The official residence of the Governor General of Canada, the federal representative of the British monarchy, is one of the most famous homes in the country. While the Governor General’s role is for the most part ceremonial, whoever holds the office gets to live in magnificent Rideau Hall. More than 200,000 people visit the stately home every year.
Canadians are famously self-deprecating, a trait most recently put on international display during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The decidedly laid-back end to the Games featured satirical send-ups of all things stereotypically “Canadian”, from Mounties to moose, maple syrup to canoes.
The enthusiastic willingness to poke fun at themselves has definite geographical implications. There are particular sets of jokes and stereotypes told from coast to coast about Newfoundland, Quebec, Toronto, the North and British Columbia for example. Canada’s capital however, is a perennial victim of national abuse. As the home of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the political establishment, it’s only natural for Ottawa to be a target of derision and occasional scorn. In this regard, the city is perhaps no different than say Canberra and the Capital Territory to average Australians.
So while even native Ottawans begrudgingly acknowledge that their city of 1.1 million is occasionally staid, conservative, uptight and yes, bureaucratic, the truth is that Ottawa is also a lot of fun. From world class festivals and museums to restaurants and nightlife, Ottawa knows how to hang loose and have a great time. Here are ten must-see attractions in Canada’s capital city.
10. Canadian War Museum
Commemorated in 1880, only thirteen years after Canada officially became a federal dominion, the Canadian War Museum originally paid tribute to First Peoples Warfare, The American Revolution and The War of 1812. With the advent of the First and Second World Wars and most recently, conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the museum has had to change with the times. The current facility was built in 2005.
The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is considered to be one of the most famous waterfalls in the country. It drops a full 60 meters to what was once the coastline. You’ll be intrigued by the possibility of going behind the waterfall itself – something that isn’t always possible in other places due to dangerous or inaccessible terrain.
The Erawan Waterfalls, found just outside of Kanchanburi, Thailand aren’t the most dangerous or lively waterfalls on earth, but the seven layers of falls costing gently down slopes ranging from as high as 70 feet to as few as 10 feet in height creating a calming atmosphere like no other. The natural limestone deposits give the waters in the relaxing pools their sparkling blue colors, but watch out for the fish in some of them – they’ll try to nibble at your toes!
Believe it or not, the Shoshone Falls found along the Snake River in Idaho are actually taller than Niagra Falls! The 212 foot tall waterfalls tend to be most active in the spring and summer months after the winter snows have melted into runoff, though they’re truly astounding any time of year. If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of hotels in the City of Twin Falls, which owns and operates the recreational complex.
Highampton Lakes lie approximately 1.5 miles south of the village of Highampton in the beautiful valley of Wagaford Water, a tributary of the River Lew which it joins 3,000 yards downstream.
The fishery comprises two trout lakes and one coarse lake extending to 4 acres.
The coarse lake, surrounded by wild life, is well stocked with various species, including:
Competitions can be organised with prior arrangement.
Children under 14 years admitted at a reduced rate.
Highampton Lakes lie approximately 1.5 miles south of the village of Highampton in the beautiful valley of Wagaford Water, a tributary of the River Lew which it joins 3,000 yards downstream.
The fishery comprises two trout lakes and one coarse lake extending to 4 acres.
The trout lakes, surrounded by wild life, are stocked regularly with strenuous fighting quality rainbow trout of various weights in the range 1.5lbs to 5lbs..
Competitions can be organised with prior arrangement.
| DAY TICKET | 4 Fish Limit | £ 24.00 |
| HALF DAY TICKET | 3 Fish Limit | £ 18.00 |
| EVENING TICKET | 2 Fish Limit | £ 12.00 from 4.30p.m. |
HALF DAY DIVISION IS AT 2.00 P.M.
ights in the range 1.5lbs to 5lbs..
Competitions can be organised with prior arrangement.
| DAY TICKET | 4 Fish Limit | £ 24.00 |
| HALF DAY TICKET | 3 Fish Limit | £ 18.00 |
| EVENING TICKET | 2 Fish Limit | £ 12.00 from 4.30p.m. |
HALF DAY DIVISION IS AT 2.00 P.M.
Highampton Lakes lie approximately 1.5 miles south of the village of Highampton in the beautiful valley of Wagaford Water, a tributary of the River Lew which it joins 3,000 yards downstream.
The fishery comprises two trout lakes and one coarse lake extending to 4 acres.
The trout lakes are stocked regularly with strenuous fighting quality rainbow trout of various weights.
The coarse lake is stocked with various species. The lake record for carp was a hard fighting common, weighing 20lbs when last caught.
America’s Great Outdoors is a new initiative from the Obama administration aimed at promoting recreation and conservation of our precious natural resources. American Rivers is leading the effort to ensure river protection and restoration, including the creation of Blue Trails, is a centerpiece of the initiative.
Why rivers? They provide unmatched recreation for Americans of all ages, give us clean drinking water, and connect our communities to the natural world. Every American deserves a healthy river. Help us send this message to the administration!
Administration officials have scheduled listening sessions in communities around the country to get public feedback on the initiative. View a complete list of these listening sessions here, www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors. Other “homegrown” listening sessions are being organized by the Outdoor Industry Association and others.
