Family-Friendly Attractions In Ottawa

Parliament Hill

Grand, neo-Gothic complex hosting Canada's legislature, with artworks, lush grounds & tours.

Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada

Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature

Natural history exhibits in a Scottish baronial-style building, with fossils, insects & dioramas.

240 McLeod St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2R1, Canada

Canadian Museum of History

Museum chronicling Canadian culture & history, with an IMAX theater & separate children's museum.

100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8, Canada

National Gallery of Canada

This spacious museum focused on Canadian art also has global artworks, 2 cafes & a seasonal lounge.

380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada

Canadian War Museum

Set in a modern building, this museum is dedicated to documenting Canadian military history.

1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8, Canada

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Striking, modern museum with exhibits & programs devoted to Canadian science & technology.

1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 5A3, Canada

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Large musuem for aeronautical exhibits, including military & civilian aircraft, plus biplane rides.

11 Aviation Pkwy, Ottawa, ON K1K 2X5, Canada

Mooney's Bay Park and Beach

Riverfront park offering beach swimming, playgrounds & a sled hill, plus family events & festivals. · Dogs allowed

2960 Riverside Dr., Ottawa, ON K1V 8N4, Canada

Rideau Canal National Historic Site

Historic canal connecting the Ottawa River & Lake Ontario with ice skating & canoeing, plus trails.

1 Second Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 2H2, Canada

The National War Memorial

Confederation Square war memorial with a 70-ft. arch & statue, built from granite & bronze.

Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5A4, Canada

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

Dating to the 19th century, this church features a colourful interior & skyline-dominating spires.

385 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J9, Canada

Andrew Haydon Park

Waterfront public park with lawns, a bandshell, a picnic pavilion, playground & manmade waterfall. · Dogs allowed

3127 Carling Ave, Nepean, ON K2H 5A6, Canada

Hog's Back Park

Celebrated park featuring impressive waterfalls & a dam, picnic areas, hiking trails & green space. · Dogs allowed

600 Hog's Back Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H8, Canada

Funhaven

1050 Baxter Rd, Ottawa, ON K2C 3P2, Canada

Britannia Park and Beach

· Dogs allowed

2805 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 8K6, Canada

Commissioners Park

Tranquil park along Dows Lake, home to a famed spring Tulip Festival, offering paths & picnic areas. · Dogs allowed

Preston Street and, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N7, Canada

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Working farm in a large barn with live animals, demonstrations & educational exhibits.

901 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON K2C 3K1, Canada

Major's Hill Park

Leafy city park offers striking river views, walking paths, seasonal events & gardens. · Dogs allowed

Mackenzie Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 1G8, Canada

Confederation Park

City retreat with memorial monuments, sculptures & fountains, hosting festivals & national events. · Dogs allowed

Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J2, Canada

Royal Canadian Mint

Castle-like 1908 Mint headquarters with guided tours & world's biggest coin & gold bars on display.

320 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8, Canada

Ottawa Sign, ByWard Market

Series of block letters spelling the city's name, popular for photos & close to restaurants & shops.

6 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6, Canada

Canadian Children's Museum

Playful children's museum offering hands-on exhibitions, costumes, artifacts, toys & games.

100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8, Canada

Petrie Island Park

727 Tweddle Rd, Orléans, ON K4A 3P4, Canada

Strathcona Park

Easygoing riverfront park with paths, benches, clusters of shade trees & a seasonal splash pad. · Dogs allowed

25 Range Rd, Ottawa, ON K1N 8J3, Canada

Mer Bleue Bog

This 1.2km looping interpretive boardwalk trail passes through the Mer Bleue Bog.

Ridge Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1K0, Canada

Dominion Arboretum

Visitors can explore many gardens at the country's oldest arboretum, home to 10,000 kinds of plants. · Dogs allowed

Arboretum, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada

Centennial Flame

Fountain-&-flame landmark dedicated in 1967 to honor Canada's 100th anniversary of confederation.

111 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6, Canada

Petrie Island Beach

Supervised public beach for swimming & water activities, plus a park with play & picnic areas.

795 Tweddle Rd, Ottawa, ON K4A 3P4, Canada

Bank of Canada Museum / Musée de la Banque du Canada

Renovated museum presenting interactive exhibits on economy & bank's role in Canada's economy.

30 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G9, Canada

Rideau Canal, Locks 1 - 8 - Ottawa

Manually operated locks on a 19th-century canal popular for kayaking & cycling tours, plus camping.

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4, Canada

Rockcliffe Park and the Rockeries

· Dogs allowed

Rockcliffe Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1M 2H5, Canada

Remic Rapids Park

Riverfront park known for its collection of balanced rock sculptures by artist John Felice Ceprano. · Dogs allowed

Kichi Zībī Mīkan, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada

Ottawa Art Gallery

Sleek gallery with paintings, sculptures & photos by Canadian artists, including the Group of Seven.

50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, ON K1N 0C5, Canada

Stanley Park

Riverside park featuring soccer, tennis & baseball, plus a playground & an off-leash area for dogs. · Dogs allowed

183 Stanley Ave, Ottawa, ON K1M 1P2, Canada

Dundonald Park

Tree-lined park featuring a playground & paved walking paths, plus memorial plaques. · Dogs allowed

516 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5J9, Canada

Rideau Falls Park

This landscaped area with grass lawns & parking boasts views of the namesake pair of waterfalls. · Dogs allowed

50 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1M 2K1, Canada

Jigsaw Escape Rooms

12 Byward Market Square #2, Ottawa, ON K1N 7A1, Canada

Fletcher Wildlife Garden

Picturesque park featuring wildflowers, tranquil paths & wildlife in a butterfly meadow & frog pond. · Dogs allowed

near 865, Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON K2C 3K1, Canada

Ornamental Gardens

Botanical garden at the Central Experimental Farm featuring many plant collections, seating & paths. · Dogs allowed

75 National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Z2, Canada

Rideau Hall

This historic 1830s structure with landscaped grounds is the official home of the Governor General.

1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1, Canada

Bytown Museum

Museum on the the Rideau Canal featuring exhibits & an audio tour on Ottawa's history.

1 Canal Ln, Ottawa, ON K1P 5P6, Canada

Carlington Park

Pets & their human companions frequent this green space with trails, baseball fields & city views. · Dogs allowed

1640 Laperriere Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5A6, Canada

MacDonald Gardens Park

Tree-lined park featuring walking paths with benches, large grassy lawns & a gazebo. · Dogs allowed

541 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Windsor Park

· Dogs allowed

1 Windsor Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 1S2, Canada

Minto Park

This long, narrow park features tree-shaded picnic tables & walking paths lined with benches. · Dogs allowed

102 Lewis St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0S7, Canada

Guided Tours of Parliament

111 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6, Canada

Laroche Park

Park featuring a playground & a splash pad, plus basketball, baseball & other sports. · Dogs allowed

52 Bayview Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4L6, Canada

Owl Park

· Dogs allowed

215 Owl Dr, Ottawa, ON K1V 9K3, Canada

Brantwood Park

Riverside park with a waterfront nature trail, outdoor swimming pool, playground & sports fields. · Dogs allowed

39 Onslow Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1S, Canada

Pirate Life

588 Hog's Back Rd, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N5, Canada