Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Favorite thing: Visit the Parliament Hill with the Parliament Buildings and the famous Peace Tower.
The entrance to the observation deck of the Peace Tower is free and you get a wonderful view of Ottawa and Hull.

Fondest memory: The free english tours which are mostly held by students are very funny. You get lots of useful information about the buildings and the history of Canada. Furthermore you get in contact with other tourists and the guides.

Favorite thing: A Canadian journalist and civil servant, on Dec. 6, 1901, Harper was attending a skating party held on the frozen Ottawa River.
'Andrew George Blair's (who was a Canadian politician in New Brunswick, and a member of Wilfrid Laurier's cabinet) daughter Bessie, and Alex Creelman, fell through a patch of weak ice - though Creelman pulled himself to safety, Harper dove into the river to save Blair, and both ultimately drowned.'

Fondest memory: The statue was put up in 1905.

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Favorite thing: The Valiant Five monument is located at the east edge of the precinct, to the south of the statue of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Famous Five:
Emily Murphy (a Canadian women's rights activist),
Irene Parlby (a Canadian women's farm leader, activist and politician),
Nellie McClung (a Canadian feminist and social activist),
Louise McKinney (Woman's rights activist from Alberta),
Henrietta Edwards (a Canadian women’s rights activist and reformer)

Fondest memory: This monument was donated in 2000 to the Crown by the Famous 5 Foundation.

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Favorite thing: The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.

Fondest memory: This monument was created on Jan 1967 to mark the beginning of the Canadian Centennial.

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Favorite thing: Although the exterior design of the buildings at Parliament Hill are impressive, the interior architecture is very beautiful as well, especially the Centre Block which is made from hand-carved limestone and sandstone. There are several beautiful carved art pieces, as well as paintings of the British empire e.g. Queen Elizabeth. For best viewing, you can join the daily free guided tour of the Centre Block. For more photos of the beautiful interior, please see my travelogue on this VT page.

Favorite thing: I also had an opportunity to go on a tour of Parliament. This has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Buckingham Palace, the Cathedral of Chartre, and a few outhouses in the Vatican may be prettier, but I haven't actually been in those yet, so Parliament will have to do. I stood in the neogothic architecture of the Great Hall and stared in absolute awe at the flying buttresses, Gothic arches, and wonderful stone curlicues. I didn't want to leave, but the tourguide led us into the library.

I swear I almost wept, it is so beautiful. From the parkay hardwood floors to the immense and intricately-carved bookshelves, I was overwhelmed by the intense beauty and vision of the architects. I have never seen such a pulchritudinous room. I'm sure the vast majority of the books were dreadfully dull and filled with charts, figures, political records, and the ilk, but the setting made me imagine they were the most fascinating books in the world.

The group I was with stood in the room and stared with gaping jaws in absolute silence. This was ART in all-caps.

I can't really say anything about this that wouldn't sound trite, so I'll just shut up about it now. But please, if you're ever in Ottawa, go on the tour. You couldn't possibly regret seeing this, except for the grounds of jealousy.

Favorite thing: Visit center of the city and see Parliament buildings.

Fondest memory: My husband could not take a picture of me with the Parliament on the backgraound because of millions of tourists who occupated almost every inch of the grass in front of the building.

Favorite thing: The Parliament buildings are gorgeous and they overlook the Ottawa River. You can see Hull from the Hill (as locals call it), and the Ottawa and Hull skylines are particularly beautiful at night. The buildings consist of the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament (which is the only part of the original Parliament Building that survived the fire in 1916), the Hall of Honour, the Senate, and the Peace Tower.

Fondest memory: Canada Day at Parliament is wild every year. It's just a massive party with people from all over the country. Ceremonies and performances take place in front of Parliament and continue throughout the day. At night, musical performances by Canadians such as Alanis Morisette, Sky, and Sarah McLauchlin, create a fun and energetic atmosphere. I went this summer with friends and I had a blast. But it got SO cold at night (just 10 degrees Celsius) and the fireworks were cancelled because it was too windy. The highlight of the evening was being able to watch Alanis Morisette perform. After the party, it was a pain to get out of the crowded mess. But my friends and I just bolted from the Hill after we learned that the fireworks were cancelled!

Favorite thing: When visiting Ottawa you must see the Parliament Hill.

Fondest memory: It's very interesting to walk around between all the buildings of the government. You can take part in guided tours.
In summernights, there are lightshows. Really nice!

Favorite thing: VISIT 'THE ETERNAL FLAME' which honors our Unknown soldier and all those who died in the wars in the service of their country Canada.My brother Pilot Officer Lawrence Dubois (Allouette 425 Squadron a French Canadian Squadron) is one of them.

Fondest memory: Walking along the Rideau Canal or in front of the parliament buildings.