Hi, I'm planning to visit Ottawa on July 1st weekend and would like to know what activities are happening on July 1st weekend.

Any suggestions on where to stay that is central?

Here is Ottawa Tourism's Calendar of Events for 2005:

http://www.ottawatourism.ca/english/...y-calendar.pdf

The events that appeal to me around July 1st are:

* Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill

* Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride

* Ice Age Mammals at the Canadian Museum of Nature (this is a great museum even when it doesn't have a special exhibit)

* Canada Day Festivities in downtown Ottawa on July 1st

When we were in Ottawa on July 1st a few years ago, there was an air show with a performance by the Snow Birds (the Canadian Air Force's aerobatic team), but I don't see any mention of that on Ottawa Tourism's Calendar of Events for this year.

Oh yes, the Snow Birds' own website indicates that they will be doing a Canada Day Flypast in Ottawa on July 1st:

http://www.snowbirds.forces.gc.ca/schedule_e.asp#3

You'll have a wonderful time. We've visited Canada Day several times. Parliament Hill will have things going on all day with a big show in the evening and there was a huge chicken BBQ going on in the park by the Chateau Laurier when we were there. Byward Market was bustling. I second the musical ride and the changing of the guard. Be sure to make hotel reservations early.

Thanks for the suggestions Judy and Flyboy...I will certainly try to squeeze all that it on July 1st. >-

I would park my butt at D'Arcy McGee's (44 Sparks street), down a few
Stellas and watch the world go by...

Any suggestions of where to stay in Ottawa?

There are many places to stay in downtown Ottawa at all prices. What is your budget? What type of accommodation are you looking for?

Last time I went I stayed at the Marriott downtown for $100...is that still possible?

I wanted to know if there were any B&Bs downtown?

I am planning to take the train to Ottawa. Does anyone remember the bus that takes you downtown to the mall. I remember taking it. Thx.

June and July are high season for hotels, and you are unlikely to get a hotel room downtown for C$100 or under, especially the Marriott or others in its category. The Doral Inn and the Embassy might be close to $100. The Jazz Festival and July 1st festivities will mean low vacancy rates. You might try Priceline, however.

There are lots of B&Bs in the downtown residential areas such as Sandy Hill and Centretown. I've never stayed in any, as I live here, but you could check out the Ambience, Auberge McGee's Inn, the Inn on Somerset, and Benners to mention a few. Here's a website with more: http://www.bedsandbreakfasts.ca/ottawa.htm

The railway station is on the Transitway and practically any westbound bus will take you downtown. The most frequent are the 95 and 99. You shouldn't have to wait any more than 5 minutes during the day, or perhaps 10 minutes in the evening.

Canada Day festivities are organized by the National Capital Commission, and you can get a detailed program about a month in advance from their Canada Day website:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/cana...y_static_e.asp

Much of downtown Ottawa will be closed to traffic on Canada Day and tens of thousands of people around, so not having a car will be an advantage. There will be many events and activities not only on Parliament Hill but throughout the downtown and across the river in Gatineau (Hull). There will likely be shuttle buses to take you around.

If you haven't visited the Museum of Civilization in Hull, it's a must (and is one of the best places to watch the fireworks). The new Canadian War Museum on Lebreton Flats opens in May and will be well worth visiting:
http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/cwme.asp

Enjoy your stay!

I would recommend staying at "The Ashbury House" located in the trendy Glebe area. The price is about $119/night. The owners are VERY friendly and interesting people. They serve wonderful gourmet breakfasts! They will treat you like family. My husband and I stayed there for a week while we found a house to buy in Ottawa and were quite impressed. It is located on 1st street which is about a 5 minute walk to Bank St. On Bank you will find several unique restaurants and shops. Another 5-8 minute walk from Bank St. will take you to the Rideau Canal. Follow the walking path north for roughly 20 minutes and you will be in central downtown Ottawa. There is also a good bus system that could take you downtown from Bank St.