Ottawa: A Celebration in the Nation's Capital
This month, Swissgear takes you to the Nation's biggest celebration in none other than the Nation's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. The time of year where the city resonates with plentiful sights and sounds of celebration, we'll guide you through the must-sees and must-dos from live performances, savory sweets and last but certainly not least, an epic firework show bound to awe and amaze audiences of all ages. Not to worry though, it's not all crowds and line ups; we'll also guide you through the labyrinth of local hotspots to really take in the vibes of summer in this city.
To start this trip off right, you'll want to stay light and organized as Canada Day celebrations can get crazy and overwhelming. SWISSGEAR SW25769 hardside luggage is the ideal companion to bring along for this adventure with its stylish, practical and lightweight gear to help organize and carry all your essentials in comfort and style. The Central Lite Collection carry-on is perfectly suited for a weekend getaway for Canada Day, or a leisurely summer visit to the city. Made of long-lasting, moulded ABS, this elegant and lightweight suitcase features 4 Spin-360 multi-directional wheels for easy maneuverability, a convenient retractable push-button locking handle, a handy top carry handle, and unique scratch-resistant corner protection covers. The roomy dual-compartment interior includes, on one side, crisscross tie-down straps and a zippered small-items pouch, and on the other, a zippered privacy lining, perfect for packing trinkets and souvenirs from your visit.
Canada Day
Ottawa's Treasured Trio
Though every nook and cranny of the city will be celebrating, there are 3 points of major interest listed as the official Canada Day sites, Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park and the Canadian Museum of History. Showcasing live performances and fireworks, this landmark trifecta is a must-see whether being Canada Day or not.
Often hosting events and festivities year-round from political to cultural and recreational, Parliament Hill, also known as The Hill, is located in downtown Ottawa. This year, The Hill will be hosting 2 concerts featuring some of the biggest performers in Canada, such as, Arkells, Lights, Brigitte Boisjoli and many more. They are offering two shows, one at noon and one in the evening hours, to ensure that you don't miss out. You'll also want to catch Wapikoni Mobile's presentationof short films produced by Indigenous filmmakers, showcasing Canada's First Nations youth and their culture. This will be featured on a big screen on Parliament Hill. And the pièce de résistance, the Pyro-musical Fireworks. This is a must see! It is scheduled to start at 10pm on July 1st.
Located just a few minutes' walk away from Parliament Hill is Major's Hill Park. The park is featured as the main venue for most of the events transpiring throughout the big weekend. Here, you'll find a diverse range of things to participate in from live paint shows, street performances, street food and chill zones with hammocks, beanbags and swings. The perfect location to suit the pace of everyone in the family.
Lastly, across the river from Parliament Hill is The Canadian Museum of History. With an abundance of exhibitions indoor and outdoor to view and participate in you'll find yourself admiring Canada's variegated past. You can relive your past childhood during the first weekend in July as the museum will host Jumpaï Trampolines, Cariacture Artists, Canada Trivia Challenge, as well as feature a Musical Workshop of Drumstick and Small Percussions Instruments and Wildlife with Hinterland Who's Who.
With so much going, on you'll need a light and convenient way to keep all your necessities together. The lightweight SWISSGEAR SWA2504 backpack holds tablets and laptops up to 15 inches. It features a front zippered organizer compartment with multi-use pockets for mobile, media device, pen, cables, etc., and a portable charger pocket with external USB port for on-the-go charging of a phone or device to keep you connected and ready for event hopping in the central core of Ottawa.
SWISSGEAR SWA2504 Computer BackpackStash your 15" laptop or tablet inside this streamline, tech-savvy pack.
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Sweet & Savory in the City
So maybe the core hub isn't for you and you're more into the local, easy going flow that the rest of the city has to offer. The Byward Market is the perfect place to start. As Ottawa's premier destination for shopping, dining, arts and entertainment, the Byward Market features an outdoor farmer's market brimming with fresh local produce, arts & crafts, cafés and food counters.
After browsing around, a stroll through the surrounding streets reveal a bounty of specialty shops, exclusive boutiques, art galleries and fine-dining restaurants. A leisurely walk along the beautiful Rideau Canal leads to the Glebe, Ottawa's hippest residential neighborhood, where Georgian-era homes nestled in a forest of mature trees provide a backdrop to a trendy, bustling mélange of unique local businesses, diverse residents, emerging artists and engaged social activists, complete with a great foodie scene and a burgeoning street-art scene.
Time to hit Bank Street, the heart of the Glebe, where a variety of cafés, bakeries, bistros, pubs, diners and bars can be found to relax and take in the cool and friendly vibe.
Check out Little Victories Coffee for an outstanding cup of coffee, Ichiban Bakery for fresh home-baked goodies, Stella Luna Gelato Café for world-renowned, award-winning Italian gelato, or Cacao 70 Eatery for chocolate inspired sweet and savory dishes, among many other places to take a breather and chill out.
After that well-deserved break, a short stroll up and down Bank Street reveals an eclectic array of locally-owned shops that offer everything from fashion to homeware, vinyls to antiques.
For convenience, have fast access to your cash and cards with the SWISSGEAR SYW63105 slim billfold wallet. This handcrafted genuine leather wallet is designed to fit slim and snug and features 2 interior side-entry pockets, as well as multiple spaces to store and organize your money, cards and other essentials.
SWISSGEAR SYW63105 Billfold WalletCrafted from genuine leather, carry your valuables inside this classic companion.
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The Nation's Capital Awaits
Despite its quaint small-town feel, after the sun goes down, Ottawa's colours, as the powerful capital of a G7 nation, are truly revealed with a sophisticated array of world-class dining and nightlife destinations. From the Byward Market to the Glebe, from Centertown to Little Italy, Ottawa serves up a wide variety of eateries, gastro-pubs and fine-dining experiences that cater, among others, to the legions of dignitaries, foreign diplomats, politicians, lawyers and lobbyists that populate the nation's capital. To name just a few options, there's Atelier, contemporary international, Fairouz, modern middle eastern, Soif, exceptional dining and wine bar, The Whalesbone, fine sustainably-sourced seafood, and The Rowan, Glebe gastro pub.
Whether it's for the day or the weekend, whether for Canada Day or venturing Canada's capital, Ottawa is the place to be in anytime of the year. And SWISSGEAR has you covered with stylish shoulder bags, handy totes, multifunctional backpacks and convenient weekender bags that suit your style and fit your active way of life.
