There are loads of things for kids to do in Ottawa, both in the summer and wintertime, with fun parks, hands-on museums and sporting options galore. In addition, adults will find the cycling and the cross-country skiing in and around Ottawa superb. For spectator sports, catch the Ottawa Senators home ice hockey team at the Corel Center.

Cycling 
There are more than 100 kilometresof cycling trails in and around Ottawa, stretching from the river to Gatineau Park (north), and bikes can be rented out during the summer at the corner of Chateau Laurier. Even if you aren’t into keeping fit, renting a bike in Ottawa is a good idea, as you’ll get to pass many city attractions via these specially paved cycle routes.

Ice Skating 
The Rideau Canal becomes the longest outdoor skating rink in the world over the winter in Ottawa. Don’t worry if you don’t have any skates, as they can be rented from right by the ice where the refreshments are. A must-try Ottawa speciality while at the canal is a ‘beaver tail’; a sort of a funnel cake with lemon and sugar. Gatineau Park is also good for skating in the winter.

Logos Land Resort 
Although an hour west of Ottawa, Logos Land Resort is well worth the jaunt for those with restless or bored kids. There is a small water park here with five slides as well as paddleboats, mini golf, and sleigh rides, and cross-country skiing during the winter. The park is located in Cobden on Route 17 (RR1) and is open daily from June to August. Phone: +1 613 646 9765; www.logosland.com.

Ottawa Senators 
Those interested in ice hockey, the Canadian national sport, might like to see the Ottawa Senators (Ottawa’s home team) play a match. Games are played at the Corel Center, while the Ottawa 67s, a smaller team, play at the Civic Center. Attendance at both venues is generally high. senators.nhl.com.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride 
A must-see Canadian institution, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride regularly practice at the Canadian Police College. Visitors are welcome to attend the display, which has been going on since the 1870s, but you should check beforehand as the ride is often on tour. Phone: +1 613 993 3751.

Science and Technology Museum
The largest science and technology attraction in all of Canada is a big hit with kids, with its many fun exhibits and demonstrations. Chief among these are the huge train engines and shows of electricity, while marine and space transportation is also covered, as is the rise of communications and technology in Canada. Phone: +1 613 991 3044; www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca.

Storyland Family Park 
Located near the town of Renfrew on Storyland Road just off Route 17, about 80 kilometres west of Ottawa, is Storyland Family Park. This fun park comes complete with a petting zoo, a puppet theatre and more, and is ideal for those with small kids. Entry is reasonably priced to boot and the park is open every day from late June to mid-September. Phone: +1 613 432 2222; www.storyland.on.ca.

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa has plenty of cultural and historical prowess, best seen in its downtown buildings, museums, stately homes, and theatres. Two must-do events are a cruise of the Rideau Canal and a visit to Laurier House.

Cruise the Ottawa River 
If you have hired a car, take a drive east into Québec along Route 148 to the interesting border town of Montebello. The scope for activities in Montebello is fantastic, where golf, hiking, fishing, and canoeing are popular pastimes, while boating on the Ottawa River is a must. There is also a wildlife park here.

Laurier House 
Nineteenth century Laurier House displays insight into Canada’s past and was famously the home of former Canadian Prime Minister, Wilfrid Laurier, in the late 19th century. Laurier House was also visited by Sir Winston Churchill and today is open to the public through self-guided tours. Phone: +1 613 992 8142; www.pc.gc.ca.

Ottawa Theatre
There are several theatres in Ottawa where you can catch a performance. The National Arts Center in Confederation Square is perhaps Canada’s foremost performing arts venue featuring a diverse line-up of performances, including musicals, theatre, opera and dance throughout the year. The Ottawa Little Theatre is ideal for those into both modern and classical shows and regularly stages Shakespeare plays. Phone: +1 613 947 7000; www.nac-cna.ca (National Arts Centre).

Rideau Canal 
The Rideau Canal has greatly assisted Ottawa in its development in the past and is today a major attraction in itself. Tourists enjoy cruising the canal in the summer and skating on it in the winter, while popular events like the Tulip Festival and the Winterlude go off here every year.

Royal Canadian Mint
Situated in a magnificent building in Lowertown district, the Royal Canadian Mint tells the story of Canada’s money and precious metals, although today it only produces commemorative coins. You can tour the building and then check out the natty souvenir shop which features many interesting items, including collector coins, jewellery and medals. Phone: +1 613 993 8990; www.mint.ca

Ottawa has its standard French and English dishes but is also heavily influenced by Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican cuisine due to the influx of immigrants. Seafood is also popular in Ottawa with many restaurants serving the likes of salmon, lobster, and mussels. For French dishes try bouilli (stewed meat) and paté chinois (beef, corn and potato paté), and for an Ottawa speciality try a sweet beaver tail, a type of deep-fried pastry.

There are several popular eating areas in Ottawa and the most famous is the Byward Market which has all manner of Canadian, international, and ethnic restaurants, as well as loads of street vendors. There is also a Chinatown on Somerset Avenue and a Little Italy along Preston Street, while Bank and Elgin streets also have a good choice of eateries.

As well as being Ottawa’s foremost eating area, the Byward Market also contains great shopping options and has the cheapest maple syrup. It can be found east of the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa and is naturally best experienced in the summer when it is loaded with street vendors. Stalls give way to restaurants, pubs and bars of an evening.

Other popular shopping areas in Ottawa include Sparks Street, a pedestrian street near Parliament well endowed with cafés and restaurants, while Westboro Village, stretching along Richmond Road (west Ottawa), has loads of outdoors stores and coffee shops. For large shopping malls check out the Rideau Center in downtown Ottawa, the Bayshore Shopping Centre in West End, Place D’Orleans in the East End, and the St Laurent Shopping Center, East Central.