There’s always something new to learn.
Ottawa is often the capital people forget — until they arrive. Then it hits you: the clean design of Parliament Hill, the serenity of the Rideau Canal, the rhythm of two languages intertwining as naturally as maple syrup and snow. Ottawa doesn’t shout like Toronto or dazzle like Vancouver — it whispers with purpose.
Here, nature and nationhood coexist. Government meets green space. And behind every polite exchange, there’s a deeper cultural heartbeat you didn’t expect.
Let’s see what we discover.
Things you didn’t know about Ottawa.
5. Ottawa has the world’s longest skating rink.
Each winter, the Rideau Canal transforms into a 7.8-kilometer ice path — where locals commute, couples date, and beavertails are a rite of passage.
4. The city is fully bilingual by design.
Ottawa bridges English and French identities — with official services, signage, and culture offered fluently in both languages.
3. Ottawa was chosen as Canada’s capital to avoid conflict.
In 1857, Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as a compromise — distanced from American borders and rival cities like Toronto and Montreal.
2. There’s a Cold War bunker buried beneath the suburbs.
The Diefenbunker, built in secret, was meant to shelter key officials during a nuclear attack — and now operates as a surreal public museum.
1. Ottawa is home to over 70 festivals a year.
From Winterlude to the Tulip Festival, this “quiet” city throws colorful, quirky celebrations all year long — often outdoors, even in -20°C.
Bottom line.
Ottawa isn’t trying to impress — and that’s its charm.
It grows on you, quietly, confidently, like snow that slowly blankets the street.
Canada’s capital is more than policy and Parliament.
It’s poetry in motion, if you pause long enough to see it.
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
