I also want to know where I can find information on upcoming events between in October til the first week of November.

Thank you!!

Hi;

Montreal is approx. 124 miles / 200 km east of Ottawa, about a 2¼ hour drive.

Toronto is approx. 281 miles / 452 km southwest of Ottawa, about a 5 hour drive.

I would consider a trip to Toronto as a weekend adventure, as one day would not be enough.

You can look at last years weather for October Environment Canada’s website.

http://tinyurl.com/5szw5q

Best Regards

Check out this site for events in Ottawa: app01.ottawa.ca/ArtsCalendar/home.jsf…

While some events do seem to be already listed for October, I suspect most will not be added for a month or two.

Susan

Thank you so much. I didn't expect a reply so soon! Any idea what kind of clothing I should bring with me during that time? I come from a place where it's 52 degrees in the summer and the coldest weather we get is approximately 10 degrees....

I realized the weather isn't so bad.. Thanks for the tip!!

October is one of the most unpredictible months of year in Ottawa when it comes to weather. We can get anything from late Summer temperatures early month, to early Winter weather at the end. So you will have to be prepared for just about anything.

I would say that on a typical Fall day, the temp will be somewheres between 10 and 15 degrees C. But as I said it is possible to get balmy days early in the month with temps in the 20 C range (Or even freaky days at 25 to 30). Although it doesn't happen every year, we can also get snow late October (average year snow happens first week of December). If we should get snow that means the daily temp will be 10 C or lower (closer to 0).

So the first thing I will tell you that coming from the UAE you are going to find Ottawa cool no matter what.

Because your profile doesn't give your gender, I am going to base the following info on being a MALE.

Ottawa is a fairly relaxed city. Depending on the place of work (training) you should be ok with casual pants and shirt. I suggest Dockers and a longsleeve shirt (oxford style). You will also need at least one sweater, a jacket, umbrella and comfortable shoes (there are lots of places you'll want to walk to).

For the weekends you can supplement your wardrobe with jeans, and running shoes. Don't forget your bathing suit, and workout wear, most hotels have indoor pools and exercise facilities.

If we should encounter early winter weather, you will need an overcoat. You will also need a hat (toque) and mitts / gloves and a scarf. Hiking Boots can double for winter boots. All of these things can be easily be purchased here after you arrive, and as the weather warrants. You might also want to purchase thermal underwear (long johns), they are undies with legs... they will keep your legs warm. LOL

There is lots to see and do in the Ottawa area. Being a capital city, there are the Arts, Museums, Historic Sites, and parkland.

Both Montreal and Toronto are worth getting to. Montreal in particular, there is a ton of history there.

As someone else mentioned Montreal is about 2-1/2 hours away, and Toronto about 4-1/2 by car or train. Both of these cities make excellent weekend get aways, and are accesible by train. Ottawa's train station is about 10 minutes out of the downtown core by cab, or 30+ minutes by city bus. The trains arrive in Toronto and Montreal's downtown core. Both of those cities have excellent public transit, subway, bus and commuter train service.

Cheers!

Wine-4-2

Wow, thank you for the excellent advice... forgot to tell you I'm FEMALE!! :) But that's alright. My only objective when I get there is not to get sick. This training is very important to me.

I really appreciate the heads up on the weather. I was thinking warm jackets or sweaters only. You're right, October in Ottawa is still cold if compared to UAE's standards =) Oh and yes, I knew I'd need comfortable shoes that are fit for walking. I've been on Google Earth several times and saw that many tourist spots "seem" to be accessible by foot from where I'll be staying. I hope I am right.

More comments are welcome. (not that the ones posted aren't enough). Would really just like to prepare myself.

Thank you all so much!!

Hi MISSunderstood,

LOL, it makes sense now your being FEMALE.

Anyways you've got the general idea of what the weather could be like. If it is acceptable in your culture, you can easily adapt the list I gave you to a female wardrobe based on pants (you probably want a washable wool blend of dress pants for work). If skirts are part of your lifestyle, you'll want to add pantyhose or tights for warmth.

I'm not sure what your Drycleaning / Laundry arrangements will be, but if you are responsible for doing your own laundry look items (particularly sweaters) that can be machine dried... vs those that need to be dried flat. So much more convenient time wise.

In order to save yourself from getting sick (a reality unfortunately) you should probably keep these things in mind (a) wash your hands often (b) keep warm (c) take a daily multivitamin and (d) up your Vitamin C intake (you can take chewable Vitamin C). These are the concepts that most Canadians embrace to get thru cold & flu season.

Cheers!

Wine-4-2

I really appreciate your posts. Yes, I will make sure to pack those vitamins and paracetamol. Believe it or not I've already started shopping for winter clothes in the middle of the UAE's summer. People must think I am nuts!

Anyway, I was told that we won't be required to wear business clothes all the time. In fact I was so relieved when I was told that we can wear jeans. We will have to wear business clothes a few times so I'll keep your advice in mind.

Thank you.. thank you.. thank you.. I'm already looking forward to seeing your wonderful city.

Hello.

Just to add my two cents. If you bring layers as far as clothing goes, you will have all your bases covered. I used to live in Ottawa and October can be lovely (fingers crossed).

You should try and get to the National Arts Centre if you can, it's a great place for a night out.

http://www.nac-cna.ca/splash.htm

As far as Toronto and Montreal. I would make a weekend out of it. Although, Montreal is not that far from Ottawa and you could easily get there and back on the same day, but you wouldn't be able to see all the sites if you did that. However, if your time is limited it would be better than not seeing it at all.

www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_onta_moal.html

There are also some very nice museums in Ottawa. Besides the option to the left of this page titled 'Things to Do', here is another helpful link.

http://www.ottawakiosk.com/museum3.html