Ottawa has long been one of the country’s most popular student and youth travel destinations.
Every year, kids arrive in Canada’s capital by bus, train and plane to learn more about the country’s history, its political system and its achievements in art, science and technology—and to experience fun and adventure in the great outdoors.
The city’s compact downtown includes accessible landmark sites and national monuments around every corner. Most student visitors will stop at Parliament Hill, the historic seat of Canada’s federal government that offers daily tours of the House of Commons and Senate and a close-up look at the country’s system of government.
Nearby, the National War Memorial pays tribute to those Canadians who have made the ultimate sacrifice in global conflicts. The Supreme Court of Canada, also located in the Parliamentary Precinct, is the highest court in the country’s judicial system. The 190-year-old Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extends from the Ottawa River behind Parliament Hill through the centre of the city and continues to 200 kilometres south to Lake Ontario.
Downtown is also home to four of the city’s seven national museums. At the Canadian Museum of History, students can walk through the Grand Hall and marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles. At the National Gallery of Canada, they can learn about the Group of Seven artists who wowed the art world last century.
At the Canadian Museum of Nature, they can dip their hands into a tank of seawater filled with Pacific starfish. And at the Canadian War Museum, they can experience the tragedies and triumphs of Canadian soldiers over the past 150 years. Just outside downtown, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is a high energy mix of immersive and interactive displays, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum lets imaginations soar, and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum brings students face-to-face with their favourite farmyard friends.
While the national museums all reflect some aspects of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, students can also learn about the Algonquin people (on whose unceded territory Ottawa is built) at Mādahòkì Farm, which offers a wide variety of workshops, a market, Ojibwe Spirit Horses and festivals celebrating each of the seasons.
Of course, after all that learning, students will want to blow off a little steam. And Ottawa is very accommodating. For the adventurous, there is ziplining and white water rafting right in the heart of the city, and a mountain coaster, aerial parks and Canada’s highest bungee jump in nearby Gatineau Park. Student groups often rent bikes and take to Ottawa’s 800+ kms of safe cycling paths, many of which connect to national sites and museums. East of the city, they can get close to Canadian wildlife at Omega Park. For those into sports, Ottawa is home to professional hockey, football, soccer and basketball teams – and often hosts student sports championships. And during winter, the city is transformed into a wonderland of cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and skating on the frozen Rideau Canal.
Speaking of winter, that’s also when Winterlude, one of Ottawa’s most popular seasonal festivals, comes alive with snow and ice sculptures, a giant snow playground, cultural performances and more. It’s followed each May by the Canadian Tulip Festival, which celebrates Canada’s special relationship with the Netherlands with over a million tulips blooming in beds across the city.
In short, Ottawa is a city made for student and youth tours, with attractions, accommodations and restaurants welcoming them with open arms. Learn all about student-ready Ottawa attractions, itineraries, experiences, tours, accommodations, restaurants and more.
Photo courtesy of Ottawa Tourism
