Parliament Hill and Buildings, Ottawa (must see)

The capital city of Canada is home to Parliament, which is located directly in the center of the city. Resting on the bank of the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is a series of Gothic Revival style buildings that date to the mid 19th century. The Parliament Buildings are made up of the East Block, West Block and Centre Block.

The Centre Block contains the House of Commons, the Senate Chamber, Confederation Hall and the Hall of Honor. Each of these areas, along with other part of the Centre Block, are decorated with carvings, stone arches, stained glass windows, cathedral ceilings and marble floors. Visitors are welcome in the Centre Block. Guided tours are offered for free every day of the year. Each tour includes access to Peace Tower, which stands proudly in the middle of the building.

The East Block and the Library of Parliament are the only buildings that are original parliamentary buildings. The East Block contains offices that are currently used by parliament. The East Block is free to tour in July and August. The West Block also contains offices for parliament and a branch of the Library of Parliament. However, the West Block is not open for public tours.

The Parliament Buildings are only one part of Parliament Hill. Tourists also visit the area to see the numerous statues and monuments on the grounds. Statues of royal figures like Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II share space with statues of Canadian prime ministers like John A. Macdonald, Wilfrid Laurier and Alexander Mackenzie.

Tourists should also keep their eyes out for the War of 1812 Monument, the Victoria Tower Bell, the Candian Police Memorium, the Centennial Flame and a statue in honor of Sir Galahad.

Why You Should Visit:
- To admire the Gothic Architecture of the Canadian Parliament
- To tour the center of Canadian democracy

Tips:
Guided tours must be booked in advance. Reserve tickets online through the Parliament of Canada website.