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Venues

About the Ottawa Congress Centre

Copyright Ottawa Congress Centre

Close to all major Ottawa downtown landmarks, the Ottawa Congress Centre is a full-service convention centre.  The Centre is physically connected to the Westin Hotel, is a mere 3-5 minute walk from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Novotel, and only a 6 -10 minute walk from the Lord Elgin. 

 

A short stroll away from the Congress Centre is the Byward Market, a charming and bustling business district with more than 90 restaurants offering a wide spectrum of cuisines served in diverse dining styles.  As the name suggests, the Byward Market has fresh produce and flowers stalls, many food retail stores, and a variety of boutiques.   For after-conference shopping, the Rideau Centre is literally just at the other end of the hallway, and only two blocks away is the iconic Canadian Bay Department Store on Rideau Street.

 

About Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the seat of the Federal Government.  Ottawa is also a high-tech capital, one of the main R&D centres in Canada.  Together with its sister city of Gatineau across the Ottawa River, Ottawa-Gatineau is the country’s fourth largest metropolis by population. Among Canadian cities, Ottawa has the highest family median income based on 2004 data from Statistics Canada.  Yet, according to the 2006 Mercer survey of the cost of living in 144 cities around the world, Ottawa is the least expensive Canadian city and is ranked 90th among the 144 cities.  2007 is the 150th anniversary of Ottawa being selected as Canada’s capital by Queen Victoria.

Reflecting the multicultural character of Canada, Ottawa has an ethnically diverse population.  According to the 2001 census, 51% of Ottawa residents have English as the first language; 33% have French as their first language.  Of the remaining 16%, the top five linguistic groups are Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.  The ethnic diversity of Ottawa is best evidenced by the wide selection of cuisines found in its restaurants.

In June, Ottawa’s climate is typically warm and pleasant, and some days can be wet and humid.   In June the average daily high is 25 C and the average daily low is 13 C.  The month of June is well suited for enjoying the many green spaces, lakes, riverfront, canal, and bicycle paths of the city.   Bicycles, canoes and kayaks can be rented.

     

 

In addition to the many gifts of nature, Ottawa has much to offer to culture lovers.  It is a city of museums and festivals.  In June 2007, two world-class events will be available:

Renoir Landscapes, 1865-1883,                

(8 June – 9 September) at the National Gallery

 

 

Treasures from China,

(11 May – 28 October) at the Canadian Museum of Civilization

 

For more visitor information about Ottawa, please visit Ottawa Tourism’s web site

 

Other Locations of Interest

Montreal , a French city in North America, is only 2 hours away from Ottawa by car, bus or train. (approx. 190km - 120mi ) .

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and capital of the Province of Ontario, is 4.5 hours from Ottawa by car, bus or train (approx. 400km - 250mi).

A visit to Toronto can easily include a trip to Niagara Falls .  This world-famous Nature’s wonder is just about 1.5 hour drive from Toronto (approx. 130km - 81mi)

To experience the vast wilderness of Canada, plan a weekend or preferably longer in Algonquin Park,  (approx. a 4-hour drive covering about 250 km - 155 mi).  It is recommended to rent a car for the trip to the park.

 

Ottawa Tourism has the copyright of all the pictures except that of the Ottawa Congress Centre.