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Ottawa Experiences

Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic showcase city of more than one million people. Located in Ontario at the Quebec border, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets; where you can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national sites and famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s a city steeped in culture, its main attraction is the vast assortment of state-of-the-art museums. 

Below is a small selection of the tours we can organise for you when you have booked your Canada holiday with us and are visiting Ottawa.

The Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million visitors each year to its celebrated complex in the heart of the National Capital Region, making it the country’s most-visited museum. With roots stretching back to 1856, it is one of Canada’s oldest public institutions and a respected centre of museological excellence, sharing its expertise in history, archaeology, ethnology and cultural studies both within Canada and abroad.

In addition to its ongoing exhibitions, including the spectacular Grand Hall and First Peoples Hall, each year the Museum presents a number of outstanding exhibitions focusing on Canadian and world history and civilizations. These exhibitions include those developed by the Museum as well as many produced by other Canadian or international institutions. The Museum is also home to the Canadian Children’s Museum, a 500-seat theatre and the CINÉ+, a 295-seat movie theatre equipped with a giant 3D screen and a giant dome. The Canadian Museum of History presents a rich variety of online content, including the exhibition Morning Star/Gambeh Then’ and the Virtual Museum of New France.

Duration: 2 hours

Join this leisurely relaxed 2-hour bike tour of Ottawa which is about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) and explores many of downtown Ottawa's major attractions on its beautiful and safe bicycle paths. You will breathe fresh air and experience much more of Ottawa than you would by walking or taking a bus tour. This tour is ideal for newer or easy-going bicyclists or those travelling with friends, family members and children who want to see and learn about Ottawa's downtown core.

Duration: 1.5 hours (from Ottawa Locks) or 2 hours (from Hull Marina)

Aboard the Paula D, you will discover the region from the Ottawa River. An exceptional view of Parliament Hill awaits you! The cruise comes with bilingual commentary.

Historic Sites: Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, Life of the Chateau Laurie, Lady Aberdeen Bridge, Canadian Museum of History, Research Council, 24 Sussex Drive, The Prime Minister's Residence, and many more fun facts!

Ottawa River Cruise Highlights

  • Departs from a choice of two departure points
  • Multiple Historical Sights
  • Bilingual Commentary throughout the cruise

Duration: 1.5 hours

The outdoor tour that started it all! We will share some of our favourite ghost stories from the area and lead you by lantern light to some of our favourite haunted spots, including: the Bytown Museum, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Ottawa's haunted high school. You'll never look at the city and these buildings the same again!

The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history and one of the world's most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict. The Museum's collections are among the finest military holdings in the world, including rare vehicles, artillery, uniforms, medals, personal memoirs and 14,000 works in the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art. In total, the collection comprises more than 3 million artifacts, specimens, works of art, written documents and sound and visual recordings.

Duration: 1 Hour

Experience Ottawa's original and most comprehensive Hop-on-Hop-off City Tour aboard one of our London Style open top Double Deckers or turn of the century Trolleys. Tour officially starts on the corner of Sparks and Elgin Streets, however one can hop on at any of over 12 stops located throughout the National Capital Region. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, which allows you to tour our Nation's Capital at your own pace, or join us for a two hour fully narrated tour.

Discover the Capital City Tour Highlights

  • Canadian Museum of Civilization
  • Notre Dame Basilica
  • Parliament Hill
  • Byward Market

Call our experts and take the first step on your trip beyond ordinary

Canada Expert JulieJulie
Canada Expert PaulPaul

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