This is Ottawa, where the map is the actual city and the round is played on its real streets. The holes are built from real attractions, starting with the National Gallery of Canada. Skip is a local guide who knows every sidewalk and shortcut. This full round covers 18 holes and 11.7 km, using 16 portals to bridge the gaps between landmarks. A few crumbs might be left behind along the way.
You will first notice the striking glass and stone structure of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. This national art museum was designed by Moshe Safdie and spans 46,621 square metres. Inside, you can find 12,400 square metres of space dedicated to exhibiting art. The building reaches a height of 10.2 metres. I think the scale of the place makes it feel like the art has plenty of room to breathe, and the architecture itself is just as interesting as the pieces hanging on the walls.
Parliament Hill is a building complex in downtown Ottawa that houses the Parliament of Canada. You can pick out a suite of Gothic revival buildings across the site, which is a national historic site of Canada. It is a busy spot, attracting approximately three million visitors each year. The National Capital Commission is responsible for maintaining the nine-hectare area of the grounds. I've noticed the crowds here are always impressive, but the architecture is what really draws the eye. It is a great place to spend an afternoon wandering through the downtown core.
You will likely notice the focus on money and finance immediately upon entering the Bank of Canada Museum. Located in Ottawa, this museum explores the role of the central bank and the history of the nation's money. It was formerly known as the Currency Museum before taking its current name. The museum had its inception in 1980 and offers a specialized look at how currency works. I've seen plenty of shiny things in my time, but the displays here are some of the most interesting in the city.
The National War Memorial, titled The Response, is a war memorial designed by Vernon March. It is the pre-eminent war memorial of 76 cenotaphs in Canada. The site was first dedicated by King George VI in 1939 and rededicated in 1982 to include those killed in the Second World War and Korean War. A further rededication in 2014 added the dead from the Second Boer War and War in Afghanistan, as well as all Canadians killed in all conflicts past and future.
Let me show you a piece designed by Montreal artist and architect Melvin Charney. He created the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights, a monumental sculpture that some people call the Human Rights Monument. It is located at the corner of Lisgar and Elgin streets in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. This particular site has a distinguished history, as the sculpture was unveiled on September 30, 1990, by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama. I've noticed that the intersection makes it a very visible spot for anyone walking through the city.
You will first notice the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, a 18,910-square-metre structure that houses the exhibitions and public programs for the Canadian Museum of Nature. This natural history museum has been around since its inception in 1912. While visitors spend their time in this main building, the museum also operates as an academic publisher. I should mention that the scientific centres and administrative offices are kept separate from the galleries, located instead at the Natural Heritage Campus in Gatineau, Quebec.
Cartier Street is where you will find St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church. This church building is located in the eastern section of downtown Ottawa, occupying a position on Somerset Street between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal. It is a Roman Catholic church. For those visiting the city, this site is a notable point of interest within the eastern downtown district, situated between the main thoroughfare of Elgin Street and the waters of the Rideau Canal.
Opened in 1988 at Arts Court, the Ottawa Art Gallery is a municipal art museum. Since its start, it has grown to hold a permanent collection of over one thousand works. You can find the City of Ottawa-owned Firestone Collection of Canadian Art here, which is a highlight of their holdings. Beyond the exhibits, the gallery provides public, educational, and community programming for visitors. I've noticed it's a great spot to see how the city interprets art in a shared space.
You will find the Bytown Museum in the Colonel By Valley at the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal on the Ottawa River. This administrative building began in 1917 and is a classified federal heritage building of Canada. I often see people pausing here to enjoy the river breeze. The museum is housed in the Commissariat Building, which is Ottawa's oldest remaining stone building. It is a great spot to stop and appreciate the city's early masonry before you move on to your next shot.
Located in the heart of the city, the Royal Canadian Mint is a building of public administration. David Ewart was the architect for this site, which features both Beaux-Arts and Tudor Revival architecture styles. You can pick out the distinct design elements that helped it become a national historic site of Canada. I've noticed it's a great spot to pause and admire the facade before you move on. It is also recognized as a classified federal heritage building of Canada.
Gothic Revival architecture defines the exterior and interior of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. This Catholic cathedral is a national historic site of Canada and a designated heritage property. Its inception was in 1846, and the building is located on 385 Sussex Drive in the Lower Town neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Visitors can appreciate the building as a minor basilica that remains a significant part of the city's heritage. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990, ensuring the preservation of its historical and cultural value for all who visit.
This isn't just a patch of grass; it is Major's Hill Park, an urban park established in 1826. Located in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, the park stands above the Rideau Canal at the point where it enters the Ottawa River. It is a central hub for the neighborhood, with the Chateau Laurier hotel situated to the south. That hotel was actually built on land that was once part of the park. I've seen plenty of tourists stop here to take in the views of the water.
The Gothic Revival style defines the exterior of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. This church building is a designated heritage property and holds the distinction of being the oldest Presbyterian church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It was designed by the architect William Tutin Thomas, with the inception of the project occurring from 1872 to 1874. Visitors can observe the specific architectural choices made by Thomas that align with the Gothic Revival traditions of the era, marking the site as a significant piece of the city's early religious history.
St. Patrick's Basilica is a minor basilica and a Roman Catholic Church located at 281 Nepean Street in Downtown Ottawa. It holds a distinct place in the local community as the oldest church in Ottawa that serves the English-speaking community. For those interested in the city's built environment, the site is one of the regular buildings featured in the Doors Open Ottawa architectural heritage day. Whether you are visiting for its religious significance or its place in the city's history, the basilica remains a prominent landmark in the downtown core.
The Ottawa Chinatown Arch marks the entrance to a neighborhood located along Somerset Street west of downtown Ottawa. It defines the start of a district that runs from Bay Street in the east to Preston Street in the west. As you wander through, you can pick out signs for Chinatown that continue along Somerset until you hit Preston Street. If you keep heading west past that point, you can still find Chinese and Asian restaurants. I've noticed the street signs make it easy to track exactly where you are in the neighborhood.
You will find Christ Church Cathedral in the northwest section of downtown Ottawa. This Anglican cathedral is a designated heritage property built in the Gothic Revival style. The inception of the building took place from 1872 to 1873. It is located at 414 Sparks Street. Visitors to the downtown core can observe the Gothic Revival details of the structure, which remains a key site of faith and heritage in Ontario, Canada.
The Canadian War Museum is a national museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1880, it is situated south of the Ottawa River in LeBreton Flats. The building was designed by architects Raymond Moriyama and Alex Rankin. It is a massive facility covering 40,860 square metres. Inside, you can find the Military History Research Centre, which serves as the museum's library and archives. I've seen plenty of folks stop here to reflect on the history held within these walls, and it is certainly a sight to see from the street.
Chaudière Falls, also known as the Kana:tso or Akikodjiwan Falls, is a waterfall located in the centre of the Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area. The falls are about 60 metres wide and drop 15 metres. While the water is a natural draw, the surrounding area was heavily industrialized, particularly during the 19th century. You can still see the results of that era's engineering; Philemon Island became an island when the timber slide was built in 1829. I've seen plenty of crumbs dropped near the railings here, so it's a popular spot for both people and birds.