Posted on: 04-05-09 22:26:02
We are planning to go to Ottawa for 2 - 3 days. I would appreciate some suggestions on
1. Hotel ( budget $100 - $120) - I found tons of them on Hotels.ca so would like some first hand experience on location, food, nearby veg restaurants, proximity to attractions, etc.
2. Car - planning to rent a car, never done that here. Any cautions with a particular company, any website to get a better deal, and anything else which is good to know.
3. Attractions - What to see, must see and avoidable.
4. Route - Shall take 401 however any other scenic route that anyone can suggest.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions.
2 days is more than enough, ottawa is any other city, couple of museums (war musuem etc), byward market,rideau canal, parliament hill(go early for the inside tour), combine with a trip to 1000islands, enterprise car rental will workout cheaper, there are Indian restaurants near byward market also there is a shopping mall nearby(dont remember the name), look for accommodation near parliament as it is closeto all places - google above for more info
This one is in Kingston. Good place to visit if you are interested in historic sites
For more info visit http://www.parks.on.ca/fort/home.htm
Quote:Try to stay as close or inside Ottawa as possible.
Originally posted by Iceberg
1. Hotel ( budget $100 - $120) - I found tons of them on Hotels.ca so would like some first hand experience on location, food, nearby veg restaurants, proximity to attractions, etc.
It is brutal to get into and outside the city during rush hrs. on week days.
If you want to see the morning parade or the change of guard or the sound and light show in the evening, you will want to get in early and stay late.
Quote:Register for Enterprise Car membership online (free) and get a 20% discount on first rental.
2. Car - planning to rent a car, never done that here. Any cautions with a particular company, any website to get a better deal, and anything else which is good to know.
Use that 20% discount for your car rental to Ottawa - it will work out nicely for you.
Quote:
3. Attractions - What to see, must see and avoidable.
Official website -
http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=destinations&key2=Ottawa&language=EN&linkType=I
Quote:Mainly 401 and the Veterns Pkwy into Ottawa, however, you can take an alternative side route - the Thousand Islands Pkwy.
4. Route - Shall take 401 however any other scenic route that anyone can suggest.
It runs parallel to the 401 along the 1,000 islands and merges back into the 401.
Even if you are not visiting 1,000 islands, you can still drive along the pkwy and enjoy the scenic views.
Note that the speed limit is lower on the pkwy (don't remember - either 60 or 80 max) and there are very few gas stations (I remember only 1), so fill 'er up before you enter the pkwy.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
I'd suggest try the 1000 Island route. You could also plan to stay at 1000 island for a night, take a boat cruise etc
The last time I was at 1000 islands, I stayed at Ganroc Motel -> http://www.ganrocmotel.com/index.html
As regards stay in Ottawa, try Choice Hotels, which is the Day's Inn, Econo Lodge Chain. Checkout their website, it has some good planning tools -> http://www.choicehotels.com/
You could take a tour of the Parliament House, get there early to ensure you get a (free) pass/ticket.
Good luck...and enjoy your trip....
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Thanks a lot for all the info.
