|
Northeast of the Falls lies Rockcliffe , Ottawa's ritziest district, a tranquil haven colonized by parliamentary bigwigs and diplomats - and in the evening by local lovers, who canoodle in the pavilions on the river shore, looking across to the Gatineau Hills. The prime minister resides here too, in a stately stone mansion barely visible through the trees on the lakeshore at 24 Sussex Drive (no public access), while on the opposite side of Sussex is the stately, Neoclassical Rideau Hall (free guided tours, call 998-7113 for schedule), which has been the home of Canada's governors general since Confederation. The hall's gardens of maples and fountains are usually open from 9am to one hour before sunset - but call ahead if you want to be sure. At the east end of Rockcliffe, 4km from downtown, is the huge hangar of the National Aviation Museum (daily: May-Aug 9am-5pm, Thurs till 9pm; Sept-April 10am-5pm, Thurs till 9pm; $6, free Thurs 5-8pm), served by bus #198. Highlights include a replica of the Silver Dart , which made the first powered flight in Canada in 1909; it flew for a full nine minutes, a major achievement for a contraption that seems to be made out of spare parts and old sheets. There are also bombers from both world wars and some excellent videos, including a programme to simulate a helicopter flight and a virtual reality hang-glider.
Your Tip for Rockcliffe
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Rockcliffe - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Rockcliffe - visit the main Rockcliffe forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Rockcliffe webguide section below! Thanks.
|
