Best Walking Tours in Ottawa

Discover the beauty of Ottawa on foot with our curated walking tours. Whether you're visiting for the first time or looking to uncover hidden gems, exploring Ottawa by walking lets you experience its culture, history, and landmarks up close.

Top Walking Tours in Ottawa

Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (278 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 25.07

Duration: 1 hours (approx.)

Experience the 75-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 favourite haunted spots. From January to March, we offer a special winterized version of the tour complete with the comfort of cozy indoor stops along the way.

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Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based  in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (46 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 5.00

Duration: 3 hours (approx.)

Unlock the heart of Ottawa with Toonie Tours! More than just a sightseeing tour, this is your invitation to truly experience Canada’s capital. From its striking gothic architecture and deep rooted history to its vibrant urban culture and scenic beauty, this journey brings Ottawa’s essence to life. With every step, our expert local guides weave captivating stories, making the city’s past and present come alive before your eyes. Beyond Parliament Hill to Major’s Hill Park and the Byward Market this tour hits it all including Downtown, Centretown, and the Golden Triangle. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family on vacation, or a local eager to rediscover Ottawa, this tour promises an unforgettable experience. Expect intriguing stories, hidden gems, and a personal touch that sets us apart. Join us, and let this valley unfold its tales, one step at a time, always in good company.

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Secrets of the Château Laurier Hotel Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (37 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 25.07

Duration: 1 hours (approx.)

Discover the hidden stories and fascinating history of Ottawa’s most famous castle, the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier. Join us for a 75-minute guided tour as we go behind the scenes and explore the secrets of this majestic landmark. Learn about concealed passageways, hear about political rendezvous, and stand in the ballrooms where countless grand galas have taken place. See the luxurious swimming pool and the exclusive areas typically reserved for guests. Immerse yourself in captivating tales of the Château Laurier’s notable guests and its storied past. While the focus isn’t on ghost stories…we might just share one. Book your adventure today and let our captivating guides unlock the magic of this majestic castle. Presented in English only. Not a ghost tour.

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Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (19 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 6.45

 

Discover Ottawa’s street art by following clues and solving puzzles on your phone, which lead to new places and amazing stories. Play our engaging exploration game, reenacting the role of EgoNibi, a legendary street artist from Tunam. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. Up for a fun challenge? Highlights include: • Explore Ottawa Mural, Rideau Mural and other lesser-known places. • Enjoy a uniquely crafted story brought to you by our top-notch writers. • Learn about the fascinating story of the largest murals in Eastern Ontario. • Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt. 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.

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Guided ByWard Market Food Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (16 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 107.26

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Ottawa's premier walking food tour of the historic ByWard Market neigbourhood. Eat your way through Ottawa's most well-known neighbourhood with one of our expert guides. You'll learn about the city's rich history and food culture as you consume generous food samples over a 2.5-hour period. You won't leave hungry! Discover outstanding ethnic cuisine, and sample award-winning dishes. Come with an appetite for good food and a passion for discovering where locals like to eat. Your visit includes a stop at the flagship food stand of the world-famous BeaverTail(R).

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Ottawa's Most Unique Poutine Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (15 reviews)
Likely to Sell Out Free Cancellation

From $ 65.09

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Get ready for an epic culinary journey with our Poutine and Craft Beer Tour! Led by dynamic local guides Trevor or Spencer, this 2-hour walking tour explores Ottawa’s vibrant Centretown. Taste unique twists on Canada’s iconic poutine at two (2) handpicked restaurants - from the humble diner, with milkshakes and savoury gravy, to a poutine specialty restaurant! Your ticket includes two (2) gourmet poutine tastings, a milkshake, and a lively guided walk filled with insider stories and local tips. While we accommodate dietary restrictions, we cannot cater to vegans. Explore Ottawa’s food and drink scene on Elgin and Bank Streets. Book now for a delicious and unforgettable experience!

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Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (9 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 8.11

 

Step into the shoes of a private investigator and uncover the secrets hidden in Ottawa’s historic heart. This thrilling quest lets you explore Canada’s capital like never before through puzzles, clues, and an unfolding mystery. With just your phone, you’ll navigate through 10–15 interactive challenges that guide you to City Hall, the Senate of Canada, and other iconic and lesser-known landmarks. As you solve clues, a gripping detective story unfolds, revealing the fascinating characters and moments that shaped the city. Each puzzle unlocks hidden stories, curious facts, and new directions, no guide or map needed. What makes this tour unique? It’s an immersive experience that blends storytelling, history, and outdoor escape-game mechanics to turn downtown Ottawa into a living mystery adventure. Perfect for curious travelers, couples, families, and amateur sleuths looking to explore the city in a fun and interactive way.

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Rockcliffe Ottawa: Exploration Game and Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (9 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 6.21

 

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.

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Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (8 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 25.07

Duration: 1 hours (approx.)

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!

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Haunted Walk at Beechwood Cemetery National Historic Site in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (6 reviews)
Likely to Sell Out Free Cancellation

From $ 25.07

Duration: 1 hours (approx.)

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.

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A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 reviews)

From $ 8.99

 

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.

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Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour - Night Trip From Ottawa in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (3 reviews)

From $ 62.88

Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

For 400 years of recorded history, the Ottawa Valley has been home to heroes and villains, triumphs and tragedies, lives and deaths notable for how they've affected the land. And that land and those buildings still bear the trace of the past, and sometimes, the past doesn't stay in the past. From spectres on the river, to the ghost that talked, to unexplained phenomena and indigenous folklore - there's something unearthly in this historic and beautiful community. This tour includes your transportation from Ottawa & Gatineau, a guided haunted tour of 4 historical villages with multiple stops along the route 148 in the Outaouais region of Quebec with a local storyteller, as well as some delicious apple pie and warm apple cider at the Coronation Hall Cider Mills in Bristol! Plus, this tour comes with unlimited free snacks in our minibus.

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Ghosts of the Bytown Museum in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (2 reviews)
Likely to Sell Out Free Cancellation

From $ 25.07

Duration: 1 hours (approx.)

Join us on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Ottawa’s supernatural past as we explore the Bytown Museum. Prepare to be captivated by chilling tales of ghostly encounters shared by museum staff, visitors, and even our Haunted Walk tour guides! As we make our way to the museum, we’ll immerse you in the region’s oldest and most famous ghost stories, including iconic tales such as those surrounding the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, and the murder of D’Arcy McGee. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore one of Ottawa’s haunted landmarks with The Haunted Walk!

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Family Walking Tour in Ottawa with Special Highlights in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (2 reviews)

From $ 179.25

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Experience the charm of Ottawa with your family on this engaging walking tour that explores the city’s rich history and vibrant local culture. Start at the majestic Parliament Hill, where Canada’s democratic heartbeat lies, and marvel at the stunning architecture. Pay your respects at the National War Memorial before enjoying a peaceful stroll through Major’s Hill Park, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views. Finally, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of ByWard Market, where local artisans and fresh flavors await. This tour is perfect for families looking for a blend of history, nature, and culture in under two hours! Please note: The program and attractions may vary based on booking date/time and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

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Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour in Ottawa

Ottawa , Ontario

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (2 reviews)
Free Cancellation

From $ 7.75

 

Our journey will take us through the heart of Ottawa, exploring the city's past and its role in shaping the nation. You’ll see the art, sculptures, markets, memorials, walking streets, churches, parliament building and so much more. Go at your own pace, anytime. This tour is location aware and plays as you walk. Feel free to put your phone in your pocket and explore with your head up. The tour provides engaging audio and sound effects to set the mood and tell the story of Ottawa. Go anytime, 24/7/365, the tour is all outside.

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Local Tips for Ottawa

Guided vs. Self-Guided Walking Tours

A guided walking tour offers expert insights, historical context, and often includes skip-the-line access to major landmarks. If you prefer flexibility, a self-guided route lets you explore Ottawa at your own pace using maps and mobile apps. Combining both options is ideal for a complete experience.

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