As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is home to a substantial portion of the nation’s artifact collections. Here, you’ll find the Canadian War Museum located on Lebreton Flats, the Canadian Museum of Nature in the newly renovated Victoria and Albert building, and the recently reconstructed Canada Science and Technology Museum. Additionally, the city boasts the Diefenbunker, a preserved Cold War historical site, along with the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.
If you’re accustomed to high housing expenses in cities like Vancouver or Toronto, exploring Ottawa real estate will reveal more affordable options. However, if you’re transitioning from a small town or rural area, the experience might be different. Although rental and home prices may rise as you move closer to the city center, you can still find larger properties here at a lower cost compared to many other major Canadian cities.
Ottawa ranks among the top destinations in Canada for enjoying autumn foliage. The city offers numerous attractions that are particularly captivating during seasonal changes, making fall an ideal time to discover the capital. Below are five recommended activities to enjoy in Ottawa this fall.
1. Brewery Tour
A fun way to experience Ottawa is to join a brewery tour that highlights the local microbrew scene. The city is known for its lively craft beer culture, and these tours are entertaining, informative, and offer a chance to sample various brews. As you hop from one brewpub to another, you’ll receive eco-friendly water bottles and pretzels to keep you refreshed.
2. Pumpkin Festival
During Pumpkinferno, held in stroller-friendly Upper Canada Village after dusk, you can marvel at 7,000 intricately carved, lit pumpkins arranged in stunning displays of animals, legendary characters, and storybook heroes.
This impressive exhibition stretches over a one-kilometer trail at this enchanting living history site from the 1860s, located about an hour’s drive south of downtown Ottawa. Access for those with physical disabilities is provided through special nights designed for accessibility.
3. Halloween Attractions
The Ottawa region features several pumpkin patches offering Halloween-themed activities. While some options are only mildly spooky, others deliver a fully immersive fright. During the daytime, consider taking your kids to Saunders Farm where they can participate in fun activities, such as jumping on giant inflatable pillows, navigating a corn maze, or enjoying a wagon ride (choose from different levels of spookiness).
Cannamore Orchards also hosts haunted attractions, with a weekend focus on family-friendly experiences (the ghosts are not too scary!). Another great option is Proulx Farms, which holds its annual PumpkinFest, featuring mazes, slides, animal encounters, and other activities. This is one of the top family-friendly October events in Ottawa.
4. Apple Picking
This fall, plan a family outing to pick apples in the countryside. Most orchards provide various activities beyond just apple picking, such as guided tours, farmer’s markets, or horse-drawn wagon rides through the orchards. Be sure to take home some delectable apple-based treats, including pies, jams, jellies, and cider.
5. Hiking Adventures
As fall arrives, the air becomes crisp and cool, transforming the trails and woodlands into beautiful autumn landscapes. Discover local hiking trails with your children, allowing them to explore and appreciate the beauty of the season in both large and small ways. How about organizing a fall-themed scavenger hunt or a game of tag among the falling leaves?
