Top 10 Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids

Canada’s capital city of Ottawa combines cultural attractions with outdoorsy fun for family travelers. Ottawa is a pretty and welcoming city that is easy to explore on foot. Located on the border of Québec, visitors eager to put their high school French to use can brush up on their language skills in this bilingual city. As a proud Canadian mom, I am excited to share with you these top things to do in Ottawa with kids.

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1. Explore Parliament Hill.

If each city has a focal point, then Parliament Hill is the star in Ottawa. The three neo-Gothic parliamentary buildings sit prominently on a limestone bluff alongside the Ottawa River and are home to the national government of Canada. The House of Commons, the Senate, and the Library of Parliament are located in Centre Block.

You could just stroll the lovely grounds of Parliament Hill to pass some time. But anyone who wants to learn more about the Canadian legislative process and the history of the buildings should sign up for a free guided tour. They’re available in both English and French. Ambitious visitors will enjoy the self-guided trek to the observation deck of the Peace Tower and will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the city of Ottawa.

2. Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

During summer, kids love the colorful Changing of the Guard. This ceremony takes place each morning at Parliament Hill. July through early September, the unique Sound and Light Show tells the story of Canada via images projected onto Parliament buildings along with music.

3. View artwork at the National Gallery of Canada.

The National Gallery of Canada showcases Canadian art and hosts a family program of hands-on activities. It might be the sculpture of a giant spider outside, however, that kids remember the most.

4. Learn about the country’s past at the Canadian Museum of History.

At the Canadian Museum of History (known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization until 2013), visitors stroll through a thousand years of the country’s history in Canada Hall. You can also get a close-up look at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles in the Grand Hall. The exceptional Canadian Children’s Museum takes youngsters on an interactive tour of the world.

5. Visit museums that suit your family’s interests.

As the nation’s capital, Ottawa is home to a number of world-class museums. Some options that are popular with families include the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canadian War Museum. Young children particularly enjoy the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, a working farm and learning center.

6. Tour the Royal Canadian Mint.

Kids love guided tours of the Royal Canadian Mint, where Canadian coins are made. Visitors learn about the art of coin making and may even get an opportunity to hold a gold bar that’s worth almost $1 million. Reservations are strongly recommended. To book a 45-minute tour, call (613) 993-8990 or 1-800-276-7714 (toll-free).

7. Shop and eat at Historic ByWard Market.

Established in 1826 when Ottawa was known as ByTown, ByWard Market is one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets. Today there is still a farmer’s market on-site as well as many restaurants, cafés, shops and galleries.

ByWard Market is the original location of the famous Canadian BeaverTail pastries. Even U.S. President Barack Obama made a point of sampling one of these sweet treats during his visit to Ottawa. There are many flavors available but you can’t go wrong with my personal favorite — the original cinnamon sugar.

8. Enjoy the Rideau Canal.

The Rideau Canal’s system of lakes, rivers, and canals connects Ottawa to the city of Kingston on Lake Ontario. The canal is a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budding engineers can learn about the construction of the canal at the ByTown Museum, located on the canal between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier Hotel.

In summer, the canal is popular for canoeing and kayaking. Visitors who don’t wish to take to the water can stroll the walking trails alongside the canal instead. A Rideau Canal boat tour or Ottawa River boat tour provides a beautiful vantage point of the city as well as spectacular photos.

During winter, the canal is transformed into the Rideau Canal Skateway. It’s the world’s largest ice skating rink, at more than 7.8 kilometers (nearly 5 miles) in length. Rent skates to participate in this quintessential Ottawa past-time. Take a break at one of the many rest areas along the route to warm up by a toasty fire and sip hot chocolate.

9. Play in the great outdoors.

Ottawa residents love to spend time outdoors, as evidenced by the many parks and green spaces in the city. Active families can walk, run, cycle or rollerblade along more than 300 kilometers of pathways. Located just a few minutes from downtown, the Gatineau Park offers all sorts of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, swimming, geocaching, cycling, snowshoeing and skiing.

10. Attend an Ottawa festival.

Ottawa hosts many festivals over the course of the year. Attending a festival will make your visit to Ottawa with kids all the more memorable. Winterlude, a three-week celebration of winter held each February, is one of the most well-known Ottawa festivals. Meanwhile, each May the Canadian Tulip Festival features more than a million tulips blooming across the city. On July 1st, the patriotic Canada Day party on Parliament Hill celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

With so much to see and do, Ottawa makes wonderful choice for a family holiday any time of the year!

If you’re planning a trip to Canada with kids, you’re definitely going to want to check out 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit. Take a look at The Travel Mama’s full review of this informative book, or buy your copy now.

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What time of year would you most like to visit Ottawa? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Spunky Travel Mama: No media rates, complimentary services or compensations were received related to this post. All opinions are mine, as always.

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