Holiday Adventure to Canada’s Capital City
VISIT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA IN OTTAWA THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
For those who seek a joyful adventure this holiday season, a trip to the nation’s capital may be just what you may need. Being one of the coldest capital cities on the planet, Ottawa has plenty to offer to those hearty souls who seek outdoor activites like skiing, skating or snowshoeing. For the “indoor” tourist, an adventure to Ottawa must include a tour of Canada’s parliament, the Supreme Court and of course, many museums like the National Gallery of Canada.
The National Gallery of Canada is home to a collection of some 1,400 works of Inuit art. Housed in a spectacular contemporary building, the gallery exhibits just a small selection from the collection. But the Inuit art exhibit is beautifully curated and one that showcases Inuit art in its many different mediums.
Your day should start with breakfast at the SconeWitch Bakeshop and Cafe. Here you can enjoy a delicious homemade scone with your choice of preserves along with a hot cup of coffee or juice. The SconeWitch is located in a beautiful building at 150 Elgin Street just south of the National War Memorial. This building is also home to the Canada Council for the Arts. If you enter the building on Elgin Street you will pass through the lobby that exhibits some incredible contemporay and Inuit art.
A visit to the National Gallery of Canada is just a short 20 minute walk from the SconeWitch. Your path will take you in close proximity to Parliament Hill and the venerable Chateau Laurier Hotel. Once you see the hotel, the best route to follow to the gallery is behind the hotel through Major’s Hill Park where you can gain a wonderful view of the Ottawa River and the Parliament buildings. Your gallery visit may take any where from 1 to 3 hours If, by chance, you conclude your visit by mid-afternoon, you can always stop into Zoe’s Lounge at the Chateau Laurier for high tea.
With so much to do and see in Canada’s capital city, a National Gallery of Canada visit is a “must do”. You won’t be dissappointed!