Gaurds in colourful regalia are always a hit with tourists on Parliament Hill. -- NCC Photo

There are countless reasons to truck the family four hours east to visit Ottawa this fall, but three seal the deal: The Canadian Children's Museum, Parliament Hill and the new Canadian War Museum.

I visited all three, family in tow, over a long summer weekend and was surprised at how kid-friendly Canada's capital is, and how its museums cater to all ages, from toddlers right up to grandparents.

We started with a day trip to the Canadian Museum of Civilization, home of the Canadian Children's Museum. I'd heard it was the largest museum for kids in Canada, but I was still astonished by its size.

There's room after room of hands-on displays -- exhibits scaled down to kids' sizes that welcome interaction. Inside these rooms, kids are not only able, they're encouraged to run free, breathlessly skipping from one exhibit to another, feeling and touching, hopping on and off displays, operating equipment.

Canada's history -- as well as the history of civilization -- is covered in these engaging rooms, offering kids a sense of what it was like to live in this country at different stages of its development.

The exhibits emphasize multiculturalism--Middle Eastern, Native Canadian, European. There's a scaled-down ship from the Maritimes on which kids can operate cranes, loading and unloading cargo. There's a pyramid, a '50s diner, a supermarket, a post office, a giant rickshaw, and a life-size bus kids can board -- children gleefully sit in the driver's seat and steer while parents snap countless photos.

From the start, kids are given passports to have stamped at each exhibit -- proof they've travelled the country -- and the world within this museum. The Children's Museum, while huge, is only a small section of the vast Museum of Civilization. The kids' portion suits children under 10 best, but there's lots to see for older family members, including an IMAX theatre and the breathtaking Canada Hall, the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles.

We spent another day at the new Canadian War Museum, which debuted this spring and ought to be on the must-see list of all Canadian travellers. The museum is a massive, bunker-like structure not far from Parliament Hill. Displays are divided into periods of war, including World War I, World War II and the Cold War, plus a peacekeeping section.

Children over the age of eight are best suited for this museum -- displays are dark, some of the film footage is disturbing for young kids, and the mood can be sombre, but the exhibits are fascinating.

Fighter planes are on display, along with tanks, jeeps, cannons, artillery -- stuff that'll intrigue teenagers no matter their background or interests. Nearly every day there's a Canadian war veteran on hand to relate their experiences. Life-size photographs and news reels put us back in the moment. Check the museum's schedule for special events, presentations and displays.

Parliament Hill is a highlight -- a family trip to Ottawa just wouldn't be the same without a visit to the seat of our national government. Our family skipped the indoor tours and stayed outside, strolling the grounds, taking in summer evening sound and light shows. There's always something happening on The Hill.

During our visit, massed bands in full regalia from the military and the RCMP marched and played for the benefit of thousands. Our family especially enjoyed their rendition of the William Tell Overture, complete with the firing of real military cannons.

For meals, head to Ottawa's Byward Market. There's a number of family friendly restaurants -- walk if you can, parking is scarce. Don't forget to indulge in a calorie-laden Beaver Tail -- Ottawa is the birthplace of this deep-fried dough layered with maple, chocolate or cinnamon.

For more on the Canadian Children's Museum and the Canadian War Museum, visit civilization.ca. For Parliament Hill, visit canadascapital.ca. You can search Byward Market eateries at byward-market.com.