Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: Bizarre stories and legends

Free cancellationLikely to sell out

1/6

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 20

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

1h 30m

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair 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.