Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore Ottawa's rich history on this engaging walking tour. Departing from the iconic Bear Catching Fish Statue (89 Sparks St) this 2-hour journey unravels captivating stories behind the city's historic sites, including Parliament Hill. Knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights, making the past come alive as you stroll through the capital. Ideal for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, this tour provides an authentic glimpse into Ottawa's cultural heritage.
- 2-hour guided walking tour of Ottawa's historical highlights
- Depart from the Bear Catching Fish Statue, 1 block south of Parliament
- Expert guides deliver engaging narratives and local insights
- If you want to get inside Parliament Hill, Museums and the bank of Canada Museum, you may do so after our tour ends. This will be at your own cost.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Parliament Hill and Buildings
Discover Parliament Hill’s iconic architecture, history, and landmarks. We head onto Parliament Hill and the tour guide would explain the relevant information, but we don't head inside.
National War Memorial
Featuring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Confederation Square.
Options
Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour
Spanish Historical Highlights
Tour Given in Spanish
Historical Highlights Summer
Tuesday, Thursday Free Tour
What‘s Included
English speaking guide
Exterior of Buildings
Admission Tickets to Parliament
Admission Tickets to the Museums
Admission Tickets to Bank of Canada Museum
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
31 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Walking Tour of old Ottawa
kevinjL6465LK,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Craig provided a real engaging and informative tour of old Ottawa. He gave some interesting backdrops as we walked around the Parliament Hill and Bayward market areas that we would never have known without the tour. I would thoroughly recommend this tour for any visitors to this wonderful city
Fabulous Walking Tour with Sophia.
Journey11090079793,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Walking Tour was fabulous, very informative and extremely interesting. Sophia was amazing, enthusiastic, engaging and very knowledgeable.
Fantastic tours
W9426UJjordanc,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a fantastic operation. OWT guided my school's students over two separate days, with four guides each day. The teachers and students were so impressed by the guides, who were interesting, knowledgeable and professional. They kept students interested and engaged throughout the whole tour. We all learned lots and had a great time. Craig was easy to communicate and coordinate with. I recommend Ottawa Walking Tours to anyone and everyone.
Enjoyable and informative
Gill R,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Laura was an excellent guide. We felt we really got to understand the city and its culture and history. She’s very knowledgeable and dealt with all the questions we’d been storing up! Thank you
Sophie’s excellent tour of Ottawa
helen dacey49,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It should have been 6, one of the best walking tours we’ve taken. Sophie had excellent knowledge of Ottawa and the history of the city. A lovely friendly lady , we couldn’t recommend her tour highly enough
An excellent tour
julielK5491ZM,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sophia was a wonderful guide. Very knowledgeable and interesting. Well paced .
Super Ottawa tour
Fiftynfallin,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Heidi was an absolute gift and so professional. She took the time to enquire what interested us and tailored the tour accordingly. Heidi is clearly an enthusiast for her subject, so knowledgeable, with a warm and easy delivery. We were so fortunate to have her as our guide and could not recommend highly enough
Fun and engaging tour around Ottawa
rjU7139LU,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour around Ottawa on the 19th of May 2026. Our tour guide Sophia was very friendly and knowledgeable about the city. She did a great job showing us around the city, making the tour engaging and fascinating. Ottawa is a beautiful city with lovely and interesting historic buildings and a lot of beautiful parks and green spaces to explore. I would recommend this experience to any visitors.
Excellent walking tour
rollinhand,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our historical walking tour of Ottawa yesterday with Sophia as our guide. Sophia’s genuine pride in the city’s and Canada’s history, coupled with her refreshing honesty about its imperfections, made her an exceptional guide. If you’re looking for an entertaining couple of hours of local history we highly recommend the Ottawa Walking Tours team.
Learn to love Ottawa Tour
Tour543220,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Every great city is loved by its native son's and daughters. That's who you want for your tour guide. Owner Craig McDonald loves Ottawa. As he shares some of his vast knowledge of the city's history, you become an Ottawa lover too. Fabulous tour, a must-do in Ottawa!
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Operated by Ottawa Walking Tours