Things to Do in Ottawa With Kids: Your 7-Day Itinerary

Are you planning to visit the capital of Canada and you’re looking for things to do in Ottawa with your kids? We’ve created this 7-day itinerary for you.

But be warned…

We have two kids under 5 years old. We are on a long adventure, so we are trying to slow travel –emphasis on the word “trying”. We like to take time in the morning; we try not to rush the kids, to let them play, and to take long morning baths. We also try to create some sort of routine for the kids when we travel, so we’ll often go back to our lodging for the afternoon nap when it’s needed.

But why do we tell you that? 

Just so you know that in this itinerary, days aren’t packed with tons of museum visits and sightseeing. That means you can probably do more than we did in the same amount of time. So, we made sure to add a section at the end for extra things to do if you go at a faster pace than we did in order to have a fun-filled experience with kids while visiting Ottawa.

With that being said…

We spent an entire week in Ottawa, and we loved so many things about the town. We liked how pretty it was, how bilingual it was, and how active it was! 

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A few things to know when planning a trip to Ottawa with your kids

Here are a few things to know when planning a trip to Ottawa with your kids.

✈️ Book your flight to Ottawa

Find cheap flights to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) using Google Flights or Skyscanner where you’ll be able to compare different airlines tickets for YOW, including some low-cost ones.

🚗 Rent your car

You can rent a car directly from Ottawa International Airport or wait until you are in town. I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars.

Do you need a car in Ottawa?
You don’t necessarily need a car to visit Ottawa with your kids. You can use Ottawa’s public transit system (both the bus and light rail systems). Children under the age of 7 can travel for free. You can purchase your passes to use the public transit at grocery stores, pharmacies or on the bus (you can only pay cash here).

🛏️ Book your hotel in Ottawa

Booking.com is a great search engine for hotels and guesthouses in Ottawa.

You can look at:

If you are travelling with younger kids, or your kids need a smaller bed to feel cozier and safer, you can read this article to find the best travel beds for families. Most of them are really easy and fast to set up in a hotel room!

🎟️ Book your Ottawa tours

Viator and Get Your Guide are two great websites for finding fun tours in and around Ottawa such as boat cruises, city tours by land and water or bike tours.

📱 Download a few apps to help you plan your Ottawa trip with your kids  

The GoWhee app is the perfect app for finding fun kid-friendly activities in Ottawa.  Roadtripppers will help you plan any road trips. It helps you add stops along the way. AllTrails is our go-to app to look at trails’ reports and see if the trail is kid-friendly. You’ll also find recent information about the status of the trail.

🩹 Don’t forget a First Aid Kit

It is always a great idea to take a travel first aid kit with you when travelling with toddlers. Make sure it is well-stocked, especially with bite/sting cream and band-aids – you never know when unsteady little legs might take a tumble. Keep your travel first aid kit somewhere accessible.

Things to Do in Ottawa With Kids: Your 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bike Ride, Parliament Hill and Westboro Village

Start your day at Parliament Hill. The Parliament is an important building for Canada as this is the federal legislature of Canada. There are 3 buildings to visit and free guided tours are offered.

Also, every day at 10:00 a.m., there is the changing of guards parade. Make sure to arrange your visit to be present for the parade and enjoy this delightful activity. You’ll want to take your time and wander off in the garden and walk around the beautiful building.

You can admire the view of Gatineau on the other side of the Ottawa River. A fun fact: when we visited Ottawa with our kids, they started running across the sprinklers behind the Parliament. They had so much fun, and it was so hot that we let them play for a long while.

Note: If you bring or rent some bikes to visit Ottawa with your kids, know that near the Parliament, you’ll find some bike racks to secure your bikes.

Then get your bikes and follow the path to the Sir Macdonald Parkway. You’ll have to bike down the hill across a parking lot to reach the river level (and the bike path). You’ll pass in front of the Canadian War Museum (which is a great activity to do with kids in Ottawa). There’s a nice green park where you can stop for a snack or a picnic.

There is an enjoyable and well-maintained bike path along the Sir Macdonald Parkway, but here is a fun fact about this path in Ottawa:

On Saturdays and Sundays, the Parkway is closed to motor vehicles; thus, it’s perfect for a pleasant bike ride with your kids. You’ll have an entire highway for yourselves (well for you and other bikers… but you won’t need to share the road with any cars).

The path to Westboro Village is about 8 kilometers. Once in Westboro Village, you can stop at a few shops or cafés, or you can head directly to the beach. The Village of Westboro is a charming neighborhood with a nice main street, Richmond Road, where you can find local shops, coffee houses, bakeries and the beautiful Old Town Hall. 

Yes, there is a beach in Ottawa (even more than one…).

Westboro Beach is a small beach located on the Ottawa River where you can swim or play in the sand. There’s a restaurant with a patio by the beach as well as toilet facilities. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer days. And as a bonus, the kids will love to watch all the Canadian Geese wandering around.

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Day 2: Central Experimental Farm, Dow Lake and Beaver Tails

Start your day at the Central Experimental farm. It’s an actual governmental working farm in the middle of the city! It’s open daily except on Mondays. Plus, entrance is free daily (except Mondays) from 3:30PM to 4:30PM, but you need to reserve online. 

Please know that you don’t need to visit the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum in order to have a fun experience in Ottawa with your kids. You can drive around and walk in the fields. You’ll get to come across cows and sheep. When we visited the animals, especially the cows, they were super close to us. The kids had a blast!

I would recommend biking there, or at least, parking in one of the 90 minutes free parking spots and biking (or walking) around the properties on the Experimental Farm Pathway. There’s also a nice sunflower field that the kids will love.

After exploring the Experimental Farm, cross the street and head over to the Dominion Arboretum. You’ll get to walk along the Rideau Canal and Dow’s Lake. We personally didn’t have time; however, it’s possible to rent pedal boats, paddle boards and other water equipment to enhance your trip to Ottawa.

Dow’s Lake is located in close distance to the Dominion Arboretum, a beautiful place to walk around and see different types of trees. Make sure to let the kids run around in the grass, and observe the ducks and squirrels. 

Also, every spring, near Dow’s Lake, you can enjoy the Canadian Tulip Festival.

End your day enjoying a real Canadian treat: a beavertail. Beavertails are fried dough pastries that are hand-stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail. They are topped with either sweet or savory ingredients such as cream cheese or hazelnut icing, and cinnamon and sugar. This is a famous Canadian treat, and you can find a Beavertail Hut in Dow’s Lake. Your kids will love this!

Day 3: Parc de la Gatineau

Today, you’ll be driving across the Ottawa River to the Province of Quebec to reach Parc de la Gatineau. Parc de la Gatineau is a 361 km2 pure nature oasis. There is plenty of areas to explore and a few great family friendly hikes that you can enjoy with your kids. The park is huge, so take your time and make sure to bring a lunch and snacks with you.

Here are a few hiking options with kids (you can use AllTrails to read the latest reviews about these trails):

  • Lake Pink

This is a 2,3 km loop around the lake (which isn’t actually pink, but turquoise). It’s an easy trail but it has lots of stairs, so it’s not suitable for strollers. The Pink Lake parking lot is accessible from the Gatineau Parkway.

Fun fact: First of all, the lake isn’t pink. It’s turquoise. Second, it’s a meromictic lake, which means that the upper and lower layers of water don’t mix together like regular lakes. In consequence, there is no oxygen at the bottom of the lake. 

Note that the trail is closed in the winter.

  • Mackenzie King Estate

The Mackenzie King Estate was the summer residence of the former 10th prime minister of Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King. You can walk on the estate and make your way to the Abbey Ruins. It’s the perfect place for history and photography lovers. You can also stop at the Tea House for a little treat.

  • Carbide Willson Ruins

This is a 3.25 km round trip hike to get to the ruins and the waterfall. Never preserved, the ruins are the remains of a fertilizer plant in the early 1900s.

Note that the trail to the ruins is closed in the winter.

If you feel like doing a longer or another hike, here is the map of the Parc.

After many hours of discovering the Parc de la Gatineau, make your way back to Ottawa with a stop in Old Chelsea for some ice cream at La Cigale.

Day 4: Another Bike Ride, Downtown Ottawa and the Locks

If I didn’t mention it yet:

Ottawa is perfect for bike lovers and runners.

There are cycling paths everywhere. In addition, there are a few main parkways that are closed to cars/motor vehicles during the day and are solely to be used for bikers. We loved it! And you should really take advantage of those wide biking lanes. You can find interactive maps with several biking options/filters here.

Drive to Old Ottawa East and park your car on Clegg Street near the Flora Footbridge. Flora Footbridge is a 3.4 km ride to get to the Ottawa Locks.

And the amazing thing is that the Queen Elizabeth Driveway along the Rideau Canal is closed to motor vehicles during some summer days. So, you can bike or jog or walk all the way to downtown Ottawa following the Rideau Canal.

If you’re visiting during the winter, the Rideau Canal is transformed into an ice-skating rink, one of the longest ice-skating rinks in the world.

After a few kilometers, you’ll reach the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and its lock system. It’s just amazing! It’s a 9-level locks station that reaches the Ottawa River.

The view of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel from the locks is perfect. It’s a beautiful view from everywhere in the city where you can see it, but the combination of the locks station and the castle is just perfect. Our boys really thought the Chateau Laurier was an actual castle. I wish we had the budget to stay there. Maybe another time! (Let us know we you end up staying there! 😉).

Then it’s finally time to bike (or walk) up to downtown Ottawa. You simply have to follow the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. On your way, you’ll pass a beautiful green park with some benches, if you fill like relaxing a bit with your kids. Otherwise, make your way to Major’s Hill Park which is located just behind the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

The park offers a beautiful view of the Ottawa River and of the Parliament. We had a picnic there and played “tag” with the kids for a while.

Once you are all ready, you can slowly bike back to your car in Old Ottawa East.

Day 5: Museums

Today, it’s museum day.

Ottawa is renowned for its amazing museums. There are many options, but here are our favorite ones to do in Ottawa with our kids:

  • Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History illuminates the human history of Canada and the cultural diversity of its people. The museum also hosts special exhibits for the kids: the Canadian Children’s Museum. At the Canadian Children’s Museum, you can participate in The Great Adventure exhibit where you’ll travel to international destinations and learn about the countries.

During your visit at the Canadian Museum of History, make sure to allow some time to admire the view from the Museum patio. The view of Ottawa and its Alexander Bridge is beautiful.

  • Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is where kids explore the fascinating world of science and nature. With exhibits on fossils, mammals, plate tectonics and a lot more, you’ll have a fun time. Plus, it’s located only a few blocks from Parliament Hill in a historic building.

  • Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is where the collector and commemorative coins are produced. During your visit, your kids will learn how coins are made. The Royal Canadian Mint museum offers guided tours both in French and in English.

Day 6: ByWard Market and Beach Time

Start your day at the famous ByWard Market in Ottawa.

ByWard Market hosts a farmer’s market daily from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., and it’s a great place to do some shopping or try a restaurant.

It’s also at ByWard market that you can find the famous Ottawa sign. The sign is located on York Street in a plaza. There are some picnic tables and benches around which makes this a great place for a family photoshoot and to grab a coffee.

The market is open all day, but it’s quieter in the morning.

If you walk up the stairs in front of the Ottawa sign, you’ll arrive at the Major’s Hill Park where you stopped by a few days ago.

By that time, it should also be lunchtime.

The beautiful white sandy beach of Ottawa Mooneys, with kids playing in the sandy shore.

Drive to Mooney’s Bay for a picnic lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the beach.

Before visiting Ottawa, I had no idea there were any beaches over there. But now I know there are at least two!

Mooney’s Bay is the perfect kid-friendly place to cool down on a warm summer afternoon. Located on the east shore of the Rideau River, the beach has lifeguards on duty from 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s a nice beach, with sand, lots of shade and trees – just what we needed that day. The kids will love to play in the sand and build sandcastles! Make sure to bring some toys for them to play with!

Picnic tables and BBQ pits are available in the park. In addition, there is an amazing playground in which each module represents the different provinces and territories of Canada. The playground at Mooney’s Bay was opened to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. It’s also one of the biggest playgrounds in Canada.

Kids having fun at the Westboro Beach in Ottawa.

Day 7: Brunch and One More Visit to Downtown Ottawa

Your time in Ottawa is almost over. Why not end the week with a brunch in Westboro Village or a last visit to downtown Ottawa before heading back home (or to your next destination)?

My kids at Byward Market.

F.AQ. Things to Do in Ottawa With Kids: Your 7-Day Itinerary

How many days should I spend in Ottawa?

If you have limited time anywhere from 3 to 4 days should allow you to have a good overview of the city. However, I highly recommend, if at all possible, spending 7 days to fully enjoy with your kids all the activities available in Ottawa without feeling rushed or hurried.

What is the weather like in Ottawa?

Being in the East side of Canada, the City of Ottawa offers humid and warm summers with very cold winters. Dress appropriately for the time you decide to visit with your kids. Both seasons offer fund activities and if you can, it is worth visiting both in winter and summer!

Is Ottawa a bilingual city?

It is! A lot of government employees are required to be fully bilingual. Since Ottawa is very close to the province of Quebec, a lot of people commute to work in either of the bordering cities; therefore, you may meet someone who is speaking in French or English at any restaurant or café.

Are there any festivals I can go to with my kids?

Yes! There is plenty of festivals to choose from. The Canadian Tulip Festival is one of them. Kids just love seeing so many flowers in so many different colors! Ottawa is a great city that hosts festivals that celebrate culture, art, sport and entertainment. For a full list of the festivals available and their dates, visit the Ottawa Festivals‘s website.

Can I visit Ottawa if I do not have a car?

Of course! The possibilities are endless. You can rent a car if it is in your budget. Or rent a bike and bike around the city. You can walk or take a taxi every now and then. Ottawa also has a public transit system, so you have many options to choose from.

Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids

Ottawa is a great city to explore with kids. There are many beautiful parks, walking trails, biking trails, and activities. You could bike all week if you wanted to. There are many things to do in Ottawa with kids that you can easily spend 7 or more days.

Plus, everything is bilingual, from street names to advertisements.

Will you bring your bike on your family visit to Ottawa?