Unique Places in Ottawa – Off the Beaten Path

Ottawa Off the Beaten Path

Canada’s capital city has plenty of things to do off the beaten path, with Algonquin Provincial Park, The Commonwealth Air Museum, and Lourdes Grotto a few of many. Below are more places visitors like to explore when visiting Ottawa.

Beautiful and Fun Canadian Culture

Looking across from the National Gallery you will notice one of the most striking churches in Canada: the Notre Dame Basilica. The basilica is dominated by twin tower silver spires. There has been a church on this site since 1844. In 1847 the church was turned into a cathedral. The current church was completed in 1885 in a Neo-Gothic style. Over the years the church has been a place of worship for many important Canadian politicians and the site for funeral services for prime ministers such as Sir Wilfred Laurier.

In Ottawa, 40% of the population can speak French. You can learn some French, too if you go to the Alliance Francaise. At the Alliance, they have classes for all levels of French and fun cultural events. Learn about French art, cuisine, and culture. They also have a library full of French books, CDs, and movies.

Art by Nature and Humanity

Along the Ottawa River Parkway, between the Canadian War Museum and the turnoff to Tunney’s Pasture, is the turnoff to Remic Rapids. Here you find a rather interesting and off-the-wall art collection; balanced stones in the river. First created in 1986, they are destroyed by the winter weather and the artist returns in the spring to erect new ones. “First Thursdays” is a fairly new event in Ottawa that’s a free self-guided walking tour of a half dozen art galleries in a West Ottawa neighborhood called Wellington West. All of the galleries are a ten-minute walk from each other. Three galleries offer beverages and snacks free of charge.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about places off the beaten path in Ottawa.