Top Ottawa Culture

The Rideau Canal links Canada’s capital—Ottawa—with majestic Lake Ontario. On this tour, cruise in comfort along the UNESCO World Heritage–listed waterway and admire sweeping views over top attractions including the Canadian Museum of Nature, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, and the National Arts Centre. Along the way, listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of colorful Canadian history.

A visit to the Canadian War Museum is your opportunity to learn about the contribution of Canada and its military to many conflicts in Canadian history, and how we commemorate the accomplishments and the loss.  Spend as much time as you need exploring the rare and historically important artifacts, uniforms, vehicles, art, and memorabilia that make up the 3 million pieces in the collections.

Have only a limited time to explore Ottawa? See the best of the city—and travel by air-conditioned minivan and by boat—on this time-saving, two-in-one tour. With just a small group for company, you'll see Rockcliffe Park, which is off-limits to larger tour vehicles. Next, trawl the Ottawa River and admire a new perspective on the sights. Then, go for a narrated drive past the Parliament Buildings and more, plus time to sightsee on foot.

Discover Ottawa’s most prestigious neighborhood, by solving clues and unlocking stories on your phone. Play the engaging exploration game, reenacting the story of Jackson, an Ottawa native who lost his memory. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. Ready for an adventure? Highlights include: • Explore The Rockeries, Dutch Ambassador’s Residence, Rockcliffe House and other lesser-known places. • Enjoy a uniquely crafted story brought to you by our top-notch writers. • Learn about the origin of Ottawa’s famous tulips • Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt. • Discover the origin of Ottawa’s famous tulips. After your booking you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. We recommend that each user purchases a ticket for an optimal experience, although several people can share a phone.

Maximize your time in Ottawa and Gatineau on a whirlwind sightseeing tour by land and water in an amphibious vehicle! Aboard the outrageous "amphibus," pass main city attractions like Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, the National War Memorial Monument and more. When cruising along the street gets dry, plunge into the Ottawa River to see the city from a different angle. Fun for the whole family!

Take a spooky stroll through Downtown Ottawa on this guided haunted walking tour. Experience the darker side of Canada’s capital and hear tales of the city's haunted heritage as told by a professional storyteller. Hear the hair-raising stories and see the area’s most haunted sites. It’s a fascinating, spine-tingling adventure.

This small-group bike tour is perfect for families and those wanting a safe and leisurely way to see Ottawa. Most of the route is on designated bike paths or quaint backroads that take you to some of Ottawa’s cultural and natural highlights. See Rideau Hall, cycle the Rideau Canal path, plus see the War Memorial, Byward Market and more. Stop along the way to learn more about certain locations and get local tips from your guide.

Enjoy a hassle-free arrival in Ottawa with this private transfer service. Meet your driver at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, and relax on the journey to your hotel or private residence. These private vehicles can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Combine a street art tour of Ottawa with a treasure hunt when you book this self-guided tour. The goal of the game is to follow clues and solve puzzles on your phone to unlock new places and street art in the Canadian capital. Listen to stories of the city and the street art, discover hidden gems, and have fun.

Discover the best of Canada’s capital without the feeling of being rushed on a guided tour when you book this self-guided audio tour of Ottawa. Download your audio guide onto your smartphone and follow the itinerary around the city’s top attractions including the train station, Parliament Hill, and the Royal Canadian Mint. Learn about each attraction from your audio guide and step inside the places that interest you most.

Make your time in Ottawa extra fun with this exploration game that takes you on a journey through downtown. Become a private investigator and uncover the city's history by deciphering clues on your phone. Immerse yourself in the role of a detective solving a disappearance mystery. With each challenge solved, the story unravels, leading you to the next location. If you get stuck, help is available 24/7.

Choose your own itinerary during this self-guided tour of Ottawa via bicycle. Pedal your way through the city like a local, using the provided map to reach the sites that most interest you. Safe and scenic bike paths keep you away from car traffic and let you see the green areas of the region.

Join our crew of storytelling guides as we take you on a 90-minute escapade through the hidden side of Ottawa. No boring history here! We’re all about the bizarre and unexpected side of the city we love. Ever heard of mutant squirrels or surprise racoons causing havoc? Maple syrup heists that would make Robin Hood blush? Secret society messages encoded in some of our most well-known places? We’ve got all that and more! Guffaw and gasp through the city’s streets as our fun and engaging tour guides spill the beans on those little-known stories and secrets that define Ottawa’s hidden personality. Grab your pals, your family, or even that weird cousin you don’t quite know how to handle – everyone’s welcome! “Hidden Ottawa” is a fun and engaging good-natured adventure, perfect for first-time visitors and locals alike. You won’t find this side of the city in any guidebook! Tickets are vanishing now like a squirrel with a stolen bottle of maple syrup!

Hop aboard the bus for an afternoon of fun and beer. This 4–5 hour tour will take you to 3 (or more, depending on time) local Ottawa craft breweries for a tour and tasting. Take the time to learn about the ingredients and beer making process, then belly up to the bar for a selection of samples at each of the stops.

Explore Canada on a self-guided walking tour through the city. Check out the historic Rideau Canal and learn about the role the waterways played in early Canada and Bytown. Then, visit the National War Memorial and learn the role Canada played in World War I. Revel in the beauty of Canada while walking the sidewalk gardens and patios of Sparks Streets. The last stop is at Parliament Hill to view the beautiful cityscape and Ottawa River.

Explore Ottawa— your way—on this self-guided half-day bike tour. Consult the provided map to discover where you want to explore and then spend the day biking along the paths of your choice. Choose from a variety of bike models (including the option to upgrade to a version with electric assistance) and get professionally fitted for your bike to ensure you get the experience you want.

Use clues at each attraction to find your next destination and challenge yourself to use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to complete the game. Uncover local information and facts about the city as you explore. Discover hidden gems and narrow streets. Without a schedule and at your own pace, pause anytime and continue later or even another day. Work as a team or compete with each other. A unique team-building activity perfect for couples, families, companies, students, and groups of friends.

Discover the beauty and history of Canada's capital when you book this private tour of Ottawa’s highlights. Explore Rockcliffe Park, featuring sights like the US Ambassador's residence and the Governor General's house. Take a Rideau Canal Cruise for a scenic view of the city and Rideau Falls. Drive past iconic landmarks like the Parliament Buildings and Supreme Court, concluding with a self-guided walking tour of Parliament Hill's Gothic revival-style architecture.

The speed of the 'WildCat' enables visitors to see more of the Islands in a shorter period of time than on traditional boat tours in the region. Travelling at speeds of up to 70 kph (exhilarating - not scary) across open stretches of water allows passengers more time in the more confined sections of the Islands and the opportunity to soak the scenery and history in.

Are you looking for a way to explore Ottawa at your own pace? On this self-guided audio tour, you will relive Ottawa‘s turbulent early history when rioters and rogues ran rampant. Ottawa‘s significance extends beyond its Houses of Parliament and famous museums. Before becoming Canada‘s capital, it was a rough, lawless place in the wilderness. On this walking tour through old Bytown, you’ll trace the city’s evolution from a small lumber town to Queen Victoria‘s choice as Canada‘s capital and discover Ottawa‘s hidden backstory. You'll stroll down York Street and learn about the early days of the iconic Byward Market. Ottawa‘s past will come to life in the serene Jeanne d‘Arc Courtyard, where you‘ll hear about the religious and spatial divisions that fueled the feuding Bytown residents. On Sussex Drive, you‘ll explore popular sites from new perspectives and travel back to when rogues, rioters, and disease made the streets unsafe.

Add some excitement to your Ottawa trip with this bar crawl scavenger hunt. An easy app-led adventure, this experience takes you on a journey to explore landmarks and hidden gems, tackle trivia questions, and complete challenges with your team or in a friendly competition. Immerse yourself in learning new facts and creating memories. Plus, each player selects an interactive role with personalized challenges, so everyone can feel engaged during the journey.

Safe to say that you can always learn so much about a destination through its food and its history. Join Aventure Outaouais for full night of discover while we explore together the beautiful and charming Old-Aylmer District one bite at a time! Visit 5 incredible food and drink location in the hear of Aylmer which is full of history, celebrating its 175th anniversary! From fine dining, to delicious artisan chocolates, local craft beer, artisan sausages, tartare, and much more, you are in for a treat and a full belly! Plus, let your local guide present some amazing heritage buildings throughout your tour. This is a night out to remember! This tour includes not only includes not only 5 food and drink stops, but also many heritage buildings. Plus, your tour includes free transportation (pickup and drop-off) from Ottawa and Gatineau, your guide, behind-the-scene tour of a brewery, and much more!

For some, cemeteries evoke feelings of fear and dread. For others, they are beautiful spaces filled with memories and reflection. For us, they are places with countless stories waiting to be told. We are proud to partner with Beechwood Cemetery National Historic Site for a one-of-a-kind evening filled with storytelling and chills. We will share the darker history of the cemetery’s early days and the ghost stories connected to some who rest there – including strange reports from staff that continue to this day. The experience will be mostly outdoors as we walk amongst the crypts, headstones and other markers. Our final stop of the evening will give us the rare opportunity to venture inside the Mausoleum after sunset for one last spine-tingling tale.