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Rideau Canal

Rideau Canal: Our most recommended tours and activities

Ottawa: Hop On Hop Off Winter Tour by Vintage Bus

1. Ottawa: Hop On Hop Off Winter Tour by Vintage Bus

Step into a cozy, vintage bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of Ottawa and Gatineau. Listen as a live guide provides fascinating context about the sights you pass along the way. Take in Ottawa’s historic scenery in the national capital area like the Rideau Canal. Hop aboard a bus that looks like an old-fashioned red trolley. Take a seat on a wooden bench and travel through Ottawa and Gatineau in this well-preserved piece of nostalgia. See as much of the city as you can in a short period of time. Experience Ottawa from the local perspective with a live guide on board. This unique multilingual tour of Canada’s capital lets you appreciate Ottawa’s historic scenery from every possible angle. Pass by sites like the Rideau Canal which connects the city to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River. Cruise by the lush Confederation Park and take in the Modern architecture of the Canadian War Museum. View where the money is printed as you pass the Royal Canadian Mint.

Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

2. Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal aboard a brand-new electric vessel. Admire top attractions like the Canadian Museum of Nature, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, and the National Arts Centre from this iconic waterway. The cruise departs from the heart of downtown Ottawa. Step aboard North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel, the only one of its kind. Your experienced and friendly crew will answer your questions and ensure your safety. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as your live guide shares entertaining insights into the region, its history, and rich cultural heritage. Discover the Rideau Canal from the Chateau Laurier to Dow's Lake. Learn about 30 different sites that have marked the history of Ottawa including the Trans-Canada Highway, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canal Ritz, Lansdowne Park, Bank Street Bridge, Dow’s Lake, Commissioners Park, Dominion Arboretum, and many more.

Explore Canada's Capital at your own pace.

3. Explore Canada's Capital at your own pace.

Explore our main historical and national sites on two wheels: Rideau Canal, Rivers: Rideau, Ottawa and Gatineau Lakes: Dow's and Pinks Museums: National Gallery, History, Nature, War Waterfalls: Rideau, Hog's Back, Chaudière Locales: Glebe, Rockcliffe, Westboro Cafes/restaurants: just ask Enjoy our new Giant bicycles, available in various models and sizes, according to your needs. We select and adjust each bicycle according to your size and planned route. Helmet, lock and route assistance are provided. Starting on the Rideau Canal pathway , you have a wonderfull self-guided choice of 200km of traffic free routes to choose from. We take time to offer advice and instructions for both directions and safe cycling.

Ottawa/Gatineau: Biking Experience through Canada's Capitol

4. Ottawa/Gatineau: Biking Experience through Canada's Capitol

Canada's Capital is famous for the recreatinal pathway system linking our two ciies and two provinces. We access the pathway directly from our downtown bike path site starting on the World Heritage Rideau Canal, proceeding south to Dow's Lake, Hartwell Lockstation, Rideau Falls, the Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa River and Chaudière Falls. Commentary on our history, culture and society. And even a little gossip from our professional guides. We finish the experience back on the Rideau Canal downtown. Our new Giant bikes are light and efficient. Slower participants can use electric assist models if necessary at 20$ additional fee. If e-bikes are required, please inform us in advance. The pace is easy.

Other Sightseeing Options in Rideau Canal

Want to discover all there is to do in Rideau Canal? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Rideau Canal

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 222 reviews

Super informative, and fun? The guide was humorous and we felt as though we could have gone for another half hour, honestly! There was a lot going on in the city with Winterlude and the bed making charity event — there was a lot to see and the trolley is quite insulated so it wasn’t cold at all! We definitely recommend going while traffic is still light!

We were able to “hop on” part way through the route which meant less walking to start location. Guide and driver were friendly and helpful. Information was interesting. Bus seats were a little uncomfortable. The cost was well worth it.

Amazing tour. Very informative. Good to have it if your are going to a short trip to Ottawa as it it icludes the main places around the city.

It was a very enjoyable, informative tour, I enjoyed every minute of it, learning a lot about the history of Ottawa, and how it is today

Was just amazing the driver and the guide was so professional and entertaining . Thank you