Rideau Canal

Stretching from Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario, and originally an important link in the water transportation system, the Rideau Canal is now plied by boats operated by tourists in the summer, while in winter a section of it is transformed into what was touted as the "world's longest skating rink".

Dow's Lake

One very short section of the Rideau Canal is formed by the southern end of Dow's Lake, an artificial lake surrounded by parks whose "recreational paths" are inhabited by strollers, joggers and cyclists while the nearby shore is seasonally dotted with ducks and geese.

Driving alongside

When going downtown from the Ottawa Airport, the view of the Canal from Colonel By Drive is always striking. Other attractions in the area may include waving to the Parliament building, shopping at Rideau Center, and then walking a few blocks further to explore the culinary wonderland of the Byward Market. Winter activities include a "bed race", where contestants push beds across the frozen canal, snow sculpture and Portrait on the ice.

References

• National Capital Commission. The Rideau Canal: World's Largest Skating Rink. Updated June 24, 2008.
• Parks Canada. Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada. Updated June 28, 2007.
• Watson, Ken. Rideau Canal Welcome Page. Updated May 23, 2008.