Things to do in Ottawa
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Ottawa City Tour: Amphibus Parliament HillAn amphibus tour of Ottawa and Gatineau that travels by land through Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, the National Gallery of Canada and the National War Memorial, then floats on the Ottawa River for a water-level view of the same landmarks. A bilingual guide shares anecdotes throughout the one-hour route. The tour operates in all weather and suits all fitness levels; arrive 10 minutes early at the meeting point.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, and ByWard Market from both street level and water in a single loop, rather than planning separate walking or transit stops.
Ottawa Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: Double-Decker Bus SightseeingThis hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of Ottawa runs a fixed route with stops at the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rideau Hall, ByWard Market, and the Ottawa Sign, among others. A professional driver and live guide in English or French narrate the route aboard a double-decker bus or trolley. You board at the main kiosk at Parliament and can get off and rejoin at any stop; the pace is yours to set. Hotel pickup is available before 9:30–9:45 a.m. for an additional $5 payable to the driver, with 24 hours' notice required.Is it for me?The 90-minute loop is designed to give you an overview without eating the whole day—you can ride the full route and still have afternoon hours free to explore on foot, or hop off at one or two stops and spend as long as you want there.
Ottawa: 2-Hour Bike Tour Parliament Hill & Rideau CanalYou'll pedal through Ottawa's core landmarks—Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, Rideau Hall, and the National Gallery—with a local guide who stops 6-7 times to explain the history and point out the best views. The two-hour format means you see the essential Ottawa without spending your whole day on a bike, and you leave with local tips about what else to do in the city. Arrive 20 minutes early for bike fitting at 65 Sparks Street.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover Ottawa's main sights in a single morning without arranging transport between stops or figuring out which landmarks are worth your time—the two-hour format and local guide handle both, leaving you with the rest of your day free and a list of local tips for what to do next.
Ottawa: Haunted Walk Tour by Lantern & Real Ghost StoriesYou’ll follow lantern light through Ottawa’s shadowy streets with a local guide sharing real ghost stories and legends. Expect pauses at haunted buildings near the Rideau Canal, time to ask questions or just soak up the atmosphere, and plenty of moments where you might feel goosebumps for reasons you can’t quite explain.
Canadian War Museum Ottawa: Admission & ExhibitionsYou get entry to the permanent and special exhibitions, time to walk through galleries at your own pace, and access to Memorial Hall for reflection. The museum is wheelchair accessible, near public transit, and designed so you can spend as little or as long as you need. No separate tickets or arrangements required — just show up and go in.Is it for me?This works well if you want to understand Canadian military history and the human stories behind it without a guided tour — the exhibitions are self-directed, and you control how long you stay and what you focus on.
Ottawa City Walking Tour 3 Hours: Byward Market & Rideau CanalYou’ll wander Ottawa’s downtown with a local who knows every shortcut and story—past Parliament Hill’s gothic towers, along the quiet banks of Rideau Canal, through leafy Centretown streets and into ByWard Market for tastes and laughs you didn’t expect. Expect real history mixed with everyday moments—and leave with more than just photos.
Ottawa city tour with Parliament Hill & Rideau Canal cruiseThis is a guided city tour of Ottawa in a small passenger van with hotel pickup and drop-off, covering Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, the Prime Minister's residence, Notre-Dame Basilica, and a cruise along the Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The group stays under nine people, which allows access to Rockcliffe Park's residential streets that larger buses cannot enter. The Rideau Canal cruise runs April through November; when it is not operating, the tour includes the Canadian War Museum of History instead.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see residential Ottawa — Rideau Hall and the Prime Minister's residence — without renting a car or navigating on your own. The small van is what makes those Rockcliffe Park streets accessible; a larger bus cannot go there, so you get sights most group tours skip.
Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical: Live Music & ComedyOh Canada Eh!? is a dinner musical in Ottawa featuring live Canadian music, comedy, and audience interaction over two hours, with a 4-course family-style meal served by performers who become part of the show. The cast brings Canadian favourites to life with high-energy performances inspired by artists from across the country. Seated in the Woods seating area; wheelchair accessible; suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?The performers serve your meal, which means the show is not happening on a stage while you eat—it is happening at your table, and the Mountie with the plate is part of the act.
Ottawa River Tiki Bar Cruise: Hawaiian Float & Parliament ViewsA 90-minute tiki bar cruise on the Ottawa River departing from Gatineau near the Canadian Museum of History, where you float past Parliament Hill, the Ottawa Locks, and Rideau Falls on a Hawaiian-style boat with live music and a full licensed bar. The boat returns to the wharf about a 3-minute walk from the Museum; if you prefer to depart from the Ottawa side instead, you can arrange that by email after booking.Is it for me?Book this if you're spending an afternoon in Gatineau or near Parliament Hill and want to see the capital's landmarks from the water without arranging your own boat or navigating the river yourself — the route, timing, and music are all set, and the bar means you can celebrate or simply relax while floating past the Locks, Parliament, and Rideau Falls.
Château Laurier Hotel Tour Ottawa: Behind-the-Scenes HistoryA 75-minute guided tour of the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa explores the hotel's hidden history, from concealed passageways and political rendezvous to the ballrooms where state galas have taken place. You'll see the swimming pool and areas normally closed to the public, guided by an English-speaking tour leader. Wheelchair accessible; children from age 1 welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon in Ottawa and want to go deeper into the building's architecture and political history than a lobby visit allows. The fixed 75-minute format and included guide mean you don't have to research the Château's stories yourself—the tour does that work, and you move through the hotel at a pace built for taking it in.
Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour: 12 Tastings, Family MillsA full-day wine and cider tasting tour from Ottawa and Gatineau to Pontiac, visiting three family-run wineries and cider mills for 12 tastings, a tour of the production process, lunch and snacks, with hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle included. The guide speaks English and French, and the owners host you at each stop so the experience stays personal instead of commercial.Is it for me?If you speak French or English, the guide's commentary will be in your language, so you'll follow the history and the process at each stop without translation lag. The seven-hour commitment means you'll have time at each family mill instead of a rushed tasting, and the pickup from your hotel removes the logistics of getting to Pontiac and back safely after tastings.
Ottawa Historical Walking Tour: Parliament Hill & ByWard MarketThis 2-hour guided walking tour of Ottawa departs from the Bear Catching Fish Statue and covers Parliament Hill, Confederation Square, the Rideau Canal and ByWard Market with a live English-speaking guide. The tour walks the exteriors of historic buildings and landmarks; entry to Parliament, museums and the Bank of Canada Museum is available separately after the tour ends at your own cost. Wheelchair accessible, suitable for all fitness levels, and stroller-friendly.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want an overview of Ottawa's main historical sites and how they connect without committing a full day—the 2-hour format and fixed route mean you get the essentials and still have time to explore interiors or neighborhoods on your own afterward.
National Gallery of Canada: Admission & All ExhibitionsYou get full access to all exhibitions, galleries, and artist talks at Canada's major art institution. The building itself—Safdie's 1880 structure with a garden court—is worth the visit. You can attend artist talks, make art in the studio, or move through the Indigenous and Canadian collections at your own pace. Timed entry online means you choose your arrival hour instead of waiting in line.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to see Canada's major art collection without choosing between exhibitions or paying extra for what matters—your ticket opens every gallery and every artist talk happening that day.
Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: Bizarre stories and legendsA 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.Is it for me?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.
Ottawa Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Walking TourThis 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.Is it for me?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.
Ottawa Airport Transfer: Private Sedan, Minivan & Limo PickupYou're met by a professional driver at Ottawa airport arrivals with your name on a sign, then driven straight to your hotel in a private sedan, minivan or limousine. The price is fixed per person before you book, luggage space is included for one suitcase and small bag per traveler, and the driver waits up to an hour for international arrivals at no extra cost. No taxi line, no app, no negotiation — just get in and go.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Ottawa airport and want to skip the taxi queue and ride-share app — the driver meets you at arrivals with your name, the price is fixed before you land, and you're at your hotel without arranging anything else.
Ottawa Private Car & Guide Service: Airport & Local TransfersYou book your Ottawa transfer in advance and receive driver name, vehicle details, and pickup location before arrival. The driver stays reachable by phone or online if plans shift. Water and snacks are included, and the service covers airport runs and local city transfers with no surge pricing or last-minute surprises.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to skip the uncertainty of ride-hailing apps and prefer knowing exactly who's picking them up and when — especially useful arriving late, traveling with luggage, or moving between the airport and downtown without arranging a rental car.
Ottawa Train Station Transfer: 1-Hour Door-to-Door ServiceYou're picked up at Ottawa's VIA Rail station by a pre-booked driver who handles your luggage and takes you directly to your hotel or address in about an hour. The car is air-conditioned with WiFi on board, and you can add a brief orientation drive through the city if you want to get your bearings. No negotiating fares, no waiting for a cab — just a fixed price and a smooth ride across 15–25 kilometers of Ottawa's streets.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving by train in Ottawa and want to skip the taxi queue and the uncertainty of surge pricing — the fixed rate and pre-booked driver mean you can walk straight out of the station and into your ride.
Ottawa Airport Transfer: Direct to Hotel, Luggage HelpYou get picked up at Ottawa Airport arrivals by a waiting driver, driven directly to your hotel or residence in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, and your luggage is handled for you. The fixed price and one-hour timeline mean no surprises—you arrive, get in the car, and relax until you reach your door.Is it for me?Book this if you land in Ottawa and want to skip the taxi queue and transit confusion—the driver meets you at the gate, handles your bags, and the price is fixed before you arrive, so getting to your hotel stops being a negotiation and starts being a rest.
Ottawa Airport YOW to Ottawa: Private Transfer 24/7You book online, receive your voucher, and present it at the airport. A professional driver meets you at arrivals, handles your luggage, and drives you directly to your destination in an air-conditioned vehicle. The 60-minute wait is built in, the fare is fixed, and 24/7 customer service covers any flight changes or last-minute updates.Is it for me?Best for travelers arriving with luggage who want a fixed price and no negotiation — the driver waits at the gate, knows your flight number, and takes you straight to your hotel, which is what makes the whole process hands-off from the moment you land.
