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A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa’s Hidden History

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Non-refundable

You will not receive a refund if you cancel. Learn More

50 Minutes to 1 Hours 10 Minutes Mobile ticket
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.

What's Included
  1. Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  2. The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  3. Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  4. Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  5. Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  1. Smartphone and headphones
Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

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End Point

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The tour ends at Sapper's Bridge.

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.

• Admission Ticket Free

Pass by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of 19th-century engineering connecting Ottawa to Lake Ontario.

• Admission Ticket Free

Major's Hill Park

Explore Major's Hill Park, a scenic green space offering panoramic views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

• Admission Ticket Free

Walk down York Street, passing by the York Steps, which played a significant role in the early development of Bytown.

• Admission Ticket Free

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

• Admission Ticket Free

ByWard Market

Discover the historic ByWard Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, bustling with vendors, restaurants, and artisans.

• Admission Ticket Free

Enter the serene Jeanne d'Arc Courtyard, where you'll hear about the religious and spatial divisions that shaped Bytown's early community.

• Admission Ticket Free

Learn about Rochon House, a historic building with ties to Ottawa's early lumber industry and cultural heritage.

• Admission Ticket Free

Discover the legacy of Élisabeth Bruyère, who founded Ottawa's first hospital to serve the community's healthcare needs.

• Admission Ticket Free

Pass by LaSalle Academy, a historic educational institution contributing to Ottawa's intellectual and cultural landscape since its establishment.

• Admission Ticket Free

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.

• Admission Ticket Free

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

Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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Product code: 110804P685

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