Want easy and amazing? Try awesomely adventurous Ottawa with kids this summer,

We can promise family vacations in Ottawa are more exciting this year than ever. It might be Canada’s first city but Ottawa is awesomely adventurous for kids.

Parliament buildings seen from the river at sunset, Ottawa

Find sun, beaches and family fun on family vacations in Ottawa

Ottawa is often described as Canada in One City. Think that sounds like a grand claim? Put it to the test this summer.

Average temperatures of 25° as well as sun and beautiful beaches, tick all the right July and August vacation boxes. And if summer isn’t summer without plenty of activity, Ottawa is limitlessly active. Plus it continues the Canada-in-Miniature theme with forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, wildlife and true wilderness, all close to the city centre.

Need a little more persuasion to put unforgettable on your summer list? Take a look at our handpicked adventures.

Wild water fun minutes from downtown Ottawa this summer

Go river rafting minutes from downtown Ottawa

If the thought of rafting rapids minutes from downtown sounds implausible, think again. This is Ottawa and challenging preconceptions comes naturally. The mighty Ottawa River is where the action takes place and Ottawa City Rafting have been taming the Class I and II rapids here for over 25 years. So when they say rafting is suitable for kids as young as five, trust them to know what they’re talking about.

Sessions last three hours and, in between wild water fun, flatwater floating is packed with city views. And if rafting isn’t enough excitement for one day, kids also have the option of trying cliff-jumping and body surfing.

Take to Canada’s immense skies on family vacations in Ottawa

For the ultimate city view hop aboard a WWII biplane and let yourself be expertly piloted over Ottawa. The age and heritage of the Waco UPF-7 plane might not mean much to kids. But even the most history averse will love its retro looks and funky propellers. What’s more, they even get to wear vintage helmets and goggles.

Each plane carries two passengers and gives you the exhilarating experience of open-cockpit flying. First Flight Tours take between six and eight minutes, which is good for kids. You can also book Ottawa River Tours and Parliament Hill Tours, lasting up to 15 minutes. And a stunning half hour Eco-Tour over Gatineau Park, Québec and Ontario is the one to try with older kids or teens.

Ziplining adventures for all ages at Explorer Park in Ottawa

There’s ziplining for everyone on family vacations in Ottawa

You barely have to leave Ottawa to discover true Canadian wilderness. Gatineau Park covers an area of more than 224 square miles just 15 minutes from the city centre. It’s a skiing legend in winter as well as a year-round magnet for rock climbers. The camping here is iconic and it’s also where to find Explorer Park.

Home of most exciting and extensive ziplining in Canada, Explorer Park is phenomenal. It’s by far the longest aerial adventure course in Gatineau, takes between two to three hours to complete and includes treetop challenges, obstacle courses, ladders, bridges and long, long ziplines. The course is exciting for older kids and teens, but just as demanding on adults. So it’s a great way to fire up some family competition. Because if you think you’ve nerves of steel, Explorer will test them to the limit.

A thrilling Peak-to-Peak Zipline is new for 2023 and takes about 90 minutes to complete. And Children’s Park is a small-scale Explorer designed to give under-eights a taste of aerial adventure in just under an hour.

Add wildlife safaris to family vacations in Ottawa

Safari this summer at Parc Omega in Québec

Québec is home to some extraordinary wildlife and you don’t have to stray too far off the beaten track for close encounters. Parc Omega is less than an hour’s drive east of Ottawa and a natural habitat for the wildest of indigenous animals from bison and moose to Arctic wolves, reindeer and Musk Ox. Come by car and safari through nearly eight miles of Québec’s diverse eco-systems, meeting curious creatures along the way.

Once you’re safari-ed out, it’s time to get active. Kids can watch Grey Wolves from the observation bridge. There are extensive hiking trails to tackle and even an aerial tree walkway. Younger children will love visiting the Old Farm. And everything from self-drive safari to freestyle exploring is included in the ticket price. So you definitely should plan a full day to do it all justice.

Cycle the Rideau Canal on family vacations in Ottawa

Bike the family-friendly Ottawa River Cycle Trail

Ottawa has almost 500 mileskm of dedicated cycle paths networked in and around the city. Hundreds of those miles are more than doable with older kids and teens, but the lovely three mile stretch along the Ottawa River is perfect for even the youngest still-in-training-wheels cyclists. And it’s another great family adventure that’s easy, costs next to nothing and gets you an eyeful of the city from the grandeur of Parliament Hill to the Rideau Canal.

It’s not a long ride  in terms of distance, though you want to leave plenty of time for pausing along the way. There’s parkland for pit-stops and playing. The Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History are both on-route. Family-friendly riverside restaurants are too good to resist, even just for a quick drink. And if you’re up for a longer ride, just keep going west and you’ll come to beautiful beaches like Westboro and Britannia.

Local Ottawa bike rental companies are conveniently located across the city centre and all hire age-appropriate kids’ bikes, as well as toddler-trailers, bike seats and safety kit.