Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, hosts a diverse selection of enticing activities this summer—take a peek:

1. a non-stop party at Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest (July 6-18) with 6 outdoor stages on the banks of the Ottawa River.
2. a controversial modern art exhibit making its only North American stop at the National Gallery of Canada—racy, edgy and provocative.
3. Canada’s largest waterpark(opens June 7) offers high-tech biometric payment options.
4. the newly revamped Canadian Museum of Nature displays architectural wonders… and a rare skeleton of a blue whale.
5. a royal visit by Queen Elizabeth II on Canada Day (July 1)—Canada’s biggest birthday bash.
6. delicious local products—from elk to cranberries—on the menus of a growing number of chef-owned Savour Ottawa restaurants.
7. easier access to the four-storey underground bunker built to withstand a nuclear attack that is now Canada’s Cold War Museum
8. free weekly yoga classes on the lawn of Parliament Hill—Canada’s seat of government.
9. whitewater kayaking lessons in downtown Ottawa.
10. and more!

Couple these events and attractions with the world’s largest one-day beach volleyball tournament (July 10); the buzz of the eclectic ByWard Market neighbourhood’s four square blocks of outdoor patios, live music venues, shops, bistros and more; the pomp and pageantry of the Changing the Guard Ceremony on Parliament Hill; boat cruises along the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and you have an action-packed summer.

For information on Ottawa’s festivals and events, restaurants, attractions, neighbourhoods, or to book packages or access Ottawa videos and images, visit http://changeottawa.com

If you need more information or images, or would like to experience these things first-hand, please get in touch!

Ottawa Tourism provides industry leadership and destination marketing to service the travel media and attract visitors, tours and conventions to Ottawa and Canada’s Capital Region.