BY KATHLEEN CHARLEBOIS
If you’re one of the many people that relates to that “How To Be Alone” video on Youtube, you’re in luck – Ottawa is one of the best cities to explore on your own. If the school workload is getting to be ridiculous and all your friends are consumed with work as well, here’s a list of five places in Ottawa that are perfect for a solo mental breather.
1) The Rideau Canal
Besides the Peace Tower and the tulips that bloom in the spring, the Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa’s most famous features. The man-made waterway snakes through downtown and right past the Carleton campus, making it perfect for walks in between classes. Or, if you have a mild afternoon on your hands with nothing to do for the rest of the day, you can walk all the way out to Hog’s Back Falls, Dow’s Lake, or all the way out to Parliament Hill.
2) Explore the Arboretum
The Arboretum is another great place for a long walk on your own that’s also close to campus. Crossing over the canal at the Hartwell Locks gets you to a splendid green space filled with trees, bridges, and creeks, tied together with several winding paths. It’s like a forest in Carleton’s backyard. Several willow trees at the far end of the park is reminiscent of the Hogwart’s school grounds, minus the centaurs and the giant spiders.
3) Go to Ottawa’s museums
If the thought of a gigantic spider doesn’t terrify you, there’s one to be found in front of the National Gallery of Canada. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one museum, since Ottawa has a grand total of 29. Many of them have free entrance on Thursday evenings, so if the thought of spending the night at Oliver’s Pub makes you weary, you can party hard at the museum for much less money. Plus, there’s the beauty of setting your own pace; if one particular painting or exhibit intrigues you, there’s no one telling you to move on to the next thing to look at. You’re free to savour every last detail.
4) Shop in the ByWard Market
Once you’re done taking in exhibits and ready to take in some caffeine, the ByWard Market has coffee and tea shops on nearly every corner. There are also several vendors selling a wide range of items out on the streets, often braving the foul Ottawa weather. Hours can be spent browsing around the tables, even if you don’t plan on spending anything.
5) See a movie at the Mayfair
The Mayfair Theatre, built in 1932, has the magical and almost otherworldly quality of looking larger on the inside than it does on the outside. The theatre hosts an impressive array of old Hollywood standbys, thought-provoking independent films and documentaries, cult oddities, and blockbusters you may have missed seeing the first time around. The Mayfair’s interior is a marvel in itself with red-cushioned seats, smoky lighting, and regal curtains framing the movie screen. Memberships are available for 10 dollars and pays for themselves after three visits, which is all the more reason to go.
– Kathleen Charlebois
image source : http://www.cityknown.com/MainP…