Ottawa · Capital
Attractions · Government
|
 Choose
from these Government Attractions: |
|||
Government Attractions
|
|||
 Bank
of Canada/Currency Museum
245 Sparks Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0G9 Tel: (613) 782-8914 The Bank of Canada's Currency Museum has the most complete collection of Canadian bank notes, coins and tokens in the world. You can learn about the history of currency in Canada and how bank notes are designed and printed today. The impressive Yap stone, a curious piece from the island of Yap, is on display in the Garden Court, just outside the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. It has the shape of a flattened doughnut, is more than two meters in diameter and weighs about three tons. Stones shaped like this one, but mainly much smaller in size, were used as money up to modern times on Yap, one of the Caroline Islands in the South Pacific. This piece has even been showcased in Ripley's "Believe it or not" Museum.  Parliament
Buildings
Tel: (613) 996-0896 With its strong stone exterior and picturesque setting on the cliffs overlooking the Ottawa River, the Parliament buildings are often described as one of the most beautiful government centres in the world. The buildings are home to, among other things, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, the Hall of Honour, the Senate, and the impressive Peace Tower. Summer on the hill features the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Tours of the Parliament Buildings depart several times daily from the main doors.  Royal
Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8 Tel: (613) 993-8990 Toll-Free: 1-800-276-7714 (in Canada) Canada's national mint, on historic Sussex Drive. View over $1 million worth of gold bullion on display. Take a guided tour to learn how coins are produced. Visitors can follow the steps of the minting process on a tour of the facilities in Ottawa. Or, browse through our Boutique, filled with our products. Something for your coin collection, a special gift, or a souvenir of your visit. More information 1-800-276-7714 or (613) 993-8990.  RCMP
Musical Ride
Tel: (613) 993-3751 and for group tours call: (613) 998-8199. The red coats and sleek horses of the RCMP are internationally recognized as a Canadian symbol of pride and justice. Originally formed in 1873 to preserve peace on the Canadian frontier, today they are Canada's federal police force. Suggested length of visit: two hours. Canadian Sunset Ceremony is only open during summer months. Stables: open year-round. Also, RCMP Presence on Parliament Hill starts from mid-July to end of August with two "mounted" police members in ceremonial uniform will be on Parliament Hill from 10:30 am to 3 pm every day (tentative schedule and if weather permitting) from July 1 to September 3, 2001. For general information call: (613) 993-3751 and for group tours call: (613) 998-8199.  Supreme
Court of Canada
Tel: (613) 995-5361 Just a two minute walk west of the Parliament Buildings on Wellington street stands the Supreme Court of Canada. Completed in 1946, the impressively bold structure is crowned with the green copper roofing that has become a symbol of the nation's capital. The lobby and courtroom are are open to the public on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Guided tours can be arranged by reservation only. More Information (613) 995-4330 or (613) 995-5361  The
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Tel: (613) 993-1811 One of Canada's most outstanding attractions, this half-hour ceremony is presented daily on the lawn of Parliament Hill at 10 a.m., from late June until late August, weather permitting. It offers an unrivaled combination of colour, tradition, pageantry and military precision. The Guard is also seen at Rideau Hall, where sentries are posted at the gate and main entrance. National Gallery of Canada 380 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4 Tel: (613) 990-1985 Toll-Free: 1-800-319-ARTS Web Site: www.national.gallery.ca The National Gallery of Canada is a visual arts museum of international stature. Located in one of the most spectacular sites in Ottawa - along Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market - the National Gallery overlooks the Ottawa River and the Parliament Buildings. Its award-winning architecture, featuring the luminous Great Hall, spacious galleries, and interior gardens and courtyards, is in itself worth the visit. Guided Tours cover a wide variety of subjects such as frames, Inuit art, religion, Canadian sculpture and much more. Take advantage of the panoramic views of the Parliament Buildings by dining at one of our two comfortable and affordable dining facilities. Browse the Bookstore stocked with an excellent selection of books with Canadian handcrafted jewelry and international designer gifts. For more information, call 1-800-319-ARTS or 613.990.1985, or visit National Library of Canada 395 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4 Tel: (613) 995-9481 Toll-Free: 1-877-896-9481 Throughout the year, the National Library of Canada offers a variety of public programs to promote its collection. We're a federal cultural agency responsible for collecting and preserving Canada's published heritage so that it's available for present and future generations of Canadians. By law, two copies of everything published in Canada are kept here so that they're available for use today and are preserved for future generations. The National Library presents many literary and musical events. Ottawa City Hall Tel: (613) 244-5300 Located at 110 Laurier Ave West, the Ottawa City Hall is a beautiful structure that is a must see on your visit to Ottawa. Located near the Rideau Canal, close to the Parliament Buildings. Tours are available by appointment only. More Information (613) 244-5300. The ResidencesPrime Minister's Residence24 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON Located at 24 Sussex Drive the residence is a stone mansion that is barely visible through the densely treed lot. This house was built in 1866 by mill owner and Member of Parliament, Joseph Merrill Currier, as a wedding gift to his bride Hannah. He called the home, "Gorffwysfa," a Welsh word for place of peace. The home was bought by the government in 1943 and became the official residence for the Prime Minister in 1951. The first Prime Minister to live there was the Right Honourable Louis St. Laurent. Since Mr. St. Laurent's time, all prime ministers have lived at 24 Sussex Drive during their time in office. It is not open to the public, but is a nice stopover on your way to the Governor General's house.  Laurier
House
334 Laurier Ave., E Ottawa, ON K1N 6R4 Tel: (613) 992-8142 or (613) 992-9233 Located at 334 Laurier Avenue East, this house was the residence of two of Canada's Prime Ministers -W.L. Mackenzie King and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The entire house is open to the public. The colourful King's possessions are the most prominent items on display in the house, among which is included his crystal ball (King was a firm believer in the spirit world) and a portrait of his mother, which he placed a rose in front of every night before going to bed. Memorabilia belonging to both men are on display, as is a reconstruction of Nobel Prize winning Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson's study. More information (613) 992-8142 Mackenzie King Estate Tel: (819) 827-2020 or (613) 239-5000 Toll-Free: 1 800 461-8020 Located in Gatineau Park, this Estate was the country home of Prime Minister Mackenzie King. The grounds are open to the public, and you are invited to explore the estate and its vast amounts of interesting history. The Estate offers restored cottages, beautiful gardens complete with stone ruins, walking trails, and a tea room serving light refreshments. The Mackenzie King Estate was the country retreat of Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. This charming historical estate, the legacy of Mackenzie King, belongs to all Canadians. For information call (819) 827-2020 or (613) 239-5000.  Rideau
Hall (Government House)
1 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1 Tel: (613) 991-4422 or Toll-Free: 1-866-842-4422 At 1 Sussex Drive, you will find Rideau Hall. This estate is the official residence of Canada's Governor General. Tours of the Residence: Accompanied by a guide-interpreter, discover the 19th century elegance of the home where Canada welcomes world leaders and honours the accomplishments of Canadians from every part of the country and every walk of life. Tours of the Grounds/Gardens: 79 acres of woods and manicured parkland make up one of the capital's favourite green spaces. Call for details about our tours. More information (613) 991-4422 or 1-866-842-4422. |
|||
|
Other Attractions · Byways and Waterways Search · Browse · Add URL · Help |