City: Ottawa
Top Things to do in Ottawa
Top Restaurants in Ottawa
Things to do in Ottawa, Canada: The Best City Tours
Canada's capital is a compact, clean, cleverly planned center of culture and politics and a destination for every season. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and turns into the world’s largest skating rink when frozen in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.
Restaurants in Ottawa
1. Haunted Walk's Nightmare Before (and after) Christmas Tour in Ottawa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Join us as we explore the darker side of the festive season. Hear about strange and frightening holiday traditions from around the world and gather in close as we share creepy Christmas-themed ghost stories. The majority of the tour will take place inside the spooky Bytown Museum, one of Ottawa’s oldest and most haunted buildings. Once inside, you’ll learn why some Haunted Walk tour guides are too scared to give tours of the museum – even at Christmas time! Pay close attention to the stories and you might just win yourself some extra presents before the night is through!
Inclusions: Professional guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By michaela_caps
Ally was our tour guide. Very friendly and enthusiastic and I appreciated how she spoke very clearly. Great activity for a family or just wanting to get out a bit with some fun ghost history of Ottawa.
2. Ottawa 1 Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Within a day travelers can visit the capital of Canada. This vibrant and divers city is home to the Parliament Hill which is one of Canada’s most iconic sites, this neo-Gothic building stands tall on a hill overlooking the majestic Ottawa River. Then we will visit the Canadian Museum of History, its primary purpose is to collect, study, preserve, and present material objects that illuminate the human history of Canada and the cultural diversity of its people. Furthermore, we will visit the Canadian War Museum which covers all facets of Canada's military past to the country's most recent involvement in conflicts. Finally, we will take a boat cruise on the Ottawa River to capture a unique and spectacular views of some of the city's attractions such as the Parliament Buildings, Canadian Museum of History, and Rideau Falls. You will be assisted by our tour leader throughout the trip, you will be able to participate in various activities (not included), and visit various unique places.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Meals, Gratuities, Admissions
Reviewed By evenwang438521
This February, I went a trip to Quebec one day tour with Wonder Travel. It was an amazing experience for me. I went there alone, but I didn’t feel boring. On the bus, I talked with the guide Paulin, she was very kind and gave me a lot of recommendations to where I should go. She suggested me to have a nice cup of coffee in the famous coffee shop in Old Quebec City, and the coffee was really nice. Besides, I was really satisfied with the iterary Wonder Travel organized. All the destinations we went to were worthwhile and fantastic, especially the Monmorency fall which is really magnificent and unforgettable. On our way back, we were tired and I got a little cold, Paulin she gave me her coat. She is really kind. If I have a chance to go on a travel next time, I hope to go with Wonder Travel!
3. Night on Ottawa Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Your guide will take you on a narrated driving tour through the city passing Rideau Hall and Rockcliffe Park - an area most tourists won’t get to see! Rockcliffe Park is known for its stunning historic residences and is home to many notable ambassadors, politicians, business leaders and even former Prime Ministers. After your narrated driving tour of the city you will enjoy an evening cruise ride through the Ottawa River on the Paula D cruise boat. While on board, you’ll take in incredible views of the city’s landmarks and attractions from the water and watch a beautiful sunset. Next, your guide will take you to Byward Market to explore the shops in the area and perhaps even grab a tasty treat while you’re here. Your final stop will be to watch the incredible Northern Lights - Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill. This impressive display highlights fascinating stories about key figures, events and history against the backdrop of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block and Peace Tower.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Fuel surcharge, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Trail416002
After arriving in town in a rain storm, the sun came out for our tour of Ottawa! We were the only two booked for this late October visit and our guide, Brayden, gave us an informative tour that lasted about 4 hours. He had the arrangements all made for our tour of the Senate building and the boat/river tour. He also taught us a lot about the city, the government of Canada, the history, and stopped at times so we could take pictures. We enjoyed our time with him, but really didn't need the boat tour as the narration was fairly repetitive of what he had already told us and we'd had similar views while on land. Maybe because we live on a lake, a boat ride isn't as unique as it would be for others. Brayden was very personable and knowledgeable, and did a great job.
4. Ottawa Highlights 3.5 Hour Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
Discover Ottawa's major attractions, must-see spots and hidden gems on this guided, 3-3.5 hour bike tour which is about 20-24 kilometers (13-15 miles) on safe bicycle paths. Cycle through Rideau Canal and Lansdowne Park, Old Ottawa South neighbourhood, Arboretum, Dow's Lake/Little Italy, War Museum, and much more. The tour includes a stop for a snack at a local cafe. It's ideal for families, visitors with limited time or those who want to discover beyond Downtown core.
Inclusions: Bicycle, Helmet, Local tour guide (in English, French, German, and Spanish), Water bottle, Power Bar
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities
Reviewed By F5471YDsamantham
Helpful staff, great bikes and affordable prices! This is the best place in Ottawa to rent a bike! I rented multiple times in 2020 and was never disappointed.
5. Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
This tour is a perfect blend of biking through Ottawa’s beautiful waterfront pathways and green scenery, visiting some of the city’s trendiest and vibrant neighbourhoods and stopping to capture some of the street and public arts. Biking beyond Ottawa’s downtown on our super comfortable bikes, you'll truly experience nature in the heart of the city as we take you through Dows’ Lake, the lush green spaces of the Arboretum trees and experimental farm. Get a sense of local life and culture as our storyteller guides bike with you through quaint streets of Centretown, the Glebe, Little Italy, and Hintonburg neighbourhoods and show you some of the most interesting buildings, street arts and local eateries and shops. This tour is refreshing and fun and will satisfy your curiosity about locals and beyond the touristic scene of Ottawa!
Inclusions: Bicycle, Helmet, Use of bicycle, Water bottle, Power Bar
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities
Reviewed By jamesmX6900CW
Our bike tour with Escape Bicycle Tours was the highlight of our family Ottawa getaway! Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide shared many memorable historical facts and fun anecdotes about the capital. Our party included two kids, aged 10 and 12, and our guide made sure we felt safe in the traffic. (Most of the tour was on bike paths.) We rode 14 kilometers, crossing three bridges, rode over a waterfall and enjoyed many great views of the city. The Escape headquarters is on a car-free street (situated a stone's throw from Parliament Hill), which made fitting the bikes stress-free. The bikes were top notch, and we enjoyed exceptional customer service. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the experience - I highly recommend it!
6. 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 138 reviews
Join our small-group, fun and leisurely bike tour that shows you the best of Ottawa in less time. Pedal your way around with our super comfortable bikes on scenic and safe waterfront bicycle pathways and on backroads of quaint neighbourhoods We will stop about 6-7 times to see some of the city’s stunning look outs, hidden gems and must-see landmarks and attractions including Rideau Canal, Rideau Hall, the National War Memorial and Byward market while our fun and friendly local guides will tell you stories at each stop about history, local culture and life in Ottawa! You will be amazed by how much you will see and learn and how many pictures you snap in just 2 hours. Suitable for all ages, this biking experience is ideal for easy-going bicyclists and families who want to see more of Ottawa in less time and also get lots of local tips about what to do and see in Ottawa!
Inclusions: Bicycle, Helmet, Water bottle, Local guide
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities
Reviewed By jamesmX6900CW
Our bike tour with Escape Bicycle Tours was the highlight of our family Ottawa getaway! Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide shared many memorable historical facts and fun anecdotes about the capital. Our party included two kids, aged 10 and 12, and our guide made sure we felt safe in the traffic. (Most of the tour was on bike paths.) We rode 14 kilometers, crossing three bridges, rode over a waterfall and enjoyed many great views of the city. The Escape headquarters is on a car-free street (situated a stone's throw from Parliament Hill), which made fitting the bikes stress-free. The bikes were top notch, and we enjoyed exceptional customer service. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the experience - I highly recommend it!
7. Ottawa Spring Tulip Festival Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 19 reviews
On this 3-hour guided bike tour of Ottawa, visit the capital's renown Tulip Festival, a special annual event available in May. Enjoy Commissioners Park, home to the Ottawa's most dazzling festival display and learn about the festival history from your fun guide. Follow the winding pathways with your local guide through the explosion of color in gardens filled with over 300,000 tulips. There will be 30-40 minutes stop at the Major Tulip festival site along with visiting some other tulip sites and must-see attractions in Ottawa.
Inclusions: Bicycle, Helmet, Local tour guide (English), Water Bottle
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By jamesmX6900CW
Our bike tour with Escape Bicycle Tours was the highlight of our family Ottawa getaway! Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide shared many memorable historical facts and fun anecdotes about the capital. Our party included two kids, aged 10 and 12, and our guide made sure we felt safe in the traffic. (Most of the tour was on bike paths.) We rode 14 kilometers, crossing three bridges, rode over a waterfall and enjoyed many great views of the city. The Escape headquarters is on a car-free street (situated a stone's throw from Parliament Hill), which made fitting the bikes stress-free. The bikes were top notch, and we enjoyed exceptional customer service. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the experience - I highly recommend it!
8. Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Experience the 90-minute walking tour of Ottawa that has been captivating visitors and locals alike for more than 20 years. The Original Haunted Walk is led by the best of local storytellers, dramatists, and amateur historians, sharing some of the most hair-raising and spine-chilling real-life ghost stories from the area. Follow along as they lead the way by lantern light to their favorite haunted spots.
Inclusions: Professional guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 430bethr
My husband and I decided to take this tour on a whim. I study history and have always found the paranormal interesting. We bought tickets about 5 hours before the tour. Because of covid there was a limited number of tickets available. Out of 12 available tickets, we were the only ones who purchased any for 9pm so we got a really personalized experience and had a great time chatting with our tour guide, Allie. If there is any possibility for a positive in this really crazy time, it’s getting a more personalized and intimate experience. Allie did a great job not only explaining the ghosts that haunted this historic city, but giving us a cool history lesson along the way. I absolutely recommend visiting, especially with the limited group sizes.
9. Ottawa Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
Overall Ratings
3.7 based on 9 reviews
Perfect for first-time visitors, this city tour is a well-rounded introduction to Ottawa's attractions, leaving you with time in the day free to explore the city on your own.
Inclusions: Professional driver and guide, Transport by double decker bus or trolley, Local taxes
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Admissions to attractions and sites, Hotel pickup and drop off ($5 payable to supplier)
Reviewed By Tom H
We took the hop on hop off tour this past July. I have given it a 4 rating despite not finding all of the experience OK. But most of that was because this was our first hop on hop off experience. The sign in spot was right at the foot of the Sparks street pedestrian mall by the War Memorial. No problems checking in and the felllow gave us a guide for when the buses make their stops at the hop off spots or which there are about 12. You can do the tour as just a bus tour (ie/ you don't have to get off) and I think that takes a couple of hours. If you do this be aware that the photo opportunities are quite limited from a moving bus, even if you sit on the open top deck which we did. If you do the tour this way it does give you an excellent overview of the Ottawa/Gatineau sights. The tour is narrated in English and French and at times seems a bit rushed because there are many things to talk about. Having said all that we took advantage of a few of the hop off spots and this worked out very well. The whole thing was very well organized and the buses showed up for pick up bang on the times that showed on the schedule. Cost for the 2 of us was $75 total. Glad we did this and knowing what we do now we might have opted for the 2 day pass which you also get at discounted rate compared to the one day. That way we might have taken advantage of some of the other stops.
10. Ottawa Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 2 reviews
Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see. With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay
Inclusions: Local guide ("Lokafyer", Customized private walking tour
Exclusions: Personal expenses, Tips and gratuities (optional), Optional activity costs, Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions (It’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)
