CANADA turns 150 years old in 2017 and you can join in the celebrations with a trip to the country’s charming capital Ottawa.

Sick of being overshadowed by edgy Toronto, active Vancouver and creative Montreal, Ottawa is changing all that by throwing a year-long party.

So here’s nine great things to do in Ottawa. 

1) Watch an Ice Hockey match

Canadian Ice Hockey is the most fun sport you can watch, full stop. With a party-like atmosphere and easy-to-follow rules, you’ll be converted to a hockey fan in no time.

The Ottawa Senators play at the 20,000-seater Canadian Tire Centre, less than a half-hour drive outside the city. Canadians are serious about their hockey, but from the first minute you step foot in the arena you’ll know you’ve come to a party. From the buffet-style food and waitresses serving drinks to your seats, to the Prime Ministers Race at half-time and open-platform bar areas playing music, you won’t be having a quiet evening.

The Prime Ministers Race sums up the atmosphere perfectly. Wearing oversized hockey kit and huge inflatable bobble heads resembling former Canadian leaders Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Robert Borden and Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King, the four skaters race around the ice rink crashing into each other to the amusement of the crowd. 

The NHL season runs from October to April (the playoffs run into June) and with games every few days you’ll have a good chance of catching the Senators in action anytime you visit. Look out for Swedish superstar Erik Karlsson, Senators defenseman and one of the best players in the game.

2) Walk around Parliament

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa houses the country’s government at Parliament Hill on the southern banks of the Ottawa River downtown. 

Look familiar? Yep, the Peace Tower that stands in the centre of Parliament Hill is a replica of London’s Big Ben.

Unveiled in 1927, the Peace Tower is notable for its four cartoony grotesques on each corner under the clock, which was a gift given to Canada by the UK.

The parliamentary complex maintains strong gothic architecture with tours available for free every day. But if you prefer to stroll around yourself, don’t miss the 360 degree views from the top of the Peace Tower.

The lift up shows off the bells that chime hourly and once the doors open you are treated to wraparound views of the whole of Ottawa. Look from east to west to cover the city’s vibrant skyline and check north across the river to Quebec.

3) Enjoy dinner at The Belmont 

Snuck away in Old Ottawa South at the bottom of the city is the delightful Belmont. Pretty much everything on their understated menu is great, but for something new try the roast cauliflower smothered in hollandaise and truffle oil. Share the pork dumplings, beef carpaccio, peri-peri hen and don’t be afraid to ask for another loaf of homemade bread.

The dimly-lit restaurant and open-facing kitchen generate a wound-down relaxed vibe but the fine-dining quality food won’t hurt your wallet. The Belmont also does a cracking brunch, we really like the funky huevos rancheros.

4) Potter around West Wellington Street

Head out west to Wellington West, Ottawa’s new trendy neighbourhood. The area used to be run down, dilapidated and dangerous but a 10-year regeneration project has made West Wellington the place to be.

Potter along the three-kilometre stretch popping into boutique stores, galleries and coffee shops before settling in for a wood-oven cooked pizza at Tennessey Willems.

5) Visit the Canadian War Museum

A very arty way to spend a morning is by visiting the Canadian War Museum, a 25-minute walk east along the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill.

A modern museum big on large installations, bright colours and big text, wander around learning about Canada’s history. A projector explains how victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in northern France in April 1917 took Canada out of Britain’s shadow and established themselves as a global player in their own right.

The country’s involvement in World War Two was also significant with Canada responsible for 10 per cent of allied troops on D-Day in 1944, the war’s defining moment.

6) Drop in for lunch at Sidedoor

Check out Sidedoor, a stylish eatery in Byward Market in the north-east edge of the city. The clean and crisp food is simply incredible – warm up with the tuna sashimi and Vietnamese calamari, grab a few fish and pulled peach pork tacos before taking on the chef’s selection beef steak and home recipe fries.

The back wall of the restaurant is entirely window doors, making a well-lit venue perfect for lunch.

7) Try a beaver tail at ByWard market

You can’t go to Ottawa without eating a BeaverTail. The bizarrely named snack is certainly not healthy, a fried dough pastry topped with sugary condiments, but it sure is good. Good ‘ol Canadian maple flavour is the best-seller.

If you’re not up for sweet go for Canada’s dish Poutine, chips topped with gravy and cheese curds. It’s nicer than it sounds.

8) Go on a brewery tour 

Get drunk in style on a Brew Donkey brewery tour of the city. You are carted around in a classic North American yellow school bus, stopping in at Ottawa’s favourite taverns to sample different lagers, ales and stouts. Book in advance as the tours are hugely popular.

9) Experience the prohibition at Union 613

Catch a cab to Union 613 in central downtown, mainly because you’ll never find it yourself. From the outside it looks like a regular house on a normal residential street. But the ‘!Union!’ sign gives away this prohibition-style bar with communal seating. 

The food is slightly bizarre, but kick off with scallop ceviche and duck hearts before trying your luck with the TV dinner. The cornbread burger bun may be too rich for some and the deviled eggs and curry soup too adventurous for others, but you can’t go wrong with the GiTlit gin and tonics.

Make sure to ask for a cocktail in the hidden speakeasy *spoiler alert* which you can access by swinging open the bookcase at the bottom of the stairs.

10) Stay at Alt Hotel Ottawa

Bed down in the Alt Hotel, an arty modern high-rise in the business district. The Alt is just a year old and only a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill and the city centre, perfectly placed for you to attack your Ottawa to-do list.

For more information on what is going on in Ottawa in 2017 visit Ottawa Tourism