family vacations in ottawa, canada

Planning a family trip to Ottawa is a great idea. Ottawa and the National Capital Region offer an abundance of things to do in a beautiful setting, and all in a fairly compact space.

It's possible to visit Ottawa with children and never leave the downtown core; we offer our favourite picks below for the family friendly things you can do in central Ottawa and Gatineau. But of course, the region also offers so much more...see our favourite choices for family friendly activities off the beaten track.

quick links for families visiting ottawa

Find family and kid friendly events on our calendar.

Browse our local directory of nearly 2,700 resources to find:

• Family outings and recreation destinations
• Family friendly restaurants
• Amusement centres
• Children's clothing and shoes - just in case!
• Indoor pools

NEW - read our article entitled Spring Fever in Ottawa on Away.com's Family Travel Blog.

tips for parents

We have great tips to share if you are also looking for a family friendly cottage in Ontario or Quebec.

Precious Travellers provides rentals for cribs, strollers, car seats and other equipment for babies and toddlers. What a help when you're away from home!

great family activities in central ottawa

National Gallery of Canada - a cool building, amazing art and fun family programs!

Canadian Museum of Civilization - a stunning museum for the whole family, plus the IMAX cinema and the awesome Children's Museum!

Canadian Museum of Nature - in the process of expanding, the newest parts of the Museum are fun and interesting.

And of course there is always Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and locks, the National Arts Centre (for music, dance and theatre), and the Byward Market.

Looking to catch a movie? Check out The Bytowne Cinema near the Rideau Centre. Offers some family fare and loads of interesting choices for adults and teenagers.

If you're heading to Westboro, try out the Ottawa Family Cinema on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons during the school year.

off the beaten track

winter destinations and activities

Sugar Bushes - visit a local farm or sugar bush to learn about how maple syrup is made.

Head to Morrisburg, south of Ottawa, to Upper Canada Village for Alight at Night in December. Take your skates, a camera and your sense of wonder.

spring destinations and activities

A visit to The Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, is a very cool experience with older kids.

See nature coming to life in one of Ottawa's conservation areas.

Dow's Lake Pavilion, just outside the downtown core, offers fun activities year-round. Stop here to rent a paddleboat during the Canadian Tulip Festival.

summer destinations and activities

Berry Picking - the region provides loads of destinations.

Consider a day trip to Smiths Falls for the Railway Museum and then onto Merrickville, known as Ontario's prettiest village (picnic by the locks on the Rideau Canal Waterway).

Looking for somewhere to cool off and just play? Find local parks across the region. If you're staying in central Ottawa and want a sure bet for a park offering water play, lots of climbing structures and a beautiful place to hang out, try Brewer Park.

Looking for excitement? Try the Fortune Aerial Experience in Gatineau.

fall destinations and activities

Apple Picking - there are many places offering picking, corn mazes, tractor rides and something tasty to eat.

Head out to Saunders Farm in Munster for its Haunting Season.

Head to Gatineau Park just over the river for the best display of fall colours and some excellent hiking and cycling trails.

Year round activities

Venture out of the city's core into one of Ottawa's older more established neighbourhoods. The Glebe, Westboro, Hintonburg and Ottawa South are some of the family neighbourhoods where you'll find a good mix of shops, restaurants, farmers' markets and parks.

Remember to check the Kids Ottawa family calendar for special events and happenings all year long, including festivals and fairs.