CanadaLinks.co.uk : Ottawa tourist information

Ottawa tourist information - Rideau Canal and Skateway

The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site connecting Ottawa to the city of Kingston. The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America having been constructed in the early 19^th century. The canal was originally planned for use by the military to use as a communication and supply route. When hostilities between Canada and the USA ceased the canal became an important travel route for immigrants and settlers to the area and helped shape the new Canada. Today, only tour boats use the canal – which stretches over 100 miles and incorporates several lakes, rivers and waterside communities. Around 12 miles of the Rideau Canal is man-made.

In winter, a section of the canal freezes over and was, unofficially, the world’s largest skating rink (Winnipeg now claims this title). The Rideau Canal Skateway is a popular tourist attraction in Ottawa and is the focus of the annual Winterlude festival.

http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/