Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park offers Ontario families world-class wildlife watching, canoeing, guided programs, and stargazing across 7,635 km of Canadian Shield wilderness.
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🇨🇦Ottawa
Ottawa with kids offers world-class museums, the Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, and iconic Canadian food. Here's everything your family needs to plan the perfect visit.
Your family guide
Ottawa with kids: Canada's capital is better than you think
“Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal skating and proper poutine. Canada's capital delivers more than most cities.”
— San & Jo
Ottawa doesn't always get the credit it deserves, but once your family arrives, you'll wonder why you waited so long. Canada's capital sits where three rivers meet, the Ottawa, the Rideau, and the Gatineau, and that geography shapes everything: the skyline, the seasons, the outdoor adventures, and yes, even the food culture that makes this city genuinely special for families.
What makes Ottawa work so well for a family trip is the mix. Your kids can skate the Rideau Canal in winter, paddle it in summer, and eat a Beavertail at ByWard Market in any season. Between world-class museums with hands-on exhibits, Gothic Revival Parliament buildings you can tour for free, and green spaces perfect for a mid-afternoon picnic, there's always something to do without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Ottawa is also bilingual, English and French are both official languages here, which gives the city a distinctly multicultural flavour. That diversity shows up beautifully in the food scene, from shawarma shops to tourtière bakeries to poutine counters piled high with creative toppings. For families who love exploring a city through what they eat, Ottawa is a genuinely exciting destination.
Ontario, CanadaEastern Canada
Cold winters, warm summersBest: May to October
English and FrenchBilingual capital
Best things to do
Best things to do in Ottawa
Parliament Hill
Three stunning Gothic Revival buildings perched on a 170-foot bluff above the Ottawa River. Free guided tours take you inside the House of Commons and Senate chambers, and in summer you can catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the lawn. It's genuinely impressive for kids and adults alike.
Book free tours in advance online: they fill up fast in summer
1.5-2 hours
Rideau Canal
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Ottawa's most versatile family attractions. In winter it transforms into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching 7.8 km through downtown. In summer, the same canal is perfect for boating, cycling along the banks, and waterside picnics.
Skate rentals are available right on the canal during Winterlude in February
Half day
ByWard Market
Ottawa's most vibrant neighbourhood is a pedestrian-friendly maze of over 260 vendor stands, food stalls, and restaurants. This is where your family should come for Beavertails, fresh produce, shawarma, and the general buzz of Ottawa's multicultural daily life. It's lively without being overwhelming.
The original BeaverTails kiosk is right here: the cinnamon and sugar version is the classic
1-2 hours
Canadian War Museum
Internationally recognised for its powerful symbolic architecture, this museum tells Canada's military history through stories that are moving, honest, and accessible for older children. The building itself is worth seeing: it's designed to evoke the weight of war in a way that stays with you.
The rooftop aligns with the sun on Remembrance Day at 11am: a remarkable design detail to share with your kids
2-3 hours
National Gallery of Canada
The striking glass facade alone makes this worth a visit. Inside, visitors find Canadian, Indigenous, and international art collections displayed in a way that feels welcoming rather than stuffy. The location along the Ottawa River makes for a beautiful walk before or after visiting.
Look up at the giant spider sculpture outside: it's by Louise Bourgeois and kids always react to it
1.5-2 hours
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
One of the best aviation collections in the world, with real aircraft you can get up close to. This is a brilliant pick for families with kids who are into planes, space, or engineering. The interactive exhibits make it genuinely engaging for a wide range of ages.
Combine it with the Canada Science and Technology Museum nearby for a full day of exploration
2-3 hours
Ottawa, Gatineau outdoor adventures
Just across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, your family can hike, cycle, and explore Gatineau Park. The surrounding region offers rafting on the Ottawa River, dedicated cycling routes, and green spaces that make it easy to balance city sightseeing with proper outdoor time.
Rent bikes in the city centre and cycle across the Alexandra Bridge into Gatineau for a different perspective
Half to full day
Our verdict
How Ottawa scores for families
Kids
World-class interactive museums, seasonal festivals, skating on the canal, and Beavertails at every turn. Ottawa genuinely delivers for families with children of all ages.
Culture
As Canada's capital, Ottawa punches well above its weight. Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the War Museum, and a bilingual city identity make for a rich cultural experience.
Food
From poutine and Beavertails to shawarma and tourtière, Ottawa's food scene is diverse, approachable, and genuinely fun to explore as a family. The ByWard Market alone is worth the trip.
Nature
The Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River, and Gatineau Park across the border give families real access to outdoor space. It's not a wilderness destination, but nature is never far away.
Budget
Many of Ottawa's best attractions are free or low-cost, including Parliament Hill tours and canal skating. Accommodation and dining can add up, but smart planning keeps costs manageable.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Ottawa?
2
2 days
Quick visit
Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, and a walk along the Rideau Canal. You'll get a feel for the city but have to skip a lot.
sweet spot
4
4 days
Sweet spot
Enough time to cover the top museums, explore ByWard Market properly, enjoy the canal, and take a half-day trip into Gatineau. This is how most families experience Ottawa at its best.
6
6 days
Deep dive
Add the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Aviation and Space Museum, and a full day of outdoor adventures across the river. You'll leave feeling like a local.
Fun facts
Things to know about Ottawa
A princess was born on Dutch soil in Canada
During World War II, a hospital room in Ottawa was temporarily declared Dutch territory so that Princess Margriet could be born on Dutch soil and hold Dutch citizenship. The Netherlands still sends Ottawa 10,000 tulip bulbs every year as a thank-you: which is why the Canadian Tulip Festival happens here every May.
The world's biggest natural skating rink is right in the city
The Rideau Canal freezes every winter to become the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink. At 7.8 km long, it's the equivalent of skating past 90 Olympic-sized rinks end to end. During the Winterlude festival in February, thousands of people skate to work, school, and yes, to grab a Beavertail along the way.
Ottawa sits on land with no treaty
Ottawa lies on Algonquin territory, and unlike many other parts of Canada, no treaty has ever been signed with the Algonquin people for this land. The name 'Ottawa' itself comes from the Algonquin word 'Odawa', meaning 'to trade': a reminder that this place has been a meeting point for people long before it became a capital city.
Taste Ottawa
What to eat with your family in Ottawa
Poutine
Kids love itByWard Market poutine stalls
Fries, cheese curds, and gravy: this is the dish Ottawa does best, and the local variations go far beyond the classic. Look for versions topped with beef, bacon, mushrooms, or even maple syrup. It's messy, it's delicious, and children love it.
Beavertails
Must tryBeaverTails ByWard Market
Fried dough pastries shaped like a beaver tail and topped with your choice of cinnamon sugar, Nutella, or banana. These are an Ottawa institution and a non-negotiable family treat. The original kiosk is in ByWard Market and the queue is always worth it.
Shawarma
Local favouriteVarious spots throughout downtown Ottawa
Ottawa has a long-standing love affair with shawarma, thanks to its diverse immigrant communities. You'll find shawarma shops all over the city, and the quality is consistently high. It's a quick, filling, and affordable option when your family is on the move between museums.
Tourtière
Safe choiceByWard Market bakeries and local cafés
This Quebec-style meat pie is hearty Ottawa Valley comfort food at its best. Filled with spiced minced meat and baked in a flaky crust, it's a warming choice for cooler days and a great way to introduce kids to the French-Canadian side of Ottawa's food identity.
Seasonal tasting menu
Local favouriteArlo on Somerset
If you're planning a grown-up dinner while the kids are with a sitter, Arlo on Somerset is one of Ottawa's most celebrated restaurants since opening in 2020, known for seasonal ingredients, local flavours, and a natural wine list that food-loving parents will appreciate.
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