• Statue of John By - Start your journey at Major’s Hill Park, where you can honor Colonel John By, the mastermind behind the Rideau Canal, at his statue with a view of the Ottawa River.
• Rideau Canal - Stroll by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a 19th-century engineering marvel linking Ottawa to Lake Ontario.
• Major’s Hill Park - Enjoy Major’s Hill Park, a beautiful green space offering stunning views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.
• York Steps - Walk along York Street, passing the York Steps, which were crucial in Bytown’s early development.
• York Street Millennium Fountain - Pass the York Street Millennium Fountain, a contemporary landmark representing Ottawa’s continuous growth and advancement.
• ByWard Market - Explore the historic ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets, lively with vendors, eateries, and artisans.
• Rochon House - Discover Rochon House, a historic building connected to Ottawa’s early lumber industry and cultural history.
• Hôpital Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital - Learn about the legacy of Élisabeth Bruyère, who established Ottawa’s first hospital to meet the community’s healthcare needs.
• LaSalle Academy - Pass by LaSalle Academy, a historic educational institution that has enriched Ottawa’s intellectual and cultural scene since its founding.
• Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica - Conclude your tour at Sussex Drive, where you can admire the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a splendid example of Gothic Revival architecture and a symbol of Ottawa’s rich religious heritage.

• Unlimited, lifetime use of the tour before and after booking date
• Virtual playback option to listen like an audiobook from anywhere
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
• Self-guided GPS tour for flexible exploration
• Directions to the starting point for automatic tour start

• Smartphone and headphones
• Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
• Transportation
• Food and Drink

Are you looking for a way to explore Ottawa at your own pace? On this self-guided audio tour, you will relive Ottawa‘s turbulent early history when rioters and rogues ran rampant.

Ottawa‘s significance extends beyond its Houses of Parliament and famous museums. Before becoming Canada‘s capital, it was a rough, lawless place in the wilderness. On this walking tour through old Bytown, you’ll trace the city’s evolution from a small lumber town to Queen Victoria‘s choice as Canada‘s capital and discover Ottawa‘s hidden backstory.

You’ll stroll down York Street and learn about the early days of the iconic Byward Market. Ottawa‘s past will come to life in the serene Jeanne d‘Arc Courtyard, where you‘ll hear about the religious and spatial divisions that fueled the feuding Bytown residents. On Sussex Drive, you‘ll explore popular sites from new perspectives and travel back to when rogues, rioters, and disease made the streets unsafe.

• Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.