What to do and see in Ottawa, Canada: The Best Private Tours

December 20, 2021 Concepcion Newsome

Canada's capital is a compact, clean, cleverly planned center of culture and politics and a destination for every season. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and turns into the world’s largest skating rink when frozen in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.
Restaurants in Ottawa

1. Self-Guided Biking in Ottawa-Gatineau

65 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals
Excellent
86%
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4.9 based on 30 reviews

We will give you a lightweight hybrid city bike, helmet, lock and map and send you off to a fun journey to explore Ottawa-Gatineau region all on safe and scenic bicycle paths away from traffic. Our maps are full cusotmizable to your interests.

Inclusions: Use of bicycle, Use of helmet, Lock, Map, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

Reviewed By jamesmX6900CW

Our bike tour with Escape Bicycle Tours was the highlight of our family Ottawa getaway! Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide shared many memorable historical facts and fun anecdotes about the capital. Our party included two kids, aged 10 and 12, and our guide made sure we felt safe in the traffic. (Most of the tour was on bike paths.) We rode 14 kilometers, crossing three bridges, rode over a waterfall and enjoyed many great views of the city. The Escape headquarters is on a car-free street (situated a stone's throw from Parliament Hill), which made fitting the bikes stress-free. The bikes were top notch, and we enjoyed exceptional customer service. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the experience - I highly recommend it!

2. Cycling the Nation's Capital, self-guided

Ottawa Boat Cruises, 2 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8X5, Canada RentABike Ottawa
Excellent
80%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
7%
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4.7 based on 15 reviews

• Why self-guided on two wheels? Our pathway system is at our doorstep. No reservation/cancelation needed. Pay only when your ride is complete. 300 bikes available. Our community is safe and helpful to visitors. Easy to navigate pathways follow the 4 major waterways. Our personal directions and map are guaranteed. You set your time, pace and route* from 10am everyday.  IT COSTS LESS! • No traffic or delays from the Rideau Canal tour/rental centre • Light, easy Giant models in five sizes expertly fitted. Electric assist available. • Ride the waterways, parklands and national historic site pathways • See Rideau Canal, Rideau Falls, Hog's Back Falls, Arboretum, Central Farm, Rideau, Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers • Duration: up to 4 hours, 15km -25km

Inclusions: bike, helmet, lock, map, tax

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities

Reviewed By Ottawa4T

I would definitely recommend renting bikes from RentABike. The team is composed of very knowledgeable biking experts (as you can read on their website bio). I discovered this only recently while browsing through their website in the "about us" section.They have an excellent selection of bikes which get renewed every year. We rented bikes the first time in October 2019 and did the Petit Train du Nord bike ride over the course of 4 days. Picking up the bikes at 2 Rideau St was very easy (just drive down to the canal). The team took the time to adjust our bikes and were very patient. We are planning to rent bikes again this year. When I called , Jill was very helpful on the phone and my subsequent emails were replied to in a very timely fashion. They really deserve to be supported during these difficult Covid-19 Pandemic times.Their professionalism, excellent communication and expertise is very appreciated. Thank you!

3. Ottawa Tourist Scavenger Hunt

2 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8X5, Canada Hollywood Tourist Scavenger Hunt
Excellent
67%
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4.7 based on 3 reviews

Are you planning a visit to Ottawa? Our tourist treasure hunt will take you from Chateau Laurier to the Supreme Court and the Byward Market, passing by the Parliament Hill of course! You will have to solve challenges at every step to discover your next destination and earn points. At each step, you will learn a little history as well as interesting facts about what surrounds you. t takes 2-3 hours to complete, do it whenever you wish - you select your own date and start time, no scheduling or reservation needed. 20+ challenges, games and enigmas to solve as you walk through this historic neighborhood.

Inclusions: Urban scavenger hunt with 30+ challenges, Historical and architectural walking tour

Exclusions: Wifi - This activity requires internet access on your smartphone - a data plan.

Reviewed By 654wpw

Overall fun, hampered by some errors in navigation, lots of questions are basic. Nice info on history

4. ByWard Market Lunch Tasting Experience

380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8, Canada Experience Food
Excellent
85%
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4.6 based on 14 reviews

**COVID-19 UPDATE: This tour is currently not running due to social distancing requirements for indoor activities. It typically requires a 2-person minimum booking and is a 2-bubble* only experience: Your guide will walk you through the streets of the ByWard Market and stop at various local-loved eateries where the house's specialty will be served to you as you learn about the city's rich history. Also known as the "International Tour" because of the diversity of authentic food offered, this 2.5 to 3-hour tour offers you a taste of the city's diverse roots and passion for food. This tour includes a stop to sample the world-famous BeaverTail (R) from the original location. Dietary restrictions and special needs must be communicated ahead of time - please indicate restrictions in the SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS field at the CHECKOUT of your ticket purchase. *Tours are restricted to people from the same household and up to 1 other household.

Inclusions: Historic & cultural information about the Market, Gratuities at all stops, Local guide, All taxes and fees, Lunch

Exclusions: Transportation to and from the tour, Parking, Gratuities for the tour guide (optional), Guests are encouraged to bring their own water bottles

Reviewed By Simon92

An excellent evening walking around Hull's finest restaurants with Mathieu. Great food, drinks and conversation, and warmly welcomed by each restaurant. Thank you!

5. Ottawa Private Day Tour from Montreal

GANKOR TOURS
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
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4.3 based on 4 reviews

While visiting Montreal, you have to take a private day trip to Ottawa - capital city of Canada. A 2 hour drive will get your group to one of the most peaceful and beautiful city in our country.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By 938artg

I enjoyed All the animalals but I must admit watching the fish, trout I believe was interesting. My daughter, son I law and grandson tome.

6. Canadian Tulip Festival-Ottawa May07 - May19 '21, private day tour from Montreal

GANKOR TOURS
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

The Canadian Tulip Festival is held annually in May in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The festival is the world's largest tulip festival, displaying over one million tulips, with attendance of over 650,000 visitors annually. Displays of tulips are planted throughout the city, and the largest display of tulips is found in Commissioners Park on the shores of Dow's Lake, and along the Rideau Canal with 250,000 tulips planted there alone. Millions of tulips set the stage for a celebration of authentic art, cultural, historic, culinary and family tulip experiences at various official venues across the capital.

Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop off, Private transportation, Bottled water

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By 938artg

I enjoyed All the animalals but I must admit watching the fish, trout I believe was interesting. My daughter, son I law and grandson tome.

7. Ottawa Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Terry Fox Statue, 90 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5L1, Canada Terry Fox Statue, 90 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5L1, Canada
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3.0 based on 2 reviews

Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see. With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay

Inclusions: Local guide ("Lokafyer", Customized private walking tour

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Tips and gratuities (optional), Optional activity costs, Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions (It’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)

8. The Best of Ottawa Walking Tour

Wellington Street, Wellington St, Ottawa, ON, Canada Fun Top Fun Canada

Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city, while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Did you know that Ottawa is the capital of Canada? A multilingual city? Ottawa! You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings and corners of Ottawa. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. Perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most of it!

Inclusions: Professional Local Guide Services

Exclusions:

9. The Best of Toronto Walking Tour

Wellington Street, Wellington St, Ottawa, ON, Canada Fun Top Fun Canada

Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city, while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Want to explore the biggest city of Canada? And to experience the outstanding selection of food? Street art? Parades? You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings and corners of Toronto. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. Perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most of it!

Inclusions: Professional Local Guide Services

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10. Pioneering Days: An audio tour of the captivating history of Ottawa's pioneers

National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4, Canada VoiceMap Ottawa

Starting where Ottawa began, this self guided audio tour will take you to the very best city viewpoint. Beginning back when there was nothing here but forest, you will see where and hear how Ottawa began and gain a pretty good feeling for the circumstances, events and leaders that shaped the city in its earliest days. Most everything you see as you walk is explained. The tour ends in the most famous market in town, where you will find lots to see and great places to refresh yourself. Take in gorgeous views of the Ottawa River. Find out about the indigenous people who inhabited the area for thousands of years. Learn about the famous locks of Ottawa. Finally end the tour in the bustling Byward Market. Along the way, discover the stories of the pioneering characters who have shaped the captivating history of Ottawa.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food/Drink

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