Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: Bizarre stories and legends

Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal hold stories about bizarre laws, missing money, and decisions that were almost made.

A 90-minute walking tour through Ottawa with guides who tell the city's hidden stories: mutant squirrels, maple syrup heists, secret society messages, and the strange decisions of early mayors. The route passes Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, a historic castle, and an old park with occult ties. Suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride in a pram.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ottawa's hidden secrets

• Start journey into the weird
• Discover secrets of historic street
• Learn about bizarre laws and missing money
• Hear stories of early mayors
• Explore secrets of Ottawa's castle
• Pass by UNESCO Rideau Canal
• Uncover occult connections in old park
• End tour with Ottawa's legends

The experience

The tour starts at a set meeting point and moves through Ottawa's streets for 90 minutes. Your guides handle the storytelling while you walk the route they've planned: no need to figure out where to go or what to look for. The stops include Parliament Hill, where bizarre laws and missing money get their moment; a historic castle that harbours a few secrets; the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO Heritage Site running through the city's heart; and an old park with unexpected ties to the occult. The pace suits all fitness levels, and the route is wheelchair accessible throughout.

What sets this apart from standard city tours is the material itself. These aren't the stories in guidebooks. Your guides focus on the weird and unexpected: mutant squirrels, raccoons causing havoc, maple syrup heists that would make Robin Hood blush, and secret society messages encoded into well-known places. The early mayors of Ottawa made some unbelievable decisions, and those get their due. The tone is good-natured and fun. The guides are chosen for their ability to engage a crowd, and the whole thing lands somewhere between guffaw and gasp.

The tour works equally well for first-time visitors and people who've lived in Ottawa for years. Bring friends, family, or that cousin you're not quite sure how to handle, everyone's welcome. Tickets include GST. Gratuities are separate.

What’s included

• The tour includes 90 minutes of walking through Ottawa with an engaging guide who handles all the storytelling and route planning.
• access to stops at Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, a historic castle, and an old park.
• and GST.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 11:00, 17:00 and 18:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (under 15)

GroupUp to 20

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Haunted Walk of Ottawa

Is this one for you?This is a shared walking tour led by a guide, so you follow the route and listen rather than navigate yourself. It suits anyone who wants the stories and the stops without building an itinerary, and it works equally well for locals hearing Ottawa's hidden side for the first time and visitors who want more than the standard landmarks.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (under 15).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the deal with the mutant squirrels and maple syrup heists mentioned in the tour?

The Hidden Ottawa tour uses those stories as entry points to the city's real hidden history. Your guides share bizarre tales and unexpected secrets about Ottawa that don't appear in standard guidebooks: the mutant squirrels and maple syrup heists are examples of the kind of weird and whacky material the tour focuses on, alongside actual historical oddities like bizarre laws and unbelievable decisions made by early mayors.

Does the tour actually visit Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal?

Yes. The route passes Parliament Hill, where guides share stories about bizarre laws and missing money; the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO Heritage Site that runs through the heart of the city; a historic castle; and an old park with occult connections. You walk to these stops over the 90 minutes.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The Hidden Ottawa tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces along the route are wheelchair accessible, and the pace suits all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

How long is the walking tour and what's the pace like?

The tour runs 90 minutes and is designed for all fitness levels. You walk at a steady pace through Ottawa's streets, stopping at key locations while your guide shares stories. There's no scrambling or intense physical demand.

Can I bring my service animal on the tour?

Service animals are allowed on the Hidden Ottawa tour. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you need them to reach the meeting point.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes GST (Goods and Services Tax). Gratuities for your guide are separate and at your discretion.