A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa’s Hidden History

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.

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.

Enter the serene Jeanne d’Arc Courtyard, where you’ll hear about the religious and spatial divisions that shaped Bytown’s early community.

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.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

• A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa’s Hidden History
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• Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
• The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
• Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
• Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

• Smartphone and headphones

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VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You’ve been sent an eight character code you’ll need to redeem your tour. 

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you’ve booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Once you’ve received your code, please follow these steps:
2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
3. Create an account
4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
5. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by VoiceMap Audio Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Toronto.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 3 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.