I have long wanted to visit Ottawa, and am thrilled for it to be the first foreign capital city that the girls will have visited. We spent only one day in the city, but we made good use of our time: Changing of the Guard at Parliament, a walking tour of the Parliament Hill, watching the Rideau Canal Locks in action, a narrated boat tour on the Ottawa River, walking along the Gatineau, Quebec side of the river, the Museum of Canadian History, and a fantastic light show at the Parliament building to top it off.

The city felt distinctly European and yet uniquely Canadian at the same time. It was a perfect day to walk the city and take in the views. I got the feeling that we had barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer. Luckily for us, it is a mere 7 hour drive from home. I’m sure we will be back before long.

The photo is of the girls sitting by the fountain at the Canadian Museum of History, with the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill behind them.