Insider tips on how to save on entertainment in Ottawa
4 Minute Read
Ottawa’s museums and attractions are already high on many local to‑do lists, especially for families looking for easy, educational outings. The challenge is often finding ways to enjoy them without the costs adding up. Whether you’re planning a weekend activity with kids, a low‑key day out or a budget‑friendly staycation, there are smart ways to experience some of the city’s most popular attractions for less.
Here are insider tips for visiting Ottawa’s museums and entertainment spots while keeping your entertainment budget in check.
OWL Rafting
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You can raft world-class rapids right here on the Ottawa River with OWL Rafting (and save on packages as a CAA Member). Navigate the river route that is right for you and your level of thrill-seeking, from a low-intensity channel ideal for families to high-intensity whitewater rafting for adventurers who don't mind being tossed from the raft. Medium-intensity rapids offer a full whitewater experience, allowing paddlers to navigate rushing water with a lower risk of falling out.
Before or after your rafting trip, you can relax on the private beach, play a game of volleyball or frisbee golf, play lawn games including horseshoes, warm up in the sauna, grab a treat at the café and get cozy by a campfire. Many rafting packages include a BBQ meal, a pontoon river cruise, and use of the on-site facilities. Multi-day packages offer additional meals.
Ottawa Titans
An afternoon or evening at an Ottawa Titans game offers a laid‑back way to enjoy live sports without the intensity of major league crowds. Games at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park deliver a classic ballpark experience that works well for families, casual fans and anyone looking for an easy outing close to home.
With a slower pace and plenty of opportunities to grab food, chat, and enjoy the atmosphere, Ottawa Titans games are especially appealing to families with younger kids.
Ottawa Senators
Rep that red, white and gold for a hockey night in Ottawa. As one of the first NHL hockey teams, the original Ottawa Senators were founded in 1883, only to fold before returning in the 1990s after a 50-year hiatus. Whether you're new to the cheering section or a long-time member of the Sens Army, you can head to the Canadian Tire Centre and enjoy the many aspects of a home game.
Watch the home team battle it out on the ice while enjoying pump-up music between periods and savouring game-night classics such as poutine, pizza, or a foot-long. Say hi to the mascot, Spartacat, if you see him, and check out the Sens store for a souvenir.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
One of Ottawa's national museums, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, is one of three Ingenium museums in the city that highlight Canada's contributions to technology and innovation and how they shape our everyday lives. Discover Canadian inventions that have changed the world as you watch live science experiments, engage in interactive displays and admire familiar artifacts.
While you’re in the Sound By Design exhibit, don’t miss a visit to the Quiet Cube, where you’ll feel a silence like never before, as well as playing DJ on a large interactive record. Step back in time and admire the grand steam locomotives, one of the original museum exhibition pieces, along with the Crazy Kitchen. Keep an eye out for the HitchBot Robot located in Artifacts Alley, which literally hitchhiked across the country in 2014. There’s a children’s innovation zone for the little ones, along with other exhibitions and events that you should check out. Keep reading for member discount information!
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Focusing on Canada's eras of and advancements in aviation, from its beginnings in 1909 to the present day, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is filled with larger-than-life aircraft and is situated on a former military air base. The museum is home to more than 130 aircraft and artifacts related to early aviation in Canada, the First World War, early transportation, commercial flights, the Cold War, and more. You'll be in awe as you explore the Main Exhibition Hall, finding interactive exhibits and flight simulators among the many planes.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Tour a working farm in the middle of the city by visiting the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Discover the stories behind your food and the history of agricultural innovation in Canada as you explore working farm animals, engaging exhibitions, and interactive demonstrations.
You won’t want to miss visiting the herd of dairy cows, where you’ll find Holstein dairy cows and heritage breeds like Canadienne dairy cows. This working herd produced 373,694 litres of milk between January and November 2022, for example, which is given to dairy farmers to process and dispense to grocery stores. You’ll find other animals, including horses, pigs, goats and chickens, among others.
Check the schedule of activities in the Demonstration Kitchen to know when to stop by and discover and sample a new featured recipe. The featured meals and treats are seasonal, rotating about once a month, and accompanied by bilingual demonstrations that let you try the recipes at home. Typically, there are both sweet and savoury options to try. Have fun exploring.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Surround yourself with the wonders of nature as you explore exhibitions featuring Canada's diverse wildlife at the Canadian Museum of Nature. You'll learn about topics from the past to the present, including dinosaurs and climate change. Walk through history in the many permanent exhibitions featuring fossils, a bird collection, Canada's Arctic, giant mammals, aquatic creatures, and more.
Looking to make these outings a little more affordable?
