If you are looking for the perfect family getaway, consider visiting Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Located in the province of Ontario, Ottawa is a direct (less than a two hour) flight from New York and Washington. Ottawa is the perfect mix of educational museums, historical Parliament buildings and activities for the outdoor enthusiast.
Ottawa is a city of festivals. Winterlude is three weekends in February where the entire city embraces the snow and ice and offers a multitude of outdoor sledding, skating, skiing, and winter fun, including skating along the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest outdoor skating rink. In the spring, millions of tulips are on display along the Rideau Canal, the parkways, greenways and bike trails during Tulip Festival. A multicultural society, Canada embraces its diversity with Scottish, Irish, Greek, Lebanese, and other ethnic festivals throughout the year. Music, art and children’s festivals also pop up on the calendar.
Ottawa is also home to the federal government, located on Parliament Hill Tours are available year round with the National Capital Commission providing fantastic events throughout the year, including turning the Parliament buildings into a backdrop for spectacular events on the ‘Hill. In the summer, a changing of the guard occurs each day where visitors see the famous Mounties in their ceremonial performance.
Home to many national museums, families can choose from sites devoted to nature science, aviation, art or even a special museum just for kids.
If outdoor activities are more your thing, Ottawa has much to offer. Miles of bike paths, greenways, hiking trails and hundreds of parks and green spaces are available for recreational use. In the spring and summer, the city is a buzz with people enjoying the beautiful weather, rivers, lakes and waterways.
Calypso Water Parc www.calypsoparc.com is a quick 20 minute drive away and features more than 35 slides, 100 water games and the largest wave pool in Canada.
Ottawa is made up of unique neighborhoods where great restaurants and fabulous shopping abound. A truly walkable city, Ottawa has old fashioned neighborhoods offering mixes of residents, merchants and restaurants.
The Byward Market is steps away from the Parliament Buildings and offers many vendors who bring in their daily wares mixed in among established shops and merchants offering varied goods. The Glebe, located south of downtown has many independent shops where those looking for gifts are sure to find treasure. Westboro is another great place to people watch, enjoy great meals and find just the perfect gift.
Why not visit our neighbors to the north? Ottawa has friendly people, lots to see and do, has all the amenities of an international capital city and is family friendly as well.
