Ottawa's animal encounters

Ottawa Travel Guide

|

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 17:07

Travelers heading to Ottawa come from all walks of life, and though most are interested in it's lively nightlife or scenic beauty, families hitting the capital city with their children in tow will be looking for more directly engaging activities. Ottawa is home to a number of attractions that are sure to please the little ones, but parents looking to leave a lasting impression on the kids will definitely want to explore the animal exhibitions located throughout the city. From exotic animals to petting zoo fair, Ottawa has a lot to offer animal lovers as they travel through Canada.

Parc Omega
Vacationers who would like to spend some time among Canada's most famous critters can head over to Parc Omega, a safari park in nearby Quebec. This 10-kilometer nature range boasts a number of beautiful sites for travelers to take in, including scenic lakes, rocky hills and expansive valleys. As such, it should comes as no surprise that this pristine nature reserve also serves as home to a wealth of Canadian wildlife. From the gentle American bison and wapitis to the fearsome black bear and arctic wolf, travelers can see a vast array of animals in their natural habitats at this stellar park.

Valleyview Little Animal Farm
If families on tours of Ottawa would prefer a more colloquial experience, then a trip to the Valleyview Little Animal Farm may be in order. An actual working farm, this attraction is a great place for small children to get up close with some cuddly creatures of all shapes and sizes. Some of the animals that can be found in the facility's petting zoo include geese, goats, alpacas and zebus, a south Asian bovine sometimes referred to as Brahmin cattle. Other onsite attractions include puppet shows, train rides, playgrounds and a museum that lets visitors see what living on a farm in the frontier days was like.

Little Ray's Reptile Zoo
If your children would rather see creepy crawlers, then Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is the place to be. This privately funded zoo and animal rescue features 25 permanent animal exhibits and 20 feature animal exhibits that rotate twice a year. From tree fogs and bearded lizards to American alligators and boa constrictors, the zoo has it all, and its educational shows cover a range of topics that include animal biology and geological science.