THREE MORE SLEEPS… three more sleeps… that is what has to happen before we head off to Ottawa and the start of an amazing summer. My son and daughter just got back from two different school trips to Ottawa. So they have many ideas about what we should do while we are there. As it happens that I was asked by Chicken Farmers of Canada to be a roving Brand Ambassador on Canada Day in our nations capital. At first I thought, why go, the kids have just been there. We’ve been before as a family for Winterlude. The thing is, there is so much to do in Ottawa that I think we can keep going back again and again and again.
I have never been to Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations. I’ve only ever watched the festivities on TV like most Canadians. So as I asked my son, who returned from Ottawa last Friday, to make a list of things that he wants to do.
My Requests and Recommendations:
(On a side note, the links are NOT placed in any kind of order for example: Most wanted to least wanted or vice versa, or chronological order :)LOL)
MAJOR HIGHLIGHT: Top Attractions on Canada Day
His number one choice (or highlight) is to attend the Canada Day activities on Parliament Hill and the downtown area. He wants to see the changing of the guards on Parliament Hill, see the start studded extravaganza and the fireworks. We love fireworks but this is going to far beyond the best.
The 2013 fireworks show includes:
- 1,177 fireworks items
- 1133 aerial shells
- 74 of the largest shells allowed in Canada
- 2,356 projectiles/effects.
- source: Canada’s Capital Region Website
Ottawa International Jazz Festival
This is the second choice… I think this might be an example that I gave him because I don’t think he has EVER shown any interest in Jazz but I’m willing to go with it. I think I could find myself at Confederation Park at listening to Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Orchestra on Saturday night.
Canadian War Museum
Next on the agenda is the Canadian War Museum. One of the newest museums in the capital region, the highlight for my son at the Canadian War Museum was when he checked the soldiers’ registry and found his great-grandfather and great grandmother listed. This was so important to him that I think he wants us to see it for ourselves.
Canada Science and-Technology Museum
Being a huge train fan, I can see why my son picked this attraction. The prospect of riding on a old steamer train will be more then he can handle. I am sure the girls won’t be as excited but I know we can find other things to keep them engaged!
Aviation and Space Museum
I think this is going to be my husband’s favourite museum of the trip. Not because he likes planes or wanted to be an astronaut as a kid, not even that we get to meet Commander Hadfield (fingers crossed)… this is going to be his favourite because there is a Star Wars Identity exhibit! Yes, I said Star Wars. This is one of the main reasons my son wants to go back, to bring his dad back for a visit!
The last two attractions that he wants to visit is Bytown Museum and the infamous Diefenbunker. I know there are so many things to do in Ottawa that I cannot possibly name them all. But if you want to follow along on my family road trip, be sure to follow my hashtag #CFCFamilyFun and then on Canada Day follow #CDNChickenLuv for highlights of the BBQ, VIP activities and prizes.
- DownshiftingPRO on Twitter
- DownshiftingPRO Instagram
- Chicken Farmers Twitter Handle: @ChickenFarmers & @ChickendotCA
- Chicken Farmers on Instagram
- #CFCFamilyFun
- #CDNChickenLUV
Disclosure: I have been sponsored by Chicken Farmers of Canada as a Brand Ambassador to attend the Canada Day festivities. All opinions on this blog are my own.
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
YOu will have a blast, so fun to be downtown on Canada Day, if you have time check out Terra20 in the West End, fun store, great ideas there to blog about.
Looks like a lot of fun festivities! Thanks for the details on the events happening!
Wow! That’s going to be amaing! Can’t wait to see all your pics!
Kas
That is going to be such a neat experience for you. I can’t wait to follow along!
Sounds like there will be lots of fun things to do. Enjoy your trip! Our family hopes to visit Canada someday.