Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your tour at Major's Hill Park, where you'll pay tribute to Colonel John By, the visionary behind the Rideau Canal, at his statue overlooking the Ottawa River.
Pass by the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of 19th-century engineering connecting Ottawa to Lake Ontario.
Explore Major's Hill Park, a scenic green space offering panoramic views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.
Walk down York Street, passing by the York Steps, which played a significant role in the early development of Bytown.
Pass by the York Street Millennium Fountain, a modern landmark symbolizing Ottawa's ongoing evolution and progress.
Discover the historic ByWard Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, bustling with vendors, restaurants, and artisans.
Learn about Rochon House, a historic building with ties to Ottawa's early lumber industry and cultural heritage.
Discover the legacy of Élisabeth Bruyère, who founded Ottawa's first hospital to serve the community's healthcare needs.
Pass by LaSalle Academy, a historic educational institution contributing to Ottawa's intellectual and cultural landscape since its establishment.
End your tour at Sussex Drive, where you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and a testament to Ottawa's rich religious heritage.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
Reviews(9)
Interesting information and easy navigation. I found it to be a fun way to explore the area and learn something new.
Excellent information well presented and rated 5/5 BUT the software to find the tour was difficult because I was never sent the “code” and had to find another way to open the tour. Also we had to move the program from site to site because it did not identify by GPS when we reached the next location.
Hardest part was finding the exact starting point in the park. Had to watch the distance readout to find it. Then easy as can be.
The app is not intuitive and it would not start. Waste of money and a source of frustration-disappointing. .
Hi there, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your experience. When you were having technical difficulties, did you contact VoiceMap support via email or telephone? We are contactable by both telephone and email, so if you have technical difficulties, please reach out to us so we can identify what is going wrong. We can troubleshoot the issue and process a refund if you email us your details at support@voicemap.me. I'm sorry for your frustrating experience. Best, Helene
Very easy app to operate and the information well timed to allow for personal inspection of each sight. Back up help was available and efficient
You download an app that provides a go-at-your-own -pace narration of an easy 3 km pedestrian tour of historic downtown Ottawa. Pay attention to the switchback at St. Patrick Street, otherwise it's pretty foolproof. You can even click on individual sites if you want to change the order (i.e. screw up the directions). The narrator is obviously knowledgeable and has a pleasant voice. Even if you are a native, you will probably learn something.
Amazing experience! Learned so much about the city’s history. Easy to access through the app. The route is easy to follow and the app is accurate when you reach each point. Wonderful views along the way. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an easy and interesting way to see Ottawa!
A great introduction to the history of Canada's capital, starting off in the heart of the city with an impressive view of the Parliament buildings over the Ottawa River, then exploring the ByWard Market and other areas of interest in old Ottawa. Informative and clearly narrated. Recommended.
This is a great experience. It tells a story of Ottawa that you don’t find at other tourist attractions. Before it became the capital, Ottawa was a dangerous and dirty place. This is a side of the city that is a huge contrast with the government town of today. The narration is excellent, and you go at your own pace. Well worth it!
