Ottawa families take advantage of the final days of winter holidays

Kids are back to school on Monday and as CTV’s Camille Wilson reports, families across Ottawa were taking in all the city has to offer before the holidays end.

Residents and tourists spent the final weekend of the winter holidays enjoying all the capital has to offer before heading back to school and work.

For Ben Welland and his daughters Miranda and Fiona, it’s a family tradition to skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

“I’m disappointed a little bit. The holidays have been pretty fun. I love school, but I like relaxing as well,” Miranda says.

In addition to skating, the Welland’s also spent some time at their family cottage.

“We just lazed around the house by the tree. We have a fireplace, so it’s nice to be able to burn wood and stare at it,” Welland says.

Welland says he looks forward to the holidays every year to spend with his girls.

“The two weeks off when you’re a child are a big deal. Then when you’re an adult, it’s sort of like, who cares? Then when you’re an adult who gets to be a parent, it becomes a big deal again. It’s been really nice,” says Welland.

Catherine Lewis, mother of two, was also out with her family enjoying the ice for the last day of the holidays. Lewis says this is the first time they made it to the Rideau Canal since this season, but they spent the holidays visiting lots of museums.

Now, Lewis says she’s ready to get back to her regular routine.

“I’ve had both boys home from daycare and school for a little over two weeks now and the house is a bit of a disaster,” says Lewis. “I’m looking forward to getting that organized, getting everybody back to their regular food, regular routine, regular sleeping schedule. It’s been a wonderful time, but we’re ready to go back to routine.”

“I’m excited to go back to school but I like being home,” says Elliot, Lewis’ son.

Many families took advantage of The Canada Strong Pass over the holidays, which offers free admission to National Museums in Ottawa and Gatineau for children under the age of 17 and 50 per cent admission for youth aged 18 to 24.

The pass also allows free travel on Via Rail for those aged 17 and under, and 25 per cent off Via Rail rides for adults aged 18 to 24.

“We took the train using the Canada strong pass,” says Alisha Garnes-Henry, who was visiting Ottawa.

“We’re actually from Montreal. We came to Ottawa today to visit various museums. We just came from the Agriculture Museum. We’re going to the Science Museum and later we’re going to be going to the Nature Museum as well. It’s a big museum day.”

The Canada Strong Pass is available until Jan. 15.

“Ottawa’s holiday season is always a great balance of outdoor fun and cozy indoor offerings, which certainly was the case again this year,” Ottawa Tourism said to CTV News in a statement.

Ottawa Tourism says the Canada Strong Pass and Ottawa Tourism’s Visit Ottawa Passes, which offer discounted entry to multiple sites in Ottawa, brought value to families visiting the capital this holiday season.

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