
Well looks like I am missing out by not visiting Bytown, I mean Ottawa. I am surprised of learning about how it is is the Silicon Valley of the North. I can imagine the cold though and your description of snuggling up by the fire sounds perfect to me.
Wow, I didn’t know Ottawa is considered as the Silicon valley of the north. I have read about the sightseeing in Ottawa but didn’t know there are so many opportunities to work. It’s surely a great place I would like to spend few months in.
Up and coming destination!
I love your idea about snuggling up and share hot cocoa by the fire on the coldest nights…what better way to celebrate winter? Ottawa sounds like a city that’s perfect for urban and outdoorsy types alike in any season. I’d love to see people ice-skating along the Rideau Canal for work or fun. Brilliant!
I’m ashamed to admit that I live in Minnesota and haven’t made my way to Ottawa yet! I’m desperate to get there soon and experience all the festivals they have to offer. I’d be interested in seeing how Pride is celebrated there and also the Tulip Festival. I also didn’t know that it was once called Bytown — great historic nugget!
Why had I never even thought to visit Ottawa?! The architecture looks amazing! And I would love to visit the Tulips! I guess it’s time for us to plan a trip- I’m in NYC so it’s not that far!
I think it’s one of those cities that flies under the radar but it’s so beautiful.
Pretty close to you …
I haven’t been in Canada yet. I really want to visit since my sister is Canadian and she’s in Edmonton. I have heard about Ottawa a lot. I’m really fascinated by its progress. I really hope I can swing by and try their local cuisine. Great snaps! Thanks for sharing your adventure.
I’m sad I missed on visiting Ottawa when I was in Canada. I’d love to see the tulip festival in May, I bet it’s so pretty to see in person. I’m terrible with the cold however, and wouldn’t like the winters there unfortunately! Still, the sound of piping hot chocolate and a roaring fire sounds pretty wonderful!
I’m not a winter person either but the other seasons are beautiful in Ottawa.
I always thought of Canada to be too cold for me. But the tulips have made me change me mind. Ottawa looks like a lovely place. Would love to visit the frozen lake ice rink.