Popping my Ottawa Cherry (Trip Advice)

[Dean Youngblood]

Somehow in my 31 years of life I have never visited my nations capital. Well, my girl bought me tickets to the Leafs @ Sens game Saturday night and we are heading to Ottawa this weekend


Any suggestions of places to visit for a newbie?

We are doing Parliament Hill, Byward Market and the game at ScotiaBank.

We are staying in the Byward area.

Any local restaurants, bars or pre-game pubs recommended?

Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks

[HockeyProphet]

You mean Scotia Bank right? Ha..

And to be honest, if your in the market, you can't go wrong with any bar really.. As long as your not at a young university bar, may not be so swell for watching the game.. Pub 101, Heart and Crown, Highlander Pub.. All good.. The honest lawyer is a good one too! Usually have lots of screens to watch the games..

Could always go down Elgin or Bank for an older crowd, or Sparks for an older and fancier feel!

And as somebody who never would get too excited about seeing Parliament, it certainly something that takes you back a lil when you do actually see it!

[Laendarian]

Depending on your tastes and budgets:

Navarra is a really great tapas restaurant, I'd suggest reso's though
Murray Street is great for breakfast/lunch, right by the market
Side door has some really good fish tacos and ramen

Lots of great pubs as someone mentioned for after dinner drinks!

[Zorro]

I absolutely loved Ottawa when I was there. Parliament Hill is amazing if you like that kind of stuff!!

[cdubb]

Try the Beavertails downtown in the market (not sure if they still at the arena?)

[Big Ev]

Go eat somewhere that has a shuttle you can take to the game. It's a bitch to get out of the arena otherwise.

[Goatlender]

If you are staying downtown, I recommend taking octranspo to the game. The game day buses get you there and back efficiently (and cheaply), and allows you to enjoy a few pops without worry. Where are you staying?

[JagrBomb]

if you want really good burgers/onion rings, go to The Works.

georgetown pub on Bank st. has really good wings

oh, and just as a warning, not sure if you want to visit parliament on saturday.

it's 420, there will be 1000s of people on parliament hill smoking up. even if you dont smoke pot, it's actually a cool treat to see loads of people getting high on pariliament hill with cops watching lol

scotia bank place is like 10 billion hours away, so either use the octranspo bus system to get there (i believe you can take the otrain down to bayview (downtown) and there is a bus stop with busses that go straight to scotia bank. they get pretty packed so try and take an earlier one if possible)

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

oh, and just as a warning, not sure if you want to visit parliament on saturday.

it's 420, there will be 1000s of people on parliament hill smoking up. even if you dont smoke pot, it's actually a cool treat to see loads of people getting high on pariliament hill with cops watching lol

That would be hilarious to observe. A Canadian Heritage minute.

[HockeyProphet]

Yup! Don't smoke myself but is pretty neat! Also, trailer park boys is filming in ottawa that weekend.. I have a hunch they may be there for some reason..

And as someone who lives on top of the Works, very good burgers! Ha

[SeaDawg]

not downtown, but maybe you can eat at Chris Phillips' restaurant on the way to the game...

http://www.bigrigbrew.com/

[Dean Youngblood]

Awesome stuff guys! Definitely helpful.

@ Praba, thanks for the heads up on 420 Should be very interesting.

I've had the Works in TO (awesome stuff) so I think I will stick to a local establishment for some new scenery


Thanks a ton to everyone. Taking notes over here.

[HockeyProphet]

not downtown, but maybe you can eat at Chris Phillips' restaurant on the way to the game...

http://www.bigrigbrew.com/

I think this is the winner!

[SeaDawg]

honestly, if you do drive to the game, it is right on the way, just off the highway behind the HUGE new IKEA...if you are into good food and beer (who isn't), you should check it out