We just booked a last-minute Labor Day weekend trip to Ottawa -- we've heard of the fabulous food (including restaurant recommendations on this list) and a steam train to nearby Wakefield. Other than that, looking for attractions off the beaten track (that does not require a car) and things to do at night, esp music, and maybe shopping for any local items. Also, while my husband checked and found out the local minor league team has played its last game, any other local sports recommendations? We leave tomorrow, so if there are any folks who want to post their ideal 3-day itinerary for Ottawa that would also be fantastic! Thanks...

The sports event of the weekend is the CFL football game between Ottawa and Montreal tonight, so you have missed that.

The festival event of the weekend is the Hot Air Balloon Festival, accross the river in Gatineau.

I don't think there is much, if anything, in the way special music events this weekend. There is the standard live music at pubs like the Highlander and D'Arcy McGee's and blues at the Rainbow Bistro.

I'll assume you've not been to Ottawa before, so here are some things I would recommend:

1. Tour the Parliament Buildings and the Peace tower. The changing of the guard is over for the season, but the tour of the buildings is well worth it.

2. The National Gallery. Besides the permanent collection, there is currently an excellent exhibition on clowns, including a huge theatre curtain by Picasso which has not been exhibited in many years.

3. Right beside the National Gallery is the Canadian War Museum, which is closing this week to prepare for its move to the new building in May. There will be displays, band concerts and other activities there all weekend.

4. The Canadian Museum of Civilization, just across the river. It's a 10 minute walk from the National Gallery. It should not be missed.

4. The Byward Market. A farmers' market during the day and lots of night life afterwards

5. This weekend in Gatineau, there is the International Hot Air Balloon festival. If you can't get over, find a place along the river at about 6:30 am or 5:30pm to see well over a hundred hot air balloons launch. Find out more at
http://www.balloongatineau.com/default.htm

For night life, there are lots of bars, clubs, pubs etc. For a listing of what's on where, get the Ottawa Citizen, or check their site at http://www.canada.com/ottawa/index.html

For shopping downtown, Rideau Centre has lots of stores, mostly chains. There are a couple of good craft shops on the Sparks Street Mall. If you take the steam train, you'll have time for some shopping in Wakefield.

For sports, you can still catch the AAA Ottawa Lynx who play their last game on Saturday afternoon. That's about it, though, as the CFL Renegades play tonight. Saturday night however, you will find that many bars will be showing the Canada-Russia hockey game with lots of raucous supporters.

Enjoy your weekend. The forecast is for good weather.

Go to the bottom of the Rideau Locks, next to the Chateau Laurier hotel, and take a boat tour on the Ottawa River, and you can also take, starting at the top of the locks, a boat tour on the Rideau Canal.

BAK

Wow, fantastic recommendations so quickly! Many thanks. One follow-up question: Will most places be closed for Monday's Labour Day holiday?

You'll find that most tourist attractions such as museums and galleries will be open as will shops in the tourist (i.e. downtown) areas such as the Rideau Centre and the Market. OUtside of that most stores, offices and businesses will be closed.