Ottawa Walking Tours.
Pay-what-you-want and private guided walking tours of Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, and Centretown, in six languages
The brief.
Ottawa Walking Tours is a commercial walking-tour operator running guided pedestrian tours through downtown Ottawa — Parliament Hill, Sparks Street, the ByWard Market, the Rideau Canal, and Centretown. The roster combines three pay-what-you-want public tours that anyone can join at a published meeting point with private bookings, school-group programs tied to the Ontario curriculum, and step-on bus-guide services for inbound tour operators. Private tours are delivered in six languages — English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian. The free public Historical Highlights tour begins at 11am from the Bear Catching Fish Statue at 89 Sparks Street, with the guide identified by a red umbrella.
11. ways in.
- 01
FREE Discover the Capital – Historical Highlights Tour
For: All ages; public open tourWhen: Begins at 11am sharp; specific dates via booking calendarA two-hour walking tour of downtown Ottawa covering Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the Rideau Canal, and the ByWard Market. Meets at the Bear Catching Fish Statue at 89 Sparks Street, corner of Metcalfe; the guide carries a red umbrella. Delivered in English. Payment for the suggested gratuity accepted by cash, credit/debit, and Apple/Google/Samsung Pay.
Free / pay-what-you-want — suggested tip $25 per person, $10 per child 12 years and older
- 02
FREE ByWard Market "Timber, Taverns & Tall Tales" Tour
For: All ages; public open tourWhen: Contact for detailsA two-hour walking tour of the ByWard Market — downtown Ottawa's oldest neighbourhood — covering its taverns, timber-trade origins, and local stories. Meeting time and exact start point are confirmed at booking.
Free / pay-what-you-want
- 03
FREE Pay What You Want Holiday Glow Winter Lights Tour
For: All ages; public open tourWhen: Winter holiday seasonA 90-minute evening walking tour of downtown Ottawa's holiday lights, running during the winter season. Specific dates and meeting point are confirmed at booking.
Free / pay-what-you-want
- 04
Historical Highlights Tour (Private)
For: Private groupsWhen: Contact for detailsA two-hour private guided walk of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and surrounding downtown landmarks, meeting at the Bear Catching Fish Statue at 89 Sparks Street. Offered in English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, or Italian.
Contact for details
- 05
Centretown Neighbourhood Experience Tour
For: Private groupsWhen: Contact for detailsA three-hour private walking tour of Centretown — coffee shops, public art, Lebanese cuisine, desserts, embassies, and historic architecture — with stops to meet local business owners. Meets at Minto Park, corner of Elgin and Gilmour, about a 10–12 minute walk from Parliament Hill. Available in all six tour languages.
Contact for details
- 06
ByWard Market "Timber, Taverns, & Tall Tales" Tour (Private)
For: Private groupsWhen: Contact for detailsA two-hour private guided walk through the ByWard Market, downtown Ottawa's oldest neighbourhood, covering its taverns and timber-trade history.
Contact for details
- 07
School Groups — Historical Highlights (Grades 4+)
For: School groups, Grades 4 and upA two-hour school-group walking tour of downtown Ottawa's history, designed for Grades 4 and up. Contact the operator for pricing.
Contact for details
- 08
School Groups — Path of Heroes (Grades 3–7)
For: School groups, Grades 3–7A two-hour school-group walking tour focused on Canadian historical figures, designed for Grades 3–7. Contact for pricing.
Contact for details
- 09
School Groups — The GREAT Ottawa Scavenger Hunt (Grades 8+)
For: School groups, Grades 8 and upA 90-minute interactive scavenger-hunt tour of downtown Ottawa, designed for Grades 8 and up. Contact for pricing.
Contact for details
- 10
School Groups — Parliament Hill Challenge
For: School groups (linked to Grade 6, 8 & 10 Ontario curriculum)A one-hour school-group programme on Parliament Hill, designed to link to the Grade 6, 8, and 10 Ontario curriculum. Contact for pricing.
Contact for details
- 11
Step-On Tour Bus Guide Services
For: Tour operators and bus groupsStep-on guide and tour-management services for inbound tour operators running coach groups through Ottawa. Contact for pricing.
Contact for details
Worth knowing.
- 01Tours offered in six languages: English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Português & ItalianoSource ↗
- 02Free public Historical Highlights tour begins at 11am daily from the Bear Catching Fish Statue at 89 Sparks Street; guide identified by red umbrellaSource ↗
- 03Suggested gratuity for free public tours: $25 per person, $10 per child 12 years and older; accepts cash, credit/debit, and Apple/Google/Samsung PaySource ↗
- 04Free Discover the Capital tour covers Parliament Hill, National War Memorial, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Rideau Canal, and the ByWard MarketSource ↗
- 05School-group Parliament Hill Challenge is designed to link to the Grade 6, 8 & 10 Ontario curriculumSource ↗
- 06Provides step-on tour bus guide services and tour management for inbound tour operatorsSource ↗