[Mezla PigDog]

I get the feeling lots of people here love to give travel advice so I'm throwing this out. I'm going to Ottawa in March for a training course and I'm going to tag on a day or two to make the 11 hour flight worthwhile and also potentially add on more time to have a trip with Mr PigDog if we can think of enough to do to make it worthwhile. I get the impression Ottawa isn't really a great destination and I've already done Vancouver and the Rockies which were the places in Canada I really want to see..... As a starter I'm thinking maybe connect through Toronto and spend a couple of days there if I'm on my own. If we do decide to make a longer trip of it, what is there to do around there at the end of March to justify Mr PigDog spending £1k for a flight? Snow snow and more snow or something more?? I want to go to Niagara Falls!

[QuickTidal]

Ottawa is alright, but aside from Parliament buildings and the Rideau Canal, there's not much else to see.

Toronto is great (and I don't just say that cause I live here) and there's some touristy stuff to do (CN Tower, Aquarium) good Shopping (Queen Street, Eaton Centre, Yonge Street) good eats (King Street). Aside from that it's just a decent city to walk around in.

Niagara Falls is out in Niagara (about 1 1/2hrs from Toronto proper) and you'd need a way out there (rental car, or bus trip) but it's nice to see. Niagara as a place (other than the falls) is hokey (Blackpoolish?) but at least there are a few casino's to go to. So as long as you're fine with the falls being the main attraction and the gambling a second...

End of March in Toronto will still be cold most likely (sometimes not) and possibly snowy. THIS SITE is a great repository of information on what's going on any given weekend or time and will give you a good idea of events for when you are looking to come. Hit the Things To Do link and select the time you are coming. That doesn't mean that will be all that's on then...just all that's currently planned. We also have shows (http://www.Mirvish.com) which you might want to partake in, or if you dig Classical music the http://www.TSO.ca can help with that. Out about a half hour away in Mississauga/Oakville is iFly Toronto (indoor Skydiving) which I did and was a blast. It's right off the main highway (Queen Elizabeth Way).

It's not going to be AS good as it might be if you were coming in summer (our patios are legendary) since walking around in March IF it turns out to be cold isn't fun. Our transit system is fine, if not great. But that said, we are Canadian's so we make up for it with great bars, pubs, and clubs and lounges to warm up in and get great food. Another good site with a sort of hispter ear to the ground is http://www.blogto.com/ which you can search through for things to do and places to go.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have any other queries about Toronto.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 06 January 2015 - 03:23 PM

[cerveza_fiesta]

Montreal is closer to Ottawa by a good margin, and it's a pretty nice spot as well. I'd argue it's more fun than Toronto, but that's probably just because I've had more good times there. EDIT -- had good times in Toronto too...just not as good. Either one would be great for a first-time visitor. Niagara Falls is fantastic no matter how many times you've gone. Just goddamn impressive all around...although the immediate vicinity of the falls is only worth about an hour's entertainment unless you want to do casinos and restaurants too.

When my at-the-time girlfriend used to live in TO, we went a couple of times to Niagara on the Asian casino bus -- it's subsidized by the Niagara Falls casinos and takes all the chinese folks down from the city to gamble. Always space on the bus, always cheap, and they are guaranteed to spell your name in hilarious ways on your bus passes!


For March, if you're a downhill skier, Montreal is much closer to a greater number of good ski hills in both Canada and USA (vermont in particular), and March skiing is typically excellent whether you go North into the Laurentians or South into the Appalachians. If you're feeling like a bit longer drive, my favourite spot to visit in Canada so is Quebec City hands-down. Also close to good ski hills, a much higher level of french snootiness (in a good way), and way more character than Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal.

I'd love to tell you to come out East to the Maritime provinces, but truth be told this entire end of the country is boring and terrible in March.

This post has been edited by cerveza_fiesta: 06 January 2015 - 05:20 PM

[QuickTidal]

CF is right about the skiing in Quebec. Really fun, even if you were just to hit Mont Tremblant. Though staying in the village is way pricey.

The Montreal VS Toronto thing is totally valid to those I know that frequently visit both cities. Montreal always comes out as "nicer" if not "hipper".

And I wholeheartedly agree about Quebec City. It's gorgeous, and well, well worth visiting over Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.

[cerveza_fiesta]

QuickTidal, on 06 January 2015 - 05:14 PM, said:

CF is right about the skiing in Quebec. Really fun, even if you were just to hit Mont Tremblant. Though staying in the village is way pricey.

The Montreal VS Toronto thing is totally valid to those I know that frequently visit both cities. Montreal always comes out as "nicer" if not "hipper".

And I wholeheartedly agree about Quebec City. It's gorgeous, and well, well worth visiting over Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.

Quebec City is also a much nicer "winter city" if you know what I mean. Folks there don't seem to bitch and moan and hide from it as much as in other places. They celebrate it in fact!

[Blend]

Yeah, I agree with CF - hit up Montreal instead of Toronto - there's all kinds of interesting stuff to do there, including the BioDome and Botanical Garden (really a must see, they're absolutely astounding), Mont Royal, where you can get one of the most beautiful views of Montreal, plus the St. Joseph's Oratory is up there, there's the Notre Dame Basilica, which is beautiful, Old Montreal for some old Canadian architecture (though given you're from over the pond, it may not seem that old to you lot), the Old Port of Montreal is a great place to go in the winter, Quartier des Spectacles if you want to hit a show, plus Montreal is near Mont Tremblant, which is supposed to be one of the best downhill ski hills at this end of Canada.

He's also right that Quebec City is much nicer even, but if you don't speak French, you'll have a harder time in Quebec City than you would in Montreal.

Here in Ottawa, there really isn't much to do. You can hit up the Parliament Building for a tour, you can go to one of our several Museums (Museum of Nature, Museum of History, Canadian War Museum, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada, and Gatineau Park is nearby if you're up for some winter hiking (it's really beautiful up there). It's hit and miss, but the Canal may be open during that time (if it has stayed cold enough), so if you like to skate, you can skate on the world's longest skating rink (7.8km long). The Byward Market is fun to check out on a weekend, though it's better in the summer, you could catch a show at the National Arts Centre. That's about all I can think of in terms of Ottawa Tourism. I'd go to Montreal or Toronto for more interesting stuff.

That being said, when you're here, we should meet up for a pint or two! I'm actually the best thing about Ottawa!

[Blend]

QuickTidal, on 06 January 2015 - 05:14 PM, said:

CF is right about the skiing in Quebec. Really fun, even if you were just to hit Mont Tremblant. Though staying in the village is way pricey.

The Montreal VS Toronto thing is totally valid to those I know that frequently visit both cities. Montreal always comes out as "nicer" if not "hipper".

And I wholeheartedly agree about Quebec City. It's gorgeous, and well, well worth visiting over Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.

QT - are you Canadian? I had no idea!

[Catherine]

anyone know when Carnivale is in Quebec City - I remember it well, as well as I can after drinking Caribou.

[Blend]

Blend, on 06 January 2015 - 05:28 PM, said:

Yeah, I agree with CF - hit up Montreal instead of Toronto - there's all kinds of interesting stuff to do there, including the BioDome and Botanical Garden (really a must see, they're absolutely astounding), Mont Royal, where you can get one of the most beautiful views of Montreal, plus the St. Joseph's Oratory is up there, there's the Notre Dame Basilica, which is beautiful, Old Montreal for some old Canadian architecture (though given you're from over the pond, it may not seem that old to you lot), the Old Port of Montreal is a great place to go in the winter, Quartier des Spectacles if you want to hit a show, plus Montreal is near Mont Tremblant, which is supposed to be one of the best downhill ski hills at this end of Canada.

He's also right that Quebec City is much nicer even, but if you don't speak French, you'll have a harder time in Quebec City than you would in Montreal.

Here in Ottawa, there really isn't much to do. You can hit up the Parliament Building for a tour, you can go to one of our several Museums (Museum of Nature, Museum of History, Canadian War Museum, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada, and Gatineau Park is nearby if you're up for some winter hiking (it's really beautiful up there). It's hit and miss, but the Canal may be open during that time (if it has stayed cold enough), so if you like to skate, you can skate on the world's longest skating rink (7.8km long). The Byward Market is fun to check out on a weekend, though it's better in the summer, you could catch a show at the National Arts Centre. That's about all I can think of in terms of Ottawa Tourism. I'd go to Montreal or Toronto for more interesting stuff.

That being said, when you're here, we should meet up for a pint or two! I'm actually the best thing about Ottawa!

Oh, and if you DO go skating on the Canal, make sure you have a Beavertail!

[Blend]

Catherine, on 06 January 2015 - 05:31 PM, said:

anyone know when Carnivale is in Quebec City - I remember it well, as well as I can after drinking Caribou.

Carnivale is usually in February if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty sure it corresponds with Winterlude here in Ottawa.

[QuickTidal]

Blend, on 06 January 2015 - 05:29 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 06 January 2015 - 05:14 PM, said:

CF is right about the skiing in Quebec. Really fun, even if you were just to hit Mont Tremblant. Though staying in the village is way pricey.

The Montreal VS Toronto thing is totally valid to those I know that frequently visit both cities. Montreal always comes out as "nicer" if not "hipper".

And I wholeheartedly agree about Quebec City. It's gorgeous, and well, well worth visiting over Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.

QT - are you Canadian? I had no idea!

LOL, yup Toronto but born and grew up in the burbs. I didn't know you were Canadian either. Small world!

[QuickTidal]

Blend, on 06 January 2015 - 05:32 PM, said:

Oh, and if you DO go skating on the Canal, make sure you have a Beavertail!

This is a MUST do. Delicious, and really bad for you...but delicious.

[D'rek]

More advice (though with a Toronto focus) from IH's thread:

http://forum.malazan...99#entry1065099

[Coco with marshmallows]

Do the logical thing and track down Abyss and get a picture of him.

[QuickTidal]

Coco with marshmallows, on 06 January 2015 - 07:43 PM, said:

Do the logical thing and track down Abyss and get a picture of him.

I've heard tell that even those who have been near him speak of only whispers and shadows...

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 06 January 2015 - 08:01 PM

[worry]

March is a good time to go. All the Canadians open their eyes after a nice long hibernation season and get back to being a country. If you run into a particularly surly one you toss a salmon in the opposite direction and they'll leave you alone. I dunno, BBC's Planet Earth was amazing and all but seeing a Canadian in the wild really puts things in perspective. So much beauty in the world.

[Blend]

Coco with marshmallows, on 06 January 2015 - 07:43 PM, said:

Do the logical thing and track down Abyss and get a picture of him.

I live across the river from him and I'm still not certain he actually exists.

[Blend]

worry, on 06 January 2015 - 08:23 PM, said:

March is a good time to go. All the Canadians open their eyes after a nice long hibernation season and get back to being a country. If you run into a particularly surly one you toss a salmon in the opposite direction and they'll leave you alone. I dunno, BBC's Planet Earth was amazing and all but seeing a Canadian in the wild really puts things in perspective. So much beauty in the world.

Some of us prefer Tuna.

[Abyss]

Mezla PigDog, on 06 January 2015 - 01:49 PM, said:

I get the feeling lots of people here love to give travel advice so I'm throwing this out. I'm going to Ottawa in March for a training course and I'm going to tag on a day or two to make the 11 hour flight worthwhile and also potentially add on more time to have a trip with Mr PigDog if we can think of enough to do to make it worthwhile. I get the impression Ottawa isn't really a great destination and I've already done Vancouver and the Rockies which were the places in Canada I really want to see..... As a starter I'm thinking maybe connect through Toronto and spend a couple of days there if I'm on my own. If we do decide to make a longer trip of it, what is there to do around there at the end of March to justify Mr PigDog spending £1k for a flight? Snow snow and more snow or something more?? I want to go to Niagara Falls!

Allow moi to add my two cents altho my countrymen have mostly covered the essentials...

OTTAWA in March.If it's any consolation, the restaurant scene is pretty damn impressive and you'll eat well but it's typically cold as a cyborg yeti's armpit. There are some nice museums but unless there's a specific exhibit i can't say they're any better than similar elsewhere, other than the War Museum which is fairly novel. The only main draw is the outdoorsy stuff... and look, if you have to be in Canada in Winter, you NEED to do some stuff that is uniquely Winterized Canadian... so... walk or skate on the Canal, stuff a beavertail or six into the mouth part of your face, and then go get hammered at a pub ,and you won't be sorry. if you're into snowshowing or cross-country skiing, there are some excellent trails. If you're looking for downhill skiing... skip ahead to...

MONT TREMBLANT... about 2 hours east of Ottawa, it's a massive ski resort mountain surrounded by cute villages. The skiing is killer if you're into that and the villages offer places to stay that won't cost you your spleen. You can get there easily from Ottawa, and also easily from...

MONTREAL, which is the greatest city on the planet imnsho. It's still cold as fuck, but if shopping is your thing there are something like 100km of interconnected malls and paths downtown. But fuck that, you didn't go to Montreal to shop... you went there to eat like a frikkin royal, to walk along St Laurent street (start around Pin and go South til you get bored or hit water), to wander and eat and drink heavily in the Old Port, to walk along St Catherine st, did i mention to eat like a frikkin Royal? Nice museums too if you're into that, tho again, i won't say they're massively better than elsewhere unless something specific is in town. If nightclubbing is your thing... Mtl will break you. Also, bilingual, and the French element adds a nice level of insanity and passion to the city. The French element is also worth following to...

QUEBEC CITY. The Old City in Quebec is essentially one massive old fort thing on a hill overlooking a river and the planes of abraham where some historical stuff happened. It's very cute, the food is generally good and overall i think it's worth visiting. If i seem to be damning it with faint praise a bit it's because i've found it a bit too touristy the last couple of times i've been there with time to walk around. They do however do the winter-wonderland thing very well and it's all very French-Canadian charming.


TORONTO... Toronto is a great city. Less cold than the above places in March, great nightlife, solid restaurants and some fun neighborhoods, the theater scene is one of the best in Canada. If i'm going to offer any advice re Toronto it's that at root, it's 'just' a big city. It's a great big city, but it lacks the novelty ... the Canadianess... that you'll find in Montreal or even Ottawa. I enjoy the hell out of it, i lived there for a few years, I still spend a lot of time there, but i cannot tell you that as a tourist visiting Canada for the first time that should be a priority destination if you're starting in Ottawa. Nearby NIAGARA FALLS is very nice but, just my $0.02, not worth it in the winter.


That said if you decide to go from Ottawa to Toronto, KINGSTON is a really cute town at the halfway point.


Weather in March is a bit unpredictable everywhere... bring winter stuff in layers, definitely boots, hats, gloves, and when you make travel plans allow for extra time to get anywhere ESPECIALLY airports.


All that said, when your plan looks solid, post and i can offer some restaurant, hotel, route etc suggestions.




Also, Blend and QT are just bitter that the Prime Minister likes me best.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 06 January 2015 - 06:35 PM, said:

Blend, on 06 January 2015 - 05:29 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 06 January 2015 - 05:14 PM, said:

CF is right about the skiing in Quebec. Really fun, even if you were just to hit Mont Tremblant. Though staying in the village is way pricey.

The Montreal VS Toronto thing is totally valid to those I know that frequently visit both cities. Montreal always comes out as "nicer" if not "hipper".

And I wholeheartedly agree about Quebec City. It's gorgeous, and well, well worth visiting over Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.

QT - are you Canadian? I had no idea!

LOL, yup Toronto but born and grew up in the burbs. I didn't know you were Canadian either. Small world!

Meanwhile, i knew you were both Canadian. Also Catherine, Darkwatch, Cerveza_Fiesta, Mentalist and that pantsless wonder Rodeoranch that i can recall offhand.

My spies are everywhere!!!