Ottawa Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Walking Tour

Solve riddles, walk 2.4km, unlock Ottawa's stories on your schedule

This self-guided walking tour of Ottawa uses an app to navigate you through Parliament, the Centennial Flame, the National War Memorial, and nine other major sites and hidden gems over roughly two hours. You start anytime (24/7, no guide waiting) solve puzzles at each stop to unlock the next location, and can pause, skip stops, or change the order whenever you want. Your access lasts a full year, so you can finish the route across multiple days or return to explore deeper.

The experience

Download the World City Trail app, enter your 10-digit booking reference, and you're ready to begin: no meeting time, no group, no schedule. The walk covers 2.4 kilometers and typically takes around two hours, but that's only if you move straight through. The real pace depends on you: stop at Major's Hill Park for the view, grab a BeaverTail pastry in the ByWard Market, or linger at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica while the app feeds you the history and legends of each place. Every stop includes a riddle or puzzle that uses what you see around you to unlock the next location, so you're not just walking past landmarks. You're actively discovering them.

The app includes GPS navigation, optional text-to-speech narration in five languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Portuguese), and hand-picked local recommendations for restaurants and shops that aren't in the guidebooks. You can customize your route entirely: start at Parliament or anywhere else, skip stops that don't interest you, finish somewhere other than where you began. If you need to step away (weather, a late lunch, a change of plans), pause the app and pick up exactly where you left off, even days later. Your access doesn't expire for a year.

You'll need a fully charged smartphone with active mobile data (disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as they'll disconnect the app). Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. If bad weather or illness stops you, contact support to reschedule or swap the tour to a different city. Live chat support is available 24/7 through the app. Phone support is not offered.

What’s included

• GPS navigation via the World City Trail app.
• riddles and puzzles at 10+ major attractions and hidden gems.
• optional AI text-to-speech narration in five languages.
• hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations.
• one year of access to restart or finish at your own pace.
• 24/7 live chat support.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (1 to 11 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by World City Trail

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants to explore Ottawa without a fixed schedule or a guide: couples, families, groups up to 15 people, and solo travelers all move at their own speed, pause for photos or food, and come back another day if they want. If you prefer someone leading you through a set itinerary and timing, a guided tour would work better. This one is built for people who like to wander, solve puzzles, and decide when they're done.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years): free.

What landmarks and attractions does the Ottawa scavenger hunt visit?

The tour includes Parliament, the Centennial Flame, the National War Memorial, the Famous Five statue, Rideau Canal, Major's Hill Park, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Royal Canadian Mint, the National Gallery, and the Champlain Statue, plus hidden gems revealed as you solve puzzles along the way.

Can I start the tour whenever I want, or is there a set departure time?

The tour is 100% self-guided with no set time. You start anytime, 24/7, whenever suits you. There's no guide or group waiting, and you can pause and resume as often as you like, even across multiple days.

How long does the walking tour actually take?

The walk covers 2.4 kilometers and typically takes around two hours on average, but your actual time depends on your pace, how long you spend at each stop, and any breaks you take along the way.

What do I need to bring or have ready to start?

Bring a fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection (disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi). Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The app provides GPS navigation, so you don't need a printed map or guide.

Can I change the order of stops or skip places I'm not interested in?

Yes, you can customize your entire route, change the order of stops, skip attractions, or finish at a different location than where you started. The app lets you adjust your path to fit your interests and schedule.