Travel to Ottawa, Ontario – Episode 395

Hear about travel to Ottawa, Ontario as the Amateur Traveler talks to return guest Michael Soncina of Sonchy’s Adventures about Canada’s capital city.

Michael was in Ottawa as a part of a press trip looking at a new eco-district the city is setting up in its downtown.

This was not Michael’s first visit to Ottawa because, having grown up in Toronto, he had been there before as a student.

“Ottawa is a very small city, but there is a lot of diversity there. There is a really strong culinary scene. Because it is the nation’s capital there are a lot of interesting museums. The nature around Ottawa is simply breathtaking. You can cycle around the city very easily. In the summertime, you can go whitewater rafting. It is has a small-town feel with metropolitan offerings.”

“You definitely need at least three days to go to Ottawa. You need a couple of days for the museums and there are some really great museums. You need a couple of days to have a culinary experience. I have to admit that I think I ate my way through Ottawa in a way that I shouldn’t have. And I think you should have a day in Ottawa to just be in Ottawa, to bike around, or just to wander.”

Michael takes us on a tour of some of the museums in the city such as the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian Museum of Nature, and the National Gallery of Canada. He also talks about the restaurant scene including non-traditional restaurants like the vegan Zen Kitchen.

“There are a lot of different restaurants in Ottawa and a lot of them are focused in ByWard Market in the downtown area. It is a Bohemian and historical area. There are open markets where people are selling vegetables and locally made honey. There are shops there that sell cheese and such and then there are a variety of pubs and coffee shops.”

right click here to download (mp3)
right click here to download (iTunes version with pictures)

Show Notes

Michael Soncina
Rideau Canal
Ottawa
Canadian War Museum
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Canadian Museum of Nature
National Gallery of Canada
Byward Market
Murray Street Kitchen (closed)
Zen Kitchen (closed)
Ottawa Farmers Market
Union 613
Shanghai’s
Sonchy’s Adventures
Top 5 Luxury Boutique Hotels in Ontario

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Community

on Travel to the Navajo Nation (Arizona) – Episode 383:

Chris,

It appeared that the guest did not spend as long at Monument Valley as it might deserve. About 10 years ago we took a guided tour by open pickup truck of the valley that lasted perhaps an hour or two. Way better than hanging out at the visitor center and just looking. We also did a horseback “tour” just outside of the valley, and that was pretty awesome also.

Dan