I'm traveling to Ottawa in a few weeks and was curious about Hull. I know nothing about it, other than it's right across the river. Does that mean it's five minutes away? I've heard that there is good bars/clubs there. Thanks in advance for any info.

Hull, Quebec, is indeed 5 minutes away across the bridge. In great part because of the more liberal drinking laws in Quebec (min. age is 18 and bars can stay open until 3 a.m. vs 1 a.m. in Ontario), there are a lot of bars & clubs in Hull catering to Ottawa's revelers and smokers (smoking is permitted in most bars in Quebec, but is prohibited anywhere in Ottawa).<BR>There is also a Casino in Hull.

I would say Hull is nice if you want to party. Its nice to find that good old Quebecois joie de vivre so close to the nation's capital.

Hull (now officially called Gatineau) is also host to an international fireworks competition, which just closed last Saturday (Germany won). It's also home to a hot air ballon festival at the end of the summer (they harvest the hot air above parliament hill). One of the very best breakfast values in the whole Ottawa-Hull area can be found in Cafe Diana on rue Montcalm in Hull.

I forgot to mention that it's a great walk from the National Gallery or Majors' Hill Park (Ottawa side) across the bridge to the Canadian Museum of Civilization (Hull side).

Closing hours have been synchronized at 2 am on both sides of the border, to reduce the mass of drunks heading across to Hull at 1 am and the rowdiness when the Hull bars close at 3 am. The only advantages of going to Hull are to be able to smoke when you are drinking and to drink legally when you are 18.

Ron: "only advantages of going to Hull are to be able to smoke when you are drinking and to drink legally when you are 18."<BR><BR>Only???? Pretty MAJOR ADVANTAGES!!!!<BR><BR>Also. this 2 a.m. syncronized closing time in Quebec is total BS. It's not enforced because it would not stand up in courts. Real closing time, like every where else in Quebec, is more like 4-5 a.m.<BR>

Just a word of advice about Hull. They have cops from hell. If you're driving over from Ottawa, and you're young ie under 30, I hope you won't be in a car with Ontario plates. They love pulling you over for no reason and harrassing you with stupid questions. Otherwise, Hull really is a great place to party.