Top 5 Ottawa Historical Tours: See Canada’s Story Unfold

So, are you thinking of seeing Canada’s capital and like, want to soak up its history? Ottawa, that beautiful city sitting on the Ottawa River, has a load of stories from way back when. Finding interesting tours can be a bit tough, right? I’ve put together a list of the top 5 historical tours in Ottawa, and I’ll show you where to walk, and give recommendations. I hope this makes your decision making better!

1. Haunted Walk Ottawa: Get Spooked Seeing History

The Haunted Walk Ottawa, oh my gosh, is a little bit different than other tours! If hearing scary tales about spooky buildings tickles your fancy, that tour might be perfect. As a matter of fact, what makes it really cool, is the costumed guides bring ghostly stuff alive as they walk you around places like the Fairmont Château Laurier and the Ottawa Jail Hostel. Those spots are seriously creepy.

And that’s not the end of the spooky happenings! Apparently, that tour includes stops at other spots rumored to be really haunted. You get some interesting spooky trivia that the average tour guide wouldn’t have, so it’s pretty awesome. The spooky factor of this tour is great for adults and teens, and honestly, you might want to leave the really young ones at home. Book the tour way ahead of time, actually! This tour is more of a thing to do, these days, so it tends to get crowded especially close to Halloween.

2. Ottawa Walking Tours: Check out Downtown Ottawa

Ottawa Walking Tours, basically, this is like a good starting point if you really, really, wanna see the famous parts of the downtown area! They have tours that will show you all the best-known locations like Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the National War Memorial. But anyway, what makes the tours different, maybe, is the friendly guides really put effort into like, telling stories, and sharing details that actually make history come alive, in some respects.

Now, their tours might go a little further than like the main tourist areas. Some of them even go by locations like the gorgeous Sparks Street pedestrian zone and past interesting art at the National Gallery of Canada. Anyway, that might just mean you might discover Ottawa gems, I guess! And they usually take small groups, too it’s almost like they know everyone enjoys a more personal, deeper dive into stories of the places around.

3. The Canadian Museum of History: Stories as Told Through Artifacts

Ok, now if the rain has ruined all of your like, walking-tour plans, try out The Canadian Museum of History, that happens to be a superb option, of course! The museum isn’t just a spot with dusty old stuff, and so on, it puts together like super interesting ways that might help people learn about like Canada’s diverse cultural pasts and people, too. They will always have fresh, interesting temporary things, too, so each time is basically another experience!

Anyway, the museum’s permanent exhibitions, might be things like the Grand Hall, where one can check out huge totem poles. I mean, that makes people understand like West Coast First Nations. Another might be the Canadian History Hall, or just enjoy walking throughout recreated spots of history. In fact, that brings centuries-past stories to now. Even better, just think about the way they focus on stories. They bring old stuff into right now. The place becomes fun and thoughtful. The spot suits folks of all ages. But still, it might especially suit families! The museum is pretty big so you may just spend three or four hours there. Also, remember the building is kinda special; so check out the architecture!

4. Parliamentary Hill Tours: Canadian Political Heritage

And if checking out Canada’s political heart beats rather high on your ‘want to do’ list, really make a start, by beginning at Parliament Hill, that does happen to be one very notable landmark. By the way, free tours will take one, by the way, to the Senate, plus the House of Commons, to view amazing art, plus fancy spaces while picking up Canadian governments specifics!

Oh yeah, consider the climb to Peace Tower if they happen to be offering tours! From up there one might get to soak up very wide scenes all across Ottawa; as a matter of fact, one really wants a spot when like photos turn out amazing? Besides visiting sites; do take just a moment at the Memorial Chamber: to pause plus appreciate all of its beauty and importance. So for sure, book ahead given that Parliament tours might have crowds during high times.

5. Rideau Canal Cruises: Smooth Cruising with History Views

Now consider a really relaxing twist: a historic Rideau Canal cruise; and what is really great might be it lets you view great Ottawa, only rather relaxed-type, style. That said as boats drift gently up plus downwards water people find info related to past regarding canals besides related spots while passing some great spots – truly amazing photography potential from river-level viewing too it’s almost.

Anyway, Rideau Canal boat experiences are available too in varied looks: short rides or the long type lasting several hours even involving lunch! By the way for families it really acts nice providing things that maybe will interest both types younger plus seasoned individuals without much heavy walking which matters significantly!