What is there to do in Ottawa?

That was a question I got over and over when we visited. Ottawa is the Capital City of Canada and has tons of free museums, beautiful buildings, and lots to do.

I am here to tell you that Ottawa is charming, and the rest of the world is missing out! There is plenty to do with your whole family, and you are in for a great time.

Museums and Galleries

Ottawa is home to tons of museums and galleries that are perfect for families with children.  There are so many museums, you could spend 3 days visiting museums alone. But I recommend you pick and choose according to what your kids are into. Here are a few that are worth a visit:

Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History is a must-visit for families visiting Ottawa. The museum exhibits Canadian history, including the country’s First Peoples, the fur trade, and the Canadian military. The Children’s Museum within the Canadian Museum of History is also a hit with kids, with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.

Canadian Children’s Museum

Located within the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Children’s Museum is a fun place for kids to learn and play. The museum features exhibits of different cultures around the world, allowing children to experience different customs and traditions. The museum also has a play area where kids can dress up in costumes and participate in cultural activities.

National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is a great place to introduce children to the world of art. The gallery features a wide range of art, from traditional paintings to contemporary installations. The gallery also offers tours and workshops for children, allowing them to learn about art in a fun and interactive way.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum should be top of your list for kids who love planes and space exploration. The museum has over 130 aircraft on display, including military planes, commercial planes, and helicopters.

Kids can learn about the history of aviation in Canada and see some of the most iconic planes ever built. The museum also has a space exhibit where kids can learn about the history of space exploration and see artifacts from some of the most famous space missions.

Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is another excellent educational activity for kids. The museum has over 50,000 artifacts on display, including steam engines, vintage cars, and early computers.

Kids can learn about the history of technology and how it has evolved over time. The museum also has interactive exhibits where kids can learn about science and technology in a fun and engaging way. This is a great museum for kids who need to touch things to learn.

 

Rideau Canal and Locks

Rideau Canal (pronounced Rid-oh) runs through the center of town. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. In the summer, boat tours run up and down the length of the canal. In the winter, it becomes the largest ice skating rink in the world!

We missed both boats and skating as we visited in October. But we enjoyed the autumn leaves as we walked along the canal.

The system of locks that are still in use today is fun to walk across to explore the other side of the canal.

Plan on 30 min to an hour to walk along the canal—longer to skate or boat ride.

Byward Market

This colorful market has farmers’ stalls, handicrafts, and food. Bright-colored produce and music from street performers fill the air, and the smells of food from around the world will delight your senses. If you know our family, you know that food markets are our thing!

 

My kids love a market, and we bought a big bunch of radishes and lots of strawberries. My oldest son declared them the sweetest and best strawberries he had ever had.

Stalls are inside and outside the market, and don’t forget to go upstairs! There is a really neat paper mache sculpture.

Plan on an hour.

Parliament Buildings in Ottawa

This is the seat of government for Canada! The buildings on Parliament hill are gothic revival in design. They were built in the mid 1800s when Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria of England to be the capitol of Canada. The design was chosen to remind Canadians of parliamentary democracy in England and to be in contrast to the neoclassic design of the United States. These are some seriously ornate buildings!

There are daily tours of the interior of the center building (called the center block), but you need to wake up much earlier than we did to get a free ticket. By 10 am the ticket line was insane!

 

Don’t fret if you can’t get tickets! The exterior is spectacular and you will enjoy the intricacies if design as you get up close.

Plan on 30 minutes or more if you tour.

Hog’s Back Park and Falls

This park in the town center features lots of room for kids to run, picnic areas, and a waterfall. The building of the Rideau Canal created the waterfall. It was a beautiful place to enjoy the fall weather and see some foliage. The kids loved having room to run around, and I enjoyed the paved trails.

Plan on 30 or more minutes.

Lansdowne Farmers Market and Playground

Sometimes the highlights of a trip are the unexpected finds. We went to the Landsdowne farmers market and found the coolest playground right next to it!

The farmers’ market is very different from the Byward market. It catered to organic and gluten-free customers. Luckily, that meant that my oldest could get some goodies!

If I had to pick between Byward Market and Lansdowne. Byward would win by a large margin, but if you are there on a Sunday this market is worth a look.

The playground was a hit with everyone! My husband climbed with the boys on the rope structure. I spun around and around on a padded metal disc. The kids wished they had brought their scooters and skateboards because there was a nice skate park next door.

Plan on at least an hour.

Gatineau Park

This one requires a drive or a bus ride but is worth the hassle. Especially in the fall! Gatineau Park is in the town of Chelsea, Quebec, which is a 10-15 minute ride from downtown Ottawa. It is great to get outdoors in nature and enjoy theis spectacular park.

The park is famous for its fall foliage and didn’t disappoint. As soon as we walked into the forest on a trail we were surrounded with shades of gold and soft green. It was magnificent. We ambled away for about an hour while my boys sword-fought with sticks.

Tip:

• There is a 2 km loop to walk right off the parking lot. It’s a relatively flat walk with hard-packed soil. It would be great for strollers or those who aren’t great hikers.

Plan on 1-3 hours, depending on the trail you take.

 

Mosaiculture in Jacques Cartier Park Gatineau

This was another unexpected find. We drove over the wrong bridge and found this magical park.

Mosaiculture is an art form similar to topiary. But instead of cutting into a growing tree or bush, mosaiculture uses steel frames. These frames are covered with annual plants that fill in and make a living sculpture.

These works of art are unlike anything I have ever seen! We oohed and aaahed over each individual sculpture. We admired the plantings that tie them all together. This is a must see!

Tip:

Due to the nature of this exhibit, it is seasonal. Check hours and prices before you go!

What to eat in Ottawa

We were pleasantly surprised to find some delicious kid-friendly restaurants and cafes in Ottawa. Here are 2 of our favorites.

Beaver Tails

These delicious pastries are about as Canadian as you can get. They are wheat dough that is stretched and deep fried to resemble a beavers tail.

They are topped with an assortment of toppings. My favorite is Nutella and banana.

I have eaten these delicious treats in Prince Edward Island and Quebec. I have tried to recreate them at home and I have had no luck! But I will try again with a fresh taste in my mind and on my tastebuds.

Joey

Joey has several locations across Canada. The one at Rideau Center is fabulous! Literally, everything we put in our mouths was above the norm. The kids were fans of the sushi, and I recommend their tuna salad.

Seasonal Events

Ottawa is a city that is full of events and activities year-round. Many of these events are perfect for families with children. Here are two seasonal events that are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

Winterlude

Winterlude is one of the most popular events in Ottawa and takes place in February each year. This event is all about celebrating winter, and there are plenty of activities that kids will love. Some of the highlights include:

• Ice sculptures: Check out the stunning ice sculptures on display throughout the city.
• Skating: Head to the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink.
• Snow slides: Take a ride down one of the many snow slides that are set up throughout the city.
• Beavertails: Sample this delicious Canadian treat from one of the many Beavertails stands that are set up around the city.

Canadian Tulip Festival

The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in May each year and celebrates spring. The festival is centered around the beautiful tulips that bloom in Ottawa during this time of year. Some of the activities that kids will love include:

• Tulip displays: Check out the stunning tulip displays set up throughout the city.
• Tulip tours: Take a guided tour of some of Ottawa’s most beautiful tulip gardens.
• Family activities: There are plenty of family-friendly activities that take place during the festival, including face painting, crafts, and more.

Overall, these seasonal events are just a few of the many reasons why Ottawa is a great destination for families with kids

What to wear in Ottawa in October?

We were shocked by how cold it was in Ottawa during the 2nd weekend of October. We were coming from New England and thought it would be about the same temperature (maybe a little cooler), but it was much cooler.

We did find Ottawa to be a fairly casual city. Most people were dressed in jeans and sweaters or other casual clothing. We did find that most people dressed up for dinner more than we did, so make sure to bring a nice change of clothes.

Where to stay in Ottawa?

We found Ottawa to be a very affordable city and a very walkable city. For that reason, I highly recommend staying downtown. Most hotels offer free or reasonably cheap parking on the premises. Plus, you will love being able to walk to farmer’s markets for breakfast or being able to get in line early for the Parliament tour. (don’t be like us!)

 

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