About Ottawa Train Station
The Ottawa Train Station, also commonly called the Ottawa Station, is a part of the Via Rail system and connects Ottawa to Toronto and Montreal. The station was built during a time when travel by rail began to explode in Canada. The original station was known as the Grand Trunk Central Station but was later closed, and the new Ottawa Train Station was built. Surviving a sharp decline in use during the 1960s, the railway system became something of a novelty and not a necessity.
Today, people use the railway system as a way to quickly travel to Toronto or Montreal and back again. The Ottawa Train Station also offers several great services for passengers, including baggage service, checkroom service, bike boxes, vending machines, and a restaurant. King George VI was one of the station’s first important visitors. Elvis Presley even passed through the train station, creating quite a stir among the female population waiting for their trains.
Fun Fact: The Ottawa Train Station is believed to have a resident ghost named Monsieur Leduc. Leduc was a CN official who once worked in the south wing of the train station. Workers and passengers have claimed to have seen this ghost late at night wandering through the station.
Things to do Near Ottawa Train Station
While the inside of the Ottawa Train Station may not seem exciting, there is plenty to do nearby to occupy your time before catching your train. Whether you live in Ottawa or are visiting for a bit, check out some of the fabulous things to do while near the Ottawa Train Station. Bounce has you covered and has compiled a list of must-see or must-do while in Ottawa.
- Grab a cup of gourmet coffee at Figaro Coffee House on Industrial Avenue. Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a quick pick-me-up, Figaro’s is the place to go.
- Take a tour of the darker side of Ottawa by signing up for the Ghosts and Gallows Haunted Jail Tour. Visit the last functioning gallows in Canada and the Carleton County Jail, both believed to be haunted by the tortured souls who died there.
- Enjoy learning more about Ottawa by signing up for an Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water. Ride through the city in an amphibious vehicle then splash into the Ottawa River for a different perspective of the city.
- You do not have to be vegan to experience the marvel that is Chickpeas located on Terminal Avenue. Chickpeas offers a wide variety of organic, vegan, and vegetarian dishes, including salads, hummus, and their signature falafel wraps.
- Not feeling very vegan-y? No problem, head over to the White Horse Restaurant on Tremblay Road for classic Canadian and Italian dishes.
- Watch the formal Changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill, which occurs daily throughout the summer months.
- Take a tour of Parliament Hill and Buildings where the offices of the Parliament, House of Commons, and Senate are located. Watch the Canadian government in action.
Transit Options in Ottawa Train Station
- Bus (61)
- Taxi/Ride Share
- Bicycle
- Car
Luggage Storage Near Ottawa Train Station
Don’t be bogged down by bulky or heavy bags when exploring the area around the Ottawa Train Station. Bounce has partnered with several different locations throughout Ottawa to offer short-term luggage solutions giving you the freedom to explore without dragging around your luggage.
Whether you just arrived at the station or are heading to a different city from Ottawa, take some time to enjoy the sights and tastes nearby before dashing off to your destination. Keep you and your luggage safe by finding a Bounce partner and stowing your bags while exploring the area near the Ottawa Train Station.
Luggage Storage Options Near Ottawa Train Station
- Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park: Also known simply as RCGT Park, this is the baseball stadium the Ottawa Champions baseball team calls home. Spend a lazy afternoon cheering on the local team and munching on classic baseball chow. RCGT Park has a strict bag policy, so leave your luggage at a Bounce location before heading to the game.
- C’est Bon Cooking: Sign up for a gourmet food tour where you will discover the tastiness of the city through food markets, diners, and fine dining restaurants. This is a walking tour, so don’t lug your bags through the streets of Ottawa. Let Bounce keep them safe while you enjoy the vibrant food scene.
- Brew Donkey Tours: Okay, it is a bit of an odd name, but aren’t you a little intrigued? This bus tour will take you to several breweries throughout Ottawa, where you can sample locally made brews while learning more about the city. The bus does not have room for bulky bags, so leave your luggage with Bounce before boarding the bus.
- Canadian Museum of Nature: Come explore the past and present and experience the stories nature is telling us about the Ottawa region. Once known as the National Museum of Natural Sciences, this Canadian Museum of Nature is a great place to learn more about the world around us. Find a Bounce location nearby to stow your bags before entering the museum.
- Murder Mystery Ottawa: Spend an evening trying to figure out “whodunit” while enjoying a comedic performance you will not soon forget. Forget about bringing your extra baggage along for the performance; drop them at Bounce for safekeeping.
- ByWard Market: Drop into the lively ByWard Market, a four-block square eclectic farmer’s market mixed with specialty boutiques and food shops. You cannot experience Ottawa without exploring the market. This jam-packed market is not the place for oversized luggage; find a Bounce location before heading to ByWard Market.
- National War Memorial: This monument is known simply as The Response or The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The National War Memorial is a place to come pay your respects to those who perished in past wars. Don’t be weighed down with bulky baggage when paying your respects. Find a Bounce location to leave your bags.
- Famous Five Monument: Five courageous women, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy, and Irene Parlby, fought for their right to be appointed to the Senate and won their battle. Come learn more about these five amazing women at the monument created in 2000 to pay homage to their fight. Drop your large bags at a Bounce location before visiting this monument.