Ottawa 
Credit: Pirate Life Ottawa
Grab the kids, pack the car and get ready for some summer fun! Here are 25 fantastic ways to spend the summer holidays with your kids near Ottawa.
Pirate Life
Cost: $29.00
Address: 588 Hog’s Back Rd, Ottawa (Directions from your location)
Canada’s First Railway Tunnel
Explore Canada’s first railway tunnel in Brockville. This half a kilometre tunnel in Brockville was constructed between 1854 and 1860 as part of the Brockville and Ottawa (B&O) Railway that tied the St. Lawrence River to the Ottawa River to take part in the lucrative timber trade. The tunnel is brought to life with a 90 minutes show including colourful lights, sounds and great music, so there’s plenty of time to walk the tunnel back and forth.
Address: 1 Block House Island Rd, Brockville (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free
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Calypso Water Park
Ready for some fun? A quick 20 minutes from Ottawa, Calypso Waterpark is Canada’s largest waterpark. There are unbelievably 35 slides, 100 water games, 2 theme rivers and a massive wave pool! There are activities for every age and interest. Spend the whole day with VIP cabanas and restaurants to enjoy.
Cost: 1.32 m (52 inches) and over, $49.99, 1m & under 1.32m tall, $39.99, 65 years old and up $39.99
Address: 2015 Calypso St, Limoges (Directions from your location)
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Ottawa City Rafting & Tubing
Are your kid’s adrenaline junkies and looking for a heart-pumping outdoor activity?! Look no further than Ottawa City Rafting, an exciting 3hour white-water rafting trip on the Ottawa River. The team there also offers a fun urban tubing adventure, a 2-hour float along the river with a guide.
Address: 102 Greenview Ave, Ottawa (Directions from your location)
Cost: $44 & up
Cross a Swinging Bridge
Get a thrill by crossing one of only three swinging bridges in Canada just off Arthur Street in Renfrew. The W.H. Kearney family built the first version of this suspension bridge across in 1885. It was replaced by a wood and cable construction in 1983 then updated again in 2015. From here, you get an excellent view of the river and the power-generation plant.
Address: 65 Arthur Street, Renfrew (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free
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1000 Islands Tower
Ride the elevator up the 1000 Islands Tower to experience the breathtaking views of the 1000 islands from a new perspective. The elevator takes visitors to three platforms that provide photo ops of the islands and St. Lawrence River.
Address: 1000 Islands Tower, 716 Highway 137, Lansdowne (Directions from your location)
Cost: Adults: $17, Kids 6-12 years: $9; Kids 5 & younger are free
Sunflower Farm
Visit a sunflower farm near Ottawa this August and take some “sunny” family pictures! There is a perfect last minute idea for a free day trip as there is no need to pre-book when sunflowers are in season. For 2021, Ferrier’s Scotch Line Farm will feature 8 different kinds of sunflowers and a pick your own so that you can hand-pick sunflowers.
Address: 2579 Scotch Line, Perth (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free
Eco-Odyssee
Experience nature with the family at Eco-Odyseee, who offers all the best nature has to offer! With 500 acres of land that includes a 70 acres marsh, agricultural fields and rolling mountains, there is so much to see and do! Here, you can try the water maze, walking maze, bow and arrows, learn about the land and so much more.
Address: 52, Chemin les Sources La Pêche (Directions from your location)
Cost: varies
Calabogie Peak Resort
Since 1969, Calabogie Peaks Resort is a premier resort destination to enjoy the refreshing Calabogie Lake. At the resort you and your family can boat, paddle, swim the day away or perhaps you’ll play beach volley or simply soak up the sun on the wonderfully sandy beach. With on-site restaurants, you can round off a great summer day with some great food.
Address: 30 Garrett Chute Road Calabogie (Directions from your location)
Cost: varies
Horsin’ around riding ranch
Giddy up partners! Horsin’ around riding ranch offers your family the chance to get acquainted with over their 140 acres to explore by horseback. You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide that will ensure your safety and of course, fun. Plus, their horses are considered family members first so you know you’ll feel comfortable.
Cost: 2.8 miles, $50 per person, 3.3 miles, $55 per person.
Address: 445 Callaghan Rapids Rd, Marmora (Directions from your location)
Aquatarium
Visit the incredible Aquatarium for a hand on, an immersive exploration into the distinct aquarium animals and habitats found in the St. Lawrence River. Parents and children alike go crazy for the fantastic space. In addition to seeing the fish, you’ll explore a boat, watch a film and take photos with a green screen to feel in the water too. (Part of Stage 3 reopening.)
Cost: Children 3 and under, free. Children 4-15, $9.99, adult 16-64 $19.99, Senior $14.99
Address: 6 Broad St, Brockville (Directions from your location)
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Horizon X
Horizon X offers exhilarating adventures on the Ottawa River and has designed the perfect trip for families with kids. Regarded as “soft” adventures, the trip traverses a gentle middle channel of the river, making it memorable without any of the large drops in some other areas. The adventure is always safe first with knowledgeable guides to lead the way, so you get to sit back and enjoy the scenery with your family. Trips include a BBQ!
Cost: Adults, $145, Children $95
Address: 12 Chemin Cadieux, L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet (Directions from your location)
Mackenzie King Estate
Step into Canadians history past with an educational visit to the Mackenzie King Estate, the former estate of Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. You and your family can enjoy the gardens, the ruins, the home alongside several hiking trails, making it a great option for a full day out.
Address: Chemin MacKenzie King, Chelsea (Directions from your location)
Parc Omega
At Parc Omega, families can discover North American wildlife in their over the 2,000-acre location. You will learn all about animals such as coyotes, red deer’s, black beers and many more. You can witness the grey wolf from their habitat, do a safari from your car, go on the go-karts, and traverse the suspension bridge.
Cost: 16 to 64 years old $33.05,65 years old and over $30, children 6 to 15 years, $26.09, 2 to 5 years $13.92
Address: 399 Route 323 Nord, Montebello (Directions from your location)
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Valleyview Farm
For a memorable interactive experience with the kids, Valleyview Farm is the spot for a fabulous day out! Here you can visit their creative farm play area, the little animal barn, the farm museum or take a ride on their train and stroll the beautiful country walk while taking in that glorious country arm! It’s a fun place for adults and kids alike to have a lot of fun while still learning about animals, farming and the world around.
U-Pick Farms, Petting Zoos and Fun Family Farms to Visit In and Around Ottawa
Cost: $12 per person
Address: 4750 Fallowfield Road, Nepean (Directions from your location)
Little Rays Nature Centre
Little Rays Nature Centre is Canada’s largest and very impressive animal rescue in Canada boasting some of the most extensive and diverse animal education! The centre is family-run and has a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Families visiting can expect a chance to meet a variety of mammals and reptiles. There are add ons such as private sloth encounters, or VIP tours.
Cost: $150/household
Address: 2781 Colonial Road Ottawa (Directions from your location)
Saunders Farm
Explore the impressive and popular Saunders Farm this summer, with the whole family. Get lost in their world-famous maze, bounce around on the jumbo jumpers, cool off at the splash pad, watch an adventure puppet show, speed down the witch mountain slide and so much more! You can easily spend the day building superb memories.
Cost: $20/per person. Children under 2, free.
Address: 7893 Bleeks Road, Munster (Directions from your location)
LaFleche Adventure Park
Embrace the fun and unique physical challenge offered by LaFleche Adventure Park, a huge outdoor obstacle course featuring high heights, zip lines and bridge to overcome. It’s the perfect challenge for children of all ages!
Address: 255, Rte Principale Val-des-Monts (Directions from your location)
Cost: Varies
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Bonnechere Caves
Bonnechere Caves is something so beautiful you must experience it to fully understand! It’s an activity that will fascinate and entertain children and adults alike. The caves you explore are large enough to stand in while you learn all about their formation, fossils, history and bats! It’s also accessible for all ages and abilities.
Cost: Adults $19.00, Seniors (65 +) $17.00 Youth (13-17 years), $14.00, Children (4-12), $13.00 Under 4, Free
Address: 1247 Fourth Chute Rd, Eganville (Directions from your location)
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Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant is ready for a summer of fun. Only two hours from Ottawa, they are bursting with loads of activities to enjoy as a family. Ride the panoramic gondola, luge, eurobungy, attempt the climbing tower and so much more!
Address: Tremblant, 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs Mont-Tremblant (Directions from your location)
Cost: Varies
Perth Wildlife Reserve
Ready to spot wildlife!? Perth Wildlife reserve is a special haven and habitat to explore. Let kids spot deer, ducks, rabbits, wild turkeys and more on this beautiful 257-hectare spot. There is even a lookout to enjoy the views beyond!
Address: 100 Wild Life Rd Perth (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Renowned for its stunning beauty, a family day trip to Bon Echo will not disappoint! Here you can have a dip (in one of the many lakes), hike the trails and take in the scenery. A great place to take photographs, connect with nature and explore what Ontario has to offer.
Address: 16151 Hwy 41, Cloyne (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free & Ticketed Days
Kingston Pen
Do something a little different and get to know one of Canada’s most notorious and high security prisons, Kingston Pen! While it may sound a little unusual for a family get away, it’s actually a very educational and interesting spot to explore Canada’s history. The prison closed officially in 2013 and has since been offering tours. ( Opens when Ontario enters Stage 3)
Cost: $25
Address: 560 King St W, Kingston (Directions from your location)
Camp Fortune
Good time await you at Camp Fortune! Experience all the natural beauty and high thrill activities offered. Summer activities include their top-notch aerial park, zip lining (which is 1565m!) mountain biking and their mountain coaster! Of course, you can always enjoy a nice hike and bite to eat to round the perfect day off.
Address: 300 chemin Dunlop, Chelsea (Directions from your location)
Cost: varies depending on activity
Sandbanks park
Explore the stunning Prince Edward County, less than 3 hours from downtown Ottawa with a visit to the magnificent Sandbanks park. Here, you can pick between three beaches (we recommend Outlet Beach), hiking, biking, interpretative walks, wetlands and dunes! It truly has it all.
Remember to reserve your visit as this is one of the most popular parks in Ontario.
Address: 3004 County Rd 12, Picton (~ 3hours from Ottawa) (Directions from your location)
Cost: Free & Ticketed Days
Chutes Coulonge Park
Feeling brave? Chutes Coulonge Park is a stunningly beautiful adventure park right in the heart of Madawaska Valley. Experience the world from an aerial view as you whisk along the zipline and challenge the obstacle courses which include suspension bridges. There are varying levels for family members of all ages.
Cost: Starts from $36/ per person.
Address: 100 Promenade Du-Parc-des-Chutes, Mansfield-et-Pontefract (Directions from your location)
