MONTRÉAL is not only Quebec's largest city, it is also the economic and cultural center of the province. Founded by French settlers in 1642, Montréal has developed into a truly multicultural city, although the majority of the people still claim French as their mother tongue. There is plenty to see and do in Montréal. While Old Montréal provides a glimpse into Montréal's past, numerous public parks and attractions in the Old Port and Olympic Park areas provide many entertainment opportunities.
OTTAWA was declared Canada's capital city by Queen Victoria in1858. Situated along the Ontario-Quebec border, it is largely a government town dominated by impressive government buildings and institutions. While sights like Parliament Hill and Rideau Hall are the focal point of tourist activity, there are many other non-government related attractions worth visiting as well. There are several great museums like the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Ottawa also has numerous public parks, while the Rideau Canal offers boat cruises in the summer before converting to the world's longest skating rink in the winter.
Contact us at worldonwheelz@aol.com to arrange your independent trip to Montréal and Ottawa!
Points of Interest - Montréal
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Old Montréal - Not only
the oldest part of Montréal, but also one of the busiest parts during the
summer months as the streets are filled with street performers, open cafes,
horse-drawn carriages, and tourists.
Place Jacques Cartier - The focal point
of Old Montréal. Originally a public market, the square now comes alive in
the summer with street performers and outdoor cafes lining the square.
Bonsecours Market - Opened in the 1840s
as the city's main public market, this neoclassical building now houses 15
boutiques featuring Québec creations in the area of crafts, jewellery,
clothing, furniture, and designs.
Old Port - A 2 km stretch along the waterfront
devoted to bicycle paths, entertainment, harbour cruises, and special events.
Notre Dame Basilica -Completed in 1829,
the architect who designed the basilica was so moved by the finished product
that he converted to Catholicism. The Notre Dame Basilica holds almost 4,000
people and is truly an architectural marvel. 20-minute tours run every day.
Parc Mont Royal - Montréal's biggest
public park, Parc Mont Royal is often full of joggers, in-line skaters, sunbathers,
and even cross-country skiers. The park is located on a hill and provides
magnificent views of the city.
Montréal Science Centre
- Features many interactive displays and exhibits dedicated
to science and technology. There is also a popular IMAX theatre.
The Bell Centre - Home of the Montréal Canadiens. Guided tours
take you to the press box, the press conference room, the television room
(Hockey Night in Canada), a luxury suite, the Canadiens dressing room, and
the ice/main floor.
Olympic Stadium - Built as the centerpiece
of the 1976 Olympics, the "Big O" is often disparingly referred
to as the "Big Owe" by Montréalers since they are still paying for
the cost of the stadum 30 years after it was built. In recent years, Olympic
Stadium had been home to baseball's Montréal Expos and the CFL's Montréal
Alouettes, although each team has now moved. Concerts and trade shows still
take place there. Guided tours are available.
The Montréal
Tower - Hovering over Olympic Stadium, the 188-metre tower has
an observation deck at the top that provides a great overhead view of Montréal.
The elevator takes 90 people a time up the 45-degree incline to the observation
deck.
The Biodome - Located next to Olympic
Stadium, the Biodome contains four distinct ecosystems: a Laurentian forest,
the St. Lawrence marine system, a tropical rainforest, and a polar environment.
Visitors can walk through each area observing the flora and fauna in each
ecosystem.
Montréal Botanical Garden - Located
across the street from Olympic Stadium, the Botanical Garden offers 180 acres
of beautiful gardens and greenhouses storing tropical and desert plants. Top
attractions include the spectacular Chinese garden, the largest Chinese garden
outside of Asia, and the Insectarium, home to many of the world's most unique
insects. An accessible tram circles the Botanical Garden and a free shuttle
bus links the Botanical Garden and nearby Olympic Park.
International Jazz Festival - A famous
festival offering hundreds of concerts, it takes place late June to early
July.
Just For Laughs Festival - A 10-day festival
every July in which comics, jugglers, and other funny acts from around the
world come to Montréal to perform.
Points of Interest - Ottawa
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Parliament Buildings - Located
on Parliament Hill, the buildings consist of the East, West, and Centre Blocks.
The Centre Block contains the House of Commons and the Senate. Question period
in the House of Commons can be observed by the public. Guided tours of the
Centre Block are offered throughout the year.
The Peace Tower - Located in the Centre
Block of the Parliament Buildings, the 300-foot high Peace Tower has an elevator
taking you up to an observation deck. The tower also contains a large clock
and the Memorial Chamber, which commemorates Canadian soldiers killed in battle.
The Centennial Flame - Lit on New Year's
Eve 1966 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the
flame sits in front of the Centre Block in the middle of Parliament Hill.
The National War Memorial - Located just
down the street from Parliament Hill, the War Memorial commemorates Canada's
war dead. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has only recently been added to
the memorial.
The Changing of the Guard - A half hour
ceremony that takes place on the Parliament Hill Lawn from June to August.
Canadian soldiers in their busbies and red coats perform a colourful ceremony
to the sound of drums and bagpipes.
Rideau Hall - The official residence of
the Governor-General of Canada. It is often used to welcome foreign dignitaries
and to hold important banquets. Guided tours are available.
The National Gallery of Canada - A unique
building that houses a large collection of Canadian art.
Canadian Museum of Civilization - Contains
exhibits dedicated to telling the history of Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mint - See where Canada's
money is made. Guided tours are available.
Sample Independent Itinerary
Day One - Arrive in Montréal
Arrive in Montréal. Accessible transfer to hotel. After check-in, dinner at
a local restaurant. Balance of evening free.
Day Two - City Tour
Following breakfast at the hotel, meet up with your private guide for a 4-hour
tour of Montréal. You will see the downtown area, Mount Royal, the University
of Montréal, McGill University, Olympic Stadium, Ste-Helene's Island, Old
Montréal, Notre Dame Cathedral, and much more. Along the way you will make
several photo stops at such places as Notre Dame Cathedral, Mount Royal, St.
Joseph's Oratory, and Ste-Helene's Island. The tour can be customized to meet
your interests! At the end of the tour, return to the hotel. The balance of
the afternoon and evening are free.
Day Three - Independent Day
Breakfast at the hotel. Then make your way over to Olympic Park. Take a trip
up the Montréal Tower for a spectacular view of Montréal. Next, walk over
to the Biodome where you will experience four ecosystems under one roof. Then
head across the street to the Botanical Garden where you will find 180 acres
of beautiful gardens and greenhouses storing tropical and desert plants. Don't
miss the spectacular Chinese garden, the largest Chinese garden outside of
Asia. Return to the hotel. Balance of the evening free.
Day Four - Ottawa
Breakfast at the hotel. Then make the 2-hour drive to Ottawa where you will
meet up with a private guide for a 2.5-hour city tour. The tour will start
at Parliament Hill, where in July and August crowds gather to watch the Changing
of the Guard. Other sites you will see include the Museum of Civilization,
the Royal Canadian Mint, the Rideau Canal, the Prime Minister's home, and
beautiful Rideau Hall, home to the Governor General. Following the tour, you
will have the afternoon to tour Ottawa on your own.
Day Five - Depart
Contact us at worldonwheelz@aol.com to arrange your independent trip to Montréal and Ottawa!
ACCESSIBLE MONTREAL REVIEW 1999
ACCESSIBLE MONTREAL & OTTAWA REVIEW 2005
MONTREAL PICTURES
OTTAWA PICTURES
