With the warm weather, outdoor activities, guided tours and fun attractions, Ottawa is the perfect summer destination. Use the itinerary ideas below to plan your own fun getaway or staycation with the whole family in the Ottawa region this August long weekend!
DAY 1 — Cycle, walk and tour
Accommodation options in the Ottawa area range from historic hotels to budget-friendly motels. Explore where to stay for all the options and to take advantage of any promotions.
Use your own bikes or rent and cycle your way through Ottawa while appreciating the lush greenery and urban scenery along the way. Create your own route by riding picturesque pathways that line the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River, as well as cycling-friendly rural communities.
Or join one of the city’s best walking or cycling tours. Expert guides can take you to beautiful sites and share fascinating history.
Head to parks within the city centre to take a summer stroll or have a picnic with a perfect backdrop of Parliament Hill or the castle-like Fairmont Château Laurier. Or explore the stunning landscapes just outside the urban core, including forests, wetlands and farms located throughout the nearby protected lands. National Capital Greenbelt offers plenty of outdoor activity options in the summer including walking, cycling and birdwatching.
Enjoy a meal on one of Ottawa’s patios, or visit a kid-friendly restaurant.
DAY 2 — Zip, paddle and hike
Bond as a family over adventurous activities. If the kids weigh at least 35 kilograms (70 pounds), they (and you) can ride the world’s first interprovincial zipline! Interzip takes you soaring over the Ottawa River between downtown Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Québec, with a view of Parliament Hill along the way.
Keep the adrenaline pumping at adventure centres within 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Ottawa. At Arbraska Laflèche, you can zipline through the forest, explore the caves or embark on a hike. Camp Fortune also offers an incredible zipline adventure, fun aerial park activities and hiking, plus mountain biking and a thrilling mountain pipe coaster (kids of a certain size can ride with an adult).
Drive or hike through forests of bright deciduous trees, green conifers and rugged hills in Gatineau Park. The park’s main entrance — just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Ottawa — makes it the region’s most popular summer destination. For the best experience (and smaller crowds), venture farther inside the 361-kilometre (almost 90,000-acre) conservation park and visit during off-peak hours.
Wind down by pedal boating your way through a water maze surrounded by autumn leaves at Éco-Odyssée. Kids will love discovering species of flora and fauna while navigating the twists and turns.
Reward yourselves after a big adventure with some of the Ottawa region’s frozen treats. Everyone loves decorated sweets and warm beverages, and adults can indulge in tasty seasonal craft beers, ciders or cocktails.
DAY 3 — Museums and farms
Did you know that Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, as well as historic sites and other cultural gems?
You can find the Canadian Children’s Museum inside of the Canadian Museum of History. With so many interactive opportunities for you children to play and learn, they’ll never want to leave! Another fan favourite is the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and home to the world’s largest escape room — 75 feet underground! Check out Ottawa’s seven national museums, including farm animals, airplanes, technology, nature, history and more.
If animals are a family favourite, visit Valleyview Little Animal Farm for other creatures and kids activities. Round it out with a self-driven Canadian safari at Parc Omega—a giant wildlife and culture park located just 45 minutes away in Montebello, Quebec. Keep an eye out for moose, elk, bison, wolves and bears, and learn about Canada’s First Nations on the walking trail.
