Don’t let all the shenanigans and scandals coming out of Parliament Hill keep you from coming to Canada’s seat of power.

Perched high above the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is a familiar image to many Canadians. A visit there is as necessary to the Canadian experience as warm maple syrup on pancakes or cold beer at a hockey game.

But a quick picture snapped in front of the Centennial Flame by the shield of your favourite province or territory is simply not doing the Hill justice. Take the time to tour the outside grounds, visit inside the buildings and see Ottawa from a new point of view—the top of the Peace Tower.

Explore the Outside

Start your tour by getting yourself oriented. Standing at the Centennial Flame—the water fountain with an improbable flame on top—look toward the Peace Tower. You can’t miss it: Think Big Ben, but this side of the pond. To your NDP (i.e. left), you will see a large white tent. Make your way over.
 
Friendly guides will set you up with free tickets (first come, first served) for either a French or English tour of the most important Parliament Hill building, the Centre Block. That’s the large building you saw behind the Peace Tower.

These easy walking tours leave at varying times throughout the day (depending on the number of visitors) and last anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes. If your tour leaves right away, simply remain close at hand so you don’t get left behind. But if it is a busy day and you have to wait a bit, like I did, use this time to do a circuit tour of the well-groomed grounds.
 
From the tent, head out toward the west side of Centre Block—this is the right hand side if you are facing the building. There is a washroom here tucked inside the hill like a bunker and there aren’t a lot of these facilities for the public so use them when you see them.

Oddly enough, your first stop will be the cats of Parliament Hill. For decades, there has been a fenced off area of cat condos for strays in the area. The Cat Sanctuary thrills young and old alike and the kitties even have a Facebook page and are on YouTube. Maybe they could get a majority government?

Carry on walking behind Centre Block for a magnificent view of the Ottawa River far below, and walk along the path until you come out on the east side of the Block and end up smack dab among an impressive set of more than life-size statues of the Famous Five.

These are the pioneering women who, in 1929, fought to get women legally declared as persons in Canada. Thank you very much ladies, I quiet enjoy being a person.

With the peal of the Peace Tower chimes (which ring every 15 minutes), you’ll be reminded that it’s time for your tour so cross in front of the Tower and hustle over to the tent.

Head Inside

A peppy young guide will round up you and tourists from every arc of the globe and head over to Centre Block’s security entrance. Just as annoying as airport security — and just as necessary — be prepared to show that your cell phone works and that it is only your metal belt that is making the scanner squelch.

Once through, your guide will walk you through the cool marble halls of Canada’s corridors of power.

Two must-sees on the inside are the recently renovated Library of Parliament and the freshly painted portrait of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

The library is exquisite. It’s like a sexy librarian who has taken her glasses off—va va voom! Think circular thus curvy, off-limits thus intriguing. Staying behind the ropes still gives the visitor great views of the heavily wooded yet surprisingly bright piece of Canada’s history.

Later on in the tour, passing through a hallway with wall-to-wall prime ministers staring down at you from their dark portraits, one bright new addition will make you stop in your tour tracks. A vibrant yellow background makes Jean Chrétien’s recently unveiled portrait almost jump out at you—much like the scrappy guy from Shawinigan would in the good old days!

When the government is not is session, tours often include a peek at the green House of Commons Chamber and a more open look at the red Senate Chamber. Once your tour ends, you are welcome to grab the seven-at-a-time elevator to the top of the Peace Tower.

Head Up, Way Up

Windows on one side of the lift give the rider an inside view of the Peace Tower clock’s inner workings.

At the top—not for those with vertigo, obviously—a spectacular 360-degree view of the capital city and Quebec across the river await the visitor.

Looking out from above, one can plan the next spot to visit in the nation’s capital — be it a pub with a patio on Sparks Street or a long stroll along the exceedingly pleasant Rideau Canal.

Oh, Canada indeed!