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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🇨🇦Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill in Ottawa offers free guided tours, the Changing of the Guard, the Peace Tower, and open grounds the whole family can explore together.
Your family guide
Parliament Hill with kids: Canada's most iconic landmark up close
“Free tours, climbing towers and meeting Mounties. Parliament Hill makes Canadian democracy more accessible than most capitals.”
— San & Jo
Parliament Hill is one of those rare places that genuinely impresses the whole family, from curious toddlers running across the open grounds to teenagers who suddenly get interested in history. Sitting right in the heart of downtown Ottawa and overlooking the Ottawa River, this cluster of Gothic revival buildings draws around three million visitors every year, and it is easy to see why.
What makes Parliament Hill so special for families is how much can be done here without spending a penny. The grounds are free to roam, the guided tours of the Centre Block are free, and the seasonal events like the Changing of the Guard give visits a real sense of occasion. In summer, it is even possible to meet a Mountie and grab a photo that children remember.
Whether spending a few hours or a full day here, Parliament Hill rewards curiosity at every turn. There are statues to discover, a flame that has been burning since 1966, a cannon with a brilliant nickname, and views from the Peace Tower that stretch out over the whole city. This is Canadian history made vivid and accessible for families.
Ottawa, OntarioHeart of Canada's capital
Free entryGrounds and guided tours
Best in summerJune to August for events
Best things to do
Best things to do in Parliament Hill
Free guided tours of the Centre Block
The Centre Block is the architectural heart of Parliament Hill, and free guided tours run year-round in both English and French. Inside, you will find the ornate Senate Chamber decorated in deep red with eight First World War murals painted between 1916 and 1920, and the moving Memorial Chamber honouring Canadians who gave their lives in military service.
Book ahead online to secure your spot
1 hour
Climb the Peace Tower observation deck
Ascending the Peace Tower for a bird's-eye view over Ottawa is a highlight that genuinely wows kids and adults alike. The tower also houses a 53-bell Carillon, and if your timing is right you will hear it play. Fun detail for the kids: the clock dates from 1927 and cannot be wound backwards, so every spring it has to stop for a full hour instead of turning back.
Go early to avoid queues on busy summer days
30-45 mins
Meet the Mounties
From June through August, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers are stationed on Parliament Hill and are known for being genuinely warm and welcoming with visitors. Getting a photo with a Mountie in full dress uniform is one of those simple, joyful moments that children absolutely love and parents treasure.
Summer only, June to August
15-20 mins
Watch the Changing of the Guard
The ceremonial Changing of the Guard is a colourful, impressive spectacle that gives Parliament Hill a real sense of living tradition. The precision, the uniforms, and the music make it genuinely engaging for children, and it costs nothing to watch from the open grounds.
Check the schedule as it runs seasonally
30 mins
Find the Centennial Flame
Near the main Wellington Street gates, the Centennial Flame has been burning continuously since New Year's Eve 1966, when Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson lit it to mark the start of Canada's centennial year. It is a simple but surprisingly moving sight, and a great conversation starter with older kids about Canadian history.
Great photo spot at any time of day
10 mins
Listen for the Noonday Gun
At noon each day, a historic nine-pounder naval cannon fires on Parliament Hill. Originally allocated to Ottawa's garrison in 1854 and purchased by the Dominion of Canada in 1869, it is affectionately known as Old Chum. Kids find it thrilling, and the story behind it is genuinely fascinating.
Be on the grounds just before noon for the full effect
5 mins
Explore the statues and monuments
The grounds of Parliament Hill are dotted with statues of significant historical figures including Sir John A. Macdonald, Lester Bowles Pearson, and William Lyon Mackenzie King. There is also a striking statue of Queen Victoria sculpted by Louis-Philippe Hébert, officially dedicated in 1901. Turn it into a gentle scavenger hunt for younger kids.
Pick up a grounds map from the visitor centre
30-45 mins
Canada Day celebrations on July 1
If a family visit happens to land on July 1, there is something extraordinary in store. Parliament Hill is the nation's premier venue for Canada Day, hosting day-long events and a spectacular fireworks display. It is loud, joyful, and genuinely impressive for children of all ages.
Arrive very early to secure a good spot on the grounds
Full day
Our verdict
How Parliament Hill scores for families
Kids
Free grounds to run around, a cannon that fires at noon, Mounties to meet, and a flame that never goes out. There is more here for kids than you might expect from a government building.
Culture
This is the symbolic heart of Canada. The architecture, the history, the ceremonies, and the monuments make Parliament Hill one of the most culturally rich sites in the country.
Food
The ByWard Market is a short walk away with plenty of family-friendly options. The Hill itself does not have much on-site dining, so plan your meals around your visit.
Nature
The open grounds overlook the Ottawa River and offer a welcome green space in the city centre, but this is primarily an urban and historic experience rather than a nature one.
Budget
Parliament Hill is extraordinarily good value. The grounds are free, the guided tours are free, and the seasonal events cost nothing to watch. It is one of Canada's best free family experiences.
Planning your visit
How long should you spend at Parliament Hill?
2
2 hours
Quick visit
Walk the grounds, find the Centennial Flame, and catch the Noonday Gun at noon.
sweet spot
1
1 day
Sweet spot
Do the Centre Block tour, climb the Peace Tower, watch the Changing of the Guard, explore the monuments, and have lunch nearby at ByWard Market.
2
2 days
Deep dive
Revisit at different times of day, catch Canada Day if the dates align, and pair with Ottawa's nearby museums and riverside walks.
Fun facts
Things to know about Parliament Hill
The clock that cannot go backwards
The Peace Tower clock has been ticking since 1927, but there is one thing it absolutely cannot do: turn backwards. Every spring when clocks change for daylight saving time, the whole clock has to stop and wait for a full hour rather than wind back. It is one of the quirkiest mechanical facts in all of Canada.
Meet Old Chum
A British naval cannon has been firing on Parliament Hill at noon since the 1800s. Originally allocated to Ottawa's garrison in 1854, it was bought by Canada in 1869 and has been known ever since as Old Chum. The Noonday Gun is one of those small daily rituals that makes Parliament Hill feel genuinely alive.
A parliament you can actually walk into
Parliament Hill's open grounds are a genuine rarity among national parliaments worldwide. Since the 1870s, the public has been able to walk freely across Crown land that houses the country's government, use it as a forum for protests and rallies, and simply enjoy the space. That openness is a deliberate statement about Canadian democracy.
Taste Parliament Hill
Where to eat with kids near Parliament Hill
BeaverTails pastry
Kids love itBeaverTails ByWard Market
A BeaverTail is a Canadian institution: a flat, fried dough pastry stretched into the shape of a beaver's tail and topped with cinnamon sugar, chocolate, or fruit. You will find them in the ByWard Market area, just a short walk from Parliament Hill, and they are exactly the kind of treat that makes kids very happy on a cold Ottawa day.
Contemporary Canadian cuisine
Local favouriteRiviera
Riviera is a well-known contemporary Canadian restaurant near Parliament Hill that draws politicians, business visitors, and locals alike. The menu celebrates Canadian ingredients with a modern approach, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a comfortable choice for families wanting something a step above fast food.
Market breakfast or brunch
Daily treatByWard Market
The ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and most vibrant public markets, with dozens of cafés, bakeries, and casual restaurants perfect for a family breakfast before heading to the Hill. Grab fresh pastries, local maple products, and good coffee while the kids explore the artisan stalls.
Fine dining with a view
Must tryZoe's at Fairmont Chateau Laurier
For a special family occasion or a treat dinner, Zoe's at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is right next door to Parliament Hill and offers a memorable setting. The Chateau Laurier itself is a grand historic hotel that older kids will find impressive, and the restaurant delivers a polished Canadian dining experience.
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