Visitors to Ottawa who are interested in Canadian culture and their way of life may find some answers to their questions if they visit the Sparks Street Mall in Ottawa. Sparks Street is famous for its history of having been the first open air public mall in the city. Sparks Street is very close to the centre of Ontario and its seat of government.
The Sparks Street is situated only one block away from the Paliament buildings which houses Canada's Government. The Mall is in an ideal location as it is close to all the best hotels, restaurants and shopping facilities that Ottawa has to offer. This Mall, in the center of the city, is one of Ontario's most unique streets.
There are plenty of attractions in and around the Sparks Street Mall so there is plenty to arouse the visitor's interest and to keep them occupied. Beside the Government buildings and Parliament Hill there is the National Arts Center, the Ottawa Congress Centre, the Supreme Court and the National Archives. The city often stages events in the Spark Street Mall such as the Chicken and Ribs cook off, a yearly event that is judged in the Mall, and a music festival that is comprised of street entertainers and called the buskerfest. If you visit at the weekend then the parking is free at the World Exchange Plaza. There are also some free spaces after 5pm with the meter parking that is round and about. If these spots are full then there is space for paid parking at the Place de Ville and the National Arts Center.