Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water
Experience the thrills of Ottawa and Gatineau from both land and water on an amphibious vehicle tour of Canada’s capital city. Board an “amphibus” to see Ottawa’s picturesque sites, including Parliament Hill (Colline du Parlement), the National Gallery of Canada (Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), ByWard Market (Marché By) and Sparks Street's National War Memorial Monument (Monument commémorative de guere du Canada). To get a comprehensive feel for the area on your one-hour tour, your bilingual guide will share humorous anecdotes as you cross the streets of Ottawa and Gatineau and float atop the waters of Ottawa River. Please be at meeting point 10 minutes before departure time.
- Bilingual guide
- Amphibus tour
AI Review Summary
Opening overview:
The Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water is a lively, mostly positive amphibious sightseeing experience that many visitors call fun and memorable. Across 971 reviews about 74% are favorable — travelers especially like seeing Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, ByWard Market and the Ottawa River from an “amphibus” while enjoying bilingual commentary and lighthearted stories.
Highlights:
Reviewers most often praise the guides — their humor, storytelling and engaging delivery are repeatedly singled out as the tour’s strongest asset. Guests also enjoy the novelty of switching from streets to river, getting panoramic views of key landmarks, and a relaxed, entertaining one-hour format that’s family-friendly and easy to fit into a day in the capital.
Constructive critiques:
Roughly a quarter of comments raise concerns: some found guides spoke or moved too quickly or that the experience felt rushed, hot weather made the open sections uncomfortable, and a minority questioned the tour’s value for the price.
Overall recommendation:
A recommended pick for first-time visitors, families, or anyone who wants a light, entertaining introduction to Ottawa’s highlights — just plan around the heat and manage expectations if you’re after in-depth history.
AI travel tips:
- Try to book a morning or later-afternoon slot to avoid the hottest part of the day; the tour is one hour, so timing matters.
- Bring water, sunscreen and a hat, and arrive about 10 minutes early to get settled and pick a comfortable seat (shade helps on sunny days).
- If the guide talks quickly, don’t hesitate to ask them to repeat or slow down — most guides are happy to chat and answer questions.
Itinerary
- Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- National Gallery of Canada
- ByWard Market
- Parliament Hill and Buildings
- Major's Hill Park
- Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Gatineau Park
- National War Memorial
- Lady Dive Tours
- Gatineau City Hall
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Rating: 4.22 out of 5 based on 612 reviews
Popular keywords: excellente excursion, great, erlebnis
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
