Canada's capital on the Rideau Canal
Ottawa is a capital that's easy to explore on foot. Parliament Hill's Gothic Revival buildings stand on a bluff above the Ottawa River, with the Changing of the Guard in summer. The national museums are the main draw: the National Gallery of Canada, behind Louise Bourgeois's giant spider sculpture, and the Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, turns into a long skating rink in winter, and the ByWard Market is the place for food and drinks.