OT - Ottawa or Montreal

[My 2 princesses]

My kids have not been to either Ottawa or Montreal and we have the opportunity to go. We can't decide where to go. It will be a short trip - 1 or 2 nights only.

My kids are 8 and 4. And we get to ride on VIA rail for the first time ever as well

 

[ccudmore]

A big question is when are you going? There's so many festivals in both cities and that may be enough to sway you one way or another.

It also depends on what you want to do. If you go to Montreal you'll things like the science centre (most exhibits are French-only though), old montreal (lots of culture - big WOW factor) and La Ronde (amusement park) and shopping.

Ottawa you'll get lots of learning (war museum, children's museum, museum of nature) plus seeing how the country works (parliament hill).

If you could let us know when this trip would be it would help with the recommendations.

 

[My 2 princesses]

A big question is when are you going? There's so many festivals in both cities and that may be enough to sway you one way or another.

It also depends on what you want to do. If you go to Montreal you'll things like the science centre (most exhibits are French-only though), old montreal (lots of culture - big WOW factor) and La Ronde (amusement park) and shopping.

Ottawa you'll get lots of learning (war museum, children's museum, museum of nature) plus seeing how the country works (parliament hill).

If you could let us know when this trip would be it would help with the recommendations.

Thanks for your response. We have to use the VIA rail passes by June 30th. March break might be too cold, but there are some PA days coming up.

 

[ccudmore]

Maybe come to Ottawa for the Tulip Festival in May (http://www.tulipfestival.ca/) Usually lots of entertainment for the entire family all around the city plus a chance to see all of the local sites.

 

[mtmbyck]

Well I am a bit bias but have spent time in both cities and my vote is for Ottawa because of the age of your kids. Ottawa is wonderful for kids. The museums have a fantastic family price, right now we have skating on the Rideau canal, but best of all, you won't need a car if you stay downtown. The market (shops, restaurants, outdoor vendors) is bustling on weekends. Stay in a hotel near the market and you can walk to so many sights (parliament buildings, canal, Rideau mall). It's a wonderful city and if you haven't been in quite a while you must give it a try. If you wait for warmer months, you can walk to the locks on the canal (cool for kids) or see the changing of the guard ceremony at parliament hill or see the evening light show. Check out the tourism Ottawa website.

 

[kwannabee]

I am in close proximity to both, but work in Ottawa. Montreal is fun but the driving oyyyyy....we need our gps on turbo to get through there...lots of really nice things to see though...great shopping!

With kids though id pick Ottawa. The Rideau Canal, the Byward market, a cruise down the ottawa river to check out the prime ministers house and see his back yard...and the Beavertails!!! you HAVE to get a beavertail! Also in June, Calypso water park opens...the water is heated and its now considered to have the biggest wavepool in Canada, and the science and tech museum is fun too. From down town near the parliament buildings (they have fun tours and you can see the changing of the guard) you can actually walk across a bridge over the ottawa river into Hull quebec, and check out the childrens museum at the Museum of Civilization...it also has an imax theatre...and the grown ups can check out the casino at night! So much to do...and its really pretty too as all the greenery starts to sprout in the springtime! Great malls, and if you like shopping check out "the Glebe' or 'Westboro Village' for some really neat and unique shops and markets.

Anyway good luck with your decision though...i sound a little biased i guess!

 

[My 2 princesses]

Great suggestions. I was leaning towards Ottawa anyway but my colleagues threw in Montreal as an option. They did say that hotels in Ottawa were more expensive but the upside is you can get around in a tour bus and eliminate the need of a car while in Montreal you do need a car. I myself have only been to Ottawa once and to Montreal once, so am pretty open to any place.

The Tulip festival looks good but there is no PA day in May. Besides, my DD is in grad 3 so EQAO this year and it's around May time frame.

Thanks for your in put guys....keep them coming.

 

[Greenfield1984]

Tough call. I'm from montreal and moved to ottawa. Not sure which i'd recomend. I'm very unimpressed with La Ronde, however if you do go to montreal i'd ahve the biodome on the top of the list. It's particularly nice during the colder months since the rainforest room reminds you of summer .

 

[pacostrano]

I live in Ottawa but during summer there is more Festival in downtown Montreal and the museum are nice. i think there is more thing to do in Montreal lol but you always come to Ottawa too it's only 2hrs of driving

 

[Skywalker]

We took our kids for a weekend in Ottawa, and a weekend in Montreal. Our family had much more fun in Ottawa!

 

[Feckless]

My kids love museums and had a great time in Ottawa. We were there 5 days in November and didn't get everything done we planned! More expensive for everything though. We want to go to Montreal with them so they can practice their French althoug my DS has a Habs aversion!

I'd say with kids, Ottawa, for grownups, Montreal.