Smart travelers have several excellent options for discovering Ottawa efficiently. The standout choice is the 2-hour Ottawa Express Bike Tour – it’s well-paced and covers both major attractions and local secrets with minimal fuss. I’m especially fond of the Hop-On Hop-Off option, which remains the most practical way to see Ottawa’s spread-out sights while avoiding tired feet. For budget-conscious travelers, the self-guided walking tours make perfect sense, offering great value and accessibility. The City Exploration Game adds an entertaining twist for families, while beer enthusiasts will appreciate the practical brewery bus tour, which eliminates transportation worries. Let’s look at our favorite Ottawa tours in detail.
Key Points
- The Ottawa Express City Bike Tour offers a 2-hour exploration of the city’s top sights and hidden gems with knowledgeable local guides.
- The Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Pass provides flexible access to museums, galleries, and landmarks with comfortable open-top buses and bilingual guides.
- The self-guided Walking Tours Through Ottawa app offers an affordable and accessible way to explore the city’s key landmarks at one’s own pace.
- The City Exploration Game and Tour provides immersive experiences, including historic tours of the Ottawa Jail Hostel and the Château Laurier.
- The City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries offers a 4-5 hour tour visiting local craft breweries with brewery tours, tastings, and insights into beer-making.
2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour
The Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour offers a comprehensive 2-hour exploration of the capital’s top sights and hidden gems.
With a maximum group size of 12 travelers, this highly-rated tour features local guides who provide historical context and insider insights.
Priced from $57.36 per person, the tour includes a bicycle, helmet, and all necessary equipment.
Guests can expect to visit key Ottawa landmarks, as well as discover lesser-known areas.
The tour is wheelchair and stroller-accessible, making it suitable for travelers of all ages.
Consistently praised for its knowledgeable guides and enjoyable experiences, this bike tour is a must-do for first-time visitors to Ottawa.
Read our full review: 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Ottawa: Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Pass
Frequently, travelers to Ottawa opt for the convenient Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Pass to explore the capital’s top attractions.
Priced at $31.92 per person, the pass allows for 1-2 days of unlimited hop-on, hop-off access aboard comfortable open-top buses or trolleys. Knowledgeable bilingual guides provide commentary in English and French, while audio guides are available in several other languages.
Visitors can easily access museums, galleries, the Canadian Parliament, and the lively Byward Market at their own pace. With buses running every 40 minutes, travelers can maximize their sightseeing time.
Read our full review: Ottawa: Hop-On Hop-Off Guided City Tour Pass Review
Book now: Check availability
Explore Canada Through Ottawas Eyes With Walking Tours Through the City
Exploring Ottawa on foot offers travelers a unique perspective of Canada’s capital. A self-guided walking tour through the city is available via the On This Spot app.
The tour covers key landmarks, starting at Majors Hill Park and ending at 111 Wellington St. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, allows service animals, and is near public transportation.
While reviewer feedback has been mixed, with some technical issues reported, the tour provides an affordable, flexible way to explore Ottawa at one’s own pace.
With a maximum capacity of 5 travelers, the tour aims to deliver an intimate and personalized experience for those wanting to discover the sights of this historic city.
Read our full review: Explore Canada Through Ottawas Eyes With Walking Tours Through the City Review
Book now: Check availability
Ottawa: City Exploration Game and Tour
An engaging city exploration game and tour allows visitors to discover Ottawa’s historic landmarks and hidden gems at their own pace.
The new activity, Historic Tour of the Ottawa Jail Hostel, offers a one-hour exploration of the city’s past, providing a rating of “new activity” and a price of $15.54.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the 75-minute Secrets of the Château Laurier tour is highly rated at 4.6 and costs $19.95.
Plus, the 2.5-hour Walking Tour in the Heart of the Capital, boasting a 5-rating, allows participants to explore the city’s vibrant culture for $35.31.
Read our full review: Ottawa: City Exploration Game and Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries
What better way to discover Ottawa’s burgeoning craft beer scene than through the City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries?
Over 4-5 hours, this tour whisks guests to three or more local Ottawa craft breweries. Visitors can expect brewery tours, tastings, and learning about the ingredients and beer-making process.
With 98% of travelers recommending it and a perfect 5-star rating from 54 reviews, this tour is a must-do. Included are all taxes, fees, sampling and tour fees, a local guide, transport, alcoholic beverages, and tasting note cards.
The tour starts and ends at the Brew Donkey Tours meeting point, with a maximum of 25 travelers per group. Given its popularity, this brewery tour is an excellent way to explore Ottawa’s thriving beer culture.
Read our full review: City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries Review
Book now: Check availability
Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water
For those looking to experience Ottawa’s top sights in a unique way, the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water is an excellent option.
This 1-hour tour aboard an amphibious vehicle covers the city’s main attractions, including Parliament Hill, Notre Dame Basilica, and the National War Memorial Monument.
With bilingual guides providing engaging commentary, travelers can enjoy a fun and educational experience that transitions from land to water, offering a different perspective of Ottawa and Gatineau.
Priced from $32.81 per person, the tour is ideal for first-time visitors and those with limited time, receiving an overall rating of 4.0 from 488 reviews.
Read our full review: Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water Review
Book now: Check availability
Recap
Ottawa offers a diverse range of city tours that allow visitors to explore the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and unique attractions. Whether you prefer a guided bike tour, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, or a walking tour, there’s something for every traveler. With options to discover the city’s architecture, landmarks, and local breweries, Ottawa provides an engaging and comprehensive way to experience all it has to offer.