Ottawa: Beyond Parliament Hill – 15 Little-Known Facts
Think Ottawa is all politics and polite Canadians? That’s only part of the story! This capital city offers a surprising dose of fun, a splash of weird, and a whole lot of hidden charm.
Buckle up, and uncover these interesting facts about Ottawa below:
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Beavertails Anyone? This iconic Canadian pastry – fried dough shaped like a beaver’s tail – was born right here in Ottawa. Prepare for deliciousness.
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Tulip Mania: The Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates Ottawa’s role in sheltering the Dutch royal family during WWII and the thousands of tulip bulbs they gifted as thanks.
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The World’s Longest Skating Rink: Lace up those skates! The Rideau Canal transforms into a 7.8-kilometer ice highway every winter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot.
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Changing of the Guard (with a Twist): Witness this summer tradition on Parliament Hill, complete with bagpipes and bearskin hats– a Canadian twist on British pomp!
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Diefenbunker: Blast from the Past! This massive Cold War bunker, now a museum, is a relic of a tense era ready for your exploration.
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Haunted Happenings: From the famously spooky Fairmont Château Laurier to the eerie Bytown Museum, Ottawa has its share of ghost stories.
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Secret Labs: The National Research Council houses some seriously cool (and strange) science experiments, including a giant wave pool!
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Shawarma Showdown: Ottawa is unofficially Canada’s shawarma capital, boasting a fierce (and delicious) rivalry for the best Middle Eastern wraps.
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Nature in the City: Ottawa is packed with green spaces, with urban bike trails and even whitewater rafting accessible within the city limits!
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“Maman” the Spider: This giant spider sculpture outside the National Gallery makes for a startling and impressive sight.
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Hog’s Back Falls: Not as menacing as it sounds, this pretty waterfall and park area offer a serene escape from the urban bustle.
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Banknote Birthplace: Canada’s fancy currency is designed and printed in Ottawa – a highly secure operation, naturally!
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Poutine, Perfected: Ottawa lays claim to some of the most creative poutine variations – fries, cheese curds, gravy… and anything else your heart desires.
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Coffee Tunnels: Rumor has it, secret tunnels for politicians lie beneath Ottawa, providing caffeine-fueled routes between important buildings.
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Northern Flair: Ottawa’s surprisingly close to Algonquin Park for weekend wilderness adventures if the city gets too tame.
The Takeaway
Ottawa does sensible government stuff well, but it also has a healthy dose of the playful and unexpected. From pastry oddities to Cold War bunkers, there’s more to this city than meets the eye!