Ottawa: Express City Bike Tour with Parliament Hill & Canal

Summary

Cycle Ottawa’s scenic paths, local stories & iconic landmarks

You’ll cycle Ottawa’s prettiest routes with a local guide who knows all the shortcuts and stories. Expect stops at Parliament Hill, Byward Market, and Rideau Canal — plus a few surprises you wouldn’t find alone. The pace is easygoing, bikes are comfy, and there’s space for laughter or quiet moments both.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I almost bailed when I saw the clouds rolling in over Ottawa that morning — but something about the idea of biking past Parliament Hill made me stay. Our guide, Sam, greeted us near Sparks Street with this huge grin and handed out bikes (mine was bright red and squeaked a bit). There was a family from Halifax in our group too; their youngest kept ringing his bell for no reason. Made me laugh every time.

We started off by weaving through quiet backroads — you get these little whiffs of coffee from open windows and hear someone practicing piano in one of the old houses. Sam pointed out how Rideau Canal actually freezes solid in winter so people skate to work. I can’t even picture that. At the National War Memorial, he shared a story about Remembrance Day crowds so big you could barely move. It felt different seeing it up close, not just in photos.

Byward Market was buzzing — I caught a bit of French mixed with English as we rolled past stalls selling maple treats. My hands were sticky from some pastry I grabbed (should’ve packed wipes). We stopped at Rideau Hall’s gardens; Sam tried to get us to pronounce “New Edinburgh” like locals do (I failed miserably). The breeze by Rideau Falls smelled faintly metallic — river water and city air mixing together. There was this moment where everyone just got quiet looking at the view. I still think about that silence sometimes.

The last stretch took us right along the canal again, past boats waiting at the locks. A couple waved as they drifted by — looked like they’d been waiting ages for their turn. We snapped photos of Parliament Hill from a lookout Sam swore was “the best angle.” Maybe he says that every tour, but honestly? He might be right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ottawa by bike in 2 hours

• Meet 20 minutes before start
• Visit Rideau Canal
• See Ottawa Locks operation
• Stop at National Gallery and Spider Sculpture
• Visit War Memorial
• View Parliament Hill lookouts
• Cycle through ByWard Market
• Visit Rideau Hall and gardens
• Cycle New Edinburg to Rideau Falls
• Pass Ottawa's oldest stone building

Top questions

How long is the Ottawa Express City Bike Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish.

What landmarks are included on this Ottawa bike tour?

You’ll see Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, Byward Market, Rideau Hall gardens, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Locks, and more.

Is an e-bike option available for this tour?

Yes, you can request an e-bike add-on before your tour begins.

Where does the Ottawa bike tour start?

The meeting point is 65 Sparks St., which is a pedestrian street near Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial.

Are helmets provided on this city bike tour?

Yes, helmets are included with your bike rental for safety.

Is this Ottawa bike tour suitable for families?

Yes, it’s ideal for families and easy-going cyclists of all ages; infant seats and prams are available if needed.

Do I need to arrive early for the bike fitting?

You should arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled start time for fitting and safety review.

Is the route wheelchair accessible?

The tour is fully wheelchair accessible; all areas and surfaces accommodate wheelchairs or prams.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a comfortable bicycle fitted to your size (or an e-bike if you request), helmet for safety, guidance from a friendly local expert who shares stories at each stop, plus options for infant seats or prams so everyone can join in comfortably.