Pack the car and roll out of Toronto early. The drive to Fitzroy Harbour runs about 4 hours 32 minutes (408 km), mostly along Highway 401 East then Highway 417 toward the Ottawa Valley. Weekend traffic can add 30 to 60 minutes, so build in buffer time. Break the trip with a stretch-and-snack stop around the halfway mark and let the kids burn energy before the final leg into cottage country. Expect overcast skies today, a comfortable 27°C (81°F) high, so pack light layers plus swimsuits underneath along Highway 401 East.

Check in and drop bags, then head straight to Fitzroy Provincial Park (5201 Canon Smith Dr), the anchor of the whole weekend. Grab a park day pass at the gate (roughly $12-21 per vehicle) and get your bearings along the shoreline where the Ottawa and Carp rivers meet. The overcast sky keeps the heat mellow, ideal for a first easy wander with children.

Walk the Terraces Trail, an easy interpretive loop within the park that winds past old river terraces and cedar stands. It is short, shaded, and manageable for little legs, with plenty of spots to pause and spot birds. Keep an eye out for the natural pothole formations the park is known for. Rainy day alternative: head straight into the village and grab an early dinner indoors.

Head into the village for a relaxed family dinner at Harbour Pizza (2391 Fitzroy St), a genuinely well-loved local spot with a loyal following. Call ahead to confirm hours. Fresh pies, easy for kids, and a low-key end to a long travel day. If Harbour Pizza is fully booked or closed, try a family restaurant in nearby Arnprior. Back to your room early to rest up.

Drizzle is likely today (73% chance of rain, 26°C/79°F), so lean into an indoor plan and drive about 45 minutes into Ottawa for the Canada Aviation and Space Museum (11 Aviation Pkwy). Kids can walk beneath real aircraft, climb into cockpits on interactive days, and stay completely dry. Admission runs roughly $15-20 per adult with family rates available. Confirm hours before visiting. Pack rain jackets and a spare change of clothes.

Stay in the city and continue the science theme at the Canada Science and Technology Museum (1867 St. Laurent Blvd), one of the most hands-on museums in the region and a rainy-day dream for families. Interactive exhibits, a working steam locomotive, and space for kids to roam. Confirm hours before visiting. Grab a casual lunch at the museum café or a family spot nearby.

If the drizzle eases, take a short stroll through the ByWard Market District, where covered stalls and shops make browsing pleasant even under grey skies. Pick up fresh fruit or a treat before the drive back toward Fitzroy Harbour.

Back near the village, keep dinner simple and comforting after a full day. Cook in at your accommodation if you have a kitchenette, or return to a favourite from last night's area for an easy meal. If you head back into the village, Harbour Pizza (2391 Fitzroy St) remains the reliable local option; confirm hours by phone first. Wind down with board games and an early night, letting the kids process all those airplanes and rockets.

Sunday should be clearer, so spend the morning at Fitzroy Beach, the sandy swimming area within the provincial park on the Ottawa River. Shallow, gentle water makes it excellent for young children, and the morning light on the river is beautiful. This is a popular spot on summer weekends, so arrive by 9:30 to claim a good place before the day-trippers roll in. Bring your own picnic breakfast, as village options are limited.

Drive 20 minutes to Morris Island Conservation Area (156 Morris Island Drive) for a final unhurried outing. This is a genuine gem: flat, stroller-friendly causeway trails cross wetlands and river channels, with turtles, herons, and dragonflies at every turn. It is the kind of quiet, water-laced walk that sends a nature-loving family home happy. Rainy day alternative: extend your visit to the Canada Science and Technology Museum on your way out of the region.

Aim to leave Fitzroy Harbour by around 1:30 p.m. to beat Sunday evening highway traffic back into the city, and expect an extra 30 to 60 minutes on top of the base time from weekend congestion. Retrace your route via Highway 417 West to Highway 401 West toward Toronto, roughly 4.5 hours. Consider a dinner-break detour in Kingston along the way; its waterfront and easy family restaurants make a natural midpoint stop before the final push home.