Ottawa has long been one of Canada’s most popular student and youth travel destinations.
The city’s compact downtown includes accessible landmark sites and national monuments around every corner. Most student visitors will tour Parliament Hill for 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 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 becomes the world’s largest skating rink each winter.
Downtown is also home to four of the city’s national museums. At the Canadian Museum of History, students can marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and galleries devoted to Indigenous culture and history. The National Gallery of Canada, they can learn about the Group of Seven artists who wowed the art world last century and Indigenous artists from across the country. The Canadian Museum of Nature, showcases Canada’s flora and fauna – current and past – including dinosaurs, a giant blue whale, live owls and a gallery devoted to the Inuit people of Canada’s North. The Canadian War Museum tells the moving stories Canada at war. Just outside downtown, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is a high energy mix of immersive 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 reflect aspects of Indigenous peoples of Canada, students can also connect with Indigenous culture at Mādahòkì Farm, which offers a wide variety of workshops and festivals celebrating each season.
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.
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.
