6 places to see the tulips in Ottawa-Gatineau this spring
Close to one million tulips are blooming across the national capital region.
The National Capital Commission says over 100 varieties of tulips have been planted in 120 beds across 30 sites in Ottawa and Gatineau.
As of May 9, the NCC's Tulip Meter was at a 6 out of 10, saying, "Tulips are blooming all over the capital."
The NCC says it created the first tulip beds in Ottawa in 1945, with the tulips a gift from the Netherlands in thanks and recognition for Canada's role in the liberation of the country.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at six places to see the tulips in Ottawa-Gatineau in May.
Commissioners Park
Commissioners Park in Ottawa is the "major tulip display site," according to the NCC.
Over 100 varieties of tulips are blooming in 30 tulip beds in the park across from Dow's Lake.
Visitors can walk through the tulip beds to check out the different colours and arrangements.
Commissioners Park is also home to the Canadian Tulip Festival, which runs from May 10 to 20. Admission to the festival is free.
For more information, visit www.tulipfestival.ca.
April showers really brought the May flowers. Tulips are blooming early across Ottawa. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Major's Hill Park
Major's Hill Park in downtown Ottawa is one of the best sites to see tulips blooming this spring, according to the NCC.
The park also hosts the "Tulips of Thanks" bed, dedicated to front-line workers.
You can view tulip beds along the pathway with Parliament Hill in the background, or on the northeastern edge of the park facing the National Gallery of Canada.
The morning sunshine brightens the Peace Tower, as the tulips bloom in Major's Hill Park in downtown Ottawa on Thursday morning. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
Rideau Canal
While you go for a walk, run or bicycle ride along the Rideau Canal, stop and view the beautiful tulip displays.
Several tulip beds have been planted along the Rideau Canal's Western Pathway and at Lansdowne Park.
The tulips in bloom along the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
Confederation Boulevard
The NCC says that while Parliament Hill is under construction, you can still see the tulips along Confederation Boulevard.
Tulip planters are located along Confederation Boulevard, at the National War Museum and the Garden of the Provinces and Territories in Ottawa.
Downtown Gatineau
"The Quebec side also boasts beautiful tulip displays," the NCC says.
View the tulips planted near the Alexandra Bridge, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of History.
Beechwood Cemetery
Over 35,000 tulips are on display at Beechwood Cemetery.
"Every year, Beechwood plants a wide range of tulip varieties both in colour, flower and blooming times," Beechwood Cemetery says on its website.
To see a map with the locations of the tulips at Beechwood Cemetery, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
Oilers advance to Stanley Cup final by beating Stars in Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
'Rotten rock': Climate change altering the face of Canadian mountaineering
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Driver missing after vehicle plunges into the Riviere-des-Prairies between Montreal and Laval
Emergency response crews are on the scene Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged into the Riviere des Prairies in Montreal.