visiting Ottawa/ Quebec

[smye1stdisneycruise]

Taking our 10 year old daughter to Ottawa this summer. What are some budget friendly things to do there? Hoping to visit Quebec for the day as well. Any suggestions as must dos? Thanks.

 

[dontthrowsand]

Museums, the mint, parliament. Depending when you go there a a number of festivals.
I love Canadian politics so I go to rideau hall, the supreme court, Laurier house and places like that. I also like the changing the guard event In the mornings. There is the RCMP musical ride as well. I have never been across the river to Hull Though but I hear there are some good places to eat there.

 

[1novascotian]

In my opinion here are some "must do's" in Ottawa.

The War Museum
http://www.warmuseum.ca/
$12 Adult, $8 Child, $30 family

Parliament Hill
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Visitors/index-e.asp
Its Free! Make sure you go up the Peace Tower, and visit the Parliamentary cats!

Ottawa Ghost Walk
http://www.hauntedwalk.com/ottawatours.php
Price Varies but the most expensive one is $15.75 (adult)
I did the Ghost and the Gallows tour of the Old Ottawa Jail the last time I was there and it was fantastic.

Here are two other websites that might help you make some decisions...

http://www.ottawatourism.ca/en/visitors/what-to-do

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g155004-Activities-Ottawa_Ontario.html


Where in Quebec are you thinking of going for your day trip?

 

[smye1stdisneycruise]

Thanks for the replies! We are staying at the Chateau Laurier hotel and Ideally hope to leave the car parked and walk and explore. Co-workers have told me you can walk across a bridge and be in Quebec. I am assuming you can take bus or train if something is really far? We are only staying two nights so I am sure we won't get to do everything we want. I have heard Gatineau Park is beautiful so maybe we will go there? Any other suggestions of what to do near the Ottawa/ Quebec border?

 

[riizu]

When you visit prkiament hill, make sure you visit the cat house. It's just ti the left of center block, and wild friendly cats live on the side of the hill.

 

[mollyseven]

Chateau Laurier is close to everything....you can walk everywhere you want to go, easily.
I would walk across the bridge to Gatineau and go to the Museum of Civilization which has an amazing kids part and a great IMAX theatre.
I would also walk to the Byward Market which is a great indoor/outdoor market area that has great treats....you could even walk there for a breakfast and have chocolate croissants and dessert like breakfasts. There are alot of restaurants around here also and a great candy store that has amazing Gelato.
A good place for dinner might be an Irish pub across from the parliament buildings a couple minute walk from chateau laurier called D'Arcy Mcgees....they usually have live music and it's good.
We love Ottawa, it's fun.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We were just there a couple of weeks ago and were also there the same time last year. We have done all the things mentioned and really liked everything. Ottawa is a great city....all the city amenities but feels like a small town.

 

[casper_jj11]

Museum of Civilization is only about a $10 cab ride from your hotel. I'd do that instead of walking. Its wonderful and a 10 yr old would love it. You're also close to Parliament buildings. There are tours of center block and you can go up the peace tower. Supreme Court of Canada also has tours. You're also next to the National Art Gallery and the Canadian Mint. I haven't done a tour but friends staying with us last year did and their kids loved it. My son's fav is the Science and Tech museum but that is further away. All other things mentioned are easily within walking distance. The museum of nature is further south of downtown but only by about a 5 min drive. Its wonderful (dinosaurs). If only here for two days, you'll be hardpressed to do half of what I listed. Museum of Civilization itself is hours if you see it all. We did the full museum with the kdis last year (minus Imax) and it took pretty much the full day. The market is also nice but if you're only here for two days, and you're with a 10yr old, I wouldn't bother.

 

[ccudmore]

Instead of walking or taking a cab, you can rent Bixi Bikes (https://capital.bixi.com/) around downtown and bike around instead. That way you can also explore a bit further afield but stay along the water.

On Sundays during the summer the close a number of roads around downtown and leave them open for bikes, runners and rollerbladers. So if you are an active family, it's a fun thing to do on Sundays.

Also suggest a drive up to Gatineau Park and visit some of the sights there (McKenzie-King estate, Champlain Lookout, the village of Old Chelsea). It's like having Algonquin Park 10 minutes away from downtown.

Other great free attractions include Rideau Hall (Governor General's residence) and the night time show at Parliament Hill. I think the Art Gallery may still be free on Sundays as well, but that may have changed.

 

[hy205]

I've lived in Ottawa my whole life it's a great place. the museum of Civilization has the best children's museum in the city and is the closest to where you are staying. If you do want to shop the Rideau center is the place to go which you will be able to see from your hotel front door. Be prepared tho that by staying at the chateau laurier you will be in a smaller room due to how old the hotel is. If here on a weekend night avoid the market too late it is the bar central and will have a lot going on but not a lot for your 10 year old. My recomendations for eating in the market would be the blue cactus, zak's diner, cornerstones, or ahora. Picollo grande is your place to get ice cream in the market a little outside the market by one street but well worth it price wise and taste. if your are going to gatineau park you will need to drive. any other questions i would be glad to answer. Have an awesome trip.

 

[ottawamom]

Another great way to see a lot of Ottawa and get some history while you're at it is to take a double decker bus tour. It covers a huge amount of stuff. Also there is a nice boat tour along the Rideau Canal.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'll second about the museum of Civilization and Zacks diner, also don't forget to check out the locks on the reudu canal too

 

[smye1stdisneycruise]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! Will definitely do museum of civilization and parliament buildings.