My husband and I like to journey and had been excited to journey for the primary time with our child. We wished to go to household, so for our first household journey we visited Ottawa in winter with our child.
Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is a gorgeous metropolis with a small city really feel, nice meals and the downtown core is straightforward to get round in! There are such a lot of issues to do in Ottawa within the winter, as we realized whereas touring with our child.
Summers in Ottawa are stunning, and embody an incredible Canada Day celebration, however I had solely visited Ottawa as soon as within the winter when my Opa had handed. It was a blur and the primary factor that I keep in mind… it was chilly. Now we’d be visiting Ottawa within the winter with a child.
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Flying to Ottawa
Quick ahead to after we had our little woman. I felt actually unsure about touring with an toddler. You hear quite a lot of tales about infants on planes and journey going horribly flawed and I actually didn’t wish to be that mother.
I used to be nervous! Particularly for the 4 hour flight from Calgary to Ottawa and again. However, I actually wished to go go to my household in Ottawa and introduce our toddler. Particularly to my 93 12 months outdated Oma! We took the plunge and booked a visit to Ottawa in February with our child, when she was solely 4 months outdated!
We researched and talked to our physician
earlier than making any plans to journey with an toddler and she or he was up-to-date on her
vaccinations. She was solely breastfeeding and it was going comparatively
properly at this level. She was additionally usually straightforward going.
We stay rural and she or he was doing properly in her automobile seat for the drives to and from city, about 45 to 60 minutes a technique. It wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies – she was nonetheless up at the least one to 2 occasions per night time to feed and in addition had reflux that required every day remedy. We additionally needed to take into account the 2 hour time change and every other modifications that journey would carry to her regular schedule.
Flying
with a Child for the First Time
We flew direct from Calgary to Ottawa and again on a day-time flight, which we booked particularly over nap time and upgraded our seats. This was our first time upgrading ever and it was so luxurious, even flying with an toddler on lap!
All three of us had loads of room and our child may sit propped on the ground by our ft, when she wasn’t consuming or sleeping in our arms. For our child’s first flight, blowout free with little or no crying, it went amazingly easily!
The most effective tip that I can provide for flying with a child from my expertise is to feed your child at take-off and touchdown when the cabin stress modifications. It stored our toddler distracted, completely happy and full which is a good mixture on the packed flights!
Packing for Winter Journey with a Child
Being my first flight with my child, I packed quite a lot of stuff to hold on! In our journey diaper bag I packed two full clothes modifications, sufficient diapers for at the least a few days, wipes, my nursing cowl, her reflux remedy, Tylenol, a thermometer, a wetbag, a blanket, two books, two favourite toys to entertain our child on the airplane and certainly one of her noise-making toys as an emergency distraction. Plus every of us had our personal carry-on bag.
We positively didn’t want all of these items and I’ve realized to pack gentle for journey with a child since that point!
For extra child journey should have objects, see our submit on high child journey necessities. Ensure you don’t miss something with my downloadable child packing checklist.
Journey
with a Automotive Seat and Stroller
We traveled with a automobile seat and stroller so we gate checked them each, permitting us to have them with us up till we boarded the airplane and instantly after we exited.
It was good to have the stroller with us within the airport, because it primarily carried all of our luggage and the automobile seat making it a lot simpler to get round. The stroller reclines for impromptu naps on the go and folds properly in half.
As it’s a jogging stroller, it’s stable and a bit heavy with good large wheels, and was wonderful on the snow lined streets of Ottawa in winter. I’m not certain a light-weight umbrella stroller would have reduce it within the chilly and snow.
We do use a child provider very often at dwelling, however as we had already over-packed for this primary journey collectively and it was winter in Ottawa, we opted to solely journey with the jogging stroller.
Along with the carry-on luggage and all of the winter gear that we wore to the airport, we additionally introduced one medium sized suitcase that we checked for the flight. It included our play tent in addition to our moveable journey crib.
We additionally packed our heat winter garments and pajamas, all of the diapers and wipes we would want (despite the fact that we may purchase them in Ottawa), blankets for our toddler, and all of our toiletries.
Getting
Round Ottawa within the Winter
To get round in Ottawa, except you’re simply within the metropolis centre, a rental automobile is by far the most effective. We rented a automobile on the Ottawa airport and introduced our personal automobile seat with us. After we booked the rental, we made certain that the automobile had a big trunk, in order that we may simply match our folded stroller into it.
Ottawa is a fairly straightforward Canadian metropolis to navigate and we had quite a lot of freedom to come back and go as we happy. The roads had been cleared of snow, sanded and in good winter driving situation whereas we had been there.
There’s a stable public transit system in Ottawa, however as a result of it was winter, we determined that we didn’t wish to take care of potential wait occasions within the chilly as a result of delays, or be uncomfortable if a bus or practice was full and we had a stroller.
The place to Keep in Ottawa with a Child
There may be all kinds of choices for locations to remain whereas in Ottawa. We selected to remain in a lodge in Gloucester, close to Ogilvie Street. This was primarily as a result of it’s the group that my household lives in. The lodge was run-of-the-mill, however gave us a spot to sleep and sufficient room to play.
Ogilvie Street is a fundamental thoroughfare via that space, there are eating places and the St. Laurent and Gloucester malls had been shut by. It was a fast 10-15 minute drive to get downtown on the Queensway, relying on site visitors.
Browse family-friendly Ottawa lodge rooms on Reserving.com or trip dwelling leases on VRBO.
5 Issues to do in Ottawa within the Winter
1. Parliament Hill
That is positively a spot to cease when touring round downtown Ottawa in winter! The Canadian Parliament and surrounding buildings are up on hill with a gorgeous view of the Ottawa River and the bridge into Gatineau. There are statues (so many photograph ops!) and the Centennial Flame to have a look at exterior and so they hold all of the roads and sidewalks cleared within the winter. It’s a good place to only stroll round and see firsthand.
On our journey to Ottawa in winter, we did a tour of Parliament and the legislative buildings in addition to strolling round exterior. The Parliament tour is free, straightforward to do with a stroller and utterly indoors, so the three of us stayed good and heat for the roughly 45 minutes that we had been there. You do have to attend in line to get in and undergo a safety examine, nevertheless it strikes shortly. They checked the stroller as properly, however as soon as cleared, we had been in a position to make use of it once more.
After we stopped with the group in smaller areas such because the Library of Parliament, the Home of Commons, and the Peace Tower, we left our stroller simply exterior the door and carried our toddler inside.
We had no drawback maneuvering our stroller round each inside and outside the Parliament buildings. It was a very enjoyable factor to do in Ottawa in winter, particularly with a child!
Household Photoshoot
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2. Byward Market
The Byward Market is certainly one of my favourite locations to go to in Ottawa! It’s a public market with outside farmers market stalls, specialty shops, eating places, bars and bakeries. The Byward Market runs all 12 months lengthy and the wares bought change with the seasons!
That is the place to purchase any and all Canada-themed clothes and equipment, procure maple syrup-related items and eat a “beaver-tail”. With Winterlude (Bal De Neige) happening and the colder temperatures whereas we had been there, there have been mittens and toques a loads!
As you primarily stroll exterior to see the wares of the Byward Market stalls, having acceptable winter gear for infants or toddlers and a sturdy stroller had been a should. The street and sidewalks had been stored properly cleared of snow.
Nonetheless, in some circumstances, going into retailers with the stroller may very well be a bit trickier, however was manageable general. Having the large pocket on the backside of the stroller and cup holders was good for storing our purchases, the diaper bag and snacks.
A must-stop place for me is the Le Moulin De Provence Bakery available in the market sq.. It has a café that’s at all times busy and might be arduous to discover a seat, however value stopping at for some scrumptious baked items and sizzling chocolate to heat up. I extremely suggest it!
3. Nationwide Gallery of Canada
This is among the coolest Canadian museums that I’ve explored to-date! Initially, it has an enormous spider out entrance with eggs within it (an incredible photograph alternative) and the constructing structure itself could be very cool.
Don’t miss the Nationwide Gallery of Canada when touring to Ottawa in winter with a child. It’s an incredible possibility because you get to be heat and inside for a time. We simply cruised round trying on the displays at our personal tempo, earlier than heading again out into the chilly. The displays and hallways have ample area for a stroller. Our toddler napped within the stroller whereas we had been there.
The Nationwide Gallery of Canada had an admission price of about $15 on the time, however kids beneath 11 are free. There may be additionally parking on-site for a price and a espresso store, restaurant, tapas bar and a big boutique for something it’s possible you’ll want together with souvenirs.
4. Rideau Centre
That is the large, central mall in downtown Ottawa. It’s a stopping level for many transit and has a big paid parking storage. It’s good and heat, has a big meals court docket and lots of shops. As it’s central and straightforward to seek out, we parked on this parking storage when went downtown to discover.
Parliament, Byward Market, the Rideau Canal, the Nationwide Gallery and lots of different sights are all inside a number of blocks of Rideau Centre.
5. Winterlude (Bal De Neige) with a Child or Toddler
There are such a lot of issues to do throughout Winterlude in Ottawa and lots of of them are free. The competition relies out of downtown and straightforward to entry. There’s a every day occasion schedule obtainable on-line. However even to only head downtown Ottawa and wander round, you’d discover many alternative actions to take part in.
With our time constraints and the -20 diploma Celsius (-4 deg F) climate, we had been solely capable of take part in a number of occasions, however I’ve famous some extra baby-friendly actions at Winterlude that we simply didn’t have the time for.
Worldwide ice carving contest at
Confederation Park
- The ice sculptures are exterior and amazingly intricate!
- It’s free to stroll round and examine them out the ice carvings!
- We even obtained to see a few folks actively engaged on their ice sculptures.
- There have been additionally levels arrange within the park and music was going whereas we had been there.
The Snowflake Kingdom with a Child or Toddler
- Snowflake Kingdom is the child’s space in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, simply throughout the bridge from downtown, lower than a ten minute stroll.
- It has a large playground, plus ice slides, mascots and different kid-friendly actions.
- Our toddler was too younger to understand all of the gleeful issues occurring, however there was a toddler particular space for barely older kids. I believe that if she was a bit older, we’d have been right here for a lot of the day!
- It’s exterior, so it is very important gown appropriately for rolling round within the snow.
Rideau Canal Skateway with a Child
- The skateway is 7.8 km in whole, plowed and really scenic. It’s on the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River with many entry/exit websites to get onto the ice.
- It’s free to skate on the Rideau Canal and it begins proper downtown.
- There are additionally many skate rental locations across the skateway, however you’ll be able to stroll on it as properly.
- The canal has accessible entrances the place you may carry your stroller on the ice utilizing a ramp: Mackenzie King Bridge, Bronson Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Dows Lake
- We didn’t have an opportunity to skate on the Rideau Canal, however felt that with our stroller we’d have been capable of simply take part both with skates or in our winter boots.
Closing Ideas on Ottawa in Winter with a Child
There really are so many issues to do in Ottawa within the winter with a child, particularly throughout Winterlude! Simply ensure you have all the correct winter gear to maintain your child heat and completely happy in Canada’s capital.
For this primary journey away from dwelling, we centered on having ample time to go to with household and tried very arduous to not overbook our schedule. I’m a jam-packed schedule vacationer from method again, so having down-time collectively as a household away from dwelling was refreshing.
It positively was a distinct tempo than our pre-baby journey, however our journey to Ottawa in winter was an incredible first expertise and journey as a household!
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Jamie McElgunn
Jamie McElgunn is a nurse, mom and runner that lives on a ranch in rural Southern Alberta. She and her husband like to journey and discover new locations. Sharing these wonderful experiences with their daughter is among the many causes that they proceed to journey usually as a household.
Celine Brewer is the proprietor of Child Can Journey. Not solely does she have years of expertise touring with infants & toddlers, however she’s helped thousands and thousands of latest dad and mom journey with their infants and toddlers for over a decade. Along with writing on her child journey weblog, she has shared her experience on touring with a child or toddler by contributing to articles about touring with a child with the Washington Submit, USA Right this moment, the Lonely Planet journal and Being pregnant & New child journal.
Celine additionally writes about household journey on the location FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns together with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her ardour about her dwelling and journey to Banff Nationwide Park and space on their web site TravelBanffCanada.com.
