Ottawa is proud to be Canada’s capital city, and there is no shortage of interesting things to do in such a history tense area. From cultural attractions to exciting outdoor activities, you can keep the whole family happy with an outing in Ottawa. If you’re searching for the best things to do in Ottawa with kids, consider these exciting events to keep both parents and children entertained!
Take a Tour of Rideau Hall
This National Historic Site has been the Governor General's official residence since 1867. Rideau Hall is open to visitors all year round, where you can take a self-tour of the grounds or take a guided tour of its public rooms. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds during the summer and watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, or enjoy free skating on the Rideau Hall skating rink in the winter.
Visit One of the City's Family-Friendly Museums
Visits to museums are among the more popular things to do in Ottawa with kids as the city is home to many of the country’s best. The most notable are the Canadian Museum of History where you and your family will be able to experience a thousand years of Canadian history. Not only will you be able to see the world's largest indoor totem pole collection, your kids can visit the Children's Museum and enjoy its interactive tour of the world. Other Ottawa museums include the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The Canada Agriculture Museum is also in Ottawa and is a working farm that kids are likely to find fascinating with animals running about. The Royal Canadian Mint can teach kids about how coins are made and they may even have the opportunity to hold a gold bar valued at $750,000!
Enjoy Ottawa's Parks
If you are looking for things to do in Ottawa with kids, one of your priorities should be truly experiencing the great outdoor activities. With over 300km of pathways for running, walking and cycling, Ottawa is a fantastic place to just get outdoors and get to some of the best kept parks in the country. This includes Confederation Park, Commissioners Park and the National Capital Region's Conservation Park.
Take a Tour of the City
Guided sightseeing tours of Ottawa are a fantastic ways to familiarize yourself and your kids with the city if you haven’t been to Ottawa at all, or need to immerse yourself to know where you’re going. The best tour for children is the Lady Dive Splash Tours where you will tour Ottawa in what appears to be a regular vehicle before it magically changes into a boat and jumps into the Ottawa River to give the kids an exciting new experience.
Attend One of the Many Festivals
Festivals are one of the most fun things to do in Ottawa with kids and there are many of them held throughout the year. In May, the city celebrates spring's arrival with the Canadian Tulip Festival that includes the over 1 million flowers blooming across the region. Visiting in winter? February’s Winterlude offers three weekends of winter-themed fun in the form of a snow playground, ice sculpture competitions and skating on the largest skating rink in the world. Getting around in Ottawa is much easier if you have reliable transportation. If you need a vehicle when visiting the city with your family, contact us for more information on reserving the perfect vehicle for your group! We have a wide range of options including cars, mini vans and SUV’s that are perfect for sightseeing with kids.