Ottawa is Canada's showpiece. The Parliament Buildings and several major museums are centrally located. Accessibility is a high priority in this easy-to-explore city.

Ottawa is the Capital City of Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world, so it's not surprising that many Canadians have not visited their own national capital.

Ottawa may not have the exotic reputation of Paris, London or New York, but is a charming and easy place to visit.

Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport: YOW

Ottawa is not a major airline hub, but the airport is well served with direct flights to many Canadian and U.S. destinations, including New York, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Atlanta, and also London Heathrow.

The airport is spacious, modern, and accessible for a wide variety of visitors. The airport is big enough to offer all the usual conveniences, but small enough to be "human".

The Canadian Parliament Buildings

Sited where the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal meet, the Parliament Buildings sit a little higher than the rest of Ottawa's central core. They are majestic and imposing, and quite beautiful simply as an architectural work. To those who understand their significance to Canadians, they convey a deeper level of meaning.

It is very easy in the spring-summer-fall seasons to stroll down the street and gaze at Parliament Hill. For those who cannot travel far, and when the weather is less pleasant, there are tourist buses which take visitors on a circuit of Ottawa's major sights. The city's own public transit also serves the central core and has stops right in front of the Parliament Buildings.

Tactile Maps

Here and there in the central Ottawa area, bronze tactile maps have been set up to assist visitors.

These maps are three-dimensional models of the Parliament Buildings and the surrounding area, with the key points of interest indicated. They are quite easy to read and interpret, for both English and French speakers. However, they are not apparently intended as aids for blind or visually impaired visitors, as they do not include Braille labelling.

Pedestrian-Only Areas

Two areas are given over to pedestrians.

Sparks Street Mall was one of Canada's first "pedestrianized" streets. While it's very nice to walk along any street, anywhere, without worrying about cars, Sparks Street Mall varies in its attractiveness depending upon the season. There are some year-round restaurants, pubs and shops as well as seasonal outdoor seating for a few of the eating places. The big plus of the Sparks Street Mall is that it's very close to the Parliament Buildings and to a number of hotels.

The Byward Market, located just east of the Rideau Canal, still in central Ottawa, has fewer tall buildings surrounding it and generally has a more human scale to it than the Sparks Street Mall. Wheelchair users and slow walkers may find the occasional curb or bump here, but the place is generally level and there are alternate routes through the rows of market stalls. Even in bad weather, some of the market is indoors, including seating, a bakery and a restaurant.

Things to Do and See in Ottawa

In the winter, Ottawa's Rideau Canal is famous for ice skating. In summer, boats offer rides up and down the canal. During the spring, the Tulip Festival is particularly beautiful, when thousands of flowers are blooming, a reminder of the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.

Ottawa hosts a fine selection of museums and galleries, some of the most notable being:

• National Gallery of Canada
• Canadian Museum of Civilization
• Canadian War Museum
• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Canada Science and Technology Museum.

Accessible Ottawa

Ottawa is the major city in the National Capital area. The city of Ottawa has a number of accessibility initiatives and services which are described on the City of Ottawa website.

Because some of the accessible transportation options are intended for residents rather than visitors, it is a good idea to look at the City of Ottawa website to find out what is currently on offer.

Tourists may wish to contact Ottawa Tourism directly with specific questions about accessibility.

Overall, because Ottawa is a national showpiece and the seat of government, it tends to be very conscious of the need to accommodate visitors with many varied needs. Accessibility is built in to all the major government buildings, the museums, and tourist attractions.