Canada’s capital is a March Break mecca with its many cultural institutions, outdoor activities and indoor attractions. And since Ottawa shares a provincial border with Gatineau, Québec, much of the special programming is offered during both the Québec March Break (scheduled during different weeks) and the Ontario March Break (March 13-17, 2023). So gather the kids and come experience some of the fun activities below for an epic March Break in Ottawa!
Get active
Maple Syrup Fun
Maple taffy on snow, horse drawn sleigh rides, yummy pancake breakfasts or brunch – what’s not to love about maple season? Several sugar bushes and other sites located throughout the Ottawa region offer tasty options during the maple season from late February to early April.
Downhill ski/snowboard camps
The Ottawa-Gatineau region has several downhill skiing and snowboarding centres within a short driving distance of the city—the closest is a 15-minute drive from Parliament Hill! Hit the hills for a few hours with the family, or sign up for special programming over the school breaks, including multi-day camps, as well as private and group lessons for different ages and levels.
Altitude Gym
If your family is “climbing the walls”, take them to one of Altitude Gym’s two locations: Gatineau or Kanata. These climbing centres offer international-level facilities for the entire family, no matter the skill level. Choose from rock climbing, bouldering, auto-belay climbing, plus special Clip ‘N Climb and Ninja Warriors activities.
Funhaven
Located just minutes west of downtown Ottawa, Funhaven offers a world-class laser tag arena, the latest high-tech mini-bowling lanes, an indoor roller coaster, bumper cars, an arcade and prize games, simulators and a huge jungle gym. The little ones are sure to be entertained!
Par-tee Putt
Pretend it’s summer and play a round of indoor mini-golf at Par-Tee Putt in Little Italy! This unique spot has 18 quirky-themed and interactive holes, plus delicious food and drink from the Prescott restaurant which is located above. All ages are welcome until 8:00pm.
Escape rooms
Bond as a family by getting locked up and working together to escape! Escape attractions throughout the city like Escape Manor, Escape Manor Junior and Jigsaw Escape Rooms have options for all ages.
Consider attempting the world’s largest escape room—Escape the Diefenbunker. Located inside the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, this multi-award winning experience takes place in the underground bunker and is 25,000 square feet!
Get entertained
Seven national museums
You could spend all week exploring seven of Canada’s nine national museums, and many other cultural attractions located in the Ottawa region. Choose from the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the National Gallery of Canada and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is even hosting hands-on activities during March Break from March 4-19. Kids get to make their own paw print using modelling clay, partake in a scavenger hunt through the various galleries and play games.
Cobblestone Tours
See Ottawa like never before! Embark on a tour with Cobblestone Tours. Starting in the ByWard Market, you’ll see all of the important Ottawa sights and have a bilingual guide teach you more about them. Choose between the hour and 10 minute round trip tour, or the hop on-hop off one day pass.
Performances
The National Arts Centre in downtown Ottawa presents a variety of live programming including the Broadway musical Disney’s Aladdin (March 21-26). Head just west of downtown to the Canadian Tire Centre to see Disney On Ice Presents Find Your Hero (March 9-12).
Urban exploration
Join a cloaked guide for the Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa tour to hear spooky stories and fascinating history about downtown Ottawa. Or choose a self-guided experience to explore the region’s cool urban art, outdoor gems and even Christmas movie filming locations. You can also visit beautiful indoor and outdoor places to photograph that will awe the entire family, such as a castle-like hotel, a tropical greenhouse, waterfalls and other beautiful sights.
Pro hockey
There are two ways to see live ice hockey in Ottawa, and multiple games to choose from during the Ontario March Break! See the Ottawa Senators play a National Hockey League (NHL) game at the Canadian Tire Centre, or see young stars from the Ottawa 67’s play in the junior-level Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at TD Place at Lansdowne, in the Glebe neighbourhood near downtown.
Get wild
Parc Omega
Parc Omega, located in Montebello, Québec – just a 45-minute drive from downtown Ottawa – is a large wildlife park that immerses visitors in Canadian wildlife and First Nations’ history. You can take a Canadian safari any time of year through the natural habitat of animals like deer, elk, bison, caribou and wolves. The park also has walking trails and a variety of special programming.
Little Ray’s Nature Centre
Enjoy a hands-on and educational experience through encounters with bats, pythons, alligators, cobras, birds of prey and more at Little Ray’s Nature Centre. Private tours and even sloth encounters are available!
March Break Camps
Do your kids love getting crafty? Send them to an art camp this March Break! The ACE Arte Studio will be holding a Kids Art Camp from March 13-17 for kids ages 5-12. All supplies are included and your kids will get to display their creations from the week at the art show held on the last day of the camp.
Both the downtown Ottawa and Orleans locations of the Ottawa School of Art will be hosting March Break Camps for ages 7-17 with a variety of mediums. Keep your kids creative this March Break!
Get fed
Alice Village Café
Just an hour’s drive from Ottawa, you’ll find Carp, a quaint town with fun things to do for the whole family. Check out Alice’s Village Café for good food, good coffee and good drinks. With many options for kid’s, including poutine, grilled cheese, pizza and more, you’ll want to keep bringing the family back to this spot.
The Carp Custom Creamery
Homemade ice cream produced in-house daily? Find that and more at the one and only Carp Custom Creamery. There are also gluten-free and vegan-friendly options. Grab a scoop of one of 16 different flavours. Want some for later? Grab a 1L tub of one of their 40+ available flavours.
Family-friendly restaurants
Check out this article to find more restaurants and places to eat in the Ottawa area that are perfect for the whole family!
