Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with Rideau Canal Cruise
Description
Your experience begins as you meet your guide at 380 Sussex Drive in-front of the Maman Giant Spider Sculpture. Enjoy a guided walk toward the vibrant ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest and most lively public markets. Along the way, take in stunning pass-bys of the Royal Canadian Mint and the breathtaking Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, while your guide shares stories of Ottawa’s rich history and culture. Continue on toward Canada's Palirament Hill & Centennial Flame, passing the elegant Fairmont Château Laurier along the way. This iconic flame-shaped fountain commemorating Canadian Confederation is a must-see highlight in the capital. For your final experience, head to the waterfront where you’ll board a relaxing Rideau Canal cruise. Sit back and enjoy scenic views of downtown Ottawa while learning about this UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you board the boat, your guided walking tour concludes, and you’ll continue your experience on the water at your own pace.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Standing outside the Maman at the National Gallery of Canada, this towering bronze spider is one of Ottawa’s most iconic public artworks. Created by renowned artist Louise Bourgeois, the sculpture symbolizes strength and motherhood, inspired by the artist’s mother. Its dramatic size and unique design make it a favorite stop for photos and nighttime views in the capital.
Pass by the Royal Canadian Mint, home to Canada’s coin production.
Admire the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, known for its impressive architecture.
Explore the lively ByWard Market and experience one of Canada’s oldest public markets.
Parliament Hill is the political and cultural heart of Canada, home to the country’s iconic Gothic Revival Parliament Buildings overlooking the Ottawa River. Beautifully illuminated at night, the site offers some of the city’s most breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
Visit the Centennial Flame, a meaningful symbol of Canadian Confederation.
Take in views of the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier, a historic luxury hotel.
Conclude your experience as you board your cruise along the Rideau Canal and enjoy Ottawa from the water.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(25)
Not worth it for the $56 for an adult Not much to see but the staff are good
It was amazing. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and was wonderful to talk to. She made the tour enjoyable.
The tour was very good. Some recommendations for restaurants were also provided, as well as other places worth visiting. For example, the National Gallery and the church across the street. The boat ride was beautiful and informative.
This was a lovely walk around the best parts of the city. Our guide(s) was great and we learned a lot. The details in the app had the meeting spot reversed with the ending but our guides quickly resolved the issue. The boat ride was a fine ending to the walk.
Glad to hear the city’s highlights at a gentle pace made the experience easy to enjoy, simple, engaging way to see the best parts while learning along the way 🏙️
I was travelling with my kids to Ottawa and looking forward to our tour. I especially got excited when the tour guide texted me the day prior to confirm and to say it was just us. The 1st minor hiccup were unclear directions to our meeting spot. So we were late by 15 minutes. Then the tour started and was finished within less than an hour instead of 3 hrs we paid for. He took us around the national art gallery and showed us the parliament building and a few monuments on the way then one of my sons needed to use the bathroom so we rushed back to the gallery. After bathroom break the guide told us to cross the street to visit the church when the mass will be done (by ourselves) but for now go explore the gallery (by ourselves) he provided us the stickers for free entry to the gallery and waived goodbye “have a nice life” and walked away. At that point I felt relieved he left us alone because he was so useless and unprepared for our tour. I hoped he would engage my kids and provide an interesting and informative and interactive experience instead we were left disappointed and confused. The worst experience I have ever had. I am hoping for a complete refund except of course for the entry fee to the gallery.
We’re truly sorry for the disappointment and confusion you experienced on your Ottawa tour, especially when traveling with your kids. What you described is not the standard we hold ourselves to. Our Ottawa tours are meant to be thoughtful, well paced, and family friendly. Please reach out to us directly so we can review your case since you are eligible for a refund. We’re especially sorry that the tour ended abruptly and that you were left to explore on your own
The guide never showed up. When we called the local tour company they said she called in sick and "somehow" the ball got dropped. I appreciated the apology but it somehow "apology" has replaced the shoulder shrug as an index for incompetency. My suspecion is we were the only people on the tour and the guide bailed. Thanks Viator.
We’re deeply sorry for what happened. Sometimes the unexpected happens where we do our best to accommodate our guests with alternative tours, destination and timings. In the rare case that it doesn't work out, we offer a full refund with the hope to see our guests again sometime soon. If you reach out to us, either through Viator or directly through your booking confirmation with a copy of your review, our team would love to get in touch with you about your experience and make it right with you however possible. Either to get you the promised experience or a full refund if applicable. We'd love to make it up to you!
The boat ride was fantastic - fun and full of great information. The walking part needs improvement. The guide we had told us this is a newish company - maybe they are still learning but the tour guides need to have basic information about the city. While very personable, ours could not answer some very basic questions about the city.
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We’re so glad you enjoyed the boat ride and found it fun and informative. If you could get in touch with us with your booking details and copy of your review, we'd love to look into your experience! We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as our newer team members continue their training to ensure every part of the tour feels just as engaging as the boat experience. Your thought shelp us improve, and we thank you again for touring with us, and we hope to welcome you back for an even better experience next time.
Worth doing, for an overview on the architecture of Ottawa. Friendly, knowledgeable tour guide. Informative
Thanks so much for sharing this! Glad to hear you were able to take in the cityscape to your satisfaction. Our guides there exaclty for the warm company and local knowledge about the area, it's good to know you appreciated it. See you on another See Sight adventure 😄
Our tour guide was well informed but not really into it and answered questions but did not really have a tour set. He was a bit rushed and not upbeat and outgoing as so many of the viators we have taken. His accent was a bit hard to understand and he spoke quickly and softly. It was a disappointing tour and certainly not worth the money.
Tour canceled on us the day before tour canceled the day before tour canceled on us the day before They canceled the tour on us the day before the scheduled tour
