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“Do you think I can order the wagyu beef?” our 10-year old grandson asked as he browsed the menus of restaurants on our itinerary for a family vacation in Ottawa.
We were in the planning stages of a skip-gen getaway, a type of travel where grandparents take grandchildren on a trip without their parents (skipping the middle generation).
This growing trend allows grandchildren and grandparents to bond and create special memories while exploring new destinations together.
The trips are opportunities to tailor a trip to match a child’s interests, learn more about each other and the world.
On vacations with A’s older siblings, we’d cooked with a French chef, zip-lined through a rainforest in Costa Rica and gone rock-hounding in northern Ontario.
This 3-night family trip to Ottawa would be filled with upscale Canadian cuisine, family heritage and a bounty of outdoor adventure.
And being Canada’s capital city — the Ottawa Capital Region actually includes Ottawa, Gatineau, and surrounding municipalities in Ontario and Quebec — the itinerary would also include historic sites, landmark museums and attractions, spectacular landscapes and public spaces.
Who Will This Ottawa Family Vacation Itinerary Suit?
- luxury travellers or those planning a skip-gen or other special occasion splurge.
- young “foodies” aka kids who are culinary adventurers and excited about trying new dishes and ingredients.
- active, outdoor enthusiasts keen on zip-lining, cycling, walking and swimming.
- it’s aimed at children ages 8-12 given the minimum weight requirement of 32 kg (70 pounds) for some activities.
🌟 Pro Tip: It’s prudent to carry a notarized consent letter granting permission to travel if you’re vacationing with a child without both of their parents.
The Government of Canada has a Sample Consent Letter that can be used or modified.
Day 1: Hotel Check-in, ByWard Market
Our skip-gen family weekend in Ottawa began with an indulgent stay on the Gold Floor of the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier.
It was our top choice for a place to stay in Ottawa due to its spectacular natural setting, luxurious amenities and architectural heritage.
A Landmark Canadian Hotel
To begin, the Fairmont Château Laurier was one of several chateau-style Canadian hotels — along with Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, the Royal York (Toronto) and Hotel Vancouver — commissioned by railway companies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to attract affluent travellers to its rail network.
The hotels’ opulent architecture featuring turrets, steep roofs and other architectural elements mirrors European castles.
Also adding to its pedigree, Fairmont Château Laurier has hosted numerous VIPs and dignitaries over the years.
Some famous guests include Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela as well as celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Justin Bieber, Tom Hanks and Taylor Swift.
This elegant ambiance set a tone of grandeur for our own getaway, offering a glimpse into history as well as luxurious amenities.
Its prime downtown location within walking distance to major attractions also helps make it the top hotel in Ottawa for a family vacation.
For us, a family tie also provided a bit of a personal connection.
My grandfather Edward Peterson played trombone in several big band orchestras in the 1920s and 1930s in landmark luxury hotels across North America and Europe.
We know his orchestra performed at the Royal York so it’s also possible he played in one of the ballrooms in this grand hotel!
An upgrade to the Gold Floor included evening hors d’oeuvres, hot breakfast and refreshments, honour bar and dessert bar. There was even a fun candy station to round out the offerings.
Check rates and availability of the Gold Floor Experience at Fairmont Château Laurier on Booking.com.
🌟 Related: While not strictly chateau-style, Digby Pines in Digby Nova Scotia, built in the early 20th century, also features architectural elements reminiscent of grand European country estates.
Public Art and ByWard Market
Our first stop after check-in was at the National Gallery of Canada (Google Map). There we marvelled at the one of the most famous pieces of public art in Ottawa.
The colossal spider sculpture “Maman” created by renowned artist Louise Bourgeois is one of six in the world.
With its graceful form, the Maman spider is said to symbolize motherhood.
But like all great art work it provokes conversation and interpretation.
Our grandson saw it as a giant alien as in a “War of the Worlds” or “Stranger Things” movie.
Inspired for our next adventure, we headed across the street to the ByWard Market, a historic public space in the heart of the city accessible by foot, bicycle, transit and car.
Ottawa Sign Photo-Op
Nightfall was the ideal time to capture a photo at the illuminated Ottawa sign (Google Map), a fun symbol of the city’s welcoming atmosphere.
This district spanning four square blocks is filled with restaurants, pubs, cafes, specialty food shops and more.
We opted for dinner at the Blue Cactus Bar & Grill in the heart of the action. Its contemporary menu, with a southwestern spin and variety, is perfect for an intergenerational group.
Our mains of fish tacos, steamed salmon and ribs were expertly-prepared and savoured on the patio surrounded by the city’s energy.
Parliament Hill at Night
As the stars rose in the sky, we made our way to Parliament Hill.
Our grandson joined an impromptu soccer game with new-found friends on the grassy lawn until the Sound & Light Show began.
Then we shared a blanket watching the captivating mix of original music and images depicting a journey though Canada’s history projected onto the iconic buildings.
It was impossible not to be moved by the storytelling.
The inspiring images sparked conversations about our own family’s immigration experiences as newcomers from Ukraine, Poland and Guatemala.
As we took a walk through Confederation Square, we talked about my grandfather who worked a trapline near Hudson Bay as well as a great great grandfather who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge in WWI.
Our evening wrapped up at the Fairmont Château Laurier, even more spectacular when illuminated at night, where we stopped by the Gold Floor lounge for nightcaps of tea, milk and cookies.
🌟Note: There will be no Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill in 2024.
As an alternative, there is a new Parliament Immersive Experience. Get tickets for 45-minute free tour online.
A fun evening activity with kids would be Oh Canada Eh? It’s Canada’s longest running dinner musical and features lots of Canadian music and themes.
Day 2: Sightseeing, Heritage, Ziplining and Canadian Cuisine
The following morning began with breakfast at the Gold Floor Lounge, a quiet haven ideal for planning our day.
Sun streamed into the lobby boding well for a day where we planned to spend much of the time outdoors.
We stepped out the door to the sight of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and the Parliament Buildings.
Famous for its Gothic Revival architecture of detailed stonework, greening copper rooftops and tall spires, the Parliament Buildings were even more impressive by day than they’d been by night.
🌟 Pro Tip: Book a Free Guided Tour of the Parliament of Canada building online before you go.
Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour of City Landmarks
Next up on Day 2 of our Ottawa itinerary was a Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour on a Gray Line Double Decker bus.
The ticket kiosk is strategically located at 44 Sparks St. (Google Map) facing Confederation Square and the National War Memorial across from Châateau Laurier.
We’re big fans of Hop On, Hop Off tours. We’ve taken open-top, double-decker buses everywhere from Barcelona to London.
They’re a relaxing way to see multiple attractions at your own pace.
In Ottawa, the Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus includes 75 sites at more than a dozen stops.
With a one-day ticket in hand, we were soon on our way exploring Ottawa’s key landmarks with the wind in our hair.
First, we passed by the National Gallery and then cruised along the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway to see Rideau Hall, RCMP Stables, the NCC River House, the Ottawa River and more.
Canadian War Museum
We disembarked at the Canadian War Museum (Google Map), where we delved into our family history and learned about A’s great-great-grandfather’s sacrifice during World War One.
While I have shared the story behind why his name is inscribed on the Vimy Ridge War Memorial in France every Remembrance Day, the experience of walking inside a recreated WW1 trench was especially poignant.
Is the Canadian War Museum disturbing for children?
The messaging at the Canadian War Museum is multi-faceted. It educates visitors about Canada’s military history while honouring the courage and bravery of Canadian service persons.
It also fosters reflection on the human cost of war and emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of peace.
However, the battlefield diorama featuring sounds of explosions and gunfire was especially powerful. It could be disturbing to very young children.
As a place of commemoration and education, it connected us to our heritage in a profound way.
Lunch & an Iconic Dessert at ByWard Market
This skip-gen family vacation in Ottawa was also an opportunity to discover our grandson had very distinct interests from those of this siblings.
While his brothers were mostly interested in eating chicken fingers and fries, A’s wish list included wagyu beef, cedar plank salmon and Asian noodle houses.
That’s why lunchtime found us slurping ramen noodles at Le Mien Craft Noodles (Google Map) in ByWard Market, a short Uber ride from the Canadian War Museum.
While best known for its authentic hand-pulled noodles and traditional Chinese dishes, it’s also culinary theatre at its finest.
Steaming vats of bubbling broth, the strands of noodles being stretched to impossible lengths and bustling tables laden with pots of tea and clattering chopsticks transported us to the heart of Asia while highlighting Ottawa’s diverse culinary scene.
At ByWard Market you can nosh on Italian, Mexican, French and Moroccan cuisines, to name a few. The bustling market is the perfect place for culinary adventurers.
🌟 Insider Tip: Can’t decide where to begin? Sign up for a guided walking food tour of ByWard Market with C’est Bon Ottawa. This tasty 2.5 hour tour features 3 savoury dishes, 1 refreshment and 2 sweet dishes including a shared BeaverTail.
And dessert was just steps away. No trip to Ottawa with kids (or anyone) is complete without eating a BeaverTail or two.
BeaverTails are a beloved Canadian dessert consisting of fried dough topped with sweet (or savoury) toppings.
Served hot, they’re a quintessential treat in Canadian culinary culture.
Afterward, we indulged in some souvenir shopping. We stocked up on maple products such as syrup, cookies and tea as well as some red and white toques.
Along with ice-wine, they’re some of the most popular souvenirs to buy in Canada.
Zip-lining Between Quebec and Ontario
Next up, we embraced our adventurous spirit with a thrilling zipline across the Ottawa River with InterZip.
This seasonal attraction (operating May to October) features parallel ziplines that soar 425 metres (1,400 feet) between elevated platforms on both sides of the river west of downtown Ottawa and Gatineau.
The breathtaking views made for an exhilarating bonding experience, leaving us (the two participants and observer) with a shared sense of accomplishment and excitement.
Book in advance online. Check weight and other restrictions.
🌟 Insider Tip: We opted to zipline across the Ottawa River but a more leisurely option would be to take a Walking Tour with Ottawa River Cruise.
Pool time and hors d’oeuvres
We arrived back at the Fairmont Château Laurier just in time for evening hors d’oeuvres in the Gold Floor Lounge.
It was followed by a quick dip in the saltwater swimming pool, a gem due to its Art Deco design.
Check rates and availability at the Fairmont Château Laurier on Booking.com.
Fine-dining at Aiana Restaurant
The lights were low and the vibe upscale at our evening dinner destination, the Aiana Restaurant Collective.
This fine-dining restaurant located in the heart of downtown Ottawa (Google Map), a 5-minute walk from Parliament Hill, features seasonal ingredients with a multicultural spin.
It was exciting to see wild grown regional products such as sea buckthorn, a scrubby plant grown in northern Manitoba, paired with global spices such as saffron.
Aiana is an indigenous word that means “always blossoming” and that captures the philosophy in play here.
Under the creative spirit of Chef Raghav Chaudhary, ingredients such as bannock, lavender and chamomile appear in dishes from around the globe.
The entire dining experience was memorable — from the celestial chandelier to the attentive service.
It’s good to know too that Aiana is a Living Wage employer. Staff are paid an hourly wage that reflects what people need to earn to cover the actual costs of living in their community. This means there is no tipping.
Reservations are necessary. Book online at Aiana.
Day 3: Cycling, Afternoon Tea and Haunted History
The next day, our outdoor adventure continued with a guided bike tour of Ottawa’s landmarks with RentABike.
In operation since 1976, RentABike has several small group tours and cycling routes.
We opted for the 2 hour, 12 km (7.5 mile) Ottawa Landmarks Tour, cycling along the scenic Rideau Canal, past Little Italy to picturesque Dow’s Lake.
Even though it poured rain during our bike tour — prompting chants “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” — we did experience Ottawa’s natural beauty in a unique and eco-friendly way.
A highlight was a stop at Chaudière Falls, where the Ottawa River cascades over a series of rocky ledges, creating a powerful display of rushing water.
Historically, the Falls held great significance for Indigenous peoples, who revered the site as a sacred gathering place.
Ottawa boasts over 800 kilometres of bicycle paths and recreational trails, which makes it one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada.
Check prices and availability of a Small Group Bike Tour of Ottawa on Viator.com.
Afternoon Tea at Zoe’s
Later that afternoon, after changing into smart attire, we indulged in a posh afternoon tea at Zoe’s Restaurant located on the main floor of Fairmont Château Laurier.
The elegant setting, combined with a mix of sweet and savoury pastries, tea sandwiches and scones, added a touch of sophistication and tranquility to our day.
Additionally, our grandson enjoyed a hot chocolate and special treats from the Princess and Prince Menu, tailored for kids ages 12 and under.
Be sure to book Afternoon Tea in advance especially during holidays and summer.
Canadian Museum of History
Next up was the impressive Canadian Museum of History located across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec (Google Map).
There, we explored the country’s past through interactive exhibits, galleries and displays including the world’s largest collection of totem poles.
The galleries provide valuable insights into Canada’s rich history, sparking meaningful conversations about First Nations culture and pioneer life on the prairies (such as our own ancestors might have experienced).
The vast space is also home to the popular Canadian Children’s Museum with its International Village with emblematic experiences from around the world including a Pakistani bus, a pyramid, rickshaw, cargo ship and more.
🌟 Pro Tip: Save money by visiting on Thursdays from 5 to 7 pm when admission is free. Book your timed ticket online after 5 pm on Sunday of the week you plan to visit.
Dinner at Joey Rideau
We had time for a quick dinner before our evening activities so popped into Joey Rideau, a bustling casual restaurant in the heart of Ottawa (Google Map).
While this Canadian-based chain of family-owned eateries can be found in other major cities, this location is one of my favourites due to its handy location, open kitchen and decor.
It also has an enticing Happy Hour with drink and food specials.
The chilled glass of their signature sangria with wild cod for us and steak frites for the growing grandson fuelled us on for full night ahead.
A Haunted Walk in Ottawa
As the sun set, we experienced the eerie side of Ottawa with a Haunted Walk of Ottawa, delving into the city’s haunted history.
Each spine-chilling tale recounted by our cloaked guide offered insights into the mysterious side of Canada’s capital.
Some of it is actually quite chilling especially when told under fllckering lantern light.
The spooky stories included a haunted high school and even the ghost of Charles Melville Hays, the railway executive who died aboard the Titanic in 1912.
Legends say that his ghost continues to wander the halls of the Chateau Laurier where we were staying!
These highly rated tours are very popular and sell out quickly. So book in advance direct or reserve a Haunted Walk of Ottawa on Viator.com.
Day 3: Canadian Museum of Nature and Contemporary Canadian Cuisine
Our final day in Ottawa began with a breakfast of champions at the hotel’s buffet featuring an array of Canadian food specialties.
From buttery tourtière to artisanal cheeses of Quebec, the buffet showcased the diverse culinary heritage of Canada, fuelling us for our final cultural stop, the Canadian Museum of Nature.
It was a short Uber ride to this landmark attraction and we arrived just in time to witness a demonstration of birds of prey including owls, falcons and eagles.
Inside we explored the museum’s exhibits on fossils, minerals and the environment. A highlight was the Fossil Gallery, a journey back in time to the dinosaur era.
In addition to its impressive collection of real skeletons, this gallery features a forest walk through a diorama with seven battling dinosaurs.
The Nature Exploration Stations provided close-up opportunities to learn about bugs, spiders and snakes.
As we explored the museum’s exhibits, we deepened our understanding of Canada’s diverse ecosystems and the fragility of the earth itself.
Lunch at 1 Elgin St.
Then it was on to the National Arts Centre’s 1 Elgin Restaurant for lunch (Google Map).
The NAC offers a Resident Chef program featuring visiting chefs from across Canada.
These rising culinary stars create menus in collaboration with Executive Chef Kenton Leier to showcase the freshest flavours and seasonal ingredients of Canada.
During our visit, resident Chef Carmen Ingham from North Vancouver, British Columbia collaborated to create a menu with several exciting dishes.
The sleek contemporary atmosphere was the perfect backdrop to showcase a range of sophisticated Canadian fine dining.
Starters such tomatillo and cucumber gazpacho topped with Caesar (the iconic Canadian cocktail) sorbet prompted curiosity about the diversity of Canadian ingredients.
Dishes such as poached halibut with English pea cream fleurette and carrot showcased ingredients grown, harvested and sourced in Canada.
They were beautifully presented, topped with edible flowers and pea tendrils.
The outdoor patio at 1 Elgin faces the Rideau Canal with a peek-a-boo view of Fairmont Château Frontenac in the distance.
Reservations recommended. Book online at 1 Elgin or by phone.
Final Thoughts
While it was tempting to hop on one of the canal boats and go for a cruise of the Rideau Canal, sadly our vacation time had run out.
We bid farewell to Ottawa, carrying with us, not only the flavours and adventurous spirit of the city but also the moments shared between generations.
Our multigenerational family vacation in Ottawa had not only been a romp through a fascinating Canadian destination.
It had also been a catalyst for family bonding and learning.
Make This a One-Week Family Vacation in Ottawa
By the end of our trip, we were surprised at how much there was to do with kids in Ottawa!
Although we packed as much as we could into our 3-day Ottawa itinerary, there were several other attractions and activities that didn’t make the list due to timing, weather or the fact they were fully booked.
So if you have one week in Ottawa for a family vacation then these are another ten must-dos to add to your itinerary.
Official Ottawa Tourism: Browse attractions and get news on upcoming events, activities and deals at the Ottawa Tourism website.
Getting There
VIA Rail is Canada’s national passenger rail service offering scenic routes that connect major cities from Vancouver to Halifax. There is frequent service between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
The travel time between Ottawa Station and Toronto’s Union Station takes 4.5 hours on average.
On all routes and all classes, kids between the ages of 2 and 12 will receive a train-themed Activity Bag upon request.
CAA members and seniors (65+) get discounted rates. Children under 24 travel free while those aged 2-12 get 50% off Economy Class fare.
When booking, request one of the special double-facing seats for four people. You’ll have room to stretch your legs as well as a table for board games, laptop or a meal.
Book Business Class and you can sip a cocktail along with your hot meal. You’ll also score access to the VIA Rail Business Class Lounge (with complimentary beverages) and priority boarding.
🌟 Pro Tip: Book your VIA Rail ticket on a Discount Tuesday to enjoy the lowest fares and last minute deals.
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Who knew that history could be so lively (and tasty! What a great way to learn about our country and enjoy the sights and build a store of happy memories for both kids and Grandma and Grandpa.