Things to do in Ottawa for free this summer

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things you can do for free in Ottawa this summer.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things you can do for free in Ottawa this summer. Canada Strong Pass The Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children and youth 17 and under at national museums this summer in the national capital region. Admission is free for those 17 and under at the following museums: The Canada Strong Pass also offers a 50 per cent discount on admission to national museums for those 18 to 24 years old.

As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children and youth 17 and under can visit the following museums for free. The Canada Strong Pass is available until Sept. 7. OC Transpo Children and youth can ride OC Transpo for free this summer.

The transit service is offering free rides for youth ages 11 to 18 on buses, the O-Train lines and Para Transpo. You will need a Presto card to access the free transit. Museums Museums in the national capital region offer free admission for adults during the following periods over the summer: Beach season You can spend a day at the beach, wading pool, splash pad or at National Capital Commission swimming docks in Ottawa this summer.

Admission is free. The City of Ottawa’s beaches at Britannia Beach, Mooney’s Bay, Westboro Beach and Petrie Island will be open daily, with lifeguards on duty from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The NCC offers swimming at the following locations: NCC Bike Days The National Capital Commission opens the parkways along the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal for active transportation use this summer.

The following will be closed to vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays: Play Free with the City of Ottawa The City of Ottawa offers free drop-in activities for children and youth aged 17 and under and accompanying adults. There is free admission to drop-in swimming, skating and gymnasium sports on Saturdays. Use the Place Listings web tool to find an indoor pool or type the facility’s name in the search bar at the top of any page.

On the City of Ottawa’s website, you can check out the list of locations offering gymnasium and racquet sports . National Arts Centre The National Arts Centre in downtown Ottawa offers several free activities through the summer. For more information, visit the NAC’s website .

Some of the free events include: Parliament of Canada Tours Enjoy a free, guided tour this summer of the House of Commons in the West Block, the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, and the East Block. Tours are available daily. For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/ .

Rideau Hall Explore Rideau Hall this summer, the 79-acre urban oasis that features the historic mansion and expansive landscaped grounds at the official residence and workplace of the governor general. Rideau Hall offers guided tours of the residence, while you can also explore the grounds. Guided tours are available daily.

Doors Open Rideau Hall is scheduled for Aug. 1-3 and Sept. 5-7, allowing visitors to explore the State rooms of Rideau Hall at their own pace and visit the private gardens. For more information, visit https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall/what-see-and-do . Parliament:

The Immersive Experience Parliament: The Immersive Experience gives you the chance to tour the main Parliament Hill building, which is closed to the public for renovations. The innovative experience includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show of Centre Block. Tickets are free.

Visit parl.ca . Capital Pop-Up Cinema Capital Pop-Up Cinema will host free movies at several locations across Ottawa. Here is a look at the schedule: Ottawa Free Tours Let the experts take you on a free walking tour of downtown Ottawa this summer.

Guides with Ottawa Free Tours will guide you around the area to share the tales of the city. For more information, visit www.ottawafreetour.com/capital-city-tour . ByWard Square

The new ByWard Square in the ByWard Market will offer live music, arts and culture and family-friendly activities all summer. It’s open Thursday to Sunday until Sept. 27. For more information, visit www.byward-market.com/byward-square .

Ottawa Busker Festival It’s three days of fire, flight, comedy and chaos on Sparks Street. The Ottawa International Busker Festival returns Aug. 7-9, with over 20 performers on five stages.

While admission is free, you are encouraged to tip the performers.