Ottawa Highlights: Rideau Canal & ByWard Market

Explore Ottawa’s landmarks on a guided walking tour, ending with a scenic Rideau Canal cruise. Discover art, history, and stunning views.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Maman Statue - The tour begins with a warm welcome from a local guide at the Giant Spider sculpture, “Maman,” located in front of the National Gallery. This breathtaking artwork by Louise Bourgeois features a spider with a sac of marble eggs, sure to leave you amazed.
  • ByWard Market - After meeting the guide at the National Gallery of…
What's Included
  • Rideau Canal Cruise (Admission Included)
  • See the Centennial Flame and Fairmont Chateau Laurier
  • National Gallery of Canada (Admission Included) (Seasonal: Replaces Cruise)
  • Pass Points of Interest: The giant spider sculpture, Royal Mint and Notre Dame Basilica
  • Narrated Guided Tour of Byward Market
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information

Your tour will begin with your local friendly guide meeting you at the Giant Spider sculpture named “Maman” in front of the National Gallery. You will be in awe of this stunning piece of art.
From there you will begin making your way to ByWard Market, passing by the stunning Royal Mint and Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. The Market also features several…

Location
1 Elgin St
Elgin Street
Meet your guide in front of the National Arts Center. Your guide will be wearing a white polo shirt with our company logo on it. Please arrive 10 mins prior to the start of the tour to ensure the tour starts on time.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
3.5
(21 Ratings)
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1 star
Bill_t
Aug 28, 2024
Walking and boat tour - Our guide was very knowledgeable, answered all our questions. He gave us time to look at all the statures. He was very friendly and courteous. He kept a pace that was good for the high temperature of the day. He was excellant.The boat tour was fun and relaxing.
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_c
Sep 5, 2025
Worth doing, for an... - Worth doing, for an overview on the architecture of Ottawa. Friendly, knowledgeable tour guide. Informative
Review provided by Viator
B9672zjpamelag
Aug 22, 2024
Enjoyed the boat - Boat tour was great. Kudos to tour guide Melanie(Melody?), John and Captain Logan(?). I would go again. Liked the “green” electric boat. Interesting information, engaging presentation. Walking tour - MEH.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunshine823731
Jul 30, 2024
Great and not so great - Boat cruise portion of the tour was very good. Guide was well versed. Walking tour portion of the tour was not so good. Guide was very pleasant, however not knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricial48
Oct 1, 2025
Boat Ride Part is Great! - The boat ride was fantastic - fun and full of great information. The walking part needs improvement. The guide we had told us this is a newish company - maybe they are still learning but the tour guides need to have basic information about the city. While very personable, ours could not answer some very basic questions about the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_s
Oct 13, 2024
Walking Tour of Ottawa - Our tour guide was well informed but not really into it and answered questions but did not really have a tour set. He was a bit rushed and not upbeat and outgoing as so many of the viators we have taken. His accent was a bit hard to understand and he spoke quickly and softly. It was a disappointing tour and certainly not worth the money.
Review provided by Viator
Kay_g
Jul 30, 2024
Disappointed...... - We were late arriving. Actually planned to be there one hour early. Glad we did. Highway lanes were closed due to construction. Also, we were not advised by Viator where to park. We had to walk/run 3-4 blocks arriving 20 minutes late. Our guide was very nice and knowledgeable of the area. The canal cruise was just ok.
Review provided by Viator
Sandra_k
Dec 17, 2025
Very disappointing - I was travelling with my kids to Ottawa and looking forward to our tour. I especially got excited when the tour guide texted me the day prior to confirm and to say it was just us. The 1st minor hiccup were unclear directions to our meeting spot. So we were late by 15 minutes. Then the tour started and was finished within less than an hour instead of 3 hrs we paid for. He took us around the national art gallery and showed us the parliament building and a few monuments on the way then one of my sons needed to use the bathroom so we rushed back to the gallery. After bathroom break the guide told us to cross the street to visit the church when the mass will be done (by ourselves) but for now go explore the gallery (by ourselves) he provided us the stickers for free entry to the gallery and waived goodbye “have a nice life” and walked away. At that point I felt relieved he left us alone because he was so useless and unprepared for our tour. I hoped he would engage my kids and provide an interesting and informative and interactive experience instead we were left disappointed and confused. The worst experience I have ever had. I am hoping for a complete refund except of course for the entry fee to the gallery.
Review provided by Viator
William_b
Oct 7, 2025
Screwed - The guide never showed up. When we called the local tour company they said she called in sick and "somehow" the ball got dropped. I appreciated the apology but it somehow "apology" has replaced the shoulder shrug as an index for incompetency. My suspecion is we were the only people on the tour and the guide bailed. Thanks Viator.
Review provided by Viator
Richard_b
Oct 9, 2024
Tour canceled - Tour canceled on us the day before tour canceled the day before tour canceled on us the day before They canceled the tour on us the day before the scheduled tour
Review provided by Viator
From $71
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).