Ottawa

Things to do in Ottawa with kids: best attractions and family tips

Families with kids roughly 4–12 should base downtown and give Ottawa two days: national museums (child rates and hours check), Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. June–September suits outdoor days; late January–February suits the canal skateway if the ice holds. Rain shifts plans indoors to the museums.

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Updated Sep 20263 min read

GuideOttawa

Key facts

Best age fitcheck: 4–12; teenagers do better at the museums and canal
Best monthscheck: June–September for outdoor days; late January–February for skating, if the ice holds
Free or cheapcheck: Parliament Hill tours, canal pathways and the Central Experimental Farm grounds (check current rules)
Getting aroundcheck: Downtown sights are close together; OC Transpo buses and the O-Train reach the museum district (check fares and child rules)
Rain plan: National museums and indoor pools; see the rainy-day page
Budgetcheck: Museum tickets are the main cost; adult and child rates check (2026 estimate)

Top picks

Ottawa is a compact capital and the family attractions cluster near downtown. The national museums are the backbone and work in any weather; Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal are the outdoor anchors.

Below are the picks that usually suit families. Prices, hours and age fit change, so treat every figure as check and confirm with the operator before you go.

Top picks
Attraction	Price (2026 estimate)	Hours	Age fit	Indoor
Canadian Museum of History	Check	Check	Check	Yes
Canadian War Museum	Check	Check	Check	Yes
Canada Science and Technology Museum	Check	Check	Check	Yes
Parliament Hill	Check	Check	Check	Partly
Rideau Canal	Check	Check	All ages	No
ByWard Market	Check	Check	All ages	No
National Gallery of Canada	Check	Check	Check	Yes
Central Experimental Farm	Check	Check	Check	No

Prices, hours and age suitability are unconfirmed; confirm on each operator's site before you go.

Prices and hours

Museum admission is the main family cost, but adult and child rates are check; confirm current figures on each operator's site. Parliament Hill tour availability and booking rules are also check, especially in peak season.

Museum opening hours vary by day and season, so check before you go. The Rideau Canal pathways are generally open year-round, and the winter skateway depends on ice conditions and is not guaranteed every year.

Book Parliament tours and popular museum slots ahead in July–August.
Many museums have a quieter late-afternoon window.
The canal skateway is weather-dependent; check before travelling for it.

Getting there

Ottawa's downtown core is compact: Parliament Hill, ByWard Market and the canal sit close together. The museum district is a bus or O-Train ride away; check OC Transpo routes, fares and child rules for your dates.

From the airport, a taxi or rideshare into downtown is the usual option; journey time is check. VIA Rail trains arrive at Ottawa Station, a short taxi ride from downtown, and the train is the easy family option from Toronto or Montréal.

Walk downtown; use OC Transpo for the museums.
Airport to downtown: taxi or rideshare, time check.
VIA Rail from Toronto or Montréal arrives at Ottawa Station.

Practical tips

Plan one indoor museum and one outdoor stop per day; Ottawa's weather can turn quickly. Winter trips need warm layers and waterproof boots for the canal. Summer trips need sun protection for the canal and Parliament area.

Families with young children should keep days short and use the ByWard Market for snacks. For more ideas, see the main Ottawa page and the free and rainy-day guides.

When to go

June to September is the easiest time with kids: warm days, canal boat tours and outdoor festivals. Late January to February is the season for the Rideau Canal skateway, if the ice holds. Spring and autumn are quieter and cheaper but less predictable for outdoor plans.

Avoid the busiest holiday weekends if you want shorter museum queues, and check school-break dates for Canadian families.

Questions people ask

Things to do in Ottawa with kids: best attractions and family tips?

Start with the national museums, Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. Museums suit rainy days and cover a wide age range; the canal and ByWard Market are the outdoor picks. Two days downtown covers the highlights without rushing young children. Check prices and hours before you go.

How much does it cost in Ottawa?

Museum tickets are the main cost, but adult and child rates are check (2026 estimate). Parliament tours and canal pathways are generally free, though booking rules and access change; confirm current details. Walking the canal and ByWard Market costs nothing.

What is the best time to visit Ottawa?

June–September for warm weather, canal boat tours and outdoor time with kids. Late January–February for the Rideau Canal skateway, if ice conditions allow. Spring and autumn are quieter and cheaper but less predictable.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check