Hi everyone. My name is Craig and I am a high school history & politics teacher, part time professor at the Faculty of Education at Ottawa and the owner and creator of Ottawa Walking Tours all the way back in 2006! I created the company because I have lived and travelled all over the world and I ALWAYS take walking tours as it is the best way to learn and discover more about the city or region you are visiting. When I returned home to Canada, I thought "I could do that in Ottawa!" and rest as they say is history! Our guides are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to show you around our beautiful and amazing city. I hope. you book a tour as we cannot wait to meet you!
Canada’s bilingual capital is best explored on foot!
Ottawa is an amazing city with so many historic landmarks and hidden gems, but for me history has very little to do with dates. History is about people!
Our tours tell the stories about these important people and their impact on Ottawa and Canadian history.
Your professional, knowledgeable guide will lead you on a surely walk around Ottawa’s most famous monuments and locations that explain the city’s colourful history, its larger-than-life political characters and its graceful architecture.
During the tour you will explore the grounds of Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Sparks Street and Sussex Drive, Major's Hill Park, The Chateau Laurier, The UNESCO Rideau Canal, The Prime Minister's Offices, The By Ward Market and many other areas of interest within Ottawa ’s downtown core.
This tour is the perfect opportunity to learn about Ottawa’s past, present and future with an entertaining and educational experience.
We really hope you will register and join us as we show you our amazing city and all it offers visitors and locals alike!
And of course, we are happy to make recommendations on what local activities to try, places to visit, things to see and do, pubs and restaurants to discover and the hidden gems most tourists miss while in town.
Your Guru Walks guide will meet you at the "Bear Catching Fish" statue, located at 89 Sparks Street, corner of Sparks & Metcalfe Streets, 1 block south of Parliament Hill and directly across the street from the Bridgehead Coffee Shop where you can use the bathrooms! Your guide will be there holding a red umbrella. Please check in with your guide before the tour begins.
Tour Starting/Meeting Point Bear Catching Fish statue Grab a pre-tour coffee or cold drink at the Bridgehead Coffee across the street and then join the tour!
Be impressed by the incredible Memorial that honours Canada's fallen soldiers
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).