Attractions

Further information: List of attractions in Ottawa Bluesfest in LeBreton Flats Ottawa. Scotiabank Place in Kanata in the western part of the City of Ottawa.

The NCR has numerous attractions, including world famous festivals, national museums, famous buildings and architecture, sports and entertainment. Ottawa has some of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in North America.

Festivals

The annual music festival Bluesfest, the world renowned winter festival Winterlude, the Canadian Tulip Festival, Capital Pride, RCMP musical ride, Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, Buskers festival, the biggest Canada Day celebrations in the Nation.

Built heritage

Ottawa and Gatineau have a number of national museums. The most prominent museums are the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Science and Technology Museum, National Art Gallery, National Arts Centre, Canada Aviation Museum.

Some of the region's most famous buildings are the Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister's home 24 Sussex Drive, the Governor General's home Rideau Hall, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, the American Embassy and the National Library.

There are 29 National Historic Sites of Canada within the National Capital Region: 25 sites are located in Ottawa, with the Former Almonte Post Office and Rosamond Woollen Mill in Almonte, the Gillies Grove and House in Arnprior, the Manoir Papineau in Montebello and the Symmes Hotel in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau.

Sports and entertainment

The National Capital Region has many sports teams. The Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League play in the City of Ottawa's western suburban community of Kanata. Ottawa is also home to a successful Ontario Hockey League club, the Ottawa 67's. Gatineau is home to the 2007-2008 QMJHL champions, the Gatineau Olympiques.

The Ottawa area has three universities, two of which, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, compete in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. The Carleton Ravens are nationally ranked #1 in basketball, and the Ottawa Gee-Gees are nationally-ranked in football and basketball. Algonquin College has also won numerous national championships.