Now that I’m a mom, we’ve entered the chapter of figuring out family travel toddler-friendly adventures, snack breaks, and strategic nap timing. This summer, my mom is visiting us from South Africa 🇿🇦, and we’re so excited to have our little one’s “Ouma” (that’s grandmother in Afrikaans) with us, especially her. Watching their bond has been such a joy.
One of the things we planned while she’s here was a family road trip. My mom hadn’t seen this part of Canada before, so we packed up the car and planned a mini-adventure to Montreal and Ottawa. A little scenic, a little foodie, and a lot of “let’s see how this goes” energy, especially when traveling with a toddler.
Day 1: Toronto → Port Hope → Kingston → Montreal → Ottawa
Our first day started bright and early… well, kind of bright 😅. We grabbed our Timmies coffee and breakfast and hit the road, for what would be a 5-hour-plus (and then some) drive to Montreal.
First stop: Port Hope ONroute, a quick stretch and bathroom break (because toddler). Then off to Kingston, where we stopped at Lake Ontario Park. Honestly, a gem. Peaceful lake views, a splash pad and playground, and grassy space to run around.
We walked around, let our little one stretch her legs, then headed back to the car. Dug into the sandwiches I made the night before, it was roast chicken cold cuts with mayo and tomato on fresh buns, washed down with some soda. Then back on the road toward Montreal.
We finally rolled into the city by late afternoon/early evening. My second time, but my mom and husband’s and ofcourse my little one’s first time. We went straight to Old Montreal with its cobblestone charm, buzzing streets, scenic views at the Old Port, and full-on tourist mode.
But let’s be honest, we came for smoked meat. Instead of braving the legendary lines at Schwartz’s (because toddler + queue = no thank you!), we headed to Lester’s Deli in Outremont—a quieter neighbourhood north of downtown, home to the largest Hasidic Jewish community in Montreal.
Smoked meat sandwiches, pickles, and a cold Cott black cherry soda? Pure perfection. The vibe was laid back, the food was melt-in-your-mouth good, and even our toddler got in on the action (she may or may not have eaten all my pickles).
After our meal, we packed up and hit the road again, Ottawa bound, where we’d be staying for the rest of the trip.
Day 2: Beach Day, Parliament Hill & Shawarma Feasting
We started Day 2 with a quick breakfast and headed to Mooney’s Bay Beach and Park. It was a hot day, and water was calling.
Our little one loved it, splashing, digging, and sitting in the shallow waves. We camped out under a shady tree with a picnic blanket, snacked, sipped on cold drinks, and just let the moment stretch.
There’s also a huge Canada-themed playground, perfect for older kids, but we were more than happy to stick to the breeze and water.
Afterward, we grabbed lunch from Pili Pili-woodfired chicken, seasoned rice, salad, and fries (we swapped those out for plantain). We brought it back to our holiday apartment and tucked right in. We’d ordered a whole chicken, half medium spice, half plain and it was seasoned so well, juicy and packed with flavour. We managed to get through most of it, but saved the rest for later, maybe a quick sandwich or breakfast the next day (because nothing says “vacation” like cold leftover chicken that still slaps, lol!).
Later that afternoon, we headed to Parliament Hill for an early evening stroll.
We walked around the Parliamentary buildings, rich in history and soaked in Canadian pride, with the Ottawa River glimmering in the background. It’s one of those places that makes me proud to call Canada home; peaceful, iconic, and full of cinematic vibes, especially with sunrays still trying to squeeze through the gloomy clouds as the day wound down.
Parliamentary buildings, rich in history and soaked in Canadian pride
Back to the apartment to rest up and then dinner time.
I’d already done the mental menu planning (lol), so we ordered from Shawarma Palace. One beef shawarma platter and one chicken shawarma sandwich, and wow… it delivered.
The platter came loaded: tender beef, fluffy rice, creamy hummus, crunchy pickles, garlicky potatoes, salad, and warm pitas. The chicken shawarma was tightly packed with juicy meat, fresh salad, and just the right amount of sauce to make it delightfully messy.
It was more than enough to feed the whole family, and we ate every bite. The highlight? Honestly, all of it. But those garlic potatoes…? 100% yum! Worth every golden, garlicky forkful.
Day 3: Stormy Skies & the Road Back to Toronto
The next morning, we woke up to a wet and stormy Ottawa. Not ideal for sightseeing, so we packed up, ate some leftover Pili Pili chicken (yes, even cold it still slapped), and hit the road.
We kept it simple and stopped at Mallorytown for a late Timmies breakfast, and later in Belleville to let our little one escape her car seat for a bit.
I won’t lie, I was all too happy to be heading back to Toronto. Road-tripping is fun, but doing it with a toddler? It definitely has its ups and downs. Still, totally manageable with snacks, toys, flexibility, and a whole lot of grace.
What I Learned (aka: Toddler Travel Truths)
Patience. Lots of it. And a comfy car seat, especially for any trip over 90 minutes.
Snacks? Got to have tons of snacks. Next time, more variety, not just puffs, Cheerios, and blueberries. But more variety in the fruit realm.
Naps? Car naps are hit or miss, but we rolled with it.
And the biggest reminder? To give myself grace. I’m learning how to make memories and still enjoy the ride too.
Traveling with a toddler isn’t easy, but it’s worth every stretch, spill, and snack break.
Here’s to the next adventure… wherever it takes us!
Been on a road trip with your toddler (or the whole fam)? Or know a must-try spot in Montreal or Ottawa? Slide into the comments. I’d love to hear your stories and foodie recommendations!
Craving comfort after all that driving?
Back home in Toronto, we were all tired, full of stories, and hungry (again!). This creamy chicken, bacon & broccoli Alfredo pasta is one of our go-to meals, its easy, toddler-approved, and cooked with love by the husbae.
CocoaGirlinToronto 
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