The Lost Kingdom at Wesley Clover Parks

The Lost Kingdoms roars into the nation’s capital for its North American debut this summer.

A unique edutainment event for the entire family, The Lost Kingdoms features fifty life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and Ice Age beasts with robotic moving body parts including opening jaws and blinking eyes and the sounds of roaring, hissing and snarling coming from the bushes.

The Lost Kingdoms opened in Ottawa on June 23 and will run daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm until July 9.

We had a chance to send an Ottawa family to check it out and here’s what they thought! They brought their two kiddos along with them, who were 5 and 6 years old.

“It was a totally unique experience and fun for all ages!

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of dinosaurs that were set up. The kids get up close which is really nice and some of the dinosaurs move and make noise, which is pretty neat. The enormous T-rex at the beginning is set to a timer and moves and makes noise. I had to remind my youngest that it wasn’t real ;)

Everyone left with a smile on their face and my youngest is ready to head back again any time!”

Tips:

• It’s a lot of walking. Bring a wagon or stroller for younger kids.

• It’s a fairly long walk without shade and entirely outdoors so dress accordingly. On a hot day you’ll definitely want to bring lots of water and a hat .

• Construction at Moodie makes it difficult to get there easily so take the March Road exit.

• For the little ones with unpredictable bathroom breaks, send them before the tour because there were no washrooms in sight.

• Staying for a picnic or snacks would be a great idea.

Tickets are $28 each or you can get a family bundle and tickets are $24.50 each.

Can you touch the dinosaurs?

Kids are encouraged to get up close and personal with the exhibits, but they should not try to climb, ride or poke them.Will there be food on site?

Food and beverage will be onsite, but it will vary from day to day based on local vendor availability.

You can check out the Lost Kingdoms in Ottawa until July 9th!

We were invited to attend the media preview at no cost. All thoughts are our own.

Interzip - a unique zip lining experience from Ontario to Quebec

Last week we got invited to experience zip lining from one province to another at the InterZip Rogers (last year Misty got to try it out and you can check out her recount of the experience here.)My husband and three teens (13 year old twins and a 15 year old) all got to try out the experience. My family is not one of thrill seekers and so I wasn’t sure how it would go but all four of them really enjoyed it! (The most nerve wracking part was climbing the tower (you climb 120 metres in the air which is about the heigh of 9 stories) - partially because it’s high and partially because of nerves for the upcoming jump).

They enjoyed that the ride went slower than a lot of other zip lines (it travels at 40 kms a hour and lasts about 40 seconds.)

Our consensus is that if your kids are the types who enjoy zip lines in general, this is a great activity for any kids who fit the minimum weight requirement of 70lbs.

How it works

You arrive at the ticket office on the Gatineau side and check in. You are then weighed and your equipment is chosen based on weight and size. You are given your equipment which is put on loosely, and then you walk about 5-10 minutes across the river and over to the tower.

You are then led through safely strapping in to your equipment and through safety instructions for climbing the tower. There is a maximum of ten people on the tower at a time, and people zip down in pairs.

Once people reach the top of the stairs they are strapped in, given instructions for their journey down, and for the appropriate landing position at the end.

To note, almost my entire family thought the ride went a little further than when they actually stopped (they had their eyes on the final bumpers) and were surprised when they stopped abruptly a little sooner than that.

We also had a chance to celebrate at the end with ice cream from the restaurant located on site.

Cost

14 and under: $29.99

15 and over: $39.99

It is recommended you book ahead of time as some days sell out completely.

Video

You can also purchase a video of your experience for $19 which is a nice keepsake. Here are the two we got!

Are there age or weight restrictions?

There are no age restrictions but there are weight restrictions. For kids under 18 a parent/guardian must sign a waiver.

The minimum weight is : 70 pounds.

And the maximum weight is : 250 pounds.

You must also be able to climb the tower on your own. A few other restrictions include: pregnant women, intoxication, missing limb (arm or leg), extreme asthma or breathing problems, epilepsy, high blood pressure, skeletal, joint or ligament problems.

Note that the participant must have full use of their arms, legs and hands and be able to walk up and down steps without fatigue or assistance.

The right to restrict access to any person is at the discretion of the management.

How should you dress?

Closed shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. Helmet, harness and specialised equipment will be provided on site.

Can I bring my camera or things with me?

No, you need to leave all of your possession at the main office and zip with nothing in your pockets or hands.

Any other questions? Check out the official FAQ

Disclosure: we were provided free tickets to enjoy this attraction but all opinions are our own.

Soccer in Ottawa - Atlético Ottawa

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

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One of the best feelings in the world for our family is the atmosphere prior to the start of a live sporting event. Of course, it has been well over a year since we had that feeling. Thankfully, our family had that it again when we attended the most recent Atletico Ottawa soccer match. 

The Atlético Ottawa match was the first outdoor professional sports event in Ottawa in over a year and a half. They were facing the Halifax Wanderers. 

Approaching TD Place, it almost felt normal. Fans were wearing Atlético Ottawa jerseys. Families were enjoying a pre-game meal. The only difference was that almost everyone was wearing a mask. 

To gain admittance into the game, it was necessary to wear a mask. People were expected to wear their masks at all times except when consuming food or drink. 

We arrived early just to take in the atmosphere. There was a large crowd as Atlético Ottawa instituted a pay what you can model for the first game. All proceeds from ticket sales went to the Youth Services Bureau. 

When player introductions were started, everyone started cheering. It felt like the entire stadium had been waiting for this moment. Live sports were back in Ottawa. Once O Canada had been sung, it was hard to hear yourself. 

Halifax jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Ottawa fans. One of the most fun aspects of the game was watching the Ottawa supporters section. They can be described as super fans. They were chanting and singing throughout the course of the entire game. The Ottawa supporters also were very family-friendly in that their chants and behaviour were always respectful of all fans in attendance.

When Ottawa scored their first goal, the supporter section and everyone in attendance erupted. It was a beautiful header that I am sure made the sports highlight reels. By halftime, the score was 1-1.

I’ll be honest, this is usually the time our son, David, is ready to head to the exits. He likes live soccer but 45 minutes is usually enough. I said out of habit, “So buddy, do you want to head home.” I was surprised when I got, “No, let’s stay for the whole game.” In shock, I did not question this newfound appreciation for soccer. 

In the second half, Ottawa carried most of the play but did not manage to score a goal early on. I thought it was going to be a draw when Ottawa squeezed a goal by the Halifax goaltender in the 87th minute. David, Sandy and I leapt out of our seats. We were satisfied to see Ottawa notch their first victory at home. 

For more information about tickets and schedule for Atlético Ottawa, visit https://www.atleticoottawa.canpl.ca.

Stephen and his family received their tickets free, but the opinions expressed in this post are his own.

Summer at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello

We visited Fairmont Le Château Montebello in the fall, but this was our first time visiting in the summer! After a looong school year, my youngest kiddo needed a fun getaway and Montebello promised (and delivered) everything.

If you’ve never been, Montebello is a treat for the whole family. The massive cedar Château wowed my kids the first time we arrived, and my daughter was just as excited this time to pull into the stately grounds and catch a glimpse of the main building, a masterpiece constructed 90 years ago from 10,000 red-cedar logs. The 300-acre property spills out towards the Ottawa River, with gorgeous walking trails and, if you can catch it, a great vantage point for the sunset.

We stayed in a newly renovated room with two double beds, which was perfect for the two of us. I think if we decide to go back as a family of four we’ll check out the deluxe rooms with two Queen beds and the pull-out sofa, which would give us some extra space to spread out.

Since we were only staying one night we decided to cram as much as possible into our mini vacation. Included in your resort experience fee are enough activities to fill an entire week. It’s truly a one-stop shop family destination!

After check-in we headed straight to the outdoor pool, because it was a gorgeous, hot day, and we wanted to soak up the sun before dinner. My daughter was delighted that they served ice cream at the bar, and I enjoyed a very tasty Mojito. The outdoor pool atmosphere is reminiscent of beach vacations down south, with plenty of chairs, umbrellas and cabanas for rent, fun music and pool floaties.

We headed back to our room to freshen up before dinner, which was at the outdoor BBQ. The covered terrace was adjacent to a pretty vegetable and butterfly garden, with views of the river. This family-friendly service is perfect for kids, as the food was brought out quickly and we could order more when we wanted - the courses included salads, fish/seafood, meat and dessert. A word of warning: if you are visiting with a young, picky child, you will need to eat almost ALL of the food. I was stuffed!

After dinner we had a nice walk along the river and stopped by the nightly campfire. We then headed over to the new playground. Inspired by the wilderness, the double-sized play area features three slides, a rustic climbing wall, a stone cross-bar, sugar maples to climb and a perched hut. My daughter loved it!

We woke up bright and early the next morning and opted for in-room dining, which was another new experience for my daughter. She had the rich, buttery crepes and I had muesli, yogurt and fresh fruit. We felt very spoiled!

We had made a reservation for the indoor pool for 9am, which is part of COVID procedures. We had the entire pool to share with only a few other families! In contrast to the outdoor party pool, indoors was quiet, with plenty of room to do laps. I was told that if you want to have a quieter experience at the outdoor pool, 10am is the best time to go!

After that we went to grab a bike rental and did an easy 3km ride, followed by a round of mini-putt. Following the noon check-out we stayed on the resort grounds for a couple of hours, and headed back to the outdoor pool for another swim. If we’d had had more time, I would have tried to squeeze in a kayak or canoe paddle along the river!

If this sounds like a lot, it IS, which is why two nights would be perfect. We’re already planning our trip for next year!

Other things you should know

• Montebello is a pet-friendly resort. We loved seeing everyone’s dogs, and the resort has a new canine ambassador named Vic, who joins 7 year-old Bello! Both are Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and now enjoy a quiet retirement on the resort. We tried to spot him on our tours around the grounds, but maybe we’ll catch him next time :)

• In addition to the BBQ and in-room dining (plus other dining options we didn’t visit), there are picnic baskets available in the summer. All you need to do is call down in the morning before 9am and then enjoy your picnic lunch!

• There is a Summer Fun Package available now until Labour Day. It includes 2 nights accommodation, daily breakfast, daily resort fee and more! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate before the start of school, this is it!

Disclaimer: I was provided a media rate for our room, which included the daily resort fee. All opinions are my own.

Horseback Riding at Captiva Farms

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

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I have always wanted to be a cowboy. Perhaps it was growing up in Saskatchewan or watching a lot of John Wayne movies as a kid. I ended up working at a library. I love my job, but it still isn’t a cowboy. 

Luckily, I was able to explore my inner cowboy at Captiva Farms. The farm is about a thirty-five-minute drive north of Ottawa near Wakefield. The farm offers horseback riding for all different levels. Our family certainly fell into the beginner category. 

When we arrived on-site, we were greeted by three employees wearing cowboy hats and blue jeans. Looked like we were at the right place. After filling out all the waivers and forms, we were presented with our horses and led them to a training area. David’s horse was Santana, Sandy had Zoe and I was riding Cleo. 

We met Karine who gave us instructions on how to advance and stop the horses. We also learned how to turn the horses to the right and left. 

Now, it was showtime. Karine taught us how to mount the horses and with some assistance, David and Sandy were able to do so with ease. I would argue that Cleo was the largest of the three horses thus I needed a small set of stairs to mount Cleo. 

After some practice, we mastered stopping, turning and advancing. It was now time to hit the trail. Karine led in the front while Laura was behind us. Both guides were very outgoing and friendly. The scenery was stunning. We were treated to a pastoral landscape with jagged mountains providing a scenic backdrop. 

Karine shared that the plan was to leave the land undeveloped so people would have a beautiful view while doing their trail rides. 

Cleo was a pleasure to work with. She actually made me feel like I knew what I was doing. She did try to stop and eat grass but who could blame a horse for trying to get a free meal. David and Sandy also had a great experience with their horses. 

We travelled through varied terrain including tall grass and forest. My favourite was going through the forest. We went up several challenging uphills and descents. Nothing too extreme, just enough to get the adrenaline going. 

The guides provided plenty of assistance when we passed through muddy spots on the trail or close to trees. 

Soon enough, it was time to head back to Captiva Farms. I was frankly sad to leave Cleo. I totally get the bond that develops between a rider and their horse. I know Sandy and David felt the same. 

There is a good chance my inner cowboy will get a workout in the future at Captiva Farms. 

For more information about trail rides and everything offered at Captiva Farms visit, www.captivafarms.com.

Stephen and his family were provided with the experience for free but all views are his own.