This monument was erected in 1992 and is dedicated to Canada's Peacekeeping Forces. It commemorates…read moreand honours the soldiers who have participated or are currently participating in peacekeeping efforts. There is an inscription on the monument that is a quote from former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Many photos of this monument on other websites capture only the 3 peacemaking figures but there's another part of the monument that is also significant. It's the part that's all rough and looks a bit like rubble. That part symbolizes the destruction of war. It's a beautiful and meaningful monument and is located at the corner of Sussex Drive and St. Patrick St.

Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument is a monument in Ottawa, the capital of Canada,…read morecommemorating Canada's role in international peacekeeping and the soldiers who have participated and are currently participating, both living and dead. It's a beautiful if not somber monument located at the base of Majors Hill Park. (This park features some of the best lookouts in Ottawa, offering stunning views of the Ottawa Locks on the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River and the Parliament Buildings) Together these two spaces can make for an outstanding day outside learning about the history of Canada.

Sure, I'll give it five stars. So what if Canada's most-important government landmark turns into a…read moreDisneyland spectacle every night?!? Lights, music, and fog machines - oh my!! Anyway, you just walk up to Parliament Hill 15 minutes or so before it starts (start times posted on their webpage), find a good spot to sit on the grass, and wait for the show to start. Bring a picnic blanket or something if you like ... if it's rained recently, the grass might not be too nice. The entire front face of the Parliament Building is the screen for this culture-infused video/light show that is Mosaika. It was somehow politically charged. I'm not too good with symbolism in the arts, but the European hand kept taking stuff from the First Nations hand, and gave very little in return. Plus there was a lot of French-English controversy. and no Asian representation. Spoiler alert: it all ends happily? Somehow all these differences come together through lights and music to form a happy Canada today. Also, there was a turtle involved somehow. I will admit that it got very very very very awkward at the end when people started to stand up and sing "O Canada!" I was just kicked back on the grass chillin, and I didn't know what to do. but hey, all this for a grand total of zero dollars!! It's definitely worth the cost of free, and that's why it gets five stars!

This is a trippy patriotic offering at Parliament Hill from July to September. The 30 minute shows…read moreare free, twice a night and with seating available anywhere on the lawn, including some bleachers. The Sound and Light Show mainly attracts tourists and families, but I often see many different people out at the show. It basically feels like a crazy, amped up Cliff's Notes version of elementary school social studies. You can't help but get drawn into the energy and feel happy you're able to partake in something like this on Parliament Hill's lawn. Obviously, there are parts where you feel like you're partaking in a bit of propaganda, so take the show with a grain of salt. Actually, the last time I went, the show was usurped by a couple of protesters, including one who peed on the building. I guess it offered a balance through extremes? Anyway, I would definitely recommend this free offering to anyone looking to do something a bit stereotypically Ottawa (capital of Canada, not city of Ottawa). It's a good time, energizing and kinda weird/funny.

Saigon Square is a tiny little park at the south west corner of Preston St and Somerset St West, in…read morefront of the Plant Recreation Centre, which is also the western edge of Chinatown. It was named in 2018 "in recognition of the contributions to the City of Ottawa by the Vietnamese refugees who came to Canada in search of freedom." There is a sizeable Vietnamese population in Ottawa, in part due to Project 4000, which was created by then-mayor, Marion Dewar, who in 1979 welcomed 4000 Vietnamese refugees to Ottawa through private sponsorship. There is also a monument in the square that is "in memory of those who have lost their lives in the quest for freedom." The monument was erected in 1995, before the square was named. I sometimes see fresh flowers at the monument and I sometimes see people praying at the monument. Since those who died fleeing persecution were often lost at sea or buried near former displaced persons camps throughout Southeast Asia, visiting their graves may not be possible, so I think this monument serves as a substitute for the family members of these people. I am always in support of things that provide solace and peace to those who need it. I see a lot of meaning and significance in this Square. The monument is a reminder of the innocent victims of war (the statue is of a woman running barefoot while carrying a child). The plaque acknowledges the positive contributions that the refugees have made to the place that received them. The benevolence of those who helped the refugees is implied. And the monument and square symbolize both realism and hope, two things that I think are vital, both in times of war and times of peace.

Saigon Square is located at the west part of Chinatown. To officially have me walk the entire…read morestretch of Chinatown, we walked over here and found this little park. Even though it's a small park, it's significant when you take the time to read everything. First, there is a plaque that recognizes Vietnamese refugees who left their home to come to Canada, and start fresh by finding freedom. The plaque is in English, French, and Vietnamese. It is classy. Second, the statue of a mom, holding her child tightly in her right arm, as she flees, smack in the middle of this park, is powerful. This tribute is meaningful, especially to folks like me who didn't know that there is a huge Vietnamese population until I strolled through Chinatown to notice the positive mark that they have made in Ottawa. This park is pretty and quaint. It was also fitting to see the greenery and growth, which is symbolic on so many levels. Well done! (269)

I visited with family during one of their Free Thursday evenings (5-8pm) over the summer last year…read more I was a bit shocked that it was not as busy as I thought, especially during their free Thrusday evenings. The museum is pretty large. There was a lot of beautiful art and exhibits. A few exhibits had some sort of interactive function (like interactive screens and screens to flip through info). Depending on your vacation schedule and free time, you may not be able to see everything in a couple of hours.

Amazing art museum! From the spider outside to the massive amounts of artwork especially Canadian,…read moreQuebecois, Native, and First Nations artwork and the historic Catholic chapel inside it is totally with a visit.

Ottawa's unofficial spot for love padlocks…read more If you're going to add a love lock to the collection, you are supposed to put your names, a date of significance, and throw away the keys. Combination locks DO NOT have keys! Great scenic spot, if you have never been. 22/30 - Yelp Ottawa's 30 Day Challenge!!

Beautiful building inside and out. So much history and paintings inside of past prime ministers…read moreand their cabinet members. The Parliament has several artifacts and memorabilia and the fallen soldiers memorials with an eternal flame outside the building. There's also a River cruise beside to go around it.

Parliament Hill in Ottawa is an amazing place full of national history, gorgeous architecture,…read morepleasant walkways, numerous statues and monuments, well-maintained landscaping, and incredible views of the Ottawa River and beyond. I really enjoyed walking around to see this beautiful place in person. I would have stayed longer but it was getting dark. I did not enter any of the buildings and am unsure how many are open to the public. If any are, I would assume there is some kind of security protocol for safety. The Parliament Building itself is currently under renovations, so much of the outside is covered with a temporary facade. Next time, I need to schedule a longer stay to enjoy and appreciate more of what Ottawa has to offer.

My first visit to Ottawa was eons ago. I partook in my first Remembrance Day ceremony by the…read moreNational War Memorial. It was a nippy day, but a morning that still remains fresh in my mind. It was a clear day that didn't match the sombre sentiment that many folks around me felt, including me. We watched a few speakers say a few words, including the Prime Minister at the time. It was the veterans' march that got me. Seeing those who served march in the parade, be it on foot or in wheelchairs, was incredibly moving. They fought for Canadians, to afford the freedoms that we have today. That thought hit me hard when those who served World War II and other wars after it marched right in front of me. The site honours all Canadians who served and were killed. Next to this memorial is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's where you place a poppy on Remembrance Day. It is equally as moving on Remembrance Day to see hundreds of poppies on top of the tomb's site. I tend to visit this memorial whenever I am in Ottawa. I recently was there on Canada Day. The site was busy with tourists, like me, admiring the memorial and paying their respects. I got to witness the changing of the guards (sentries) while I was there. Two sentries stand guard from 9 am till 5 pm every day between May and the day before Remembrance day (November 10). Canadians will likely recall when Corporal Nathan Cirillo was killed while on sentry duty on October 22, 2014. Sentry duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has held an even deeper meaning for both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian public since this horrible, tragic incident. When I was recently here, the clouds matched the sombre mood at this memorial. It was nice to reflect on how meaningful Confederation Square is to Ottawa and Canadians. If you have never attended Remembrance Day in Ottawa, I recommend it. It hits differently compared to attending your local ceremony. It's curated nicely, with great care and thoughtfulness. Otherwise, if you can't make it then, drop by. Soak in the beauty of the National War Monument, and how important it is to not forget about those who lost their lives and sacrificed so much for us. (241)

Salute to the fallen everywhere in this world in line of their service for their country and…read morecountrymen. There would be guardsmen during daytime and none on evening. Police visibility is also seen in this area.

The current location is the old Ottawa train station across the street from the Chateau Laurier…read moreuntil the nearly decade long renovations of parliament are complete. Me, my wife, and our friend who was a Canadian government employee living in Ottawa but has yet to tour this temporary location went on the tour and really enjoyed it. They did an amazing job accommodating my disabilities and even provided a wheelchair and opened doors for me as I spent a great deal walking and standing around the art museum earlier in the day.

Because the Canadian Centre Block Parliament is under rehabilitation, the senate was moved not to…read morethe East Block, but to the former Ottawa Union Station on Rideau Street, right on the canal. Whereas the parliament buildings are in the new gothic design, the Senate building is in the Beaux-Arts design I associate more with industrial and commercial buildings built in the 19th to early 20th century. The pillars at the entrance with the narrow windows imbue a fortified sense to the building, with marble floors inside the building. The high ceilings makes for a large open space, with plaster cieling patterns. New renovations within the building have allowed the senate the space needed to work, with the main senate floor, committee rooms, and offices. The main hall of the former terminal has adjacent committee rooms which provide additional 2nd floor space, with plenty of open space to spare. Since the welcome center is on Parliament hill underneath the West Block, you need to go there first for tickets. Tickets are free, but they are to limit and organize tours. The security checkpoint is not a terrible hastle, however you should arrive 15 minutes early. The staff were very knowledgeable and polite, providing a fascinating lesson on the structure on this branch of government in Canada. I was intrigued by the three chairs taking center stage. The first seat is for the speaker of the senate, whereas the two rear seats are thrones (yes thrones) for the Governor General, and for the monarch (at the time of this writing, Queen Elizabeth whom herself hadn't addressed the senate since 1977). There are little things peppered throughout the building to symbolize everything, well, Canadian.