16 Best Indoor Ottawa Activities for Rainy Days in 2024

1. Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum showcases military history. 

Each gallery reflects defining moments throughout the wars of Canadian history. The different exhibits also show you how our past has shaped our present. 

While visiting the museum, you’ll see rare vehicles, artillery, uniforms, medals, and personal memoirs. 

It is recommended to book your ticket in advance, either online or by phone is recommended. Your ticket has a time slot, so it is important to respect it. You can book on-site tickets, but on a first-come, first-serve basis.

🏛️ Check for Prices and Availability Here!

2. Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum tells Canada’s innovation story. You’ll discover, play, create, and observe to learn in a fun and digital way.

Throughout the museum’s exhibits, you can learn about steam locomotives, telescopes, cameras, gold miners, climate change, and hydroelectricity. 

The museum is just outside downtown Ottawa, about a ten to fifteen-minute drive away. 

I recommend booking tickets in advance, but tickets are also available at the window. Tickets are around $20 CAD for adults and $14 CAD for kids.

3. Canadian Museum of History

Another great place to visit in Ottawa is the Canadian Museum of History. You can visit the new signature gallery, Canadian History Hall, to learn about Canada’s history and heritage. 

This museum is the most visited one in the country, located in Gatineau, across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill. Exhibitions cover all the history, archeology, ethnology, and cultural studies of Canada. 

If you have kids, you can take them on an interactive adventure at the on-site Children’s Museum. You can even watch 3D movies on the giant screens at CINE +

You’ll have to cross the bridge to Gatineau, Quebec to visit this one.

🏛️ Check for Prices and Availability Here!

4. National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is an art museum that displays works from antiquity to the present day. It showcases some of the world’s best Indigenous works and Canadian art. 

The gallery features photography, sculptures, and paintings, as well as installation and decorative arts. 

There are many ways you can experience the art gallery. From wandering around the different exhibits or doing creative workshops, I am confident you’ll find a way to appreciate this fun thing to do in Ottawa.

This glass-structured building is located in Canada’s Capital city. Situated near the Byward Market. Tickets cost $20 CAD for adults and it is free for children under 11 years old.

5. Canada Aviation and Space Museum

The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum is located on a former military base about five km (3.1 mi) from the prime minister’s residence. 

This museum looks at everything aviation in Canada. Over the years, it has expanded to include aerospace technology and space flight.

The different exhibits showcase everything from civil and military artifacts. 

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world! Some people claim it is the best museum in Ottawa!

You can discover aviation and aerospace history through extensive demonstrations and guided tours. The museum is located only 10 minutes away from Parliament Hill. 

The entry fee for adults is around $20 CAD and for children $13 CAD.

🏛️ Get a chance to see Ottawa’s best historical and iconic landmarks without the stress of public transit through The Ottawa Sightseeing Tour!

6. Parliament Building Tour

There are many different ways to visit the parliament buildings. 

One option is to book a Senate Guided Tour, where you will explore the senate chamber and learn all about the work of senators. On this tour, you can also learn about the role and history of Canada’s upper Chamber.

The other option is to book a House of Commons Tour. On this tour, you’ll visit the House of Chamber and get to know the work of the members of parliament. You’ll hear all about the roles, history, art, and architecture of the House of Commons. 

🚌 Ottawa is a city with so much to offer! This tour lets you experience the history and culture of Canada’s Capital!

Brewery Tours

If you like beer tastings, you can enjoy some great brewery tours in Ottawa as another indoor activity around the city.

On a tour of one of the local breweries, you’ll learn all about the process they use to make craft beer and who is behind the brewery. 

Your guide will tell you how their beer differs from many others. While learning plenty of fun facts about the brewery, you’ll also get to sample their craft beers and even be able to purchase their products to take home with you.

Here are some of the best brewery tours in Ottawa

7. Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries

This beer-loving bus tour takes you to multiple breweries in Ottawa! You will experience Ottawa’s craft beer culture while sampling three to five different beer styles at several unique stops.

You’ll learn all about the process of making craft beer and the equipment used to do so. You will also have beer samples and food tastings along the way.

On this tour, you will have a relaxing bus drive through Ottawa between breweries to enjoy the sights. 

Note that the legal drinking age in Ontario is 19, so tours like this are unsuitable for kids.

🍺Get a chance to experience Ottawa’s Craft Beer Culture through this tour!

8. Stray Dog Brewing Company

Take a tour of the pet-friendly Stray Dog brewing company in Ottawa! It’s free! 

You will enjoy a complete tour of the brewing area and sample some award-winning beer. 

If it is a brew day, you might be unable to tour the facilities. So keep that in mind when planning your visit here. 

Pets and kids are welcome in the brewery as well. 

If you do not do a tour, this is still a great place to go in Ottawa to enjoy an award-winning drink.

Escape Rooms

An escape room is an immersive experience where you must work as a team to solve puzzles and find clues to complete a challenge and escape. They provide an experience like no other!

To get out of the room, you will have to face multiple challenges before you can unlock the door.

If you are wondering what to do in Ottawa, Ontario, with your family, conquering an escape room could be a perfect indoor activity!

9. Diefenbunker Canada’s cold war museum

Diefenbunker was built in 1959 as the tension was escalating during the Cold war. It was meant to protect key members of the government and military personnel in case of a nuclear attack on Canada. 

Nowadays, you can visit this bunker on a guided tour, or you can try to escape the Diefenbunker in a unique escape room experience.

This multi-award-winning escape room runs in the evenings from Thursday through Sunday and uses an entire floor of the massive underground bunker. 

Their escape rooms are suitable for every age, but children under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.

10. Escape Manor

If you don’t feel like escaping Diefenbunker, you can head over to Escape Manor for a different escape room experience!

Escape Manor has several themed escape rooms to try. There is even a Junior Manor, so the kids can experience an escape room tailored to their age.

The Escape Manor also has an on-site restaurant, the Manor Lounge, where you can grab a bite to eat!

It is easiest to book your experience through their website, so you’re all set when you get there.

Fun activities in Ottawa for Kids and Adults Alike

If you are in the city with your kids and are looking for some family indoor attractions in Ottawa, you are in luck!

Ottawa has a lot of kid-friendly activities and plenty of things to do indoors on a rainy or snowy day.

Here are some of the best indoor things to do in Ottawa for kids and adults alike:

11. BATL axe throwing

BATL Axe Throwing is a great indoor Ottawa activity for kids as long as they are twelve or older! 

Enjoy a coaching session before getting started so you can fully enjoy the experience and throw safely. 

You can book beforehand if that is more convenient for you, but it is not necessary. Walk-ins are available Monday – Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm  to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

12. Archery Games

If you’re looking for the best things to do indoors in Ottawa, combat archery should be at the top of your list!

Think of it as a mix of dodgeball but instead of balls, you use bows with foam-tipped arrows.

In this 75-minute session, you’ll have plenty of time to spend your energy! 

Kids over the age of ten are allowed for every type of game. Children from eight to nine years old can play private games only.  

If your children are younger, you can still head over to archery games and play Nerf wars instead. This is perfect for kids six and older.

13. Flying Squirrel Ottawa

Flying Squirrel is one of the world’s largest indoor fun parks. It is mainly a trampoline park, but there is so much more you can do also!

Here you have the trampoline park, a Rubix climbing tower, a soft play area, a toddler zone, a ropes course, foam pits, slacklines, freestyle courts, dodgeball courts, launch lanes, stunt jumps, dunk hoops, and so much more! 

If you’re not feeling like jumping, you can let the kids spend their extra energy while you sip a coffee at the Drey Bar and Cafe.

You must go to Flying Squirrel if you are looking for fun indoor activities in Ottawa with kids!

14. LaserMaxx

LaserMaxx is a multi-level laser tag arena that is sure to get your adrenaline going! 

As a combination of hide-and-seek and tag, players can be as young as five years old up to 85 years old.

You do not need a reservation to play, but it is recommended to book ahead since space can be limited. 

It will take you approximately 40 minutes from the moment you choose your code names to play to the final minutes of the game. You will spend about fifteen minutes on the field playing.

15. Putting Edge

Putting Edge is an 18-hole, glow-in-the-dark mini golf course located about 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. This is a great place to visit in Ottawa in winter or even on a rainy summer day. 

You can choose from multiple courses that will bring you into a completely different universe!

Once you’ve finished playing your course, you can head over to the arcade for even more fun and games.

It is best to make a reservation online before heading over. You can make a reservation on-site, but make sure to have a debit or credit card with you because they do not take cash.

16. Bubble Foot

If you want to blow some steam and love soccer, take your kids to try Bubble Foot. 

Playing Bubble Foot is basically playing soccer. However, you have to kick the ball while you are in a big plastic bubble. 

You’re sure to have many laughs with your family and you will also exert all of your extra energy.

Make your reservation online before heading over so you’ll be sure to have your spot!