Ottawa in November!
 

Hi all I am new to this forum and just wanted to say "Hi".

Also I am planning a trip to Ottawa in November (from Perth Australia) and was wondering if anybody could give me information regarding;

Accommodation
Things to do/see (love photography & Hiking)
Places to stay (am staying 3 nights at the Novotel in Ottawa)

Any information would be great.

Cheers

Scott

Ottawa is not at its best in November, as it has started to get cold, but the snow has not yet come. That said, I have often managed a round of golf in the last week of November.

There's good hiking in Gatineau Park, which is less than half an hour from downtown, but there are lots of trails in town along the Ottawa and Rideau rivers and the Rideau canal.

Indoors, there are many great attractions, including a visit to the Parliament Buildings and the various National Museums--the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum, the National Gallery, the Aviation Museum, the Museum of Nature and the Museum of Science and Technology. From my perspective, the ones not to miss are the War Museum, the Museum of Civilization and the National Gallery--not only for their exhibits, but their architecture.

There are lots of photo opportunities, and you might be interested in the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography as well.

The official tourism website will give you lots of information. You should check the image gallery for ideas for photos:
http://www.ottawatourism.ca/forms/index.asp?intSite=1

As for accommodation, the Novotel is well situated within walking distance of many attractions including the Byward Market with its shops, restaurants and bars.

The New York Times had a short piece on a 36 hour visit to Ottawa, and although 4 years old the information is still valid.

http://tinyurl.com/yn5dfb


Other websites which you might find helpful are the National Capital Commission (which among other things runs the Gatineau Park):

http://tinyurl.com/2ds5xe

The City of Ottawa also has good information.

http://ottawa.ca/visitors/index_en.html

If you would like more specific suggestions, please ask.

I'm sure you will enjoy your visit here.

I think the photography museum is closed becaue of construction, but some of its works are on exhibit at the National Gallery.

Dress warmly -- Ottawa can be cold in November. There are a lot of hiking trails within the city that are not too challenging.

The museums are a highlight, even if you are not generally a museum fan. If you are interested in airplanes, there's an excelent air museum.

BAK

I cannot help you about what to expect in November, other than November is generally the least scenic month to be anywhere in Canada (as keep in mind, it also gets dark rather early in November).

But I agree with the sentiment that Ottawa's museums are its strength. Out of any other Canadian city I've been to, I'd have to say that Ottawa has the best collection of museums in the country.

The Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery (fine art), the Aviation Museum, and the War Museum were all my favourites. And if you're interested in seeing where the Canadian federal government resides, a tour through the Parliament Building is fascinating, especially since you might get a chance to sit in on a session.

I should also note, while none are Louvre sized, you could easily spend half a day in each museum that I listed and still not see everything.

Welcome to Fodors!

A few places I've been to in Ottawa that cater to nature and photography:

Experimental Gardens - although in November, there probably isn't going to be much in the way of flowers

Vincent Massey Park - there's a nice manicured park area and a path that leads to some trails along the Rideau River. Very nice natural setting with lots of scenic photog ops.

Ottawa River Parkway - nice scenic pathway along the Ottawa River.

Gatineau Park - tons of opportunities such as Pink Lake. Could easily spend a couple days here.

I agree with the museums. My favorite is the National Gallery. ByWard Market is great also.

If you will have a car, you could also head out a ways. If you head west, you could go out to Eganville and the Bonnechere Cave. It's not a big cave, but the area is very pretty and scenic and there are several towns with shops along the main street that are nice.

There's also the Perth area. Lots of lakes and the Mississippi and Tay Rivers. You can find some wonderful scenic photo ops just driving along the roads there.

Hey thanks everyone for your replies, now to respond.

laverendrye: Thanks for your indepth post it has given me an idea of what to expect! I have a friend in Ottawa who has also asked me why November! All I can say is that we get more hot days than cold here so I would rather see Canada in the cold, also I will probably plan another trip back (if I enjoy it ;-)).
With my love of photography and Hiking I will definatelty be checking all the trails out around Gatineau Park and the Rideau Canal. I am hoping to see lots of wildlife.

I have also heard many a report regarding the architecture and museums, and I think this also will be placed on my list of to do! But I am not setting an itinerary of things to do as such, but more hope to do's and if I make most of them I will be happy.

My friend has a vehicle so I am hoping she will be my tour guide on weekends!

Thanks again everybody for your valued replies, I look forward to arriving!

Scott

Hi - If you want to visit when it's "cold", then I would suggest you come in winter when the Rideau Canal is frozen (famous miles long winter skating) and there will be snow to make everything pretty and picturesque (for photos). If you like hiking, you might enjoy cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing in nearby Gatineau Park, which would also be much more picturesque in winter than in the damp, chilly, grey of November. Just an opinion you might want to consider if you have some flexibility in your timing.

Hi again - elaborating bit on my earlier response. I know I sounded quite discouraging about your planned November visit (as did some others), but that is because we would very much like you to enjoy your first trip to Canada. November is definitely "off-season" for most of the outdoor interests you mentioned. Some of the wildlife either migrates or goes into hibernation for the winter (although you might still find deer, and some late migrating and/or winter birds). The leaves will have fallen from the deciduous trees, the herbaceous and flowering plants will have died down making much of the non-grassy areas of ground bare and brown. There is unlikely to be enough, if any, build-up of snow in November for a fresh, pretty ground-covering. Hiking is muddy and the scenery is not very picturesque at this time. November tends to be damp and chilly. At least in the winter, even though it can get very cold, the air is often dry and crisp and a sunny day with a covering of snow over the ground and trees would offer much more pleasant opportunities for hiking and photography. If you can, for prime winter conditions consider January to early/mid March. Otherwise, mid May to mid October.
If November can't be avoided, you will probably focus on indoor and city attractions (shopping, museums, restaurants). Maybe on the weekend you can do a day-trip or overnight to Montreal (a couple of hours drive away)? Or, to either the Thousand Islands district of the St. Lawrence River (also a couple of hours) or Algonquin Park (a bit farther): rocky outcroppings, water views and coniferous trees such as Pines/Spruce might contribute to these latter 2 areas remaining somewhat picturesque in late fall.

mat106 is generally correct about November in Ottawa: it can be damp and chilly, but when the sun is shining, it can be quite pleasant to hike in the area around the city.

With the time you have available, there's no need to go to Algonquin Park or the Thousand Islands. You will find equally picturesque views of rocky outcroppings, water views and coniferous trees which are so typical of the Canadian Shield (of which Algonquin and Gatineau parks and the Thousand Islands form a part).

If it's cold and rainy, you might want to stay indoors, but otherwise it's still good for hiking (but too early for skiing),

Among other things, with a friend with a car, you can get up very early one morning, drive to Montreal, spend all day there, have a good dinner in one of Montreal's million good restaurants, and still get back to Ottawa by mid-night.

In your research, pay attention to the Province of Quebec, on the noarth side fo the Ottawa River. North-east on Ottawa are lots of (hard to believe buyt true) little towns that made their fortune in pulp and paper manufacturing.

Again, a great weekend day with a car.

BAK