Events and Areas of Interest Around Ottawa

 

A.J. Corner - IACM 2022 Local Arrangements Chair

We look forward to you joining us in Canada's capital city of Ottawa! With our host site - the Ottawa Marriott - being in the center of the city near the banks of the Ottawa River and just a couple of blocks from the Parliament of Canada, we are in a prime spot for our attendees to take in many of the national museums in our vicinity, local breweries, and more!

Boat Tours

One of the best ways to explore Ottawa is from the water. Boat tours on the Ottawa River provide spectacular views of the Parliament building and other important features on the Ontario and Québec sides of the river. Lady Dive offers a land/water Amphibus tour with sightseeing on both sides. Paul’s Boat Line is a more traditional boat tour.

Museums

Please note that museums require or strongly recommend advanced ticketing. Please check with each individual museum below for more information. Thanks to its status as the Canadian capital, Ottawa is home to seven excellent national museums. The following four museums are centrally located within a 30 min walk of the Marriott. If you happen to be staying an extra day or two in the area, they offer free entrance on Thursday evenings.

The other three museums are part of the Ingenium group - they offer a range of interactive exhibits and programming that will be particularly attractive if you are traveling with children. These museums are free daily 4-5pm if you would like to stop by at the end of the day. They are within 10-15 mins of the Marriott by car.

 

Breweries and Taverns

Three of the closest breweries to the Marriott are Beyond the Pale (25 min walk), Flora Hall Brewing (20 min walk), and Spark Beer (20 min walk). Mill Street Brewery is based in Toronto, but operates a scenic brewpub in a former industrial building by the Ottawa River (15 min walk).

There is also the historical tavern tour of the oldest part of the city (Byward Market - 20 min walk), which features some of the more storied drinking establishments. While the historical tavern tour is not yet open to public groups, it is possible that this changes as we get closer to the conference and as Ottawa and Canada as a whole loosen up their COVID restrictions. If you wish to get a taste of the tour stops on your own, consider Chateau Lafayette (The Laff) or Brigid’s Well (both in the Byward Market).

Outdoor Eating and Drinking

You will find outdoor patios at many of the downtown bars and restaurants (particularly along Sparks Street, Bank Street, Elgin Street, and in the Byward Market). Away from the main clusters, it’s worth noting that there are a few bistros and beer gardens in prime locations not far from the Marriott.

  • Tavern at the Gallery Sip a glass of wine or a cocktail over some shared plates at the Tavern’s location in the hidden courtyard garden at the National Gallery (20 min walk).
  • NCC Bistro in Confederation Park Have a morning coffee or an evening drink in the park between the National Arts Centre and Ottawa City Hall (15 min walk).
  • 1 Elgin at the National Arts Centre Enjoy a meal or a drink on the terrasse overlooking the Rideau Canal (15 min walk).

Local Flair

Some very different local experiences may be of interest depending on your preferences. The "Oh, Canada, Eh?" dinner musical (10 min walk) is sure to be a fun and kitschy all-Canadian experience. The website refers to group discounts for those that want to get a party of IACMers together. If you want more of an adrenalin rush, you could zipline over the Ottawa River (20 min walk) to celebrate being at the meeting point of Canadian provinces, cultures, and languages! Alternatively, afternoon tea at the Chateau Laurier (15 min walk) might be in order if you prefer a more sedate outing.

Sports Teams

Two of Ottawa’s newest sports teams will be playing around the time of the conference.

Our soccer team – Atlético Ottawa – was founded in 2020 by Atlético Madrid and competes in the Canadian Premier League. Home games are scheduled for Sat 9 July (against Cavalry FC) and Sunday 17 July (against Valour FC). TD Place Stadium is in Lansdowne Park, a popular entertainment area with restaurants, bars, and outdoor spaces near the Rideau Canal. You can reach Lansdowne Park by car (10 mins), bus number 6 or 7 along Bank Street (20 mins), or a lengthy walk (40 mins direct or an hour strolling along the canal path from downtown).

The Ottawa Titans baseball team are playing their inaugural season in the Frontier League this year. Home games are scheduled on 8/9/10 July (against Empire State Greys) and on 15/16/17 July (against Québec Capitales). RCGT Park is located east of downtown Ottawa, and can be reached by car (15 mins) or the O-Train light rail system (20 mins).

 

Events Around Ottawa

There are several events on the calendar that will be taking place during our time in the area including music and arts festivals and an immersive experience of the artwork of Claude Monet.

  • RBC Bluesfest (July 7-17) - Each July, Ottawa’s RBC Bluesfest presents hundreds of musical acts in all genres to some 300,000 fans. Don’t miss this event, which Billboard Magazine has ranked as one of the world’s top-10 outdoor music festivals! This festival is just a 15-20 minute walk from the Ottawa Marriott and is a can't miss if you're staying in the area for another few days!
  • National Arts Centre showing Hamilton (July 13-31) - What better way to experience the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton than to do so while in Canada's capital? This world renowned musical tells the story of Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary. Please note that if you are interested in this, seek to book tickets immediately as opening week tickets may very well be sold out already. The National Arts Centre is only a 10 minute walk from the Ottawa Marriott.
  • Imagine Monet: The Immersive Experience (June - August) - Immerse yourself in the work of French painter Claude Monet, considered the father of Impressionism. This experience is being held outside of town near the Ottawa airport, approximately 20 minutes by car.
  • Guided Tours of Parliament (Tour will start back up beginning May 20th) - These tours are extremely interesting and just a block away from the Ottawa Marriott, though it's important to note that they no longer take place at the main parliament building with its famous peace tower. That landmark will be closed for renovations for the next 10-15 years. The upper and lower houses have relocated to different nearby buildings in the meantime.
  • The Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill - Northern Lights (Summer 2022 TBD) - Each night in the summer months, you can enjoy a free, 30-minute multimedia show presented against the backdrop of the iconic Parliament