Ottawa

On July 1, 1867, Canada became a nation. Every year on that date, Canada celebrates Canada Day. Many of the biggest events for this national birthday party are held in the city of Ottawa, in the province of Ontario. That’s because Ottawa is Canada’s capital. If you’re there on Canada Day, you’ll see parades and spectacular fireworks displays.

GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

The focus of Ottawa’s Canada Day events is Parliament Hill. Canada’s government meets in buildings on Parliament Hill to make laws for the nation. In the center of Parliament Hill is the Peace Tower. It was built after World War I (1914-1918) to honor Canada’s soldiers who died in that war.

FESTIVALS FOR ALL SEASONS

Parliament Hill overlooks the Ottawa River. The Rideau Canal connects the Ottawa River with Lake Ontario. In winter, the canal freezes and becomes the longest skating rink in the world! Skaters fill the canal during Winterlude. Ottawa holds this winter festival in January. Snow sculptures and ice sculptures line the banks. Ottawa is one of the coldest national capitals in the world.

Another big event in Ottawa is the Canadian Tulip Festival, held in May. It features large displays of tulips. As part of the event, boats decorated with tulips travel down the Rideau Canal. In 1945, The Netherlands sent Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs. The bulbs were a thank-you present to Canada for helping The Netherlands during World War II (1942-1945).

VISIT A FARM MUSEUM

You might not expect to find a farm in a big city, but there’s one in Ottawa. The Central Experimental Farm is part of the Canada Agriculture Museum. The farm conducts research, but it’s also a fun place to visit. You’ll see barnyard animals, rare trees, fields of grain, and beautiful gardens.

Ottawa has some other museums you might enjoy. See dinosaur fossils and enormous gemstones at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Learn about the world from exhibits at the Canadian Children’s Museum.