Getting Around Ottawa

When negotiating the city, keep in mind that the Parliament Buildings and the Château Laurier Hotel, the city's most famous landmarks, are at the northern border of Ottawa with their backs to the Ottawa River--the dividing line between Ottawa and the province of Québec. Directions are often given in relation to these structures. The Rideau Canal, which runs north to south through the heart of the city, also can help visitors get their bearings.

Avoid the morning rush hour (7:30-9), the lunch crunch (noon-1:30) and the evening rush hour (4-6:30).

The main east-west artery is the Queensway (Hwy. 417). The Queen Elizabeth Driveway parallels the Rideau Canal on the western side, while the Colonel By Drive follows the canal on the eastern side. The Ottawa River Parkway, curving along the Ottawa River, leads from downtown into the western section of the city, where a number of government buildings and residential sections are. The Rockliffe Parkway leads to the eastern section of the city, parallel to the Ottawa River.

The Colonel By Drive and the Ottawa River Parkway are both closed Sunday 9-1, Victoria Day through Labour Day, for the exclusive use of bicyclists and joggers.

Parliament Hill, the Château Laurier Hotel and the U.S. Embassy are on Wellington Street, which becomes Rideau Street on the northeastern side of the canal. Between the two streets is the Rideau Transit Mall. Another road whose name changes for no apparent reason is Baseline Road, which suddenly becomes Heron Road.

The Mile of History, or Sussex Drive, is a boulevard that follows the contours of the Ottawa River in the northeastern section of the city. The prime minister's and governor-general's residences as well as many embassies are along Sussex Drive. The main bridge spanning the Ottawa River and connecting the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, Québec, is the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.

Left turns on red from a one-way street to another one-way street and right turns on red are permitted unless otherwise posted. Wearing seat belts is mandatory in both Québec and Ontario. All speeds and distances are in metric measurements. Most gas stations in the downtown area close every evening at 7 p.m., but a few in the environs are open 24 hours.