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Ottawa Show - Things to do in the city?

a5pja5pj Posts: 3,892
in The Porch
So hopefully I get tix to the Ottawa show. Looking to take the wife for a nice weekend. Anything cool we can do before the show on Sunday / places we have to see?

btw the show is on my bday!
Cheers!
Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended in 2010, with lots of fire?



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Comments

  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    I remember the venue being WAY outside of the actual city of Ottawa in the suburbs... but maybe i'm wrong?
  • rssesqrssesq Posts: 3,299
    not a whole helluva lot as I remember from the last tour. The royal Canadian Mint is there. I will probably spend the extra day between shows in Montreal if they don't announce another Toronto show. Montreal is a great town.
  • Mignelli14Mignelli14 Posts: 626
    The Canadian Tire Centre is a little outside of the main part of the city but I believe there is a bus line or if you have your car then you're set. Parliament hill is a cool place, it's where our Capital building is right on the water. Should have nice scenery by May. Also the Byward Market is probably the biggest thing to do in Ottawa. Tons of food, nightlife, shopping, all that kind of stuff goes on there. So if you're in to food you'll enjoy that lol. Don't leave without eating a beaver tail!
  • a5pja5pj Posts: 3,892
    hmmm a beaver tail huh? now I'm intrigued
    Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended in 2010, with lots of fire?



  • CopperTomCopperTom Posts: 3,019
    What's a beaver tail?
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  • ad128022ad128022 Posts: 4
    National Gallery
    Parliament Hill - they have tours
    Museum of History (formerly the Museum of Civilization)
    If the weather's nice, you can walk along the canal - there are some nice paths
    Gatineau Park - lots of walking trails
    Byward Market - decent restaurants,
    Beaver Tail is fried dough
    If you're going to, or through, Montreal I'd suggest stopping at Schwartzes for the best Montreal Smoked meat. you can also get decent smoked meat in Ottawa, at Dunns.

    and traffic getting to the venue will suck. Give yourself at least an hour if driving from downtown. And then prepare to pay $15 ($20?) for parking.

  • Mignelli14Mignelli14 Posts: 626
    Beaver tails are like Canadianized funnel cakes. You can put just about anything on them an they're great. If you have a sweet tooth (or many like me lol) they're for you
  • 100 Pacer100 Pacer Posts: 8,929
    edited January 2016
    Byward Market district is your best bet for bars/pubs/restaurants. Reasonable cab ride in terms of time and cost to/from the venue for those looking to drink/avoid parking. The venue is located in a mixed commercial/residential zone. Nothing at all to do around the venue. If you show up early enough at the venue (I want to say no later than 3pm?) you should be able to park for free before an attendant sets up shop to charge.
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  • KC138045KC138045 Posts: 2,716
    Mignelli14 said:

    The Canadian Tire Centre is a little outside of the main part of the city but I believe there is a bus line or if you have your car then you're set. Parliament hill is a cool place, it's where our Capital building is right on the water. Should have nice scenery by May. Also the Byward Market is probably the biggest thing to do in Ottawa. Tons of food, nightlife, shopping, all that kind of stuff goes on there. So if you're in to food you'll enjoy that lol. Don't leave without eating a beaver tail!

    mmmmm Canadian beaver! ;)
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  • JaneNYJaneNY Posts: 4,438
    The Rideau center is near the Byward market, if you are looking for a more conventional shopping center also.

    Also, it is a few days earlier than the Tulip festival but if we are lucky there maybe some nice displays of bulbs up by that time. In town though, not around the venue.
    R.i.p. Rigoberto Alpizar.
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  • rssesqrssesq Posts: 3,299
    tons of beautiful Canadian beaver in Montreal
    ... and it speaks french to boot
  • JimminezJimminez Posts: 217
    ad128022 said:

    National Gallery
    Parliament Hill - they have tours
    Museum of History (formerly the Museum of Civilization)
    If the weather's nice, you can walk along the canal - there are some nice paths
    Gatineau Park - lots of walking trails
    Byward Market - decent restaurants,
    Beaver Tail is fried dough
    If you're going to, or through, Montreal I'd suggest stopping at Schwartzes for the best Montreal Smoked meat. you can also get decent smoked meat in Ottawa, at Dunns.

    and traffic getting to the venue will suck. Give yourself at least an hour if driving from downtown. And then prepare to pay $15 ($20?) for parking.

    As others have mentioned, the arena is west of downtown about 20min, so basically the burbs. There are some restaurants walking distance from the arena but if you are looking for something to do Saturday and Sunday prior, what people have mentioned above are great suggestions.

    The Byward Market is at the center of downtown near the Parliment buildings, National Art gallery, and shopping, so a good spot to sightsee and people watch. I think people have spotted Mike down there before a show in the past.

    I'm local, so can provide details on anything specific.
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  • JimminezJimminez Posts: 217
    Oh and yah, be sure to introduce your wife and yourself to some Beaver Tails.

    image
    2018 - 8/8, 8/10
    2016 - 5/5, 5/8, 5/10, 5/12, 8/5, 8/7
    2014 - 6/28, 6/29
    2013 - 10/12, 11/24
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  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 92,369
    Could always visit the Parliament of Canada. I did the tour back in 2011. It was not bad.

    I would like to check out the Canadian War Museum & Notre Dame Basilica this May.

    If the Senators make it the 2nd round could always catch a NHL game at the Canadian Tire Centre.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,946
    edited January 2016
    Mignelli14 said:

    Beaver tails are like Canadianized funnel cakes. You can put just about anything on them an they're great. If you have a sweet tooth (or many like me lol) they're for you

    We call them whale tails on the west coast.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Chris519Chris519 Posts: 150
    Can someone tell me where the closest pub is to the arena? Walking distance? And none of that Kelseys. Montanas, Jack Astors type nonsense. A proper pub to plant our asses down for some pints before the show?
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 92,369
    Chris519 said:

    Can someone tell me where the closest pub is to the arena? Walking distance? And none of that Kelseys. Montanas, Jack Astors type nonsense. A proper pub to plant our asses down for some pints before the show?

    We had the 2011 Wishlist Foundation Pre Party @ Bert's Barbados. http://www.bertsbarbados.com/ . It's literally right there @ the Canadian Tire Centre. Not a bad place to do some Irish Car Bombs again. ;)
  • cojobocojobo Posts: 299
    I've been looking into Ottawa for a small trip (unrelated) and found a few things that are different than above that may be worth looking into

    1. Diefenbunker - may need a car or hitch a ride with another PJ member as it's way outside city
    http://diefenbunker.ca/

    2. Jail Hostel - looks like a unique place to stay close to downtown.
    https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g155004-d253895-Reviews-HI_Ottawa_Jail_Hostel-Ottawa_Ontario.html
    a5pj said:

    So hopefully I get tix to the Ottawa show. Looking to take the wife for a nice weekend. Anything cool we can do before the show on Sunday / places we have to see?

    btw the show is on my bday!
    Cheers!

    Halifax '05, Toronto '09, Toronto 2 '11, Hamilton '11, London '13, Chicago '13. Buffalo '13 , Leeds '14, Detroit '14, New York (GCF) '15, Ottawa '16, Toronto 1 '16, Toronto 2 '16
  • Mignelli14Mignelli14 Posts: 626
    ^ I got to go through the diefenbunker as part of a school trip in 08. It's REALLY cool, especially if you're into history and that kind of thing.
  • palm0014palm0014 Posts: 52
    While it is far away from the venue, the House of Targ is not far away from downtown.
    It's a live music venue that opened a few years back and last year it was voted #1 live venue in Canada. Home of some vintage pinball and arcade machines!

    http://www.houseoftarg.com/

    Honestly, if I were visiting Ottawa for the show (which isn't possible since I actually live here), I would get a place downtown for the weekend, hang out there and on the Sunday, head to the show on the bus. Sure, it'll take a good 30 minutes to get out there, but they are generally quick to get you back downtown after the show as well...just don't hang around the arena too long or else all the busses will leave and then you'll have to fork out money for a cab back downtown.

  • BLACK35BLACK35 Posts: 22,745
    Could bash the Ottawa Senators!!
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  • Mignelli14Mignelli14 Posts: 626
    palm0014 said:

    While it is far away from the venue, the House of Targ is not far away from downtown.
    It's a live music venue that opened a few years back and last year it was voted #1 live venue in Canada. Home of some vintage pinball and arcade machines!

    http://www.houseoftarg.com/

    Honestly, if I were visiting Ottawa for the show (which isn't possible since I actually live here), I would get a place downtown for the weekend, hang out there and on the Sunday, head to the show on the bus. Sure, it'll take a good 30 minutes to get out there, but they are generally quick to get you back downtown after the show as well...just don't hang around the arena too long or else all the busses will leave and then you'll have to fork out money for a cab back downtown.

    Probably a safe bet there'll be something going on on the Saturday night before the concert? Looks like I know where I'll be! Thanks for the tip!
  • JimminezJimminez Posts: 217
    Chris519 said:

    Can someone tell me where the closest pub is to the arena? Walking distance? And none of that Kelseys. Montanas, Jack Astors type nonsense. A proper pub to plant our asses down for some pints before the show?

    For a proper beer, this place: http://centralbierhaus.ca/
    2018 - 8/8, 8/10
    2016 - 5/5, 5/8, 5/10, 5/12, 8/5, 8/7
    2014 - 6/28, 6/29
    2013 - 10/12, 11/24
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    2005 - 9/16
  • ally12ally12 Posts: 71
    Chris519 said:

    Can someone tell me where the closest pub is to the arena? Walking distance? And none of that Kelseys. Montanas, Jack Astors type nonsense. A proper pub to plant our asses down for some pints before the show?

    bier haus, 3 brewers all in the mall section of Kanata, Centrium
    2005: Ottawa / 2011: Ottawa / 2016: Ottawa / 2022: Ottawa / 2022:Quebec City /  2024: Vancouver / 2024: Vancouver / 2024: New York City
  • halvhalv Posts: 701
    Some good suggestions on here. My picks (some are repeats)
    - rent a bike and ride the canal trails. You'll see the best of the city.
    - Byward Market for shopping and eats
    - Definitely take a tour of Parliament
    - If you have time rent a car and drive to Wakefield, Quebec. Beautiful town with covered bridge
    (also visit Gatineau Park and go for a trail walk or hike)
    - Bank Street in the Glebe area is cute

  • pearljamnewfpearljamnewf Posts: 233
    For a proper beer, this place: http://centralbierhaus.ca/

    Cool, this is now on my Ottawa weekend plan. Thanks.

  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 92,369
    Where's a good record store in Ottawa to hang out at?
  • PJForceofNaturePJForceofNature Posts: 3,087
    Thanks for all the suggestions!
    "A beacon on dry land"
  • a5pja5pj Posts: 3,892
    PJForceofNature said:

    Thanks for all the suggestions!

    Yes! Keep them coming, def need a good record store, any good music / instrument stores too?
    Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended in 2010, with lots of fire?



  • JimminezJimminez Posts: 217
    I couldn't tell you how good these are now as its been a while since I've been at Steve's downtown but both of these are near the Byward Market for those who are going to be there anyway (10min walk)

    Vertigo Records, 193 Rideau St
    Steve's Music, 308 Rideau St
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    2016 - 5/5, 5/8, 5/10, 5/12, 8/5, 8/7
    2014 - 6/28, 6/29
    2013 - 10/12, 11/24
    2011 - 9/14
    2005 - 9/16
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