In winter, pack your ice skates for a breezy trip down the frozen 8km-long Rideau Canal.
Arrive at The Westin Ottawa, pausing to admire the chic lobby, and head to your room. Drop your bags and reach for your camera. The sightseeing has already begun.
Outside your window is one of the country's most famous landmarks: Canada's Parliament, a sprawling Gothic Revival complex abutted by the Rideau Canal. If you visit in winter, be sure to pack your skates. Once frozen, the canal becomes a major thoroughfare for thousands of Ottawans who skate to work. You'll also spot Byward Market, the teeming core of Ottawa's pedestrian culture, where boutiques and restaurants rub up against some of the city's best nightlife.
You'll have plenty of time to see Ottawa up close, so why not explore the hotel first? The Westin Ottawa boasts some of the finest facilities in the city, including squash courts and an indoor pool. Daly's Restaurant serves contemporary cuisine in an elegant setting, while Landmarks Lounge lives up to its name with some of the best views in the city.