Ottawa

Summers here are warm and humid with temperatures often reaching as high as 30 C in the midday heat. With the humidex, summer days may feel even hotter ̵ but it’s nothing a quick dip in the pool can't fix.

Spring and fall temperatures in Ottawa vary by year but often see warm temperatures like the summer and cool temperatures much like the winter. It's definitely a good idea to have a peak at the forecast when travelling in these variable seasons.

In the winter, snow is commonplace in Ottawa. Outside, children can often be seen building snow forts and ̵with average annual snowfalls of 235 centimetres̵they certainly have plenty to work with! Average January temperatures here hover around -10 C, but with strong wind chills it can often feel cooler.

Nearby, the National Gallery of Canada delights art fans with works from many periods and styles, including one of the largest collections of Group of Seven and Tom Thomson paintings.

Take a tour of the region on the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train and admire the beauty of Canada's capital. The five-hour trip takes you around the Gatineau River to the town of Wakefield. On board the train, tour guides share stories about the region while musicians play. When the train turns around in Wakefield, you'll have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the village or have a look inside the conductor's cab.

Ottawa also offers many modern sightseeing opportunities. If you're a hockey fan, stop by Scotiabank Place and check out an NHL game with the Ottawa Senators. There are also plenty of restaurants, pubs and nightclubs in the city to keep you entertained after the game.

Whatever you choose to do in Ottawa, you're never far away from historical sights and beautiful spaces.