With the holidays behind us that doesn’t mean the fun and adventures have to stop! You may be taking this downtime to declutter from the holidays but you won’t want to miss out on some fun family time with these special activities and events this January in Ottawa! Whether you are seeking an outdoor adventure, something for the sports fans or would like to explore Ottawa like a tourist you will have plenty of options for family fun!
Slide into Fun!
There is no shortage of fun tobogganing hills in the Ottawa area. Create a family list and check them off as you travel around the City visiting each one this January! Here are some of our favourites across the City of Ottawa.
- Carlington Park
- Walter Baker Park
- Greens Creek
- Apollo Crater Park
- Craig Henry Park
- Westboro Kiwanis Park
- Loyola Park
Looking for a slightly different tubing adventure? Check out Domaine de l’Ange Garden, Les Sommets Edelweiss, and Centre de Plein Air Du Lac-Beauchamp for some faster and larger slides. Tubes are provided at these locations and the hills are groomed specifically for this type of adventure!
Ottawa Senators
Head to the Canadian Tire Centre on January 8th and watch the Ottawa Senators in their skills event. This fun event is extremely cost effective and a great way to experience the Ottawa Senators on their home ice and in person! Tickets range from $12-$20 each and proceeds from the event will be donated to help support various educational initiatives in the National Capital Region, the Senators Community Foundation and the NHLPA Goals and Dreams Fund. Your Ottawa Senators will be split into 2 groups and will compete in various skills as well as a 3 on 3 competition.
Ottawa Public Library
Life sized Candy Land?! Yes, please! Head to the Nepean Centrepointe Library from January 3rd to 7th and enjoy a life sized Candy Land Game. Become a game piece as you follow the rainbow path all the way to King Kandy’s Castle. Drop in anytime the library is open and this special event is open to all ages (young and not so young!). The Ottawa Library has several other events all across the City for all ages from board game drop ins, lego exploration, storytimes and special events. If you have a Frozen fan you won’t want to miss out on the Frozen event at the Beaverbrook location with crafts, games and singing on January 5th at 11a.m. See all that the Ottawa Library has to offer HERE!
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Hit the Ice!
With many skating trails in the Ottawa & Gatineau regions you can choose a new path each weekend and enjoy a new adventure! Some of our favourites are “The Little Penguin Trail” in Gatineau that allows you to explore 5km through nature on a lovely golf course icy trail, skating through the forest (Patinage en forêt) in Lac des Loups, or skating at River Oak. The City of Ottawa also offers various locations for public skating or enjoy one of the local outdoor rinks.
Winter Lights Across Canada
You have until January 8th to head downtown with the kids for the “Winter Lights Across Canada” at Parliament Hill. Enjoy this multimedia experience as Parliament Hill comes to life with an illuminating projection. There are lots of parking options in the downtown business area but we love the option of parking in the Byward Market enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (Zaks has free kids dining with the purchase of an adult meal!), walk to Parliament to enjoy the light show and back to the byward market for a Beavertail treat and hot chocolate. A fun local evening that will be magical and enjoyed by all!
Staycation and Quick Weekend Getaways
With the holidays behind us why not take this downtime to explore the Ottawa area pretending to be a tourist or book a quick weekend getaway.
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Ottawa has many great things to offer including several museums, great shopping, libraries, sledding hills, skating rinks, and movie theatres. Enjoy a night at the Andaz in the Byward Market or enjoy the views from the Quebec side at the Hilton Lac Leamy. Want to escape for the weekend? Take a quick trip to one of our favourite cities that are only a few hour drive away!
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Visit the Animals!
Head to Parc Omega this January and enjoy the day getting up close to some of Canada’s favourite animals. Bring lots of carrots as you feed the deer and make sure you dress warm so you can take the walk out to the wolves observation platform and see them in their natural habitat. You can also enjoy the Canadian Food & Agricultural Museum as a fun family activity with animals and try your hand at winter card printmaking, enjoy some homemade mint hot chocolate in the demonstration kitchen and watch the movie presentations (Encanto and Frozen!) in the learning centre.
Embrace the winter weather and enjoy January with your family with these fun events! There are many great places to explore and play in the Ottawa region that will accommodate your entire family and a variety of ages. Don’t let the snow and cold keep you at home when there are so many great activities happening in the area!
Tagged under: winter activities in ottawa,ottawa winter fun,winter in ottawa
Category: events,attractions,outdoor-play,active,sports