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Otepää

Otepää is a small town with 2,000 inhabitants set in the hills of south Estonia, approximately 50 km south from Tartu.

Understand
Otepää is one of the oldest settlements in Estonia, first mentioned in the Russian chronicles in 1116. Its name was derived from the shape of the Town Hill (Linnamägi), resampling a bear head, meaning Oti pää in Estonian. It's also where in 1224, Bishop Hermann started building the first known brick castle in Estonia, The Stone Fort.

Otepää is the best known winter sports centre in the Baltics and the Winter Capital of Estonia.

For more information see: http://www.otepaa.eu

By bus
You can travel to Otepää from Tartu, Valga, Võru and several other nearby places by bus.

The is the same building as the tourist information.

Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia.

By car
From Tallinn or Tartu take the national road M2 to the south and then the national B46 about 16 km south of Tartu.

From Latvia take the national M3 to the north via Valga, then the national B72 to Sangaste to join the national B46 to Otepää.

From the east or west join the national road B71 which crosses the city.

Get around
Walking is the best option in the centre. To get to the lake or ski area, you better take the bus.

In the centre

Do

 * If you don't like crowds and sports then it's always possible to go on hiking trips through the surrounding the picturesque landscapes, and you could try an Estonian hot smoke sauna and bathing in an icy lake afterwards.

Summer
During summertime you can see the landscape of rolling hills and lakes, romantic winding village roads and small rivers. You can also take part in different sports or simply have a good time at lake Pühajärve, which is a jewel among Estonian lakes.

 * Saku Suverull – A summer competition for the world's best skiers.
 * Saku Suverull – A summer competition for the world's best skiers.
 * Saku Suverull – A summer competition for the world's best skiers.

Winter
In wintertime, Otepää is a winter sports paradise for skiers, snowmobile riders and for anyone who enjoys the snow: there are slalom slopes equipped with elevators and lots of cross-country tracks.

 * Alpine skiing – Munakas Sport Resort ; slopes in Kuutsemäe Holiday Center (Kuutsemäe Puhkekeskus ])
 * Cross-country skiing – Otepää is the capital of cross-country skiing in Estonia. All the trails leave from the stadium of the city. A circuit of 2.5 km of track around the stadium is sometimes maintained with snow stored when melted elsewhere. The map of the tracks around the city is available at the tourist office. The biggest track is the Otepää-Tartu marathon, which runs 63 km between the two cities and is open to the public except during the marathon. Another related event is the FIS World Cup Otepää Competition.
 * An ice-fishing competition, called "Golden Fish", draws the crowds.

Go next

 * Sangaste and the nearby Sangaste Castle, just a few kilometres south.
 * Tartu – Museum-rich and hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also, Estonia's second-largest and oldest city, intellectual hub famous for its universities, and a lively student city.
 * Valga – A town on the border with Latvia, where it literally grows into the Latvian town of Valka.
 * Viljandi – A beautiful, ancient and hilly city, known for its annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival, beautiful old town and overwhelming and picturesque park around the old castle.
 * Võru – A picturesque town not far from the highest hill in the Baltic states, Suur Munamägi. The birthplace of the writer Kreutzwald and the dialect of the Estonian language.

title: Otepää


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Otford

Australia

 * Otford, New South Wales - a small but popular tourist spot at the edge of Royal National Park and Stanwell Park.

United Kingdom

 * Otford, Kent – a village near Sevenoaks

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Otford


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Othello

Othello is a city in the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington State.

title: Othello


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Other destinations

This page includes destinations that do not fit any other category, as well as listings of sites around the world.

Destinations

 * Arctic
 * North Pole
 * Islands
 * Islands of the Arctic Ocean
 * Islands of the Atlantic Ocean
 * Islands of the Indian Ocean
 * Islands of the Southern Ocean
 * Latin America
 * Mediterranean Sea
 * Tropics
 * Space
 * Moon
 * Supercontinents
 * Americas
 * Eurasia

Lists and indices

 * Ramsar sites
 * UNESCO Creative Cities
 * UNESCO Global Geoparks Network
 * UNESCO World Heritage List
 * UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

title: Other destinations


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Otis (Massachusetts)

Otis is a town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

title: Otis (Massachusetts)


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Otjiwarongo

Otjiwarongo (Otjiherero: "pleasant place" or "place where fat cattle graze") is a city of 28,000 inhabitants (2011) in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia. It is the district capital of the Otjiwarongo electoral constituency and also the capital of Otjozondjupa.

Understand
Otjiwarongo is in central-north Namibia, on the TransNamib railway. It is the biggest business centre for Otjozondjupa Region. Otjiwarongo is located on the B1 road which links the town to Windhoek, the Golden Triangle of Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein, and Etosha National Park. It is one of Namibia’s fastest growing towns, with a neat and peaceful quality environment, and many excellent facilities including supermarkets, banks, lodges and hotels.

By car
Otjiwarongo is 250 km north of Windhoek on the B1, which is the main route running south to north and connects all the towns in the centre of Namibia.

By plane
Otjiwarongo has a landing strip which is situated about 5 km outside of the town on the B1 towards the north. The GPS coordinates are longitude: 18° 15’ 0” E and latitude: 21° 44’ 0” S. The airport is very small and not manned but the airstrip is kept in good condition. It is a gravel strip and is only good for light aircraft.

By train
TransNamib, via their StarLine passenger service, operates trains from Otjiwarongo to destinations all over Namibia.

There are no dedicated passenger trains in Namibia. The StarLine scheduled service described above conveys passengers via special coaches hooked on the back of freight trains. These passenger coaches offer comfortable airline-style seating with air-conditioning and (sometimes) video entertainment. Vending Machines provide refreshments on long journeys. Namibian trains are considered a relatively slow and sometimes unreliable method of transport.

By bus
There are two major bus services available with daily schedules for most towns in Namibia that has drop off points in the centre of Otjiwarongo. The bus services are Intercape and Sunshine Tours.

Get around
Downtown is compact and easy to walk. Most attractions are within a 10- to 20-min walk away from most of the guesthouses in town. For ease of getting around a car would be advisable. Parking is free and voluntary carguards will look after your car.

There are various international and local car hiring companies in Namibia. All the major companies like Avis, Budget, and Europcar have offices in and around Namibia. Avis has an office in Otjiwarongo.

Buy
Otjiwarongo has a well developed downtown with most basic services such as ATMs, grocery stores, and pharmacy.

title: Otjiwarongo


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Otley

Otley is a market town in the English county of West Yorkshire.

Get in
Otley is well served by bus routes from the nearby cities of Leeds and Bradford. Coming from Leeds using public transport the fastest and most convenient service is the X84 bus. There is also a regular bus service (the 757) between Leeds and Otley that goes via the airport. The nearest train station is in the neighbouring town of Guisley, which has connecting bus services to Otley town centre. Driving is likely to be the most convenient option though, given the pricing of the buses and trains.

Coming from Leeds using public transport the fastest and most convenient service is the X84 and X85 buses.

Get around
As Otley is a comparably small town (population around 14,000) you can see and visit most of the main points of the town on foot. However, there are bus services that serve Otley and the surrounding towns that can be used to get to the more outlying parts. All the bus services stop at the bus station.

See

 * Yorkshire Dales - Otley sits in the shadow of the Chevin (pronounced "Shevin"), just a little too small to class as a mountain. The view from the top is a welcome reward for the scenic walk up the hill, taking you through the forests, heather and fields.
 * Cattle Markets, Tuesday & Thursday
 * Street Markets, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday - Held in the town's market square and surrounding streets.
 * Street Markets, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday - Held in the town's market square and surrounding streets.

Eat
Otley is frequented by a great number of small cafes selling the usual sandwiches, drinks and small snacks, as well a small number of nice restaurants and fast food outlets.

Drink
Otley is one of many towns that claim the record for the most pubs per person for any place in the UK. At one time, the town had 32 pubs, but that fell to around 20 in 2015 (or one for every 680 residents). The most popular are the Rose and Crown and The Junction. Otley's high number of pubs makes it appealing to many for a night out.

title: Otley


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Otranto

Otranto is a town of about 5,700 people in the Apulia region of Italy, on the Adriatic coast of Salento peninsula. It is the easternmost town of Italy.

Understand
This small town has become a main tourist destination in Apulia, representing a true gem to discover from the medieval walls of its historic center to the fine sands of the Adriatic coast.

History
The first settlement was founded by the Messapians, the native population of Salento peninsula, probably with the name of Odra. It was then rebuilt by the Greeks that renamed it as Hydrus (Ὑδροῦς – meaning "water"), becoming one of the centres of Magna Graecia. After the Roman conquest the city was called Hydruntum and became soon an important commercial port, due to its location in the easternmost point of Italy.

During the 3rd century AD Hydruntum welcomed a Jewish community that contributed to the cultural growth of the city, in which one of the most relevant libraries of Europe was built. In the 12th century this community counted about 500 families, that continued to receive protection under the rule of Emperor Frederick II, who made the town capital of the justiciarate of Terra d'Otranto (Land of Otranto), part of the Kingdom of Sicily.

In 1480 Otranto was conquered by the Ottoman troops, that beheaded about 800 civilians who refused to deny their Christian faith. The siege lasted 13 months and concluded with the liberation of the city thanks to king Ferdinand I of Naples. Otranto had been reduced to a pile of rubble and its age of splendor definitely finished, leaving to Lecce the role of cultural centre of the area.

 * Italian traffic signs - icona informazioni (figura II 108).svg

By car
Reaching Otranto from the airport of Brindisi requires more or less an hour. Reach the freeway to bypass the center of Brindisi, then merge onto the, arrived in Lecce join the Tangenziale Ovest then follow the  until the Adriatic sea.

By car
If you want to visit the old town remember that it is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), so the best choice is to leave your car parked outside of it. Your vehicle will reveal useful to explore the coastline and countryside.

On foot
Definitely the best way to discover the colorful alleys and walk along the boardwalk or the medieval walls.

Do

 * leading to Porto Badisco (road Strada Statale 87 Italia.svg) and enjoy the stunning landscape.
 * .The public gardens between Via Vittorio Emanuele and the boardwalk are a good spot to rest your feet after a walk in the historic center.
 * .The public gardens between Via Vittorio Emanuele and the boardwalk are a good spot to rest your feet after a walk in the historic center.

Buy
The whole historic centre is full of little shops selling souvenirs, local handicraft and textiles. Have a walk along to find every sort of typical products and various clothing stores.

Cope

 * Italian traffic signs - simbolo posta (figura II 101).svg

Go next

 * Gallipoli
 * Lecce
 * Santa Maria di Leuca
 * Specchia

title: Otranto


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Otricoli

Otricoli is in the Umbria region of Italy. Otricoli is an ancient town and is in the province of Terni.

title: Otricoli


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Otsu

Ōtsu (大津) is the capital of Shiga prefecture.

Enryaku-ji, a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei overlooking Kyoto, is the headquarters of the Tendai sect and one of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)".

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane
The closest major airports to Ōtsu are Kansai Airport and Itami Airport in Osaka.

From Kansai Airport, take the JR Haruka Limited Express to Kyoto and change to a local train to Ōtsu (approx. 1 hr 45 min, ¥3130 for unreserved seats).

From Itami Airport, take an airport limousine bus to Shin-Osaka (25 min, ¥500) then take a JR train to Ōtsu (35 min, ¥840). Alternatively, take a bus to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥1310) then a JR train to Ōtsu (10 min, ¥200).

You can change elsewhere for the Keihan trams (see below).

By train
The JR Biwako Line runs from Osaka and Kyoto to Ōtsu station.

A convenient alternative to travel around the area is on the two Keihan tram lines: the Keishin Line and the Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line. Both lines converge at Biwako-Hamaōtsu (びわ湖浜大津), close to Lake Biwa. You can change between the JR and Keihan lines at three stations: Yamashina, Zeze and Ishiyama. Yamashina is just one stop from Kyoto Station on the JR.

By subway
Kyoto's Tōzai Line subway conveniently runs through to the Keihan Keishin Line from stations in central Kyoto. This is also a convenient option if connecting from the Keihan Main Line at Sanjō station.

By train
Travelling around Otsu by train is quite convenient. The Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line connects each end of the city, so no matter where you are, there will likely be a station nearby.

Sleep

 * Ogoto onsen hotspring (English information)

Go next

 * Takashima
 * Kyoto
 * Kusatsu (Shiga)
 * Ritto
 * Omihachiman
 * Koka
 * Higashiomi
 * Hikone

title: Otsu


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Otsuchi

Ōtsuchi (大槌) is in Iwate. The town of Otsuchi was severely devastated by the tsunami of 2011.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
It's not far from the "big" city of Kamaishi.

The train from Morioka has been suspended since the tsunami, and may be replaced in the long term by bus service only.

The bus leaves from in front of Morioka Station at 4:20PM. This also costs about ¥2,500. (but this goes just to Kamaishi, where you get off the bus in front of the station and take another 20 minute bus to Otsuchi (the correct buses are 浪 or　赤浜).

Get around
You can walk from one end to the other in about an hour, but it is a great place to ride a bicycle around. Unfortunately, if you are just visiting, there are no bike rental stores.

See
Namiita Beach and Kiri Kiri Beach. Namiita = surfing (they have a rental shop). Kiri Kiri = relaxation. In Namiita, there is the cutest little tea/cake shop a little walk from the beach. It is right in front of the train stop. You can eat beautiful little cakes and drink matcha that you make in little tatami mat rooms. Feels like you went back in time.

Also, Shiroyama Park　(城山公園). Climb up the little mountain and see beautiful views of the town, mountains, and sea.

Do
Surf, swim, hike, walk around the town and talk to the locals.

Also, although there are no natural hot springs in the area, there is a spa behind Mast, which is fantastic. There are six baths and two saunas. Three of the baths are outside, which are wonderful after a long day in the winter. Plus, they have a tank full of fish that you can stick your feet in for relaxation.

Buy
Not much to buy in terms of souvenirs here, but there is a nihon-shu (sake) that is made in Otsuchi that is delicious. Just go in any liquor store and ask for Otsuchi no nihon-shu, and they should be able to help you find it.

Also, Mast has anything you could possibly need. Grocery store, a Homac, a department store, video store, shoe store, a cute little hippy/Indian store.

Eat
The little ramen shop inside the Mast, and the restaurant at Namita Beach over looking the ocean from a little cliffy area. Great view. Also, there is a Chinese restaurant near the Eki street called Sen Sen (せんせｎ).

Sleep
In Otsuchi proper, there are no hotels. But in the Namiita beach area, there is one hotel overlooking the ocean. Also, in Kamaishi there are several hotels like the Bay City Hotel and Sunroute.

Connect
Most people in this town do not speak English.

Go next
The neighboring city of Kamaishi has a large statue called the Daikanon which overlooks the bay. Climbing up the stairs to the top is a bit of an exercise but definitely worth it. Inside are several little statues and things to look at. This city also has a sightseeing boat that goes along the coast and is one of the things you MUST do if you are in Kamaishi. Also, there is a sea kayak rental shop.
 * Yamada
 * About an hour away is Tono, home of the kappas. It's a cute little town with a lot of folk history.
 * Miyako
 * Ofunato
 * Kawai
 * Iwaizumi
 * Sumita
 * Hanamaki

title: Otsuchi


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Otsuki

Otsuki (大月市 Ōtsuki-shi) is a small city in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Understand
It is a mix of small town, light local industry (including a Tokyo Electric Power's hydroelectric plant) and expensive bedroom community. Most of its people are concentrated in the river valley through which the Chuo main line and expressway run. The river gorge is very scenic, but the primary attractions are the mountains which form the majority of Otsuki-shi. Shopkeepers have some English, but the vast majority of the signage and conversation is in Japanese.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

By train

Get around
There is a city bus system and taxis available. The bus garage is right across the street from Otsuki Station. Usually there are many taxis waiting in front of Otsuki Station.

Do

Go next

 * Tsuru
 * Fujiyoshida
 * Oshino
 * Uenohara
 * Hachioji
 * Takao
 * Koshu
 * Fuefuki
 * Kofu

title: Otsuki


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Otta

Otta is a town in Oppland. Otta sits at the confluence of Lågen and Otta rivers. The small town is an important junction in Gudbrandsdalen valley as the Otta valley joins the main valley. The Otta valley and river cuts deep into the central mountains almost to Geiranger and Stryn. Otta town sits between Reinheimen and Rondane mountain ranges.

By rail
Otta is on the Oslo-Trondheim line.

By car
E6 from Lillehammer and Oslo from the south, or Trondheim from the north. Route 15 from Stryn in Sogn og Fjordane.

Go next

 * Rondane mountains
 * Sogn og Fjordane: Luster, Stryn
 * Møre og Romsdal: Åndalsnes, Geiranger
 * Lillehammer

title: Otta


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Ottawa

Ottawa is Canada's capital. With over a million citizens, it is Canada's fourth-largest city, and Ontario's second-largest city. Across the Ottawa River is Gatineau, Quebec.

While most Ottawans are English-speaking, 15% are native French speakers, making Ottawa Canada's largest Francophone city outside of Quebec. Visitors come to Ottawa to see Parliament Hill, as well as Canada's national museums.

Ottawa swallowed the entirety of the former Carleton County that surrounded it in 2001. However, this guide deals (primarily) with the urban area of the Ottawa, sometimes called "Old Ottawa". Wikivoyage has separate guides on the suburbs of Kanata and Carp.

History
Ottawa started as a humble lumber town called Bytown, named after Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal (now a UNESCO World Heritage site which doubles as a giant skating rink in the winter), much of which was done by hand between 1826 and 1832. Lumber mills were built along the Ottawa River in the mid-19th century, and brought employment and wealth to the growing population. The centre of action then, as now, was the Byward Market. While it is still the centre of the city's nightlife, it has changed appreciably from the rough–and–tumble early days of brothels and taverns.

In 1857, Ottawa was chosen (in the legend by Queen Victoria, really on the advice of Canadian politicians) as the capital of Canada. The choice was made to avoid a controversy, because it sidestepped the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal (then, as now, Canada's largest cities). But the new capital was still a tiny outpost in the middle of nothing much — an American newspaper famously commented that it was impregnable, as any invaders would get lost in the woods looking for it.

Unlike many federal capitals such as Canberra in Australia or Washington, D.C. in the United States, Ottawa is not part of a special federal district. There is an official National Capital Region containing Ottawa, Gatineau, Quebec across the Ottawa river, and surrounding areas in both provinces. However it is not a separate administration; the two cities have just regular municipal governments and are parts of their respective provinces. Each has its own Wikivoyage article.

During the latter half of the 19th century, the telephone was demonstrated to the Canadian public for the first time here and the city was electrified. The first electric streetcar service was started in 1891. A menu from 1892 states that, "the first instance in the entire world of an entire meal being cooked by Electricity" was in Ottawa.

Today, the major economic sectors are the public service, travel and tourism and the high-tech industry. Ottawa has remained a green city and is situated at the confluence of three rivers (Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau) and of the Rideau Canal. Many residents make regular use of Ottawa's parks and green spaces, bikeways and cross country ski trails. Many national attractions are in Ottawa: Parliament Hill, the National Library and Archives, the National Gallery, and the Museums of History, Contemporary Photography, Nature, War, and Science & Technology.

Climate
Ottawa has a humid continental or hemiboreal climate, featuring four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation, falling mostly as snow in winter and as rain in the rest of year, is plentiful year-round. The city is neither particularly sunny or cloudy, though spring and summer are sunnier than autumn and winter.

In summer, which lasts from the beginning of June to early September, the average high is around 25 °C (77 °F). During heatwaves, temperatures can rise above 30 °C (86 °F), although there are also cooler and often rainier periods.

Winters in Ottawa are long, cold and snowy. There is an average of 225 cm of snowfall per winter, which usually begins falling in late October, with the ground typically being blanketed in snow from late November to the end of March, while the last of the snow falls in April. Average temperatures in the winter months are between -7 and -10 °C (14 and 19 °F), although there are thawing periods where they can rise to above 0 °C (32 °F) in addition to cold snaps where they can drop to below -20 °C (-4° F). Most bodies of water in and around the city freeze over during the winter, notably the Rideau Canal, which transforms into world's largest skating rink.

Spring (which begins in April and lasts until the end of May) and autumn (which lasts from September to mid November) generally see pleasant conditions, although both (especially spring) can sometimes be prone to rapid swings in conditions.

Visitor information
In addition to the Capital Information Kiosk, the tourist office's eager helpers can be found in public places, ready to answer questions in French or English. You can identify them by their blue uniforms with white question marks ("?").

 * Local information from the City of Ottawa
 * Local information from the City of Ottawa

Airport amenities
ATMs and a currency exchange booth are available in the arrivals hall (lower level). There is one International Currency Exchange (ICE) branded ATM near the baggage carrousels which charges higher transaction fees and offers poor exchange rates and one Royal Bank ATM near the washrooms with lower transaction fees and better exchange rates. There is a 24 hour baggage storage facility (Pars 2000) in the arrivals hall. Luggage can be stored for $5 per day or $8 overnight. There is also an information booth in the arrivals hall.

There are a number of restaurants and a few bars inside the departures area.

Destinations
Direct flights to Ottawa within Canada include from Calgary (3.75 hours), from Edmonton (3.75 hours), from Halifax (1.75 hours), from Iqaluit (3.25 hours), from Montreal (45 minutes), from Toronto (1 hour), and from Vancouver (4.5 hours).

Direct flights to Ottawa from the United States of America include from New York City (1.5-1.75 hours) and Washington, D.C. (1.5-1.75 hours)

Services to Ottawa from outside North America is a flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Air France (7 hours). Flights can vary from a few times a week to daily in summer. There is also a KLM shuttle bus connection for passengers booked between Ottawa Train Station and Montreal Trudeau International Airport. This trip takes about two hours. Via Rail trains bound for Montreal also connect to Montreal Trudeau International Airport via a free shuttle bus from the nearby Dorval station.

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Ottawa:

Ground transportation from airport to downtown

 * Public transit - To reach downtown via public transit, take bus 97 (the only bus at the airport, outside arrivals at pole #12) to Hurdman Station. At Hurdman, transfer to the O-Train Confederation Line (west to Tunney's Pasture) to the downtown stations Lyon, Parliament or Rideau (west to east). To get to the Ottawa Train Station, take bus 97 to Hurdman Station and transfer to the O-Train Confederation Line (east to Blair) to Tremblay Station, the next O-Train stop, which is next door to the train station. The bus fare is $3.50 which gives you 1½ hours of unlimited bus travel or $10.50 for an all-day pass. If you don't have a Presto card, exact change is required; remember to ask the bus driver for a transfer to use as proof of payment for fare inspectors.
 * Taxi - A taxi to downtown hotels should cost between $25 and $35, while a taxi to nearby hotels should not cost more than $10. Uber and Lyft serve the airport and a ride to downtown hotels should cost between $20 and $25. Rideshare pickup zone is at Pillar 12/13 of the outer curb.
 * Car rental - Most of the major international car rental agencies have a presence in the parking garage across from the airport terminal.

Other airport

 * is closer to downtown but does not have regular service; it is open to general aviation only.

By bus

 * In Grand-Remous, there is service under the Autobus Maheux brand from Montreal, Rouyn-Noranda, and Val-d'Or.
 * Operates a bus route between Montreal and Ottawa including stops in Laval and Gatineau. Travel time to Ottawa from Montreal is 3.5 hours.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.
 * Operates a route between Ottawa and Sudbury including stops in Kanata, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Mattawa, and North Bay. Travel time to Ottawa from Arnprior is 6 hours, from Pembroke is 4.75 hours, and from Petawawa is 4 hours, from North Bay is 1.5 hours, and from Sudbury is 7 hours. Connections are available from Winnipeg (1 day 8.5 hours) with transfers in Thunder Bay, Sault Sainte Marie, and Sudbury. Connections are available from Toronto with a transfer in either North Bay or Sudbury.

Intercity train operator

 * Routes serving the Ottawa area:
 * Between Ottawa and Toronto including stops in Smiths Falls, Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Napanee, Bellevile, Trenton, Cobourg, Port Hope, and Oshawa. Operates daily. Numerous trains per day. Travel time to Ottawa from Kingston is 2.25-2.5 hours and from Toronto is 4.75-5 hours.
 * Between Quebec City and Ottawa including stops in Drummondville, Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Lambert, Montreal, Dorval, and Alexandria. Multiple trains per day travel the entire route and some additional trains travel between Montreal and Ottawa. Travel time to Ottawa from Quebec City is 6 hours, from Drummondville is 3.75-4 hours, and from Montreal is 2-2.25 hours.
 * Travellers from Cornwall can reach Ottawa by changing trains in Kingston. It's possible to shorten the trip by instead changing trains at Brockville; however VIA Rail will not guarantee this connection, and both legs have to be booked separately.

Train stations
To reach downtown from the station, passengers can take the light rail (Tunney's Pasture direction) from Tremblay O-Train Station, next door to Ottawa Station. The trip should take about 10 minutes. Tremblay Station has O-Train ticket vending machines which accept cash and credit cards. Taxis are also available and should cost about $10-15 for a trip downtown. There is a phone kiosk offering car rentals.

Fallowfield Station is around 10 kilometers to the west of Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, making it the closest railway station to the airport. The airport is accessible by taxi or car in around 15 minutes. By comparison, OC Transpo buses departing from the adjacent Fallowfield bus station head north to downtown before looping back south to the airport and generally take more than an hour.

It is also possible to cycle from Fallowfield to the airport (over relatively flat terrain) in about 33 minutes. The route begins by heading south to Fallowfield Road, turning left and eventually crossing Woodroffe Avenue. Then turn left again and follow the path which bends to the right in front of the Via train tracks. The trail continues along the tracks and through a wooded area to Prince of Wales Drive and Black Rapids Lockstation on the Rideau River.

From there, turn left and cautiously ride up Prince of Wales Drive north to Hunt Club Road and turn right. Be especially careful at the intersection and on the bridge, as traffic moves quite quickly and it is not particularly friendly for cyclists. Continue down Hunt Club, turn right in front of the Days Inn by Wyndham and finally ride down Paul Benoit Drive through the employee parking lot to the lower level arrivals area.

By boat
The Ottawa River is navigable to Ottawa from Montréal, but is blocked to the west by rapids in Ottawa-Hull. There are no ferry services to Ottawa. However, there is a tourist-oriented water taxi that runs between Ottawa and Hull for about $6 one way.

The city is also accessible via the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which runs from the St. Lawrence River at Kingston to the Ottawa River at Ottawa where it empties via a series of locks. It is possible to dock at Dow's Lake Pavilion and at points along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River near downtown.

By car
Ottawa can be reach from Sudbury and North Bay by traveling east on Highway 17 and 417, which are part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Highway 17 is the non-freeway part of the highway and Highway 417 is the part that is a freeway.

Ottawa is about a 4½-hour trip from Toronto via the 401 and 416 highways. Traveling on Highway 401, Highway 7, then Highway 417 is shorter ( vs. ) but this more scenic route through Peterborough is two lanes almost all the way, saving you no time.

Montreal is 2-3 hours away along Autoroute 40 (in Quebec) and Highway 417 (in Ontario), which are both part of the Trans-Canada Highway.

From the American border at Prescott-Ogdensburg, it is 45 minutes to Ottawa's western suburbs (at the opposite end of Highway 416). Interstate 81 is 60 km (40 miles) further upriver in the Thousand Islands.

Public transit
The Confederation Line (Line 1, red in maps), which began service in 2019, runs west-east with an underground segment through the city centre. The Trillium Line (Line 2, green) runs from the south. The lines meet at Bayview station. The Trillium Line is closed as of Oct 2023 due to expansion works. In the meantime, it is being replaced by the Line 2 bus. The bus rapid transit (BRT) system, called the Transitway, has service as frequent as 1 to 2 minutes at rush hour.

The O-Train Confederation Line runs east-west under the downtown area served by Lyon, Parliament, Rideau and uOttawa O-Train stations. If you are going to the Byward Market, get off at Rideau O-Train Station. To go north-south, take bus route 6 or 7 along Bank Street from either Parliament or Rideau O-Train stations.

OC Transpo has a webpage to look up schedules and maps for all the O-Train and bus routes mentioned above. It also has a Customer Service Centre on the 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre, above the corner of Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive in downtown Ottawa. There are others at major bus stations: Lincoln Fields in the west end, Place d'Orleans and St. Laurent in the east.

Fares
As of December 1, 2023, the cash fare for regular routes is $3.75 for adults and youth (13-64), $2.85 for seniors (65+). Children under 12 ride free. (Fares are 5 cents cheaper if paying by Presto card.) Seniors can ride the OC Transpo system free on Wednesdays and Sundays (except Para Transpo). Payment is by exact change or the Presto card. If you pay cash, get a transfer to act as proof of payment for fare inspection. Your fare allows you to ride any buses and the O-Train for roughly 1½ hours, longer at night. Stop-overs and return trips are permitted.

A day pass ($11.25) is good for buses and the O-Train. On weekends and holidays, up to two adults and four children (age 11 and under) can share a day pass. Buy the pass from the bus driver using exact cash or Presto card. (If you're using the card to pay for a day pass, you must ask the driver before tapping the card to the reader, or it will deduct a normal fare instead). Day passes are also available from ticket vending machines at O-Train stations and at customer service centres.

O-Train stations (except Bayview station) have ticket vending machines that issue a single-ride ticket. The O-Train ticket acts as a transfer which expires 90 minutes after purchase.

You can buy a Presto card for $6 (non-refundable) plus a minimum $10 balance at the airport, at a Customer Service Centre, kiosks at O-Train stations, at selected Loblaws grocery stores or Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies, by phone or online (for delivery in Canada only). Have a Customer Service Centre add the birth date to a Presto card for a senior or a child to qualify for fare discounts. The Presto card is also valid in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.

Presto card readers are available on buses at the front door (and also at the rear door of long, articulated buses) and on O-Train platforms. Paying the fare by tapping the Presto card on the reader will also record a 1½ hour transfer period on the card. Tap your Presto card every time you board a vehicle. Upon the first tap, the Presto machine will momentarily display the fare deducted and the Presto balance remaining. When you tap within the transfer period, the Presto machine will display the minutes left in the transfer period.

Service to Gatineau
On weekdays (excluding holidays), OC Transpo bus 15 connects Lyon O-Train Station to Gatineau, Quebec terminating in front of the Canadian Museum of History (stop: Laurier / Élisabeth-Bruyère); it uses OC Transpo fare media, including Presto, even when boarding in Gatineau.

Many Gatineau buses (marked "STO" - Société de transport de l'Outaouais) come into Ottawa, run along Wellington Street and pass by the Byward Market. They can be caught near Lyon, Parliament and Rideau O-Train stations. The colour schemes for the two transit systems are different, red and white for OC Transpo but blue and white for STO. OC Transpo and STO accept each other's transfers including O-Train tickets. STO accepts an OC Transpo transfer recorded on a Presto card; however, STO will not accept Presto to pay the fare on its own buses. STO accepts the OC Transpo day pass but not as a group pass.

By taxi
Taxis are easy to find downtown; elsewhere, phone for a cab. All taxis should have a meter and the base charge is $2.45, and overall rates are quite high compared to most other North American cities. A ride from downtown to the airport will be costly, running between $25 and $35 for a trip that will take less than a half-hour outside of peak traffic periods. Cabs will not take credit cards for fares below $10. Most cab drivers know Ottawa well, but have clear instructions if you're going anywhere in the suburbs as many developments in the outskirts are relatively new. Ottawa cabs aren't supposed to pick up customers off the street on the Quebec side; the converse applies to Quebec cabs in Ottawa. You may phone a Quebec cab if you are in Ottawa and vice versa.

By car
Parking at most attractions is convenient, though on-street parking in downtown areas is at a premium (more expensive than most other cities in North America). If you are driving to downtown on the weekend, parking is free in Gloucester Garage (210 Gloucester St). A map is useful if you are going to be driving around downtown as many of the streets are one-way. Drivers in Ottawa are rated as some of the worst in Canada, often failing to signal for lane changes or making illegal turns into far lanes rather than the closest lane.

Most major car rental companies have several offices in Ottawa with all of them represented downtown and at the airport.

Driving while talking on your cell phone is illegal in Ontario unless you use a hands-free system.

On foot
Ottawa is a great city to explore on foot, though in winter you need good clothes and warm boots to consider it. With pedestrian-friendly streets and the density of attractions, a car is expensive and unnecessary for the most part. An excellent place to start any tour of Ottawa is the Capital Information Kiosk, at 90 Wellington Street, directly across from the Parliament buildings. They have maps and brochures for most tourist attractions in Ottawa, many of which are within walking distance.

Popular pedestrian areas, especially during spring and summer months, are the various streets in the Byward Market. Sparks Street, running through downtown parallel to the Parliament Buildings, is a popular pedestrian area during the day and night, particularly in the spring and summer months.

Guided walking tours are available with Ottawa Walking Tours, which include some history and other tidbits of trivia not commonly known. Especially popular is the Haunted Walk of Ottawa that provides a variety of walking tours focusing on the city's darker and more offbeat past.

Ottawa is a city with a truly continental climate. In winter, exposed skin can freeze in minutes or less, so layer up on the clothing and protect yourself by wearing a hat (toque or hunters cap), gloves and boots. Despite being slightly closer to the North Pole than the equator, summer temperature and humidity can be oppressively high, so bring water if you're doing any amount of walking or cycling. If you are on the public pathways near the canal or the river, there are drinking fountains to refill your bottles. Also, don't forget the mosquito repellent.

By bicycle
Bicycling is one of the best ways to see Ottawa up close. You can cover a lot of ground, stop anywhere to sight-see, and enjoy the ambiance of the city. The downtown is very well-served by protected cycling infrastructure, and paths run along the canal and the rivers, including into Gatineau on the Quebec side. In the summer, the downtown bike corridor on Laurier Ave counts 70,000 bike rides a month. The bike routes along the canal see around 350,000 bike rides a year. Again, you may want to start immediately opposite Parliament Hill to pick up a map of the area (in the World Exchange Plaza's NCC booth in the main hallway) or find a bicycle rental. Cycling to the attractions around downtown Ottawa is a great way to get around, but don't ignore the Gatineau side of the river. The city has several attractions along the river including the Museum of History and if you want to really stretch your legs, Gatineau Park has many great cycling paths; the Champlain Look Out has a wonderful view over the Ottawa Valley.

Rentals
There are usually a few options for renting bicycles downtown, including:

Capital Pathway
The city is criss-crossed by over 170 km of multi-use bike paths, shared with pedestrians and in-line skaters. Dogs on leash are allowed along many of the paths, but only if the owner is on foot. Many paths are unlit at night, so careful that you don't ride into a leash between the dog and its owner. The maximum speed on the pathways is 20 km/h (13 mph).

The National Capital Commission closes 20 km of roadways to cars summer weekends from Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September) allowing for cycling, in-line skating and walking on these roadways.

Maps of the Capital Pathway are available, including the Official Cycling Map for Ottawa-Gatineau and the simplified Ottawa Multi Use Pathway Pocket Map created by a local cycling blogger.

For more route suggestions, check out these local cycling blogs:
 * http://gobiking.ca/
 * https://ottawavelooutaouais.com/
 * www.hansonthebike.com

OC Transpo has bicycle racks on the front of many buses (seasonally). You can load your bike on the rack and then ride the bus for the normal passenger fare. The O-Train will take bikes as well, in the forwardmost car.

The City of Ottawa has bike repair stations in public spaces along paths and across from City Hall, at libraries and community centres. The stations consist of a pump and the most important tools, connected to a base with steel cables.

Long time advocacy group Bike Ottawa (since 1984) also maintains an extensive website with a set of interactive bicycle route maps that rate all bicycle routes through Ottawa and Gatineau on a 1-4 scale, with 1 being child-friendly and 4 being very stressful. They also make available information on infrastructure progress. Contact them also with questions about routes, concerns and popular destinations. Although it is a volunteer-run organisation, they are usually fairly fast in responding. #ottbike is the commonly used hashtag on social media.

Parliament Hill
The primary attraction for most visitors is Parliament Hill is in the middle of downtown Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Not only is the building a fine example of the Gothic revival style, it makes an excellent starting point to visit all other points of interest in the area.
 * The Changing of the Guard takes place daily on the lawns of Parliament at 9AM from late June to late August. The Governor General's Foot Guards can also be seen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at Rideau Hall.

Tours of the building are available daily with multiple tours (in English and French) available at staggered times throughout the day. If you have a group of greater than 10 people, you must make a reservation in advance by reserving online or by calling the reservations office at +1 613-996-0896. The admission is free, but you need tickets (one for the House of Commons at West Block, one for the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building) which you get online at visit.parl.ca. There is also a free 45-minute immersive experience that can be booked on the same official booking website.
 * The Centre Block and the Peace Tower are closed for renovation, and are expected to remain closed until 2031.
 * Tour guides take you through the House of Commons Chamber or the Senate Chamber and explain the history, roles and architecture of the respective buildings. Each tours lasts about 45 min and free same-day tickets can be booked online at visit.parl.ca depending on availability.
 * If there are no more tickets available, or you have to wait for your time, a fine self-guided walking tour around the grounds of Parliament Hill will keep you busy. Free booklets are available at the Capital Information Kiosk at 90 Wellington St.
 * One of the nicer, unexpected views, looking from the bottom up, can be accessed at the back of the Parliament Buildings—that vantage point also provides a river view of the Canadian Museum of History, across the river in downtown Gatineau (the former city of Hull).
 * Behind the Parliament Buildings at sunset is a sight to remember. You can walk by the Rideau Canal locks (at the east corner) and visit the Bytown Museum at the level of the canal.
 * The locks separate Parliament Hill from the Chateau Laurier, a former railway hotel (see below).

Museums
There are many national museums and galleries in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau. All museums in Ottawa have free admission on Canada Day, July 1, although they are generally very crowded then.

Parks
Ottawa has dozens of neighbourhood parks and other parcels of green space in the urban core.

Do
There are walking tours to introduce you to the capital area.

 * Ottawa Walking Tours offers historical guided walks of Ottawa's downtown core with special stops at areas of historical significance. Tours acquaint guests with the history of the city and allow visitors to learn more about Ottawa’s history, architecture and colourful political characters. Tours are offered year-round and reservations are required. For more information, call.
 * The Haunted Walk of Ottawa offers tours focusing on Ottawa's infamous haunts and darker history. Hear tales of hauntings at some of Ottawa's most well known locations, including the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Bytown Museum and the Ottawa Jail Hostel. Cloaked guides lead guests through the city streets by lantern light-the perfect atmosphere for a good ghost story. Tours run year-round, rain or shine. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, call.

Cinema, Music and Theater
Ottawa has many movie theatres to choose from, but there are also a few that specialize in "foreign" films (i.e., not American), early releases, old returning films and specialty films. The Mayfair Theatre is at 1074 Bank St. near Sunnyside. In addition, the Canadian Film Institute screens films at several venues for the specialist film crowd.

Ottawa has lots of live entertainment, including music and theater from small shows to large productions.

Winter
Winter officially begins in December, but daylight is already noiceably shorter by then, and holiday light displays and snow arrive in late November. Cold winters don't keep most locals inside - in fact, many people wish for an early freeze and lots of snow so that conditions are perfect for some annual traditions and winter hobbies.

Summer

 * Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. In late June.
 * Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. In late June.

Learn
The two best known universities in the city are Carleton University and the bilingual University of Ottawa. Bilingual St. Paul's University is a Catholic university with ties to the University of Ottawa, offering various degrees in theology and social sciences. Dominican University College is a Dominican university where theology and philosophy can be studied at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, also in English or French. There is also Algonquin College and the francophone Collège La Cité.

Work
The Federal Government is the region's largest employer with the high-tech sector firmly in second place. Unless you are a Canadian resident, you will need a work visa to work in Ottawa, and some Federal Government jobs require Canadian citizenship. Most Federal Government jobs require applicants to be bilingual in English and French.

Buy

Larger shopping malls include the Rideau Centre (downtown), St. Laurent Shopping Centre (East Central), Place D'Orleans (East End), the Bayshore Shopping Centre and Carlingwood Mall (West End).

The last Saturday in May, Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood hosts the annual Great Glebe Garage Sale. Hundreds of residents set up tables in their garages or on their lawns and sell used goods ranging from household knick-knacks to electronics to clothing. Businesses in the area also hold sidewalk sales, and vendors sell artwork, baking, and refreshments. Driving and parking during the sale itself is unnecessary and nearly impossible. Arrive on foot or park and walk into the neighbourhood. For parking, and for the best deals (especially on larger items like furniture), arrive early. The event is bustling by 8AM but continues well into the afternoon. Vendors are encouraged to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Eat
Ethnic foods from around the world are available at a wide variety of restaurants and street vendors throughout the city. The Byward Market area has a wide selection of different cuisines; the Chinatown area is along Somerset West (#2 bus from downtown) between Bronson Ave. and Preston St; Little Italy runs along the length of Preston Street, from Carling Avenue to Albert Street (#2 to Somerset & Preston or #3 along Preston).

Try a poutine from Smoke's Poutinerie, or a shawarma from one of the many around the city. Local favourites include Shawarma Palace and 3 Brothers.

Coffee shops are found throughout the city, and include dozens of two specialty chains Second Cup and Starbucks, in addition to the mainstream Tim Horton's (seemingly planted at every intersection). Bridgehead is a fair trade coffee house and can be found at a half dozen or so locations. Try their small double shot lattes, which are significantly better than their competitors'. There are several coffee houses in Little Italy, on Preston Street. One of the most popular, Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana (200 Preston Street, +1 613-594-5303), also houses an award-winning pastry shop. Bar Robo on Somerset St under the Chinatown arch offers locally-roasted coffee during the day, along with fresh croissants and donuts.

Budget
Ottawa has a lot of shawarma (kebab and fixings in pita bread) restaurants and most of them will serve up a great shawarma for around $5. Their busy times are typically weekdays at lunch-hour, and on weekends after the bars close. The Byward Market and Elgin St. have several restaurants to choose from. Shawarma Palace, on Rideau St and in several suburban locations, are another popular choice.

The usual range of diners, bagel shops and fast food restaurants can be found in shopping areas throughout the city. You will also find "chip wagons" or "chip trucks" parked in various locations around the city at lunch time. Most of them serve hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage-in-a-bun, pogos (corn dogs - deep fried, breaded hot dogs on a stick), chips (French fries) and poutine (French fries covered with cheddar cheese curd and gravy - very popular in Quebec and eastern Ontario). You can find the occasional truck that sells Caribbean roti, fish and chips, Canadian "Chinese" food, or other foods. One popular bagel shop is Kettleman's Bagel Co., which has three locations in Ottawa, the original being at 912 Bank St (near Lansdowne Park), and serves Montreal-style bagels.

At lunch time, Di Rienzo and La Bottega Nicastro will sell you a good $5 sandwich; opinion is split among locals as to which is better, but they're both very good. If you're in town for a few days, try them both.

 * Warehouse in the heart of Byward Market is popular among students. Great meals including a burger, fries and tap water, are served for just $5. Only drinks are a bit on the expensive side with around $6. Busy every day of the week, especially after 8PM when it is mostly a bar.
 * For the best non-traditional Canadian eats, head down Somerset St West near Bronson to the heart of Chinatown. Here you have a choice of places for Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese, etc. Vietamese soup-houses, Pho Bo Ga and Pho Bo Ga La, are well-rated. The Yangtze Restaurant and Chu Shing Restaurant (across the street from it) are large box Chinese restaurants popular with Ottawa's Chinese clientele. The Jadeland Restaurant is a small popular Chinese restaurant set in a converted house and has been well reviewed for its tasty dishes and low prices. Another good source for ethnic foods is the stretch on Rideau between King Edward and the bridge to Vanier. You can find Middle Eastern, African and Asian food here.
 * Has been around for forty years.
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".
 * Warehouse in the heart of Byward Market is popular among students. Great meals including a burger, fries and tap water, are served for just $5. Only drinks are a bit on the expensive side with around $6. Busy every day of the week, especially after 8PM when it is mostly a bar.
 * For the best non-traditional Canadian eats, head down Somerset St West near Bronson to the heart of Chinatown. Here you have a choice of places for Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese, etc. Vietamese soup-houses, Pho Bo Ga and Pho Bo Ga La, are well-rated. The Yangtze Restaurant and Chu Shing Restaurant (across the street from it) are large box Chinese restaurants popular with Ottawa's Chinese clientele. The Jadeland Restaurant is a small popular Chinese restaurant set in a converted house and has been well reviewed for its tasty dishes and low prices. Another good source for ethnic foods is the stretch on Rideau between King Edward and the bridge to Vanier. You can find Middle Eastern, African and Asian food here.
 * Has been around for forty years.
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".
 * Has been around for forty years.
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".
 * Has been around for forty years.
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".
 * For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Byward Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, yet authentic, try Host India on Montreal Rd. For Indian food from Kerala state, try Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Blvd. (in the same price range as Host India), ranked #1 on Food Network's "10 Popular Indian Restaurants in Canada".

Mid-range
Major restaurant areas can be found on Elgin Street, on Bank Street in Centretown, on Bank Street in the Glebe, in Westboro and in the Byward Market, with entrees ranging from $12–25. Similar restaurants can be found in major suburban shopping areas too.

Splurge
Ottawa has excellent options for fine dining if you feel like spending a bit extra. Budget $150 for a three-course dinner for two, including wine and gratuity.

Drink
The most popular bar areas are in the Byward Market, along Wellington Street in Westboro, along both Elgin Street and Bank Street between Somerset and Gladstone in the Centretown area, and further south on Bank. There are pubs and bars scattered throughout the city as well.

You can also take a small trip over the Ottawa river to Gatineau. Bars in both Ottawa and Gatineau close at 2AM (even though the rest of Quebec has a last call of 3AM). Quebec has a lower minimum age to purchase alcohol (18, vs. 19 in Ontario) and sells beer in corner stores. Ottawa police often set up checkpoints near the bridges to catch drunk drivers returning from Quebec after closing time.

Smoking (both traditional and e-cigarettes, also called "vaping") of tobacco or cannabis is not permitted in restaurants and bars, or on patios.

Pubs
Combining the Irish tradition for casual hearty meals, with Quebec’s cinq à sept (“five to seven” - a social gathering in the two hours after leaving work), Ottawa’s many pubs are lively throughout the day, all week long. Several pubs have grown into local chains, while maintaining a character endeared to each neighbourhood.

Byward Market
During the day, the Byward Market’s produce stands and small shops are busiest, but in the evening, it’s the city’s entertainment district. In the warmer months, the boulevards and streets surrounding the market building, and courtyards framed by historic stone buildings come alive with large patios.

Bank Street
Bank Street is the city’s commercial spine, connecting many of the neighbourhoods in downtown Ottawa to Wellington Street and Parliament Hill. In it’s downtown blocks, it’s a lively pedestrian friendly Main Street. The intersection of Bank and Somerset is the center of Ottawa’s LGBT community. South of the Queensway, Bank passes through the family friendly, trendy "The Glebe" neighbourhood.

Elgin Street
Elgin Street runs parallel to Bank Street, connecting neighbourhoods further east in the downtown to the National Arts Centre and Chateau Laurier.

Connect
The area codes for Ottawa are 613 and the overlay code 343. Hull (819, overlaid with 873) has the full Ottawa local calling area. Ten-digit dialling (area code+local number) is required for all local calls.

Most coffee shops, hotels, and public library branches have free wi-fi Internet access, although the speeds may be slower than you're accustomed to. There are internet cafes throughout the city.

Stay safe
Ottawa is a very safe place to live and visit, so if you use common sense it is at least as safe as any other city. There are many tourists in the city, especially in summer months, and there are very few incidents of robbery or assault. Exercise caution and common sense after dark or when traveling alone; instances of harassment and (very rarely) unprovoked violence have occurred to locals and travellers alike.

There have been incidents on buses and at transit stations of violence and swarmings/robberies, even during daytime hours. OC Transpo has hired new constables and placed plainclothes security and cameras on select buses and trains to counter the problem. Use common sense, especially when riding at night, every transit station has multiple emergency call boxes. After dark, take extra care in areas near downtown such as Lowertown East, and also Hintonburg, Vanier, Bayshore, Ledbury, Heatherington, Caldwell and South Keys. These neighbourhoods are known to have gang presence and drug problems. (Ledbury, Heatherington, and South Keys have nothing in the way of tourist draws, anyway.) Ottawa is generally very safe, but like any other city it has bad apples.

Ottawa is the fourth coldest capital city by annual average temperature, but it has the second coldest January, only topped by Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Add to that nearly 3 m (10') of snow per average winter and throw in an ice storm from time to time, winter can be a challenge but locals do a great job of handling it particularly with recreation. Summers are (normally) short, warm and at times hot and humid. Humidity in the summer can make the heat feel unbearable, while humidity in the winter, coupled with wind chills, can make the cold feel very brutal. Dress for the weather and don't forget to cover your head and ears with a warm hat. Ottawa is not a very fashion-minded city, but in winter, everyone throws in the towel.

Cope
The emergency telephone number for police, fire, and ambulance is 9-1-1.

All pay phones at O-Train stations have buttons that you can use to make a free call to the Distress Centre of Ottawa, or you can call 613-238-3311 if you're anywhere in Ottawa. They'll help with any mental health concerns. Service is provided in English and French.

Day trips to Quebec
Since Ottawa is located on the provincial border, daytrips to neighbouring Quebec can be made easily. If you enjoy the outdoors, especially if you are a cyclist, you should definitely visit Gatineau Park just across the river from Ottawa. Ottawa and the surrounding area boasts over 170 km of public paved trails on which you can run, bike, walk or rollerblade. If you are looking for a place to start, head to the nearest waterway: paved trails line both sides of the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal, and the Rideau River. The Trans Canada Trail enters Ottawa through the outskirt communities of Carleton Place and Stittsville, then joins up with the Ottawa River at Brittania Bay (near Carling Avenue at Bayshore Drive). It follows the river 13 km east to Parliament Hill, then crosses over to the Quebec side, extending into and beyond Gatineau Park.
 * Gatineau - Right across the Ottawa River. The Canadian Museum of History is worth a visit. The nightlife in the Old Hull neighbourhood is often considered superior to Ottawa's, with a handful of loud clubs but also a decent offering of artistic cafés with good local live music.
 * Gatineau Park is directly north from Hull; the Camp Fortune and Edelweiss ski areas are also north of the city, near Chelsea and Wakefield respectively. Wakefield is a picturesque artist town on the side of the Gatineau River. Rich with cultural offerings and beautiful natural surroundings (especially in autumn).
 * Buckingham is downriver from Gatineau in the east, as one of the more accessible venues for rural maple sugar shack camps.

Just across the river from Ottawa is the city of Gatineau, which has the stunning Canadian Museum of History and some mighty good restaurants too. It is the centre of the Outaouais region which includes the lovely village of Wakefield, and Gatineau Park with its high cliffs and deep, clear lakes. A little further west is the Pontiac where you will find small rural towns and rafting expeditions. There is a bus service from Ottawa and Gatineau to the Pontiac. You can cycle from Quyon to Pembroke on 72 km of railway bed turned into a bike trail. Stop by the Shawville Fair in late August/early September.

To the south and east of Ottawa is a large flat rural area consisting mostly of small commuter towns, agricultural villages, and the occasional woodland. This lowland stretches all the way to Montreal (roughly 165 km to the east) and the United States border (just shy of a hundred kilometres to the south). The Rideau Canal runs through it. Among the many scenic towns are Merrickville, which has a good claim to the name "Canada's prettiest village," and Perth with its mills and heritage buildings.

Going west beyond Kanata, the village of Carp (about 40 minutes away, in West Carleton, officially part of Ottawa) houses the surreal Cold War "Central Emergency Government Headquarters" (the Diefenbunker), now a museum and listed under "Museums" above. Beyond that is the Ottawa Valley region, towns and farms, then the Madawaska Highlands wilderness area starting about 90 km from Ottawa. In that area is Calabogie, a ski resort in winter and lake resort in summer. A little further on is another wilderness recreation area, Algonquin Provincial Park.

Beyond the Ottawa region lie other Canadian cities, such as:
 * Montreal, the largest city in Quebec and the largest French-speaking city in the Western Hemisphere, is 200 km east.
 * Toronto, Canada's largest city, is about 500 km to the southwest.
 * Kingston, about 200 km to the southwest, on the way to Toronto. A university town with historic limestone buildings.

If you're interested in a very different destination, Ottawa is one of the very few cities south of the 60th parallel that has regular scheduled air service - and the only one with year-round direct air service - to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut.

title: Ottawa


text:
Ottertail

Ottertail is a small, cozy tourist town in Northwestern Minnesota with a population of 474. In 2002, Ottertail was the fastest growing city in Minnesota due to its growing fame in the greater metropolitan area of Minneapolis, Saint Paul. With a vast collection of beautiful lakes, large golf courses, and old-fashioned antique stores, Ottertail is the best place to go if what you are looking for is a genuine mid-western experience (farms, lakes, and small, but modern towns).

Get in
The only way into Ottertail is by car.

Get around

 * Car - by far the best way to see Ottertail and its surrounding beauty.
 * Walk - best way to get close to the lakes.

See

 * Lakes - hundreds of lakes surround the city of Ottertail. Ottertail Lake, the 6th largest lake in Minnesota, is home to hundreds of beautiful summer homes and resorts which add to it's profile as a weekend getaway.
 * Farms - the many farms that dot the surrounding countryside are tributes to old-fashioned mid-western living.

Do

 * Ottertail River - its winding, scenic path is a must for people who enjoy tubing down the river. Many local businesses offer tube rentals.
 * Potato Fest - in early August, locals kick-off this small town festival that includes a parade and pyrotechnics display.
 * Potato Fest - in early August, locals kick-off this small town festival that includes a parade and pyrotechnics display.

title: Ottertail


text:
Ottumwa

Ottumwa is a city in South Central Iowa.

By car
Ottumwa is at the junction of US Highways 34 and 63.

By train
Amtrak serves Ottumwa via its California Zephyr route, running between Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area.

By bus
Buses stop at the Amtrak station at 210 West Main St.
 * Trailways (+1 641-682-2009)
 * Greyhound Bus Lines (+1 641 682-2009)

By bus
Ottumwa Transit runs Monday through Friday from 6:46AM until 6PM. Fare is $1.50.

title: Ottumwa


text:
Ouachitas

The Ouachitas are in the west-central part of Arkansas and south-eastern Oklahoma, and include the Ouachita Mountains and Ouachita National Forest.

Understand
The name Ouachita is pronounced /ˈwɒʃɨtɔː/ in IPA, or WOSH-i-taw; the final syllable is like the 'sas' in Arkansas (which is pronounced ARK-an-saw).

title: Ouachitas


text:
Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou (pronounced: WA-ga-DOO-goo) is the capital of Burkina Faso and the nation's cultural and economic centre. Its name is informally shortened to Ouaga.

Understand
The dominant ethnicity is Mossi (60%), but many other tribes are also represented (Samo, Gourounsi, Lobi, etc).

Languages spoken: French, Moore, some Jula (derivative of Bambara).

The primary language spoken by the general population is Moore. However, many merchants, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and restaurant and hotel staff will speak at least some French. In the nicer parts of town, most people speak excellent French. Some people speak English.

Climate
Its climate is classified as hot semi-arid (BSh) with the rainy season from June to September. Daytime temperatures are hot all the year, but are hottest from February to May.

By plane
Ouagadougou International Airport is the main gateway and is located to the immediate south of city centre, distance from the airport to the United Nations roundabout is less than two kilometres. The airport is quite small and, like many African airports, somewhat disorganized. National carrier Air Burkina has flights most West African capitals as well as Paris, from where Air France also offers daily service. The other European capital with scheduled flights is Brussels via Brussels Airlines. Other popular connections includes East African cities of Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Some of the best fares from Europe seem to be with Turkish Airlines.

A shared taxi, the green ones, to city centre should cost no more than XOF500, but be aware that many will ask for up to CFA 1,000.

By train
A twice weekly train operated by SITARAIL runs from the Ivorian capital Abidjan via Bobo-Dioulasso. First and second class carriages are available, the journey is supposed to take 36 hours but trains are often much delayed. Tickets are open for purchase a day before departure at the train station.

By bus
There are plenty of bus operators serving Ouagadougou but there's no central bus station, each operator has its own depot.

Transport Confort Voyageurs, on Rue de la Mosquée is one of the largest bus companies in town with connections from most regional cities as well as the neighbouring capitals. Other operators includes STMB  and SOTRAO.

Get around
Ougadougou is a very orderly and clean city, and the traffic is very civilized. The city has a grid-based street system. There are traffic lights everywhere and motorists actually obey them. The people here are proud of their country and create a good impression.

By taxi
Ouagadougou is serviced by two types of taxi: white and green. White taxis are rarer, more expensive, and exclusive. Green taxis are ubiquitous and of much lower quality, but are much cheaper to use. As there are no meters, all fees for all taxis are negotiated in advance, and you should not enter a taxi until you and the driver have agreed upon a price.

The small green taxi cabs should cost no more than CFA 300 per person during the day for straight runs on main roads. Fees increase with distance or with departures from the main routes. Be prepared to share the cab with as many people as can be crammed in, or to pay a premium rate. Cabbies may attempt to charge foreigners far more. If you have a lot of baggage, expect to pay more as well.

Prices go up at night especially to the city center (centreville). You should never pay more than CFA 1,500 per person, and this is negotiable if you have a lot of people in your group to share the cab.

Travel to and from the airport is always expensive, even if you are only going a short distance. Expect a minimum of CFA 1,500, and do not be surprised at asking prices in excess of CFA 5,000. Be firm, and you can negotiate the price considerably downward.

Although Ouagadougou is generally a very safe city, maintain the same caution that you would in any urban environment: only use green or white cabs, don't accept rides from drivers that appear to be drunk or who have cars that appear unsafe, and know that whites, obvious tourists, people with many bags, and people seeking rides at unusual hours are all at a higher risk of theft and other crimes.

See

Do

 * Cineburkina (50 32 03 28) and Cine Reale are more comfortable/safer movie theaters
 * Café Zaka has live bands every night
 * The Moro Naaba ceremony is every Friday morning at 07:15, 15-min ceremony symbolizing a Mossi historical event (preparation for battle against a rival king that stole his amulets, but being persuaded to keep peace). Ouagadougou was founded in the 15th century and became the capital of the Mossi empire. The historical palace of the Moro Naaba is located in the middle of the city.
 * French Cultural Centre, Proposes both local and imported concerts dance pieces and theatre. The bar/restaurant there is a popular meeting spot. It also features an air-conditioned library where you can read newspapers and magazines. Located on the same road as the main post office
 * SIAO (International Art and Craft Festival) Africa's most prominent craft fair, it is held for 10 days in every even-numbered year. Artisans from all over Africa attend and sell their wares.
 * Village Artisanal of Ouagadougou (VAO). This outdoor "shopping mall" of local arts and crafts is a gem. You can buy there from a huge selection with far less hassle than on the street. It also features a shady café in the courtyard.
 * Central Market a major attraction, burned in 2003 and reconstructed in a modern style. New stands are opening up all around it, though, so it's still worth a visit, especially if you are buying textiles.
 * Gounghin Market a fun place to explore, buy fabric and fruit
 * Gounghin Market a fun place to explore, buy fabric and fruit

Buy
Groceries: Bookstores:
 * Go to Marina Market (50 31 09 65) or Scimas downtown, near the grande mosque (same street, maybe three blocks apart) for all cheese, meat, ice cream, other needs (closed from 12:00 to 15:00).

Tailors:
 * Anna's Fashion near Paradisio and Petrofa station

Film developing: Lotte Photo across from Scimas takes a bit longer, but also does a good enough job.

Money:
 * ATMs for Visa cards are available. Ecobank ATMs take master card/visa cards.
 * Banque Atlantique has an ATM linked to the Maestro/Mastercard network but its ATMs only take cards issued by the bank.

Eat
Most larger cafés have food in the afternoons and evenings, but here are a few notables from the recommendations of Bobo Stage Goers and others:

African
 * Gondwana (somewhat expensive, Zone du Bois, great atmosphere)
 * La NASA - Vegan, cheap, near Pharmacie Sacré-Coeur
 * La Colombe - Vegan, cheap, serves excellent tofu brochettes for XOF1,200. Logements, avenue Babanguida, porte n°974 - just before the Rond-point des Artistes and in front of the Stade de France (+226 60 36 24 70 / 78 62 77 12)

Italian

 * La Paillote (somewhat expensive, great pizza, delivers 50 31 87 34)
 * The Belvedere (somewhat expensive, amazing pizza, Koulouba) 50 33 64 21
 * The Belvedere (somewhat expensive, amazing pizza, Koulouba) 50 33 64 21

Middle Eastern
 * Chez Simon (cheaper, Kwame N Krumah, near Jimmy's 50 33 21 46). Also International food - burgers, pizza etc.
 * Veranda Lebanese and international. Opposite Chez Simon on Kwame N Krumah.

Chinese
 * Restaurant du Chine (somewhat expensive, downtown)

American
 * ISO (cheaper, delivers 50 36 21 67)
 * Showbiz (across the street from Hotel Splendid- great milkshakes)
 * American Rec Center at the US embassy

French

Street food and snacks

All usually about CFA 250 per plate on the street, depending on quantity or if there is meat: Rice and Beans (Benga), Rice and Sauce (Riz Sauce), To and sauce, Atteike, Spaghetti, Rice and tomato sauce (Riz Gras), Snacks- Peanuts and dates everywhere, semi-easy to find dried mangoes.

Drink
There are many bars.

 * Bar DeNiro (run down, bad hygienic conditions, therefore not popular any more, more expensive, pool tables)
 * Citadelle KH +226 61 05 32 22, restaurant with wine.

Budget

 * Pavillon Vert, Ave De La Liberte quartier Dapoya, next to Point Afrique office. Has a garden and Wi-Fi, good place to meet backpackers.
 * Hotel Zamdogo, Zogona (50 30 10 69)
 * Hotel Continental across from CineBurkina (50 30 43 60)
 * SIL near Gare de l'Est on the Route de Fada, no drinking or smoking allowed in compound (50 36 48 51)
 * CACS(Centre d'Acceuil et...): On the route de Fada.
 * Pension Sarah Located in Cite An II, good place to meet foreigners.
 * SIL near Gare de l'Est on the Route de Fada, no drinking or smoking allowed in compound (50 36 48 51)
 * CACS(Centre d'Acceuil et...): On the route de Fada.
 * Pension Sarah Located in Cite An II, good place to meet foreigners.

Connect
Post Office:
 * Grande Post (Sonapost) downtown, right on the Place des Nations Unies (M-F 08:00-12:00, 15:00-17:00; Sa 08:00-12:00. No cash withdrawals on Saturdays). Other post offices seem to follow the Monday-Friday schedules, but possibly closed on Saturdays. (If you don't have a box, there is a man who packages things to be shipped for XOF500-1000. Coming in the entrance, ask at the desk on the right.) There are also post offices in Dassasgho at the corner of Charles de Gaulle and the Circulaire, and on Charles de Gaulle near the intersection with Babanguida, just down from Surface Alimentation.

Internet

 * Dependable connections next to the grand post (across the street from the Verdoyant) and diagonal from Café Zaka (next to the fish market).
 * Hole in the wall places everywhere, just ask. CFA 500-1,000/hr.

Stay safe
Loads of touts, purse snatchers and faux types at the Grand Marche. Don't go without local assistance.

If you are a foreign woman, don't tell anyone (except trusted friends) where you are staying unless you want everyone you meet to show up at your hotel or home.

When travelling, take the STMB buses: they drive slowly, but safely. SOGEBAF has the most crashes.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇫🇷 France

BBC World Service radio broadcast in English and French in Ouagadougou on 99.2MHz FM.

title: Ouagadougou


text:
Ouahigouya

Ouahigouya is a large town in North Burkina Faso, near the Mali border. It is the fourth largest city in Burkina, and as the final major city in Burkina on the route to Mali, there is a constant flow of tourists and commercial travelers.

Understand
Ouahigouya was founded in 1757 and is the capital of Yatenga region. As the center of Mossi culture, Mooré is the common language.

The town is dry and dusty, and there is a large barrage on the north side of town.

By bus
3000 CFA one way between Ouaga and Ouahigouya; 5500 CFA round trip

 * STMB: Tel: 55.00.59, daily 06:45, 10:00, 14:00, and 18:00 (to and from Ouaga are the same times) Be sure to ask about their Carte de Fidelité which can be obtained in Ouaga and Ouahigouya. Ride 10 times (aller-retour counts as 2 trips) and get a free ride to anywhere that STMB buses travel.
 * STAF: 55.02.51, daily 06:30, 13:30, and 17:30 (to and from Ouaga are the same times).
 * SOGEBAF: 55.07.31, daily 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, and 20:00 (to and from Ouaga are the same times) Although they have many scheduled trips daily, they are consistently very late and undependable.
 * STGF: 06:00 (Ouahigouya – Ouaga) and 14:00 (Ouaga – Ouahigouya)
 * ZST: 07:30 (Ouahigouya – Ouaga) and 13:00 (Ouaga – Ouahigouya)

OHG can be approached from most directions and is also a hub for those traveling north to Mali. Check bus stations for times of departure and the rather large taxi brousse gare next to the SOGEBAF gare. This is the end of the paved road from Ouaga; the roads north to Mali, west to Tougan and Dédougou, and the road east to Djibo are all dirt

Do

 * Ciné Palace – movies shown daily with prices at 100, 150 and 250 CFA depending on your seat.
 * Futbol Stadium – located near the post office and is the site for the occasional match among local squads.
 * Hotel de L’Amitie pool – 1500 CFA to swim for the day but 1000 CFA for Peace Corps volunteers with ID.

Market
Relatively large but laid-back atmosphere in the middle of town. Its proximity to Ouaga provides a good variety of typical marché fare. The faux type factor is low, meaning that merchants’ starting prices are generally more reasonable than in Ouaga and Bobo. There is a large vegetable market with a good selection of seasonal produce. The marché closes on Friday afternoon but the vegetable market is open after hours

Boutiques
There are typical boutiques on every block and more substantial ones surrounding the market, but look on the paved road through town for gas station shops and larger stores offering tuna, cookies, jelly, oatmeal, cereal and many more tasty treats.

 * Gas stations include Shell shop, Mobil and Excel. All are decent options for restocking things you can’t get in village. Excel, though a bit of a trek, offers a greater selection of non-edible items.
 * Chaine d’Avion – a store that is geared towards wealthier clientèle offering various specialty items not generally found in boutiques, however its selection is not noticeably different from the gas station shops.
 * DGE (Deo Gratias Electronics) – small but the best place to go in Ouahigouya for higher-end electronics.
 * ADC Photo – has reasonable prices and decent film development by Burkina standards.

Tailors
Sidi Madhi: good for copying stuff, especially pants and men’s dress shirts.He makes great man dresses (not fancy wedding/swear-in bubus...we’re talking lay-around-the-house-too-hot-for-real-clothes man dresses). Prices: 750 CFA for a simple blouse, 1500 CFA for pants, 1500 CFA for a man dress, a little more for tanti-style dresses etc. To get there enter the market on the same side as the STAF gare and veggie market. Past the post/Western Union big entrance there are a couple of small entrances and then another one that is larger and the size of the Western Union one. The small entrance before this bigger one is where you go in and the second stall on the left is Sidi-Madhi’s stall or just go in near there and ask for Sidi Madhi. He has done a lot of stuff for past volunteers.

Restaurants

 * Hotel Dunia – must call ahead (55.05.95). For 2500 CFA, Madame cooks Syrian/Lebanese/Burkinabé food that is highly acclaimed by many PCVs.
 * Le Caiman – many locals claim the grilled chicken here at 2000 CFA a pop is the best in town; a variety of good tasting typical Burkinabé fare (frites, riz-sauce, meat soup, etc.) for around 300 – 1000 CFA.; service is bad even by Burkina standards
 * Maquis “Le Kadiami” – classy-looking restaurant with high prices
 * Hotel Amitié – also a classy joint with white table cloths and overpriced Sobbras. If you’re willing to dish out the cash, you can indulge in various European and Middle Eastern dishes.
 * “Tanti’s Gourmet” – large portions of tasty upscale street food served in an “eat with your hand” laid-back restaurant environment; arguably the strongest piment in Burkina.

Many other standard bar/restaurants, kiosques and cafés (such as Auberge, Ciné Place, Hawaii Café) with decent food at reasonable prices can be found along the main road through town.

Street food and snacks
There are many “benga ladies” along the main road and around the marché with fewer as you leave the center town; typically they offer benga, rice and sauce, tô, spaghetti and sometimes meat soup; atchiéké is also a popular street food dish which can be found around town without too much effort. Gateaux, galettes, and various forms of fried dough and potato-like produce throughout the marché and surrounding areas. There is a guy near the post office who grills delicious chicken for 1500 CFA a pop. Also the Laiterie Kossam Yadega is well-stocked with consistently tasty milk products for sale; while enticing, don’t be fooled by the expensive gateaux for sale, it’s not worth the price.

Drink
There are many bars along the main route and throughout town serving standard fare (sobbra, flag, castel, Guinness, etc.) A few notables:

 * Hawaii Café – according to its menu, it offers a few specialty coffee drinks as well as oatmeal. There are also a couple grilled meat vendors right nearby.
 * Auberge – frequented by many wealthy-looking businessmen; offers some tasty but not cheap plates of grilled mouton and poulet.
 * “Military Bar” – closest bar to the Peace Corps house; generally not busy but it is apparently affiliated with the military and some female volunteers have had less than pleasant experiences there.
 * Bar Restaurant Dancing de L’Amitié – next door to the hotel restaurant; seems like a good place to cut loose on a Saturday night.

Post Office
Two large radio towers mark the site of the PO in the southern part of town. Open M-F 07:30–12:00 and 15:00-17:00. Sa 07:30–12:00. There is an internet café next door which is run by the post office (see below).

Internet cafes

 * Cyber Poste, in the building adjoining the post office — Open M-F 08:00—12:00 and 15:30-18:30, Sa 08:00—12:00 and 3PM — 6PM; 250 CFA per 15 minutes; connection speed is generally slow, but it varies according to the day and time.
 * Le Synagogue, next to the SOGEBAF Gare – open everyday 07:00-22:00; 250 CFA per 15 minutes; connection speed is slow, though it varies according to the day and time.

Banking
The BICIAB bank along the main route has a 24-hour ATM — it is not especially dependable, but does work.

Go next
To get to Mopti, in Mali, you'll need to get the daily minibus to Koro, which leaves at 06:30 (2500 CFA). However, connections at Koro are unreliable and you might not arrive in Mopti till 6pm or later. Be prepared for a dusty journey, and if you can, get your Mali visa before travelling — the Malian officials on the border are likely to try to extract a bribe from you otherwise.

 * Tours of Dogon country – It is possible to find guides and organize a trip to Dogon country in Mali from Ouahigouya. However, it seems that the guides in Mali are more familiar with the area and better equipped than the guides that can be found in Ouahigouya, so it is probably better to use one of the Peace Corps-friendly guides based in Koro.

title: Ouahigouya


text:
Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate (ورزازات) is a city in Morocco and the largest town in the Saharan Morocco.

Understand
Ouarzazate is relatively small (60 000 inhabitants) and for Morocco quiet town, which can be very refreshing coming from a city like Fez, Meknes or Marrakech. You will barely be hassled here and can walk freely and enjoy the streets. It is thus no wonder that its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning "without noise" or "without confusion".

At an elevation of 1,135 m, built mostly along main street - Avenue Muhammed V. Once in its history, Ouarzazate had been a crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and administrative centre.

By bus

 * From Agadir twice daily by CTM at 09:00 & 23:30, 6½ hours, 135-185 dirham. There are also other companies running this route, but no Supratours.

 * From Marrakesh there are six CTM buses a day, 4½ hours, along with three local buses. A place in a grand taxi is around 120 dirham per person.

 * From the desert towns. From Mhamid and Errachidia one per day each by CTM, 5 hours. From Merzouga there is a daily Supratours bus at 07:30, 8 hours.

Buses can be badly delayed en-route, besides the buses always take a long lunch break.

There are two bus stations: the "Gare Routière" where grand taxis and local buses leave from and the "CTM Gare Voyage" in the center of town.

By plane
As of 2023, there are domestic flights to Casablanca, Zagora (Royal Air Maroc) and Tangier (RyanAir); and international ones to Paris (Transavia), Marseille, Barcelona and London (Ryanair).

Get around
The area around Mohammad V is very walkable. The CTM station is there as well. Petits taxis for within the city (no more than 10 dirham from the airport to the hotel), grands taxis for between cities (no more than 150 dirham to Ait Benhaddou and back, though you can probably get it lower), including to Ait Benhaddou and surrounding kasbahs.

For those traveling by car, note kerb colors: red and white means no parking, green and white means OK to park.

Stay safe
Don't be surprised if during a local taxi ride the driver requests you to "transfer taxis" or has "a friend to pick up on the way." When this happens, a friendly English (or other language) speaking person will start pitching you outings, most of them to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga or Zagora. Avoid!

See

Do

 * Go for a swim, Public pool between Tammasint and Gar routier bus station on Mohamed V, 20 dirham. Nice break from a road trip. The river is usually full December-January where you can find locals swimming.
 * Walk along the central square behind Muhammad V at night when everyone comes out. Children play football in the square, people eat and socialize, and you'll get a feel for the community just walking around.

Buy
Whatever you buy, it is likely you won't find it cheaper in Marrakech or Fes. Realize everything is negotiable! In Ouarzazate, there is souk, some local shops. At the town's center, there two western like shops with fixed (but pretty high) prices, but at these you can buy alcohol including Judeo-Berber vodka and local wine.

There is a large local market every Saturday in El Hay Mohamadi where locals including the nomads sell their crafts and animals; a great place to buy carpets.

There is another market across the river in Tabounte on Sunday with the same goods on offer.

Eat
Plenty of cheap restaurants along Mohammad V street and around the central square near the market. Normal price for tagine should be about 30 dirham and there are complete meals with drinks for about 30-40 dirham available (May 2019).

There is a supermarket across the road from Place de Mouahidine (main square), including 5 l water bottled for 11.50 dirham.

Drink
There is a across the road from the main square, next to the supermarket.

Sleep
There are plenty of hotels of all ranges around town. If you ask a cabby to bring you to one, you have to realize he will pocket commission for bringing you there.

Budget

Stay safe
Ouarzazate is very safe, but don't wander into weird corners at night. Crime throughout the Moroccan south is minimal, but it's best not to take (too many) chances.

Go next

 * Drive further through Zagora to M'Hamid for trips in the desert by camels, 4x4 or quad bikes.

 * Er Rachida – A mid-sized administrative town which can be a good launching pad for Merzouga and the desert. There is a bus line which runs from Ouarzazate. Touts will join the bus at stops along the way and try to lever you into going on a 'discounted' desert tour. They are persistent and will ask you about yourself. Claiming to be a 'veteran' of Saharan travel (perhaps more convincing if you can speak French) and already booked into a hotel at your destination may help convince them to let you be.

 * Valley of Dadès – Local agencies offer trips to this place in the mountain. Be prepared to negotiate hard; otherwise, they will rip you off. Plan a full day tour by 4WD jeep. Make a shortcut off-road in order to avoid a part of the paved N10. The views are spectacular and you have a great chance to meet shepherds (often young girls) with their herd. In the area are many Kasbahs, some inhabited, some abandoned. Don't be surprised if you see a for-sale sign on an abandoned Kasbah.

title: Ouarzazate


text:
Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is "the ostrich capital of the world", in South Africa's Western Cape Karoo, and world-known for its ostrich farms and the nearby Cango Caves.

Understand
The town was founded in 1847, but scarce local water supplies limited the town's growth. However, despite the lack of water, ostrich farming proved to be a prosperous local industry, leading to significant growth during two "feather booms". During the first boom, which lasted from 1865-1870, the value of ostrich feathers (per pound) nearly matched the value of diamonds. Overproduction led to falling prices, although a smaller boom occurred from 1900-1914.

Today the town's economy is primarily reliant on tourism and ostrich farming, with the largest ostrich population of any place in the world — about 200,000 in 2012. The human population is about 67,000 (2017), making it the largest town in the Little Karoo region.

By plane
There is no airport in Oudtshoorn. The nearest airports are in George (domestic flights only) and Port Elizabeth (domestic flights only) and Cape Town (domestic and international flights).

By bus
The main bus companies serve Oudtshoorn on regular schedules.

There are Minivan Taxis going to and from George R50.

By car
It's a scenic drive on the R62 from Montagu and the trip from George over the Outeniqua pass offers some spectacular views. Worth the drive!

See

 * Gottland House, 72 Baron van Rheede Street
 * Gottland House, 72 Baron van Rheede Street

Ostrich farms
The "feather barons" made Oudtshoorn the "ostrich capital of the world", and today tourists can visit some ostrich farms in town. In most cases these are show farms, set up specifically for visitors, and most offer the same experience - an hour-long tour that explains everything about ostrich farming, from incubation through ostrich products, a visit to see the animals including a chance to feed ostriches and ride an ostrich (subject to weight limits), and finally a trip to the gift shop to purchase ostrich souvenirs. Don't expect the same experience as you would get seeing wild ostriches roaming the savannah - ostrich farms are most definitely farms, and the animals are domestic animals raised for human consumption, so they are not treated with the same respect as their wild brethren. Nonetheless, if you can get past any moral qualms the farms are interesting places that are worth a visit. Many farms offer discounts to guests of hotels that they have partnerships with, so be sure to ask at your hotel before visiting a farm.

Other activities

Eat
As this is the ostrich capital, this is the place to taste everything one can get out of this species. Most of the ostrich (show) farms offer a restaurant or braai facilities.

Go next
Go to the Garden Route and visit the Tsitsikamma National Park. Cape Town is also not far away (go there via the scenic R62).

title: Oudtshoorn


text:
Oued Laou

Oued Laou is a small town on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.

Understand
The town grew from a small fishing village, it does not have much more to offer: there is not much to see besides the clean and wide sand beach and the fishing boats. As on the rest on this part of the coast there is much new development aimed at summer tourists. It does however still feel calm and quiet outside of summer.

Get in

There are frequent grand taxis from Tetouan (25 dirham, 1 hr) and a couple of buses.

There are only rare taxis going to Chefchaouen (or the other way around), 35 dirham per seat, 200 dirham for an entire car (as of Jan 2023), 1 hr.

Get around
The city center is easily walkable. Occasionally though, petite taxis can be seen.

See
On the northside of town you can find Picasso Beach, with has rocks on its northern end and a sandy beach towards town. This is a relaxed spot.

Buy
There is at least one ATM of Al Barid bank, close to the taxi stand.

Eat
There are not many options, but you should give the fish tajine (30-50 dirham) offered in the center a try.

Sleep
Touts can organize you a flat for about 150 dirham per night (and double that during peak summer months), check for a clean bathroom/kitchen and blankets.

There are a couple of seedy hotels in the center on the way to the corniche.
 * Hotel run by very friendly and relaxed raggae-staff is one the options and apparently has also a good restaurant. Try to get there without touts, as these are not really welcome by the staff.

Go next

 * Tetouan
 * Chefchaouen

title: Oued Laou


text:
Ouidah

Ouidah is a city in Southern Benin known for its Voodoo culture and slave-trade history.

Get in
From Porto-Novo, take RNIE1 south and west to Cotonou. Continue west past Cotonou for 45 mins and you will arrive at Ouidah.

Eat

 * Good Marquis at Gbena – You’ll find JM and the boys there every Friday night. They offer salad, roasted turkey, chicken, and fish, and African staples (rice and pâte).  (Tell Zem Marquis Gbena)
 * Amicalé – Sometimes Ouidah can wear on you. Go to Amicale next to the basilica. The couple that owns it are so nice, you’ll come back just for the company. They have schwarma, hamburgers, ice cream, fish, chicken, and an  Ivorian speciality called Atcheke. Drinks are a little more expensive than at buvettes.
 * Côté Pêche – Some of the best fish in Ouidah. Don’t order of the menu, ask them what’s good. If you go in a group, you can negotiate to share a large fish. Side dishes include fries, legumes and rice. (Tell Zem “Restaurant en face d’EPP Bresil” if they don’t know “Coté peche”)
 * Le Jardin Secret – This is supposed to be very good food. It’s secluded, but there are signs on the highway. It’s also a hotel and offers moto and bike rental.

title: Ouidah