Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa

The Haunted Walk of Ottawa is a captivating tour that delves into the capital city’s spooky past. Led by expert storytellers, this immersive experience takes visitors to some of Ottawa’s most renowned haunted sites. From the grand Fairmont Château Laurier to the eerie Rideau Canal, the tour promises an unforgettable journey through the supernatural. As the group explores these haunted landmarks, they may witness ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena, leaving them with a deeper understanding of Ottawa’s rich and unsettling heritage. The tour’s convenient location near Parliament Hill ensures easy access, making it a must-do for anyone seeking a thrilling and chilling adventure.

This experience made our list of the 12 Best Walking Tours In Ottawa.

Key Points

Key points for the original Haunted Walk of Ottawa:

• The Haunted Walk offers guided tours through Ottawa’s haunted heritage, led by professional storytellers who bring the spooky history to life.
• Key haunted sites explored on the tour include the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel, Rideau Canal, Commissariat Building Bytown Museum, and Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
• The Fairmont Château Laurier hotel is known for its grand architecture and storied past, with reported sightings of ghostly entities.
• The Rideau Canal is rumored to harbor ghostly figures, with stories of a mysterious woman in white and disembodied voices.
• The Commissariat Building Bytown Museum and Lisgar Collegiate Institute are also reported to have paranormal activities, from unexplained footsteps to apparitions.

Overview of the Haunted Walk

The Haunted Walk of Ottawa offers visitors a guided tour through the city’s haunted heritage, led by professional storytellers who bring the spooky history to life.

The tour covers 236 reviews, taking guests on a journey to explore the city’s most notorious haunted sites, including the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel, the Rideau Canal, the Commissariat Building Bytown Museum, and the Lisgar Collegiate Institute.

Along the way, you will learn about Ottawa’s dark past and uncover the eerie tales that have captivated locals and visitors alike.

With a choice of departure times and a wheelchair-accessible route, the Haunted Walk provides an immersive and unforgettable experience for those seeking a thrilling glimpse into the city’s haunted history.

Key Haunted Sites in Ottawa

While the Haunted Walk of Ottawa takes visitors to several haunted sites, the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel stands out as one of the tour’s key highlights. This historic hotel, known for its grand architecture and storied past, is said to be home to a variety of ghostly entities, including the spirit of a young girl who’s often spotted roaming the halls.

The Rideau Canal, where visitors can learn about the ghostly figures that haunt the waterway’s bridges and embankments.

The Commissariat Building Bytown Museum, a former military outpost with a reputation for paranormal activity.

Lisgar Collegiate Institute, a high school with reported sightings of apparitions and unexplained sounds.

Fairmont Château Laurier History

Among the haunted sites explored on the Haunted Walk of Ottawa, the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel stands out for its grand architecture and storied past.

Constructed in the early 20th century, this iconic hotel is said to be home to a variety of ghostly entities, including the spirit of a young girl who’s often spotted roaming the halls.

Visitors have reported hearing unexplained footsteps, witnessing doors opening and closing on their own, and catching glimpses of shadowy figures in the hotel’s elegant corridors.

The Château Laurier’s long history and opulent design have made it a prime location for paranormal activity, adding an eerie element to this celebrated landmark.

Spooky Rideau Canal Legends

Aside from the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel, the Haunted Walk of Ottawa also explores the eerie legends surrounding the Rideau Canal. Constructed in the early 19th century, this scenic waterway has long been rumored to harbor ghostly presences, with sightings of spectral figures and unexplained phenomena reported by visitors over the years.

The tour guide shares chilling tales of the canal’s haunted history, including:

• Accounts of a mysterious woman in white seen gliding along the water’s edge
• Reports of disembodied voices and unexplained sounds echoing from the lock stations
• Stories of ghostly figures vanishing into thin air along the towpath

These spooky Rideau Canal legends add an extra layer of intrigue to the Haunted Walk of Ottawa, captivating visitors with the city’s paranormal past.

Commissariat Building’s Ghostly Past

The Commissariat Building, a historic structure now home to the Bytown Museum, is said to harbor its own ghostly residents.

Visitors to the museum have reported various paranormal phenomena within its walls, from unexplained footsteps to the apparition of a soldier in 19th-century military attire. Some report feeling an uneasy presence, as if unseen eyes are watching. Others have observed objects moving on their own or heard disembodied voices echoing through the halls.

The building’s long history, which includes serving as a military storehouse, has led many to believe that the spirits of past occupants linger in this haunted space. Brave visitors may encounter these spectral presences during their tour of the museum’s haunted halls.

Lisgar Collegiate Institute Hauntings

Lisgar Collegiate Institute, a historic Ottawa high school, is rumored to harbor its own array of ghostly presences. The school’s long and storied past, which includes serving as a military hospital during the World Wars, has led many to believe that the spirits of past occupants continue to linger in this supposedly haunted educational institution.

Visitors and students alike have reported a range of eerie occurrences within the school’s halls, from unexplained noises and sightings to a sense of unease and unseen watchful eyes.

Some of the reported paranormal activities at Lisgar Collegiate Institute include:

• The sound of disembodied footsteps in empty corridors
• Ghostly figures glimpsed in the school’s auditorium and library
• A pervasive feeling of being watched, especially during evening hours

Tour Departure and Duration

The Haunted Walks of Ottawa tour departs from the Haunted Walks ticket office near Parliament Hill, with a choice of departure times to accommodate visitors’ schedules. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour, giving participants ample time to explore the haunted heritage of downtown Ottawa.

Departure Times	Tour Duration
7:00 PM	1 hour
8:00 PM	1 hour
9:00 PM	1 hour
10:00 PM	1 hour
11:00 PM	1 hour

The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the spooky experience. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Haunted Walks of Ottawa is a must-try for those seeking a thrilling and informative exploration of the city’s haunted past.

Accessibility and Inclusions

Along With its engaging storytelling, the Haunted Walks of Ottawa tour is designed to be accessible to a wide range of visitors.

The tour’s accessibility features and inclusions are:

• Wheelchair and stroller accessibility
• Included gratuities for the professional guide
• Departure from a centrally located meeting point near Parliament Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour does not have any age restrictions. Children of all ages are welcome to join the haunted walking tour, though parental discretion is advised for younger participants due to the potentially spooky nature of the content.

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

Participants are generally allowed to take photos during the haunted walking tour, though guides may request that flashes are not used to avoid disrupting the experience. Visitors should check with the tour operator for any specific photography guidelines.

Is It Possible to Book a Private Tour?

Yes, the tour operator offers private tours. Guests can book a private haunted walking tour of downtown Ottawa for their group. Private tours allow for a more personalized experience with the professional storyteller guide.

What Happens if the Tour Is Cancelled Due to Weather?

If the Haunted Walk tour is cancelled due to inclement weather, guests will receive a full refund. The tour company will contact them in advance to notify of the cancellation and provide information on rescheduling or obtaining a refund.

Can I Bring My Own Snacks or Drinks on the Tour?

Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks on the tour. The tour is approximately 1 hour long, so having refreshments available can make the experience more enjoyable. The tour guide will provide all necessary information during the walk.

Recap

The Haunted Walk of Ottawa offers a thrilling exploration of the city’s paranormal history.

Led by professional storytellers, the tour covers renowned haunted sites, allowing visitors to witness ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena.

With convenient departure locations and schedules, the tour provides an unforgettable experience that delves into Ottawa’s spooky heritage, making it a must-try for those intrigued by the supernatural.