A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History

From $6.99 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (6-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Non Refundable All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History

2 Adults x $6.99

$13.98

Approx Total

$13.98

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Smartphone and headphones

Overview

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.

Meeting points

The tour begins at the entrance to Major's Hill Park on Mackenzie Avenue, just behind the Chateau Laurier Hotel. It starts directly opposite 555 Mackenzie Avenue, the Connaught Building.

End point

Open in Google Maps

The tour ends at Sapper's Bridge.

Itinerary

Statue of John By (Pass By)

Begin your tour at Major's Hill Park, where you'll pay tribute to Colonel John By, the visionary behind the Rideau Canal, at his statue overlooking the Ottawa River.
N/A (Pass By)

Pass by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of 19th-century engineering connecting Ottawa to Lake Ontario.
Major's Hill Park (Pass By)

Explore Major's Hill Park, a scenic green space offering panoramic views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.
N/A (Pass By)

Walk down York Street, passing by the York Steps, which played a significant role in the early development of Bytown.
N/A (Pass By)

Pass by the York Street Millennium Fountain, a modern landmark symbolizing Ottawa's ongoing evolution and progress.
ByWard Market (Pass By)

Discover the historic ByWard Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, bustling with vendors, restaurants, and artisans.
N/A (Pass By)

Enter the serene Jeanne d'Arc Courtyard, where you'll hear about the religious and spatial divisions that shaped Bytown's early community.
N/A (Pass By)

Learn about Rochon House, a historic building with ties to Ottawa's early lumber industry and cultural heritage.
N/A (Pass By)

Discover the legacy of Élisabeth Bruyère, who founded Ottawa's first hospital to serve the community's healthcare needs.
N/A (Pass By)

Pass by LaSalle Academy, a historic educational institution contributing to Ottawa's intellectual and cultural landscape since its establishment.
N/A (Pass By)

End your tour at Sussex Drive, where you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and a testament to Ottawa's rich religious heritage.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

Non Refundable

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

3
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0
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We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-3 of 3 reviews with 5 stars

Wonderful walk, great history, intuitive experience, and good value!

Published on May, 2024

Amazing experience! Learned so much about the city’s history. Easy to access through the app. The route is easy to follow and the app is accurate when you reach each point. Wonderful views along the way. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an easy and interesting way to see Ottawa!

Intro to historic Ottawa

Published on May, 2024

A great introduction to the history of Canada's capital, starting off in the heart of the city with an impressive view of the Parliament buildings over the Ottawa River, then exploring the ByWard Market and other areas of interest in old Ottawa. Informative and clearly narrated. Recommended.

A walk into the past.

Published on May, 2024

This is a great experience. It tells a story of Ottawa that you don’t find at other tourist attractions. Before it became the capital, Ottawa was a dangerous and dirty place. This is a side of the city that is a huge contrast with the government town of today. The narration is excellent, and you go at your own pace. Well worth it!

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