Ottawas Hidden History: A Self Guided Audio Tour

Ottawa’s hidden history comes alive in a captivating self-guided audio tour. Narrated by journalist Felicity Mulgan, the one-hour experience dives into the city’s tumultuous past, exploring iconic landmarks and lesser-known gems. From street riots to gang fights, this tour unveils the vision behind the Rideau Canal and the untold stories that shaped Bytown’s legacy. Accessible through the VoiceMap app, the tour offers a personalized adventure, complete with maps and GPS data, allowing history enthusiasts to uncover the city’s secrets at their own pace. What secrets might this tour reveal about Ottawa’s past?

Key Points

1. A self-guided audio tour that delves into Bytown’s turbulent early days, featuring stories of street riots and gang fights.

2. Explores the vision behind the Rideau Canal’s construction and the challenges faced by its builders.

3. Guides visitors through iconic landmarks and hidden gems, such as Majors Hill Park and ByWard Market, with insightful commentary.

4. Accessible through the VoiceMap app, allowing for a flexible and immersive experience with lifetime access.

5. Offers scenic views of the Ottawa River and historical anecdotes about the city’s formative years.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The self-guided audio tour, "Ottawa’s Hidden History", offers a captivating exploration of the city’s lesser-known past. Priced from CZK157 per person, the tour lasts for an hour and is available in English.

Visitors can access the tour content, including audio, maps, and GPS data, through the VoiceMap app on their smartphones. The tour features lifetime access and allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Highlighting stories of street riots, gang fights, and the vision behind the Rideau Canal, the tour is led by journalist and traveler Felicity Mulgan.

Exploring iconic landmarks and hidden gems, the self-guided experience immerses visitors in Ottawa’s formative first 30 years.

Experience Highlights

Relive Bytown’s turmoil with stories of street riots and gang fights.

Uncover the vision behind the Rideau Canal and the builders’ stories.

Explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems, including Majors Hill Park and ByWard Market.

The tour features insightful commentary from producer Felicity Mulgan, a journalist and avid traveler.

Enjoy:

• Scenic views of the Ottawa River and historical anecdotes about the city’s first 30 years.
• Unlimited use of the tour before and after the booking date.
• A self-guided experience with the VoiceMap app for Android and iOS.
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata for a seamless tour.

Tour Route and Key Locations

Starting from the entrance to Majors Hill Park on Mackenzie Avenue, opposite the Connaught Building (555 Mackenzie Avenue), the tour route leads visitors through a series of key stops, including the Jeanne d’Arc Courtyard, York Street, and the iconic ByWard Market.

Along the way, the audio tour provides scenic views of the Ottawa River and shares historical anecdotes about the city’s first 30 years.

Travelers can expect to learn about the turbulent early days of Bytown, with stories of street riots and gang fights, as well as the vision behind the Rideau Canal and the builders’ tales.

What to Bring

To have the best experience on the Ottawa’s Hidden History tour, visitors should bring a few essential items.

Firstly, they’ll need a pair of headphones to fully enjoy the captivating audio commentary.

Plus, a charged smartphone is a must, as the tour is accessed through the VoiceMap app, which must be downloaded prior to arrival. The app also provides turn-by-turn directions, so having a downloaded version of the tour is recommended for optimal experience.

Lastly, visitors should be prepared for any weather conditions by dressing appropriately, as the tour takes place outdoors.

• Headphones
• Charged smartphone
• Downloaded VoiceMap app
• Appropriate clothing for the weather

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Important Information

Visitors must install the VoiceMap smartphone app prior to embarking on the Ottawa’s Hidden History tour. This is essential for accessing the self-guided audio experience.

Plus, it’s recommended to download the tour before arriving at the starting point, as this ensures an optimal experience with seamless access to the audio, maps, and geodata.

Following the set route and turn-by-turn directions is also crucial for making the most of the tour.

Lastly, it’s important to note that the tour is only available in English, so non-English speakers may not be able to fully enjoy the experience.

Reliving Bytown’s Turmoil

Bytown, the precursor to modern-day Ottawa, was once a tumultuous frontier town plagued by street riots and gang violence.

Tensions ran high as workers building the Rideau Canal clashed with local thugs, leading to violent confrontations on the city’s streets.

The audio tour recounts these stories of Bytown’s unruly past, transporting listeners back to a time when:

• Rival gangs fought brutal turf wars
• Raucous crowds took to the streets in protest
• The city’s infrastructure was still taking shape
• Tensions simmered between diverse cultural groups

Through these gripping narratives, the tour offers a glimpse into Bytown’s turbulent origins and the challenges faced by its early residents.

Uncovering the Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal, an iconic landmark that has come to define Ottawa’s landscape, was once a grand engineering feat driven by a visionary plan.

As part of the tour, visitors will uncover the stories behind this marvel of 19th-century construction.

They’ll learn about the canal’s role in connecting Ottawa to the Great Lakes, and how its construction was a critical step in transforming the region from a remote outpost to a thriving urban center.

The tour provides insightful commentary on the challenges faced by the canal’s builders, offering a deeper appreciation for the vision and determination that brought this ambitious project to life.

Exploring Iconic Landmarks

Exploring the city’s iconic landmarks offers visitors a captivating glimpse into Ottawa’s vibrant history.

The self-guided audio tour takes you on a journey through Majors Hill Park, where you’ll uncover the vision behind the Rideau Canal and hear the stories of the builders who brought it to life.

Along the way, you’ll visit the Jeanne d’Arc Courtyard, stroll down York Street, and learn about the lively atmosphere of the ByWard Market.

This immersive experience allows you to:

• Discover hidden gems and iconic landmarks
• Gain insights from an experienced journalist and traveler
• Explore the city’s rich history at your own pace
• Enjoy the convenience of a self-guided audio tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Start the Tour From Any Location?

No, the tour has a designated starting point at the entrance to Majors Hill Park on Mackenzie Avenue, opposite the Connaught Building. The tour is designed to be followed in a specific order for the best experience.

Is There an Audio Transcript Available for the Tour?

Unfortunately, there’s no mention of an audio transcript being available for this self-guided audio tour. The tour is designed to be experienced through the VoiceMap app, which provides the narration and directions.

How Accurate Is the Historical Information Provided?

The historical information provided is generally accurate, drawing on the expertise of a journalist and avid traveler. While some minor details may be open to interpretation, the tour offers a well-researched perspective on Ottawa’s early history and development.

Does the Tour Have Any Accessibility Features?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention accessibility features, but the ability to download the VoiceMap app and access the audio tour offline could make it more accessible for some users. The tour’s flexibility may accommodate different needs.

Can I Customize the Tour Route or Duration?

The tour’s set route and duration cannot be customized. However, users can explore the landmarks at their own pace and revisit the tour as often as they like with the unlimited access provided.

Recap

"Ottawa’s Hidden History" audio tour offers a captivating journey through the city’s tumultuous past. Guided by an insightful journalist, participants explore iconic landmarks and uncover lesser-known stories of street riots, gang fights, and the vision behind the Rideau Canal. With personalized maps and GPS data, the tour provides an enriching experience for history enthusiasts, allowing them to relive Bytown’s turbulent history and uncover the hidden narratives that shaped the nation’s capital.

You can check if your dates are available here: