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Canada’s Capital Region, made up of the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, lies along the shores of the Ottawa River.

Both cities offer festivals year-round. Gatineau will have you looking to the sky, as it hosts an annual international fireworks competition, the Sound of Light, every August, and a hot-air balloon festival in late August/early September. Popular Ottawa festivals include the Children’s Festival, Ottawa Buskerfestival, and Canada Day on Parliament Hill.

One of the most popular events is a joint festival, Winterlude, which takes place in various venues across both cities every February. Enjoy sub-zero music concerts, the international ice-carving competition, a craft pavilion, ice dragon boat festival, and Snowflake Kingdom, a giant winter playground. The Rideau Canal Skateway is a highlight of the festival, depending on the weather.

Not surprisingly, there are a large number of museums in the area, including the Canadian Children’s Museum/Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. Other museums popular with families include the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canadian War Museum.

The Capital Region also has several beaches and parks. Gatineau Park is a popular destination, with beaches, camping, and hiking trails. Camp Fortune is a favourite with children, with skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and an aerial park in the summer.

Ottawa-Gatineau Population

934,243*

*Source: Statistics Canada (2016)

Communities in Ottawa-Gatineau

Old City of Ottawa: Central Ottawa, East End, South End, West End; Gloucester; Kanata; Nepean; Cumberland Township; Goulbourn Township; Osgoode Township; Rideau Township: Marlborough, North Gower; West Carleton Township: Fitzroy, Huntley, Torbolton

Top Family Attractions in Ottawa-Gatineau

Dow’s Lake, Byward Market, Confederate Park, Canadian War Museum, Westboro Beach, Petrie Island, Arboretum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Brittania Park and Beach, Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, Cumberland Heritage Museum, Canadian Agriculture Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Museum of Nature, Vanier Museopark, The Canadian Mint, Cosmic Adventures, Funhaven, SkyZone Trampoline Park,  Altitude Gym, Saunders Farms, Pirate Adventures, nearby Calypso Park, Canadian Children’s Museum/Canadian Museum of History, Lac Beauchamp Park, Chaudière Falls, Camp Fortune, Top Karting, Altitude Gym, Gatineau Park, Brittania Park, Jacques Cartier Park, Dunn-D’s Mini Golf, Zigazoom, Tubes & Jujubes, Winterlude