I am going to head out to Ottawa for Winterlude in a few weeks and I would like to know where is a decent place to stay for 2 teenagers and 1 adult that will not break the bank. Hotel preferred just not $200 a night.

I am also curious to know if the Rideau is open for skating yet or is it too warm? I have been to some of the museums in the past but I am curious about the new war museum. Any advice would be appreciated.

How close to downtown do you want to be?   As for the war museum, I found it to be quite good. I can find out thr price of the museum if you are interested.  

I check this site to find out the canal conditions.....its updated daily:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.c.....mp;lang=1&bhcp=1

Some of the canal is open but who knows for how long with the warm weather we are getting. Hopefully we get a cold snap to get things ready. You may need a canoe instead of skates.

I heard that the War Museum is the newest one to open in Ottawa and yes I want to check that out. Maybe even the science centre. I will have my car so getting around the city is not a problem.

I have visited the money museum, the mint, Parliament, Art museum and the civilization museum (really cool). Ottawa is such a nice clean city that is just the right size. Now I want to see how it looks during Winterlude but I would rather skate down the Rideau instead of swim it.

Depends on the teenagers interest, but Gatineau Park is really cool if you x-country ski at all.   If interested let me know, there's some fairly easy trails where you could park at say 6pm, ski up to a cabin, enjoy a meal you brought up and ski down.  You share the cabin with others, quite fun.  Not sure it Burlington has something like that...   (all free too - even the firewood).

Actually you're supposed to pay for a day pass when skiing in Gatineau Park. But it's well worth it for any x-country ski fan.

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Depends on the teenagers interest, but Gatineau Park is really cool if you x-country ski at all.  

And the change room building for the Naakertok ski club was supplied by yours truly!

All three of us are downhillers and my kids even like snowboarding but none of us have ever tried cross country skiing. I would like to, I mean it looks easy enough but I am told it is quite hard to do. Will I be able to walk the next day? I like the idea of going to a cabin after some skiing and having a nice meal and a wood fire, very cozy  

Quoted from tinyrodent

Actually you're supposed to pay for a day pass when skiing in Gatineau Park. But it's well worth it for any x-country ski fan.

For a day pass, yes, but evenings after 6pm are free, free, free.... (or so I'm led to believe).   I checked the site, and they don't mentioned that though so maybe I'm wrong???

Quoted from Ricker

All three of us are downhillers and my kids even like snowboarding but none of us have ever tried cross country skiing. I would like to, I mean it looks easy enough but I am told it is quite hard to do. Will I be able to walk the next day? I like the idea of going to a cabin after some skiing and having a nice meal and a wood fire, very cozy  

I'm no pro at this, but there's a simple trail that my sister did on her first time in the Gatineaus - its not that far - I think an relaxed one hour each way?   I can ask the guys at work whom I always follow.   The skiing there now is tough as the trails are icy.   I'll send you some links tomorrow (pm me if I forget - sounds like wbradley might be a better source of information though).

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sounds like wbradley might be a better source of information though).

Sorry, I dont know squat! Like I said, I supplied the change rooms building. Never went to the site. Ask me any building related questions (if need a preengineered building)