Ottawa travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

The Museum is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier – one of the most picturesque sites in the city. It takes 20-30 minutes to tour the small building, which houses artifacts from the 1830s construction of the canal. The Bytown Museum is housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the Commissariat of Lt. Colonel John By, Royal Engineers. Built in 1827, the building was the treasury and a storehouse during the building of the Rideau Canal. The Museum is operated by the Historical Society of Ottawa. The Bytown Museum tells the story of Col. By, the construction of the Rideau Canal as well as the early years of the city of Ottawa.

Continue reading The oldest stonehouse in Ottawa

The Peacekeeping Monument was erected on Confederation Boulevard in Ottawa. Named “Reconciliation”, the monument honours the contribution made by Canadian peacekeepers; recognizes Canada’s commitment to world peacekeeping and tells the story of Canada’s role in world peacekeeping. Since 1950 more than 112,000 Canadians have served as peacekeepers in countries such as Cyprus, Haiti, Egypt, Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda. The Peacekeeping Monument, entitled Reconciliation, was commissioned by the Canadian government in 1988 when the United Nations was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 40 years of international peacekeeping.

Continue reading An unnamed Canadian victim of the First World War

The Dominion Arboretum of Canada, in 1886 a few farms, south west of Ottawa, were set aside as the Central Experimental Farm. Soon, the Dominion Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens were established. The first 200 species of trees and shrubs were planted in the autumn of 1889. By the end of the 19th century, more than 3,000 specimens made up the scientific and research collection. A collection in the north-east corner of the Arboretum can be viewed from Prince of Wales Drive, just as you enter The Farm from Dows Lake. It contains eight species, three varieties and has a wonderful showing of flowers during the early spring.

Continue reading A brilliant collection, making peace and harmony