Year-Round Activities
This section lists activities that span the whole year (or most of the year).
Listings in this section are divided into categories based on activity types or themes, and may include self-guided walking tours and guided walking tours, points of architectural interest around the capital, museums and galleries, and sporting and recreational activities.
Buildings and Sights
RCMP Musical Ride Centre / Rockcliffe Stables
| Name: | Parliament Buildings |
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| Location: | Parliament Hill, Wellington Street |
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| Hours: |
Centre Block Guided Tours / Peace Tower Self-Guided Tours (Year-Round): Schedules and tours of the Centre Block vary(sometimes without notice) depending on the day you visit. Check the official website to see a detailed schedule. Most people include a self-guided tour of the Peace Tower after visiting the Centre Block. Note that the Peace Tower closes half an hour before the last guided tour of Centre Block. See Peace Tower tour info East Block Guided Tours (July 2- Sept 7): Daily from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. See East Block tour infoTicket information: After September 7, 2009, get tour tickets (free of charge) at the Visitor Welcome Centre located under the Peace Tower and to the right of the main doors at Centre Block. During the summer, tickets are available (free of charge) at the Info-Tent located between the Centre and West Blocks.Public Galleries: When the Senate and/or the House of Commons are sitting, visitors may watch the proceedings from the Public Galleries. See the official website for more info. |
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| Website: | www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites |
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| Activity number: | 40033 |
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| Name: | Rideau Hall |
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| Location: | 1 Sussex Drive |
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| Hours: |
Residence Tours: January to April by reservation only.May 2 to June 28: Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29 to Sep 7: Daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (self-guided tours) and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (guided tours). Sep 8 to Oct 25: Sat and Sun Noon to 4 p.m. Tours are offered on statutory holidays from May to October. At other times of the year tours are available by reservation only at 1-866-842-4422. Grounds Tours: The grounds are open from 8 a.m. until one hour before sunset.From September to June, guided tours are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. by reservation only at 1-866-842-4422. Art Tours: Art tours are only available by reservation. Call 1-866-842-4422.Both the art tour and the residence tour include Rideau Hall's temporary exhibition. |
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| Website: | www.gg.ca |
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| Activity number: | 40014 |
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| Name: | Supreme Court of Canada |
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| Location: | 301 Wellington Street |
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Summer Hours (May 1 to August 31): Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; guided tours are conducted on an on-going basis. Winter Hours (September 1 to April 30): Mon to Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; guided tours available by pre-arrangement only - call 613-995-5361 or book online through the Supreme Court website. |
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| Website: | http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/home-accueil/index-eng.asp |
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| Activity number: | 40015 |
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| Name: | The Royal Canadian Mint |
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| Location: | 320 Sussex Drive |
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| Hours: |
Summer Hours (Victoria Day until after Labour Day): Mon to Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter Hours (between Labour Day and Victoria Day): Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED: Call 1-800-276-7714 or book online by following the instructions on the Royal Canadian Mint website. $10/Family on the weekend; $13/Family during the week (2 adults and up to 4 children). |
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| Website: | http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/tours-1200034 |
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| Activity number: | 40016 |
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| Name: | RCMP Musical Ride Centre/Rockcliffe Stables |
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| Location: | 1 Sandridge Road (at the North end of St. Laurent Boulevard) |
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Tours of The Musical Ride Centre are available on the following days: September to April - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May to August - seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The last tour of the day begins 30 minutes prior to the listed time. Visitors are always welcome, even when tours are not being offered. The Centre grounds are ideal for a picnic, and there are always horses getting exercise in the outdoor pens. |
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| Website: | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/centre-eng.htm |
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| Activity number: | 40029 |
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| Name: | Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park |
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| Location: | Gatineau Park |
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| Hours: |
May 15 to September 6, 2010: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; September 7 to October 17, 2010: Open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open weekends and statutory holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $8.00/Vehicle Visitors to this 231-hectare estate can share William Lyon Mackenzie King’s love of horticulture and landscaping while admiring the romantic Victorian gardens, the picturesque ruins and the Waterfall Trail. History buffs can learn more about the life, career and era of Canada’s tenth Prime Minister by visiting King’s two summer havens, Kingswood and Moorside cottages, or by viewing short films on Mackenzie King’s life and times. Visitors can re-live this extraordinary era thanks to guide-interpreters who re-create the enchanting atmosphere and setting of the Mackenzie King Estate in the early 20th century. |
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| Website: | www.canadascapital.gc.ca |
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| Activity number: | 40021 |
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| Name: | Laurier House |
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| Location: | 335 Laurier Avenue East |
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| Hours: |
April 2 to the Victoria Day Long Weekend: Mon to Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Victoria Day Long Weekend to October 8: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $9.80/Family (Up to 7 people with a maximum of 2 adults visiting together.) |
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| Website: | http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/laurier/index.aspx |
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| Activity number: | 40017 |
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| Name: | Pinhey's Point Historic Site |
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| Location: | 270 Pinhey's Point Road, Dunrobin |
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| Hours: |
Summer Hours (May 10 to August 30): Wed to Fri Noon to 5 p.m. Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Hours: Open for special events only. Pinhey's Point is the former home of Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey, a leading member of Upper Canada. Admission to the site is by donation. |
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| Website: | www.pinheyspoint.ca |
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| Activity number: | 40022 |
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| Name: | Billings Estate |
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| Location: | 2100 Cabot Street |
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| Hours: |
The museum is open from May 10 to October 31. Hours: Wed to Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special events and programs are offered throughout the year, including the off-season. After the season ends, you can contact the museum at 613-247-4830 to make an appointment for a private tour. |
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| Cost: |
$13/family
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| Website: | http://ottawa.ca/residents/heritage/museums/billings/index_en.html |
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| Activity number: | 60015 |
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| Name: | Watson's Mill - Manotick |
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| Location: | 5525 Dickinson Street, Manotick |
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| Hours: |
May 1, 2010 to October 31, 2020: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is by donation. In the off season the Mill is open occasionally for special events. Watson’s Mill is a unique 19th century grist and flour mill located in Manotick, on the shores of the Rideau River, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. It is the only industrial heritage site in the City of Ottawa and has a remarkable history linked to local politics, the building of a country, and a tragic love story. Miling is done on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free Audio Guides for the Mill Discovery Tour are available daily. Paper guides are available for a self-guided tour at a cost of $2.00 per guide, and guided tours are available for $2.00 per person (subject to staff availability). |
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| Website: | www.watsonsmill.com |
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| Activity number: | 40035 |
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Fan Favorite
Almost Frugal
For Grown-Ups