Ottawa-Gatineau Tourism

[YOWhopeful]

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

One big issue that I see (or at least perceive) in Ottawa is that it's a city that doesn't belong to itself. I always felt like a "tenant", rather than a full fledge resident. Authorities have worked too hard to make this a (fuckxxx) "city for all Canadians", which has some merits, but falls short of pleasing and catering to locals. This has contributed to a strange self-deprecating phenomenon or lack of civic pride. I'm old enough to remember when the city was trying to get a new NHL franchise and reading in the Citizen's sports comment section "why go see a hockey game in Ottawa when you can "just" go to Montreal".... So bizarre and wet noodle-y.

The feds - and by extension the NCC - have performed an abundance of urban design faux pas. Granted, there have been a few winners over time (the NAC, the Rideau canal, the parliamentary district overall and Sussex drive come to mind), but the bad far outweighs the good:

• The Greber plan is a disaster and encourages suburban exodus and a massive urban sprawl
• The feds never gave a rat's ass when expropriating downtown Hull communities and building those horrible towers
• They bulldozed Lebreton (which today would be a thriving inner city community with thousands of households, multiple restaurants and shops) to make way for government buildings that never materialized and ended being a brown field which is the laughingstock of people all over the country
• Tunney's Pasture is an eyesore and a complete joke in terms of user experience
• That parcel of land that now houses the US embassy should have been developed in a small entertainment district, with restaurants and bars, or a museum... Not that disastrous bunker.
• The NCC imposed that silly height limit downtown, which resulted in dozens of fat, stubby buildings with zero street interaction to save on space.
• And my all-time favorite NCC blunder: Union Station. This stunning design should be a train station, not another lifeless government building. Imagine the vibe in that area if it were allowed to live it true purpose... I'm heartbroken.
• There are other less well known cases, but it gives me a headache thinking about them
• I also console myself when I hear my Korean friends say "Canada is a boring heaven, but Korea is an interesting hell)... we're not the only ones with a mediocre urban landscape, but I digress.

Having said that, there are some encouraging signs on the horizon such as Zibi, the various building being proposed at Lebreton, a dozen+ cranes downtown, better designs being proposed, a loosening of those silly height limits, the growth of downtown eastward and westward, and that big city feel that is becoming more apparent with each passing year. I think that Ottawa is about to begin its golden age... I hope I'm right.

So well put. You hit the nail on the head.
Please be our next mayor. No joke

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Literally over a decade older than Centre Block. But it can't be historic because some rich guy built it in Toronto.

It's really hard to take these discussions seriously when it's driven almost entirely by emotions and reflexive sibling rivalry and Napoleon complex.

I think you guys are missing the point. I wasn't suggesting that Casa Loma isn't historic because a rich guy built it. It isn't historic because it has no historical significance. It's not representative of anything in Toronto's history, nor is the building style typical of that area. Being large and kind of old doesn't make something a historic site.

I lived in Toronto almost as long as I have lived in Ottawa, so it really has nothing to do with rivalry or emotional reaction. Just relaying my experience of the two cities. The truth is likely somewhere in the middle of these opinions, but I find some of these judgements of what Ottawa offers visitors to be really unfair and not balanced at all.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

It's really hard to take these discussions seriously when it's driven almost entirely by emotions and reflexive sibling rivalry and Napoleon complex.

Nobody seems to be getting emotional or showing reflexive sibling rivalry/Napoleon complex except maybe you. Is it really hard to accept that a lot of people just really love Ottawa? Just because your life here might be a bit dull and uneventful leading you to be a bit resentful, doesn't mean that is other people experience. A lot people have an amazing time here and return regularly to visit. There is tons to offer.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by roger1818

No rating system is perfect, but using the ratings on Trip Adviser, the top 20 Museums (though in reality it seems to be expanded to include attractions) in Canada are ranked as follows (3 are in Ottawa):

1. Royal BC Museum
2. Canadian Museum for Human Rights
3. Dundurn Castle
4. Canadian War Museum
5. Fort Henry National Historic Site
6. Canadian Museum of History
7. Western Development Museum
8. Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
9. Royal Ontario Museum
10. HMCS Haida National Historic Site
11. Hockey Hall of Fame
12. Royal Tyrrell Museum
13. Burnaby Village Museum
14. TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
15. St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3
16. Art Gallery of Ontario
17. Canada's Penitentiary Museum
18. Canadian Museum of Nature
19. Science North
20. Muttart Conservatory

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g153339-Activities-c49-Canada.html

I think the War Museum is one of the better military museums anywhere. It captures all the facets of war and has a really interesting collection.

As a tourist attraction the Museum of History is good (architecture, views, setting, imax theatre) but the collection is limited and exhibitions are not well done. I feel like it is a collection of Heritage Minutes without a narrative or interesting artifacts. They removed the replicas which were the best part.

The Museum of Nature is fine I guess. The building is interesting I can’t think of anything that distinguishes itself from other natural history museums.

I can see why the other museums are not on the list.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by acottawa

I think the War Museum is one of the better military museums anywhere. It captures all the facets of war and has a really interesting collection.

As a tourist attraction the Museum of History is good (architecture, views, setting, imax theatre) but the collection is limited and exhibitions are not well done. I feel like it is a collection of Heritage Minutes without a narrative or interesting artifacts. They removed the replicas which were the best part.

The Museum of Nature is fine I guess. The building is interesting I can’t think of anything that distinguishes itself from other natural history museums.

I can see why the other museums are not on the list.

I've been surprised by the negative comments with respect to the National Gallery. An excellent introduction to European art history and a collection of Canadian art that I suspect is better than either the Louvre or the Guggenheim ...

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

A lot people have an amazing time here and return regularly to visit. There is tons to offer.

I have lived in Ottawa on and off for 20 years and never heard of regular return visitors (who aren’t visiting relatives, friends, etc., but returning as a tourist attraction they want to see over and over again).

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I've been surprised by the negative comments with respect to the National Gallery. An excellent introduction to European art history and a collection of Canadian art that I suspect is better than either the Louvre or the Guggenheim ...

I would agree its Canadian art collection is better than the Louvre or Guggenheim. Not sure that is a significant achievement though.

I think it is such a large building people are expecting a big collection, and it turns out it is rather small.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

One big issue that I see (or at least perceive) in Ottawa is that it's a city that doesn't belong to itself. I always felt like a "tenant", rather than a full fledge resident. Authorities have worked too hard to make this a (fuckxxx) "city for all Canadians", which has some merits, but falls short of pleasing and catering to locals.

Canada is mostly a suburban country. So in that sense, Ottawa is kind of a reflection of the country in that sense. It's kinda sad that Ottawa never got to really grow its own urban identity. But as you note below, there's a renaissance coming.

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

This has contributed to a strange self-deprecating phenomenon or lack of civic pride. I'm old enough to remember when the city was trying to get a new NHL franchise and reading in the Citizen's sports comment section "why go see a hockey game in Ottawa when you can "just" go to Montreal".... So bizarre and wet noodle-y.

That's sad. And something I've noticed too. There's a weird relationship with Montreal and Toronto where Ottawa looks up too them but also resents them a tad. What Ottawa needs to get comfortable with is being a decent 1.4M person metro.

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

The feds - and by extension the NCC - have performed an abundance of urban design faux pas.

The feds most certainly haven't helped. But I find the locals just as bad. I've related this story on here before. I attended one of the early public consultations for the LRT back in 2007/2008. Right after a city engineer explained the limits of the Transitway and why tunneled LRT was needed, the very first question was asking why Ottawa needed a train and whether Ottawa was too small for a rail system. It's bizarre.

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

Having said that, there are some encouraging signs on the horizon such as Zibi, the various building being proposed at Lebreton, a dozen+ cranes downtown, better designs being proposed, a loosening of those silly height limits, the growth of downtown eastward and westward, and that big city feel that is becoming more apparent with each passing year. I think that Ottawa is about to begin its golden age... I hope I'm right.

I hope they execute on a lot of this stuff and it doesn't get diluted.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by acottawa

I have lived in Ottawa on and off for 20 years and never heard of regular return visitors (who aren’t visiting relatives, friends, etc., but returning as a tourist attraction they want to see over and over again).

Well if YOU haven't heard of any, then they must not exist. Having lived in other parts of the country for years, I know of many people that come visit semi-regularly for Canada Day, Winterlude, Bluesfest, and take in many of the other attractions while here. Year after year. Not to visit friends or relatives.

Originally Posted by roger1818

No rating system is perfect, but using the ratings on Trip Adviser, the top 20 Museums (though in reality it seems to be expanded to include attractions) in Canada are ranked as follows (3 are in Ottawa):

1. Royal BC Museum
2. Canadian Museum for Human Rights
3. Dundurn Castle
4. Canadian War Museum
5. Fort Henry National Historic Site
6. Canadian Museum of History
7. Western Development Museum
8. Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
9. Royal Ontario Museum
10. HMCS Haida National Historic Site
11. Hockey Hall of Fame
12. Royal Tyrrell Museum
13. Burnaby Village Museum
14. TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
15. St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3
16. Art Gallery of Ontario
17. Canada's Penitentiary Museum
18. Canadian Museum of Nature
19. Science North
20. Muttart Conservatory

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g153339-Activities-c49-Canada.html

This is the most laughable list. Dundurn Castle #3?? Fort Henry #5 ????

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by acottawa

I can see why the other museums are not on the list.

It's a trip advisor list. I don't think it's an accurate reflection of much. It's not even a list of the most visited museums in the country.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by acottawa

As a tourist attraction the Museum of History is good (architecture, views, setting, imax theatre) but the collection is limited and exhibitions are not well done. I feel like it is a collection of Heritage Minutes without a narrative or interesting artifacts. They removed the replicas which were the best part.

Just going by numbers, the Museum of History is the most visited museum in Canada, so it definitely constitutes a bona fide tourist attraction.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

....a loosening of those silly height limits...

There hasn't been any loosening of height limits. The protected view planes have been around since 1971. The city is growing up outside of those planes.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

Well if YOU haven't heard of any, then they must not exist. Having lived in other parts of the country for years, I know of many people that come visit semi-regularly for Canada Day, Winterlude, Bluesfest, and take in many of the other attractions while here. Year after year. Not to visit friends or relatives.

First, the original discussion in the airport thread started with discussion on how to attract International tourists here, to improve international sure connectivity. Not domestic tourism.

Next, if what you suggest is true and it's not just ex-Ottawa residents from Toronto and Montreal driving up for Canada Day, then the flight demand at YOW doesn't seem to reflect it.

Originally Posted by phil235

Just going by numbers, the Museum of History is the most visited museum in Canada, so it definitely constitutes a bona fide tourist attraction.

Fair enough. It could be a high demand location. I still find the collection plain. I think acottawa captured what I feel best, when he called it a bunch of Heritage Minutes. But the location and architecture is decent. I wish they would at least strike deals with places like the Museum of Anthropology to rotate pieces through.

Ottawa does get skipped over as YOWhopeful pointed out. For example, I remember seeing the Terracotta Warriors at the ROM in Toronto. The other museums the collection visited? Royal BC Museum, Glenbow Museum and the Musée des beaux-arts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/terracotta-army-to-march-into-4-canadian-cities-1.931242

Why do you think that is? It's not like Calgary is much larger than Ottawa.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

First, the original discussion in the airport thread started with discussion on how to attract International tourists here, to improve international sure connectivity. Not domestic tourism.

Next, if what you suggest is true and it's not just ex-Ottawa residents from Toronto and Montreal driving up for Canada Day, then the flight demand at YOW doesn't seem to reflect it.



Fair enough. It could be a high demand location. I still find the collection plain. I think acottawa captured what I feel best, when he called it a bunch of Heritage Minutes. But the location and architecture is decent. I wish they would at least strike deals with places like the Museum of Anthropology to rotate pieces through.

Ottawa does get skipped over as YOWhopeful pointed out. For example, I remember seeing the Terracotta Warriors at the ROM in Toronto. The other museums the collection visited? Royal BC Museum, Glenbow Museum and the Musée des beaux-arts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/terracotta-army-to-march-into-4-canadian-cities-1.931242

Why do you think that is? It's not like Calgary is much larger than Ottawa.

Ottawa is slightly larger than Calgary again as of the most recent census

[OTSkyline]

Even outside of international travellers, we should be doing more to get tourism dollars from Toronto & Montreal residents looking for a weekend getaway. Let's be real, Ottawa is not some city tucked away in the forest 10 hours away, it's very much in line with the Windsor-QC corridor and a short 2hrs drive from Montreal and 4hrs from Toronto.

I know a lot of Toronto residents who will do the drive or take the train to Montreal a few weekends a year to explore, go out, check out events, etc and vice-versa. There's no reason we can't be part of that equation.

The one thing I do think Ottawa excels at a bit, compared to everything else in the city, are festivals. I think of Bluesfest, Winterlude, Escapade, etc.. those have proven to become large, popular yearly events attracting lots of residents & tourists alike and I'm proud that our city has those to offer; even though they only happen once a year.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

First, the original discussion in the airport thread started with discussion on how to attract International tourists here, to improve international sure connectivity. Not domestic tourism.

Next, if what you suggest is true and it's not just ex-Ottawa residents from Toronto and Montreal driving up for Canada Day, then the flight demand at YOW doesn't seem to reflect it.

The conversation has obviously progressed. If you think international travellers aren't coming to one of the largest music festivals on the continent, or any of the other festivals, then you're mistaken. And yes, that is the entire point of this conversation. That international travellers have few direct flights into YOW, and must rely on transferring from other airports, or ground transportation, which wouldn't be reflective in flight demand at YOW.

[Truenorth00]

If there's as much demand as you suggest, airlines would service YOW directly. Even if it's just specially scheduled flights around special events. They don't do that. Don't even see increases in domestic flights. Please feel free to show increased commercial flight activity around Bluesfest if you think you're right. By contrast, you can see flight activity peak at Palm Springs around Coachella, as an example.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

First, the original discussion in the airport thread started with discussion on how to attract International tourists here, to improve international sure connectivity. Not domestic tourism.

Next, if what you suggest is true and it's not just ex-Ottawa residents from Toronto and Montreal driving up for Canada Day, then the flight demand at YOW doesn't seem to reflect it.



Fair enough. It could be a high demand location. I still find the collection plain. I think acottawa captured what I feel best, when he called it a bunch of Heritage Minutes. But the location and architecture is decent. I wish they would at least strike deals with places like the Museum of Anthropology to rotate pieces through.

Ottawa does get skipped over as YOWhopeful pointed out. For example, I remember seeing the Terracotta Warriors at the ROM in Toronto. The other museums the collection visited? Royal BC Museum, Glenbow Museum and the Musée des beaux-arts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/terracotta-army-to-march-into-4-canadian-cities-1.931242

Why do you think that is? It's not like Calgary is much larger than Ottawa.

I am a big museum guy and the Museum of History used to be a pretty first-rate museum back in the 1990s. Back when it was the Museum of Civilization, though I don't think its slide is due to the name change.

Either they have let things slide themselves or they just haven't kept pace with what makes a really good museum out there in the wider world. Or both.

As for touring international exhibitions well they did have some treasures of Egypt there a couple of years ago.

Perhaps they could be more of a "must" stop in Canada for these things, but they've gone through phases where they've had the attitude that "if it's not Canadian we're not interested"... and this may have dimmed their star in the eyes of the global leading museum community.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

If there's as much demand as you suggest, airlines would service YOW directly. Even if it's just specially scheduled flights around special events. They don't do that. Don't even see increases in domestic flights. Please feel free to show increased commercial flight activity around Bluesfest if you think you're right. By contrast, you can see flight activity peak at Palm Springs around Coachella, as an example.

Wow you're really grasping at straws here. Did I say there was a large enough draw that it would spike commercial flight activity on flights that don't exist? Are you actually comparing Coachella and PSP stats? An isolated desert town with a small airport and an enormous weekend festival. Your arguments have gone from bizarre to completely irrational. It's clear your distain for Ottawa is clouding your judgement here. I'm sorry if your time in this city hasn't treated you well, making you miserable and resentful towards it. Again, I highly suggest getting out and actually experiencing this great city or moving on. You rhetoric has become something of a broken record.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

The one thing I do think Ottawa excels at a bit, compared to everything else in the city, are festivals. I think of Bluesfest, Winterlude, Escapade, etc.. those have proven to become large, popular yearly events attracting lots of residents & tourists alike and I'm proud that our city has those to offer; even though they only happen once a year.

Bluesfest is indeed a major and impressive festival at this point, but Winterlude I am sad to say is just a shadow of its former self. I knew it back in its heyday and it even rivalled Quebec City's Carnaval for a time.

Today there is simply no comparison and I would never recommend someone come to Ottawa for a winter carnival over Quebec City. Though the Rideau Canal is a great star attraction that Quebec City does not have, but you can skate there anytime in the winter. Not just during Winterlude. There is barely anything special going on on the canal during Winterlude these days.

As for Escapade (and Riverside), every decent-sized city has those these days. I don't think Montreal's and Toronto's equivalents would suffer the comparison with Ottawa's.