On the south bank of the Ottawa River, nestled between the Rideau Canal and the mouth of the Rideau River is the oldest part of Ottawa, known as Lower Town or Bytown. It is here that the celebrated Byward Market is located. The market offers a variety of restaurants, nighttime hotspots and unique shops, in addition to the extensive marketplace that many consider has remained largely unchanged in its Victorian-era flavour.
Across the canal lies Centretown, the city's financial and commercial hub. Today it's typically referred to simply as "downtown" and it is here on the border of the Ottawa River, on Parliament Hill, that many of the capital's landmark government buildings, including the Peace Tower and the Legislative seat of Canada, present an imposing sight. To the east of the Parliament Buildings, opposite the final flight of locks on the canal, is the stunning Chateau Laurier - one of Canada's original Grand Railway Hotels.
The Rideau Canal itself is a huge tourist attraction - in 2007 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the meandering pathways lining its banks, a stroll in spring, summer or fall is a pleasant way to see the many heritage and government buildings, memorials and monuments in Ottawa. However, in the winter months, when the canal is frozen, ice skaters of all abilities don their blades to cruise past these same sights while enjoying approximately 7.8 kilometres of glittering Christmas lights, exciting festivals such as Winterlude and many kiosks selling the local delicacy of Beaver Tails - a fried dough pastry that is hand stretched to resemble, well, the tail of a beaver!
WestJet offers cheap flights to Ottawa so that you can experience this unique destination for yourself. The sample fares below for WestJet flights to Ottawa are valid for bookings until June 9, 2011 and for travel until July 13, 2011, on selected flights and dates.
SAMPLE FARES
Abbotsford to Ottawa $254
Calgary to Ottawa $244
Charlottetown to Ottawa $169
Comox to Ottawa $284
Deer Lake/Corner Brook to Ottawa $199
Edmonton to Ottawa $209
Fort McMurray to Ottawa $294
Grande Prairie to Ottawa $294
Halifax to Ottawa $115
Kamloops to Ottawa $254
Kelowna to Ottawa $254
Moncton to Ottawa $169
Quebec City to Ottawa $154
Regina to Ottawa $244
Saskatoon to Ottawa $244
St. John's to Ottawa $214
Sydney, NS to Ottawa $169
Thunder Bay to Ottawa $159
Vancouver to Ottawa $229
Victoria to Ottawa $274
Winnipeg to Ottawa $204
Yellowknife to Ottawa $294
Seats at these fares are limited and may not be available on all flights. Sample fares are one-way, and exclude taxes, fees and surcharges where applicable.
