Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
What To Expect
Statue of John 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.
Pass by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of 19th-century engineering connecting Ottawa to Lake Ontario.
Options
Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
What‘s Included
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
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Transportation
Food and Drink
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Interesting information and easy navigation.
A6XItravisw,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting information and easy navigation. I found it to be a fun way to explore the area and learn something new.
Excellent information...
Darlene F,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Excellent information well presented and rated 5/5 BUT the software to find the tour was difficult because I was never sent the “code” and had to find another way to open the tour. Also we had to move the program from site to site because it did not identify by GPS when we reached the next location.
Hardest part was finding...
Roy A,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hardest part was finding the exact starting point in the park. Had to watch the distance readout to find it. Then easy as can be.
Disappointed
Peggy J,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00The app is not intuitive and it would not start. Waste of money and a source of frustration-disappointing. .
Excellent information that was well researched but not too wordy. We had a perfect 1 1/2 hours traversing Ottawa
Jenni H,Jun 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very easy app to operate and the information well timed to allow for personal inspection of each sight. Back up help was available and efficient
can't beat the price for a personal tour
passgaswilltravel,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You download an app that provides a go-at-your-own -pace narration of an easy 3 km pedestrian tour of historic downtown Ottawa. Pay attention to the switchback at St. Patrick Street, otherwise it's pretty foolproof. You can even click on individual sites if you want to change the order (i.e. screw up the directions). The narrator is obviously knowledgeable and has a pleasant voice. Even if you are a native, you will probably learn something.
Wonderful walk, great history, intuitive experience, and good value!
sarahaN3158YV,May 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing 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
Dream27541844447,May 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A 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.
Sightseer14502677422,May 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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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Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours