Explore Ottawa
Sugar Bush Ottawa
Maple Syrup Farm
Visiting a sugar bush has been a springtime activity in our area for generations.
Several farms and maple syrup operations in Ontario and Quebec offer tours and programming for kids and families.
The sap starts flowing as soon as the weather warms up, usually in late February or early March.
(The cold weather the last week of February may delay fresh maple syrup production for some.)
As one local sugar bush puts it: "nothing says Canada quite like mmm....maple!"
Things to do with children
While staying at McGee's Inn (B&B) there are plenty of national museums and parks for you and your kids to enjoy. However, sometimes those options just aren't enough for your children! If you're looking for a different, and kid friendly activity, see below:
Cosmic Adventures 1373 Ogilvie Road
www.costmicadventures.ca
613-742-8989
Fun Haven 1050 Baxter Road
www.funhaven.ca
613-828-4FUN (828-4386)
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
www.skyzone.com/ottawa
Museum of Science and Technology
www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca
- A visit to the Museum will allow the visitor to push buttons, turn dials, and pull levers to experience science and technology first-hand!
Museum of Nature
www.nature.ca
Silver City Movie Theatre
cineplex.com
613-749-3029
Parc Omega Montebello
www.parcomega.com
819-423-5487
Rock Climbing
www.coyoterockgym.ca
613-739-4074
- Established in 1992, Coyote Rock Gym Ltd. is Ottawa's first indoor rock climbing gym. With over 15,000 square feet of climbing walls!
Karters Corner 6336 Fallowfield Road, Stittsville
www.karterscorner.ca
613 831 2828
Top Karting 200, rue d’Edmonton, Gtineau (Hull) Qc
topkarting.com
819.779.0000
Swimming:
University of Ottawa
www.geegees.ca
Splash Wave Pool: 2040 Ogilvie Road
ottawa.ca You wll also find a complete list of City of Ottawa public swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) from this link.
613-748-4222
Bowling:
McArthur Lanes: 613-745-2117
Walkley Rock & Bowl: 613-521-0132
Midway Family Fun Park:
midwayfunpark.ca
613-526-0343
Golf
If you feel like a game of golf while staying at McGee's Inn (B&B), we have compiled a list of courses that might suit you.
(Eastern Ontario & Western Quebec)
AMBERWOOD VILLAGE
Address: 54 Springbrook Drive, Stittsville ON K2S 1B9
Telephone: 613-836-7731
Web Site
ARNPRIOR GOLF CLUB
Address: Highway 17 just past Arnprior, P.O. Box 307, Arnprior ON K7S 3H6
Telephone: 613-623-3234
Web Site
BUCKINGHAM GOLF CLUB
Address: 105 Belanger Street, Buckingham QC J8L 2X2
Telephone: 819-986-8035
Facsimile: 819-986-2586
Web Site
CALABOGIE HIGHLANDS
Address: 1234 Barryville Road, Calabogie ON K0J 1H0
Telephone: 613-752-1234
Web Site
CAMELOT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 310, Cumberland ON K4C 1E7
Telephone: 613-833-0801
Web Site
Email: admin@camelot-golf.com
CANADIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: R.R. #4, Ashton ON K0A 1B0
Telephone: 613-780-3565
Web Site
Email: canadian@magma.com
CEDARHILL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 56 Cedarhill Drive, Nepean ON K2R 1C5
Telephone: 613-825-2186
Facsimile: 613-825-4055
Web Site
Email: information@cedarhillgolf.com
CHAMPLAIN GOLF CLUB
Address: 1145 Aylmer Road, Ayylmer QC J9H 5E1
Telephone: 819-777-0449
Email: champlaingolf@hotmail.com
CHATEAU CARTIER RESORT
Address: 1170 Aylmer Road, Aylmer QC J9H 5E1
Telephone: 819-777-8870
Email: golf@chateaucartier.com
EMERALD LINKS
Address: 6357 Emerlad Links Drive, Greely ON K4P 1M4
Telephone: 613-832-6353
Email: egolf@magma.ca
FALCON RIDGE
Address: 4690 Albion Road, Gloucester ON
Telephone: 613-822-6742
Email: raceview@on.aibn.com
GATINEAU GOLF CLUB
Address: 255 Edey Street, Aylmer QC J9J 1T7
Telephone: 819-684-5385
Web Site
GLEN MAR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 7967 Fernbank Road, Stittsvile ON K0A 1B0
Telephone: 613-257-5181
GREYHAWK GOLF CLUB
Address: 4999 Boundary Road, Cumberland ON K4B 1P5
Telephone: 613-822-1454
Web Site
Email: dlacombe@clublink.ca
HAUTES PLAINES GOLF CLUB (LE DOME)
Address: 75 de la Citadelle, Gatineau QC J8Z 3L1
Telephone: 819-770-5557
Email: mbrunet@clublink.ca
HYLANDS GOLF CLUB
Address: 2101 Alert Road, Gloucester ON K1V 1J9
Telephone: 613-521-1842
Web Site
Email: offmgr@hylandsgc.com
KANATA LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 13340, Kanata ON K2K 1X5
Telephone: 613-592-9229
Web Site
Email: prankin@clublink.ca
KINGSWAY PARC GOLF CLUB
Address: 839 Shefford Road, Ottawa ON K1J 9K8
Telephone: 819-827-0330
Web Site
LARRIMAC GOLF CLUB
Address: 1148 Route 105, Chelsea QC J0X 1N0
Telephone: 819-827-1506
Web Site
LES VIEUZ MOULINS
Address: 511 Boucher Road, Aylmer QC J9H 5E1
Telephone: 819-684-4465
Web Site
LOCH MARCH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 1755 Old Carp Road, Kanata ON K2K 1X7
Telephone: 613-839-5401
Web Site
Email: greatday@lochmarch.com
MADAWASKA GOLF CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 415, Arnprior ON K7S3L9
Telephone: 613-623-3852
Web Site
Email: madawaska.golf.arnprior@sympatico.ca
MANDERLEY ON THE GREEN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: R. R. #3, North gower ON K0A 2T0
Telephone: 613-489-2092
Web Site
MARSHES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 555 Legett Drive, Ottawa ON K2K 2X3
Telephone: 613-270-5196
Web Site
MEADOWS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 4334 Hawthorne Road, Gloucester ON K1G 3N4
Telephone: 613-822-2582
Facsimile: 613-822-6092
Web Site
METCALFE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 279, Metcalfe ON K0A 2P0
Telephone: 613-821-2701
Facsimile: 613-821-0883
Web Site
MONT CASCADES GOLF CLUB
Address: 915 Mont-Cascades, Cantley QC J8V 3B2
Telephone: 819-459-2980
Facsimile: 819-459-3562
Web Site: http://www.golf.montcascades.com/
Email: mcgolf@istar.ca
MORRISBURG GOLF CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 603, Morrisburg ON K0C 1X0
Telephone: 613-543-3282
OTTAWA HUNT & GOLF CLUB
Address: 1 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa ON K1V 1B9
Telephone: 613-736-1103
Facsimile: 613-736-1273
Web Site: http://www.ottawahuntclub.org/
Email: ohgc@ottawahuntgolfclub.org
PINEVIEW MUNICIPAL GOLF CLUB
Address: 1471 Blair Road, Gloucester ON K1B 4S3
Telephone: 613-746-4301
Facsimile: 613-744-873
Web Site:
Email: info@pineview.com
PREDATOR GOLF CLUB
Address: 4999 Boundary Road, Cumberland ON K4B 1P5
Telephone: 613-822-1454
Facsimile: 613-822-2350
Web Site:
Email: dlacombe@clublink.ca
RACEVIEW GOLF CLUB
Address: 4740 High Road, Gloucester ON K1X 1B3
Telephone: 613-822-6742
Facsimile: 613-822-3188
Web Site:
Email: raceview@on.aibn.com
RIDEAU GLEN GOLF CLUB
Address: R. R. #4, Kempville ON K0G 1J0
Telephone: 613-258-3214
RIDEAU VIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 6044 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick ON K4M 1B3
Telephone: 613-692-3442
Facsimile: 613692-1632
Email: rideauview@alphainter.net
RIVERMEAD GOLF CLUB
Address: 150 Rivermead Road, Aylmer QC J9H 5W6
Telephone: 819-778-2000
Facsimile: 819-778-7215
Email: rivermead@qc.aibn.com
ROYAL OTTAWA GOLF CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 70, Aylmer QC J9H 5E4
Telephone: 819-777-3866
Facsimile: 819-777-6345
Email: rogolf@rogc.com
ROYAL PAPINEAU GOLF CLUB
Address: P.O. Box 70, Notre-Damn-de-le-Salette QC J0X 2L0
Telephone: 819-766-2626
Facsimile: 819-766-2640
Email: golf@royalpapineau.com
STONEBRIDGE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: 3673 Jockvale Road, Ottawa ON K2J 4X6
Telephone: 613-692-6093
Facsimile: 613-692-1537
Web Site: http://www.stonebridgegc.com/
TECUMSEH GOLF CLUB
Address: 5 Golf Avenue, Gatineau QC J8P 6J2
Telephone: 819-663-4460
Facsimile: 819-663-1432
Email: tecumsek@videotron.ca
Trolley Tour
A delightful combination of entertainment and transportation...
Climb onboard our Trolley Bus and enjoy a bilingual, fully narrated, fun-filled tour! Turn back the pages of history and see how Ottawa became the National Capital. Our Trolley Bus tour makes 8 stops so you can disembark along the way and enjoy the By market, the marina’s, the museums, the embassies, the parliament, the Ottawa river rapids, the water falls and so much more... sightseeing at its finest!
Tour at your own pace with our "hop on and hop off" privileges ! Our Trolley Bus tours allow you to get off at any of our convenient stops situated close to all popular attractions,shops and restaurants. When you're ready, just re-board the Trolley Bus and it's on with the tour. Spend as much time as you like in any of the locations as you make one complete loop..
Ask your hosts at McGee's Inn (B&B) for more information and start dates for these tours.
Double Decker Bus Tour
All Aboard! Don't miss our tremendously popular city tours filled with fun, facts and history!
One of the most popular, fun and informative ways to tour the city of Ottawa is by classic double-decker or the open roof top double-decker, for a "hop-on and hop-off" guided bus tour.
Sit on the first floor and enjoy the inside comfort or ride on the second floor and enjoy the fantastic view as your knowledgeable guide points out landmarks and shares our city's history with you.
Hop-on or hop-off as often as you like to explore, dine and shop in Ottawa's major attractions. When you're ready to continue, just hop back on the bus!
Ask your hosts at McGee's Inn (B&B) for more information on this informative tour. The dates that the tour will start have not been published as yet.
Lady Dive Tours
It's a boat! It's a bus! No, it's Ottawa's original Amphibus River and Land Adventure!
Experience Ottawa as it was meant to be appreciated...by land and on water!
Our spectacular Lady Dive provides you with the unique ability to see Canada's Finest City on the only amphibus sightseeing tour in Ottawa.
Climb aboard this most unique tour and view the National Capital from a totally different perspective: on a Boat with Wheels!
Come along with Ottawa's best tour conductors as they combine colourful anecdotes, humorous stories and well researched historical information into a fast moving fully-narrated bilingual journey that's both entertaining and educational.
This spectacular tour departs at our kiosk on the corner of Elgin and Sparks street downtown... and be ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Ask your hosts at McGee's Inn (B&B) for more information and start dates for this adventure.
Boat Cruise - Paul’s Boat Cruises
Items of interest include the
Parliament Buildings • Supreme Court • Museum of Civilization • National Art Gallery • Rideau Falls • Residence of the Prime Minister • and much more.
All cruises come with a bilingual and live commentary.
The tour duration is approximately 1.5 hours from the Ottawa dock and 2 hours from the Hull dock.
The Paula D is the ideal sightseeing venue. The tourist has the choice to see the scenery of Ottawa from the open air environment found on the upper deck or to relax with his/her elbows resting on the tables to be found in the roomy lower deck. It is also on the lower deck that our passengers will find our fully licensed bar and canteen. Restrooms are also located on this level. The cruise offers you the view of the city as it was first conceived with the river as it’s main highway and resource. You will also see the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer Samuel de Champlain.
This cruise operates from May 16th to October 12th, 2014.
For more information while staying at McGee's Inn (B&B) ask for a brochure.
RCMP Musical Ride
Carrousel de Gendarmerie Royale Du Canada
The Musical Ride has been performing for Canadians since 1887. Over the years, the popularity of the Musical Ride has grown and it has become a world renowned attraction.
In late June you are able to see a performance for free at the RCMP stables. They also perform on Parliament Hill on Canada Day. Their schedule of performances is not available until mid April
If you're staying at McGee's Inn (B&B) at the end of June, check out their schedule and you may be able to catch a free performance.
The City of Ottawa
Ottawa is a great place to live and work. McGee's Inn has been a part of Ottawa's Tourism for 30 years.
Nestled on the banks of the majestic Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau Rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful G8 capitals in the world. A thriving international technology and business centre and world class tourism and convention destination, Ottawa is also rich in culture and heritage with its many national institutions, parklands, waterways and historic architecture. It is home to a large number of foreign embassies and is a recognized centre for both academics and professional training. The city offers an open and welcoming environment to cultures from around the world, providing service in English, French, and a host of other languages. The city’s residents enjoy an enviable quality of life that is recognized around the world.
http://www.ottawatourism.ca/en/visitors/what-to-do
Quick Facts
A population of over 1.2 million makes the Ottawa region the fourth-largest urban area in Canada
Ottawa is home to many high tech giants
Our technology companies are complemented by Dell, MBNA Canada, ING Direct, Clarica and MD Management
Ottawa is also the home of government organizations such as the Government of Canada, Parliament, the Senate, and the Supreme Court of Canada
More than 1,800 advanced technology companies employ more than 76,000 people
With the highest-educated workforce in Canada, Ottawa has more engineers, scientists and PhDs per capita than any other city in the country
$3.7 billion CDN in venture capital was invested in Ottawa technology companies from 2000 to 2005
With 90 per cent of Canada’s industrial telecommunications research and development conducted here, Ottawa is one of the world's top five sites for R&D
Canada's Capital region welcomes over 7.3 million visitors per year, who spend over $1.18 billion
According to Statistics Canada, families in Ottawa had the highest median incomes of any Canadian city in 2001
Mercer Human Resources International recently placed Ottawa 18th in a survey of 200 cities worldwide for best quality of life. Another study by Mercer found that Ottawa is the least expensive major city in which to live in North America.
Languages spoken include English (50%), French (32%) and a host of other languages including significant capabilities in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic
Le Cordon Bleu
The Cordon Bleu is only a short walk from McGee's Inn. A day course or a week long course is an experience for anyone. Come stay at McGee's Inn and enjoy your cooking experience at The Cordon Bleu. They also take dinner reservations for you to enjoy their world class cuisine. It is a "must do" while visiting Ottawa!
Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute is Canada's only campus for Le Cordon Bleu. All classes are taught in a state-of-the-art facility with specially designed amphitheatres featuring close-circuit cameras, mirrors and audio systems for demonstrations classes and professional kitchens for practical hands-on training.
Historic Sandy Hill
While staying at McGee's Inn we offer a book on walking tours of Sandy Hill.
A fashionable residential area within easy commuting distance of Ottawa's commercial and political centre. In addition to Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mackenzie King, a number of prominent political figures found Sandy Hill a desirable place to live: Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald and his wife, Agnes, lived in three different houses in Sandy Hill, the only one of which survives being the impressive stone house known as Stadacona Hall on Laurier Avenue, near Laurier House. Sir Charles Tupper, who became prime minister in 1896, lived a few streets away from Laurier House in the early 1870s. Sir Robert Borden, the man who defeated Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1911 and led Canada during the First World War, lived in Sandy Hill as did Lester B. Pearson who owned a quaint Gothic cottage just around the corner from Laurier House. Pearson served as prime minister from 1963 to 1968
Few streets have as much Canadian history and politics as Daly Avenue. McGee's Inn gets it's name from John McGee who originally lived here. From the late 1800 there lived:
• 3 Prime Ministers
• clerk of the Privy Council
• lawyer for John Whelan
• 6 fathers of Confederation
• several Superior Court judges
• mayors
• lumber barons
• Lieutenant Governors
• a major Canadian poet
• and Canada's first woman Senator
Laurier House
A definate stop on your list of things to do while staying at McGee's Inn. Located at 336 Laurier Avenue, Laurier House is a short walk from McGee's Inn.
Victoria Day Weekend to Canada Day
Open Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Canada Day to Labour Day
Open daily, including statutory holidays
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Labour Day to Thanksgiving
Open Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Laurier House is located in Sandy Hill, a fashionable residential area within easy commuting distance of Ottawa's commercial and political centre. In addition to Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mackenzie King, a number of prominent political figures found Sandy Hill a desirable place to live: Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald and his wife, Agnes, lived in three different houses in Sandy Hill, the only one of which survives being the impressive stone house known as Stadacona Hall on Laurier Avenue, near Laurier House. Sir Charles Tupper, who became prime minister in 1896, lived a few streets away from Laurier House in the early 1870s. Sir Robert Borden, the man who defeated Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1911 and led Canada during the First World War, lived in Sandy Hill as did Lester B. Pearson who owned a quaint Gothic cottage just around the corner from Laurier House. Pearson served as prime minister from 1963 to 1968.
Laurier House is a national historic site administered by Parks Canada, the agency of the federal government responsible for protecting and presenting significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage. Parks Canada's goal at Laurier House is to ensure the preservation of the building and its invaluable collection of Laurier and King artifacts; and to provide Canadians the opportunity to understand and appreciate the contribution of these two prime ministers to Canada's history.
Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King - and let Canada’s history inspire you.
Afternoon Tea
The Lauriers invite you to enjoy afternoon tea on one of the most exclusive verandas in Ottawa. Sip tea with a scone, clotted cream and jam while watching the world go by. July 19 and August 16 at 3 PM
Live History Presents: Mary’s Odyssey: Starring Jasmine Bowen with Rick Cousins as
Prime Minister Mackenzie King
Love, loss and honour, from the one set of eyes that has seen it all.
Can you solve an age old mystery?
An interactive theatrical experience.
The Laurier Years
When Sir Wilfrid Laurier became a member of Parliament in 1874, he and his wife Zoé were living in Arthabaska, a small town in the Province of Quebec. As a member, he was required to be in Ottawa only while the House of Commons was in session and, consequently he and Zoé had no reason to buy a house in the capital. Their situation changed drastically after Laurier became Canada's prime minister in 1896. Because the government of Canada did not provide a residence for the prime minister, the Lauriers had to find a house of their own that would be appropriate to his office as prime minister and large enough for the entertaining that they were expected to do. As Laurier was not a wealthy man, this presented them with a major problem. The solution was found by a group of friends who raised the money to buy the Leslie house in Sandy Hill and to set up a fund to help the Lauriers pay the expenses of running it.
Sir Wilfrid and Lady Laurier moved into their new home in the fall of 1897. They remained there through the years when Laurier was prime minister and afterwards when, the Liberal party having lost power, he became the Leader of the Opposition (1911 - 1919). There they died, Laurier in 1919, Zoé in 1921.
The King Years
In 1919, William Lyon Mackenzie King succeeded Laurier as the head of the Liberal party and leader of the opposition. Two years later he led the Liberals to victory in the general election and became prime minister. He also in 1921 became the owner of the Sandy Hill house where the Lauriers had lived for so long.
The house came to him as a bequest under the terms of Lady Laurier's will. King had, for many years, been a friend and staunch supporter of Laurier and the gift of their house to King may have been her expression of thanks to her husband's successor. King demonstrated his gratitude by giving the house the name by which it continues to be known: Laurier House. Like Laurier he was not a wealthy man and was worried about being able to afford to live there. As with Laurier, friends of the Liberal party The renovations to Laurier House delayed for many months King's move to his new home. At last, in his diary entry for 12 January 1923, he was able to record "I am writing for the first time in my new library at Laurier House and spending the first night beneath my own roof." He lived there for the remainder of his life.
King became Canada's longest serving prime minister, holding the office for over twenty-one years. He fought and won his last general election in 1945. Poor health forced him to retire three years later. He died in 1950. By the terms of King's will, Laurier House and most of its contents were bequeathed to the people of Canada. Since 1951, it has been open to the public.
The Bytown Museum
While you are visiting McGee's Inn, one of the stops you should make on your list of "things to do" is The Bytown Museum. It is within walking distance of McGee's Inn.
Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, the BYTOWN MUSEUM explores the stories of an evolving city and its residents from its early days as Bytown to present day Ottawa. The Museum is located at the Rideau Canal’s Ottawa locks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, between Parliament Hill and the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel — one of the most picturesque sites in the city.
The history of the BYTOWN MUSEUM begins with the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO), founded in 1898. The WCHSO quickly amassed a collection of artifacts relating to the history of Bytown/Ottawa. It became apparent that a museum was required to house this impressive collection and in 1917 the BYTOWN MUSEUM opened its doors.
In 1951, the BYTOWN MUSEUM moved to its current home, the Commissariat. The building was a treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal. In 1956, the WCHSO admitted men for the first time and thus changed their name to the Historical Society of Ottawa (HSO). Today the museum is run independently from the HSO.
Ottawa Convention Centre
Walking Distance from McGee's Inn - 10 Minutes
The Ottawa Convention Centre is located in downtown Ottawa, and opened in April 2011.
The Convention Centre replaces the Ottawa Congress Centre, which opened in 1983. The new Centre is built on the site of the Congress Centre building, which was demolished in 2008-2009. The Centre is located on Colonel By Drive, just south of Rideau Street. The facility is owned by the Ontario Provincial Government. The new building features a large glass facade on the Colonel By Drive front. From the outside, the entrance from the street is clearly visible and the internal escalators are also visible. The architect is Ritchard Brisbin of Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects (BBB Architects). While it has four levels of convention space, it is seven storeys in height.
See whats happening at the Ottawa Convention Centre.