Explore Ottawa: a kid-friendly walking tour
The City of Ottawa is an extremely family-friendly destination. We are convinced part of the reason for this is because downtown Ottawa is just so darned walkable. You will find culture and history, (and politics – being Canada’s capital and all), museums and markets, parks and patios, all within manageable walking distance.
Our recommended walking tour is the perfect way to discover Ottawa with kids. While it can be managed in 1 day, it is best done over 2 days. You will definitely need 2 days if you want to spend time exploring the buildings and museums. Sightseeing fatigue is real with kids (and adults too!)
(A) Parliament Hill
The heart of Canada’s capital is a good place to start any walking tour!
Parliament Hill is home to the federal government of Canada. You can take a quick stroll-through to admire the buildings and take in the expansive grounds and views, or make it a more immersive experience by taking a guided tour.
There are 3 main buildings that make up Parliament Hill – the Centre Block and Library of Parliament, the East Block, and the West Block. The grounds overlook the Ottawa river. The grounds and buildings are free to visit. Parliament tours require reservations ahead of time.
Keep in mind that Centre Block and Library are under construction, projected to last until 2031. (Be prepared for lots of scaffolding and cranes!)
The grounds
Even for those not interested in politics, Parliament Hill is a lovely stop. The buildings themselves are very photogenic, built in gothic revival style. Bronze statues scattered across the grounds feature famous Canadian politicians. You can circle behind the buildings for views overlooking the Ottawa River.
The Centennial flame is a monument/fountain built in front of Centre Block to commemorate Canada’s 100th birthday. Coins tossed into this fountain go into a research grant for people with disabilities.
Quite frankly, your kids may just want to spend the time running across the expansive Parliament Hill lawn. And you might as well stop for a picnic snack while you’re at it!
Changing of the Guard
In the summer (late June to end of August) you can catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 10:00am from the Parliament Hill lawn. The ceremony runs daily, and the full parade take place Wednesday to Sunday.
Guided tours
We do recommend taking at least one of the guided tours, especially with elementary age kids and older. It’s a great way to learn about the Parliament buildings themselves and the workings of the federal government.
There are currently 4 tours available:
- The House of Commons (the West Block) – one of the branches of government
- The Senate (currently housed in the former Ottawa train station during the construction) – the second branch of government
- The East Block, featuring restored heritage rooms showcasing Parliament’s history
- The Immersive Experience – because Centre Block is closed, the Immersive Experience takes you through a virtual tour of Centre Block, and an overview of the roles of the federal government. This is interactive, and a good option for younger kids.
Each tour is around 30-40 minutes long – remember to make your reservation online ahead of time.
(B) National War Memorial
Leaving Parliament Hill from the east gate brings you to the National War Memorial, just across Wellington Street.
This monument is dedicated to the soldiers who fought for Canada. It’s a somber but fascinating experience for kids. You will find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the front of the memorial, whose remains were found in a war cemetery at Vimy Ridge.
You can also catch a changing of the guards during warmer months, although the schedule varies.
(C) Major Hill Park and Rideau Canal
Crossing back across Wellington street, this is a good time to enjoy some nature and zen in the heart of the city. You can cut across the patio of the swanky Fairmont Chateau Laurier directly to Major Hill Park. Here you will find green space and beautiful garden beds, especially during tulip season.
Major Hill Park runs right alongside the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River, and you can take the park stairs down to the Canal itself. The Rideau Canal is a 200 km manmade lock system that connects the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario, and the oldest working canal system in North America. The first 8 locks are right in this downtown hub. You can walk directly over the locks themselves, and it’s always fascinating to see the locks in action when boats pass through. There is a small museum for those who want to know more about the Rideau Canal. (If you have the time, check out this option to rent a houseboat to explore parts of the Rideau canal! By far one of the coolest experiences we have had.)
(D) [Byward Market]
Byword Market is an outdoor pedestrian friendly space full of restaurants, bakeries, bars, artesian shops and specialty markets. (This is the number 1 tourist destination in Ottawa, and for good reason.) The original market space was built in the 1800s when Ottawa was still known as Bytown and not Canada’s capital.
You can visit Byward Market anytime on your tour, or even (and we recommend this!) multiple times on your tour. Depending on how long you are spending in Parliament Hill and the various museum attractions, Byward Market is a great way to end your day.
Particular kid-friendly places to check out include:
- Zak’s Diner: an old fashioned diner space that serves epic milkshakes
- Tucker’s Marketplace: an international buffet that offers something for adults and kids, and dessert selection for days
- The Grand Pizzeria and Bar: authentic pizza that would be a hit for all
- Le Moulin De Provence: a bakery with *so* many sugar cookie options. Former president Obama visited this spot and tried a now infamous “Obama cookie”
Gelatos, chocolate strawberry cups, iconic Canadian beavertails, there is no shortage of delicious treats here.
(E) Ottawa Sign
You can’t miss the Ottawa sign at the entrance to Byward Market from Major Hill!
(F) Alexandra Bridge to Gatineau
Continue where you left off: at the far end of Major Hill Park you will find the Alexandra Bridge. This is a scenic steel truss bridge that connects Ottawa to Gatineau (Quebec) across the Ottawa River. It is open to car traffic but there are separate lanes for pedestrians/cyclists. The walk offers great views of Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa.
Continue on the entire length of the bridge (about 500m) if you want to visit the Canadian Museum of History on the other side. Otherwise, enjoy the view and turn back toward Major Hill Park at any point.
(G) Canadian Museum of History
Ottawa is home to some great museums, but we would say the Canadian Museum of History is the most iconic. It takes you through the entirety of Canada’s history, from prehistoric to modern. The first floor has a gallery dedicated to indigenous history and culture. There are interactive kid-friendly elements throughout. I would say Big and Lil S (ages 10 and 8) were just getting to the stage where they could start to appreciate history and are learning relevant components at school.
For younger kids (and even elementary kids), the attached Children’s Museum is a huge hit. Pick up your passport and go on a world trip. Each “country” has a themed area and museum staff on hand to lead interactive activities. Looking for more imagination? Check out the theatre room and the “build anything” room full of Big Blue Blocks.
Don’t forget to catch a movie in the iMax theatre. Many of the films feature animals and are kid-friendly.
(H) “Maman” spider sculpture and the National Gallery of Canada
Once you make your way back from Alexandra Bridge to Major Hill Park, the National Gallery of Canada is just across the street from Major Hill Park.
We did not visit the National Gallery of Canada, as our kids don’t appreciate good art. 😛 Older kids and artists at heart might want to stop here. There is a floor dedicated to Canadian and Indigenous art, and a second floor for European and American art, along with rotating special exhibits.
Our kids DID appreciate “Maman”, a modern sculpture in the plaza depicting a spider with eggs in its belly. This is one of a handful of permanent Maman sculptures around the world.
(I) Notre Dame Cathedral
On the other side of Sussex street from the art gallery is Notre Dame Cathedral, a Roman Catholic basilica and the oldest church in Ottawa. It is open to visitors (and free to visit). The interior features intricate carving and paintings.
This was our kids’ first time inside a church of this kind and they were mesmerized by just how elaborate everything was.
(J) Royal Canadian Mint
Just up Sussex street is the museum of the Royal Canadian Mint. Take a guided tour to see how coins are made and get ready to be wowed by *all* the gold. For kids who like collecting, this is a great spot to pick up a special collectors edition coin. We did not stop here on our most recent trip with the kids, but I have toured it in the past and it is a fascinating experience for kids and adults.
If this is your second day, we recommend heading back to Byward Market. Pick another restaurant or patio for a meal, a drink, and some delicious snacks.
