Canal Rideau, Ottawa

I love the Rideau Canal. I moved here from Calgary to get a job with the federal government and every time I walk or drive along the Rideau, I reminded of why it was so important for me to move here. Beautiful, beautiful, beaufiful! It makes me tear up that our governments and public servants today seem to forget the effort it took in the past to build such an object of absolute beauty and usefulness.

We were in Ottawa for Valentine's Day, during Winterlude and we brought our skates! We took in a show called Making Necrophiliac (it's a romantic comedy w/live music - hilarious) before hitting the ice by ten pm. The canal is really a winter wonderland!! The ice castle was lit up, and the sculptures were a little melted but still beautiful, especially since the snow was lightly falling. Mmm nothing more romantic than hot choc and snowflakes. Later we went to the Market for some more live music -- lots to do. I would definitely go back.

This was a blast, we have kids, this was a great mix to entertain all! I love this city! Anne And Peter Dallas, Tx

It's really very interesting and amazing place I've ever been. I can't see such a lovely place like that. As a matter a fact I want to go to Ottawa and go arround it is very enjoyable

Skating on the canal is some of the best fun I have ever had. The beaver tails, hot cocoa, and benches are also a welcomed treat after all that exercise! In evening make sure to walk the banks and see the ice sculptures which are lit up with lights. A day spent here is truly a wonderful experience!

In the winter, it is very fun to go skating. Unbelievable! a must see. very good bike riding in the summer. very good hot chocolate.

Enchanting. Fairy-tale like. Must definitely go during Winterlude. Unbelivable experience. Wow. Everyone would enjoy this. Even if you do not know how to skate, you can walk on the ice. If you go, you must stop for a beavertail and a hot-chocolate.

What is there not to like about the worlds longest skating surface? Every year people come to gather to experience "skating on the canal". Through out the coldest months of the year(January/February) traditions are see all over the place. Beavertales, hot chocolate, ice sculptures. every thing you can think of!!

Winter skating on the world's longest canal must be done for any visit to Ottawa. It's incredible to be able to skate for miles. In the summer, it's a beautiful tour to rollerblade, walk or bike along the trails that run on both sides of the canal. All for free!

It simply helps to define the city.It's an amazing engineering feat (dynamite didn't exist when it was built)and scores of lives were lost in its construction - especially, I believe, during summer when diseases related to summer heat, mosquitoes, etc. took their toll. Its placid look and appeal to leisure belie an amazing and at times tragic history - especially for the workers.