Ottawa .... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Indian_Jones · 03-03-2006, 08:17 AM

I am going to be in Ottawa from MArch 6-8th on a business trip . I might have time during the day to check the museums but I was wondering what the night life was like especially during the week, any clubs/bars I should check out?

Thanks TPunkers!

**Esterina** · 03-03-2006, 09:06 AM

I'm not very familiar with the area, but I've heard that people crosses the bridge to the Quebec side to go out. Bars and clubs close later (3 a.m. instead of 1 a.m.), the drinking age is lower, and I guess they have more a blast there ! But those are just rumours...

Indian_Jones · 03-03-2006, 10:00 AM

I am more a lounge kind of person. So will post my experiences in Ottawa soon. I dont think I have heard about Ottawa as much as Toronto or Clagary. But it might be worth checking out

**Esterina** · 03-03-2006, 10:04 AM

Looking forward reading your post !

**MolsonGirl** · 03-04-2006, 08:18 AM

Hey sorry I didn't see this sooner... but if you get this I recommend the Hart and Crown in the Byward market... it's like 5 bars in one... always have some very amazing live music and great crowd... pints aren't too expensive.

again sorry for the late reply... hope you have a great time!!

**Esterina** · 03-20-2006, 07:10 AM

Indian, how was your stay in Ottawa ?

Indian_Jones · 03-24-2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atchoum@Mar 20 2006, 09:10 AM
Indian, how was your stay in Ottawa ?

[snapback]107600[/snapback]

I drove from Detroit through Toronto to Ottawa. Stayed for around 3 days
Ok the good followed by the bad
Good:
1)Beautiful buildings..REALLY BEAUTIFUL!! I drove through downtown. THeir parliament building (their version of the White House) is pretty. But I was surprised to see how little security they had.
2)if you like lebanese food this is the place to be..too bad I am not. More shawarms than McDs. the hallal joints serving them didnt look clean to me So stayed away from them.
3) Nice night life, very similar to the USA.I think I went to an Irish bar called Gracy O'Malley's. The good thing is you cant smoke inside the clubs unlike the USA where your clothes smell of smoke by the end of the night. However things are different on the quebec side. I went to a club on the quebec side ..dont remember the name though
4) Friendly People

Bad:
1) too cold for me, Infact they were having one of their warmer weeks and I just could stand it. The place had snow and slush..nasty combo

2) the malls seem run down. I went to rideau square..EWWW..guys trying to sell me shrubs or something like that

3)People drive too slow WAY too slow on highways..speed limit like 100km/hr which is around 60mph..WTF??!!!

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-03-2007, 06:50 AM

Yup... I'd say that's a pretty accurate description of Ottawa. Always interesting getting an American point of view....

Btw, our Parliament is not 'our version of the white house', it's more like our equivalent to your Congress. Up here, there's not one centralized location (like the white house) that executive power is located, unless you count where the PM lives.

Yup, no security eh... quite a difference from DC

**MolsonGirl** · 03-04-2007, 10:15 AM

I love the open feel to our parliment, when I was a tour guide in Ottawa I use to talk to the PM's drivers all the time and they'd tell me which door he was coming out and how to get my kids to meet the PM. I also became great friends with the security on the inside.. wicked people who love their jobs. Don't get me wrong. they are cautious but friendly.. and I like that.

Did you skate on the Rideau Canal at all?? Eat a Beavertail?? The National Gallery is amazing as well.. they have the most beautiful church inside demonstrating acoustics.. really powerful.

But yeah our PM lives at 24 Sussex, and our Governer General lives across the street (sort of) on the most amazing property I've ever seen. In fact one of my favourite things to do is walk around the neighbourhood where the embassies are. Amazing homes and again awesome people.