Adventure Brief
Discover Ottawa from two angles: a scenic river cruise aboard the Paula D and a rich two-day city tour on a double-decker bus, blending nature and history in Canada’s capital.
2 days
easy
From CA$102.21
Family Friendly
Discover Ottawa from two angles: a scenic river cruise aboard the Paula D and a rich two-day city tour on a double-decker bus, blending nature and history in Canada’s capital.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels as both tours involve minimal physical effort and easy boarding.
Wildlife
History
Ottawa became Canada's capital in 1857, chosen for its strategic location along the Ottawa River.
Conservation
Tour operators promote low-impact practices to keep the river and urban environments clean, encouraging visitors to minimize waste and respect wildlife habitats.
Ottawa Tours
Discover Ottawa from two angles: a scenic river cruise aboard the Paula D and a rich two-day city tour on a double-decker bus, blending nature and history in Canada’s capital.
Ottawa Tours, based in Ottawa, Ontario, specializes in guided boat and bus sightseeing experiences across Canada’s capital. The company offers a diverse lineup of tours and combo packages, including the Tulip Festival Canal Cruise — a 45-minute boat tour from Dows Lake that explores the history of the Rideau Canal and the Tulip Festival — and the Ottawa River Tour, a scenic 1.5-hour cruise departing from multiple river docks.
Bus offerings include multilingual guided options such as the Round Trip Tour and hop-on, hop-off passes like the One Day Pass and Two Day Pass on double-decker buses. Combo packages pair river or canal cruises with Grayline city tours for one- or two-day sightseeing flexibility. The Rideau Canal cruises operate aboard North America’s largest electric vessel, and several experiences highlight bilingual or multilingual narration for English and French speakers.
The Amphibus tour delivers a unique land-and-water route showcasing over 75 historic sites with bilingual commentary. Combo offerings that include the Paula D river cruise provide upper-deck seating and scenic views along the Ottawa River. Departures and durations vary by product, from short 45-minute cruises to guided tours spanning multiple days.
Ottawa Tours cites clear schedules, multiple departure points, and documented tour formats — boat, bus, amphibious, and combo — that make planning straightforward. With bilingual narration, electric-vessel cruising, and established Grayline city tour integrations, Ottawa Tours provides verifiable sightseeing options for visitors seeking curated views of Ottawa and Gatineau. Booking details, schedules, and departure locations are available through official tour listings and ticket providers online.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Tours operate across the capital
Tours Offered
10 experiences
Boat, bus and combo tours
Durations
45 min to 2 days
Short and multi-day options
Languages
English & French
Bilingual narration on many tours
Reserve seats on canal cruises, river tours, Amphibus rides, or hop-on, hop-off Grayline passes.
Bring a light jacket
Even in summer, river breezes can be cool on the Paula D’s upper deck.
Book tours early
Reserve your cruise and bus seats in advance to guarantee availability during peak season.
Arrive early for best seating
Get to the dock ahead of departure time to secure upper deck spots with unobstructed views.
Pack binoculars
Enhance wildlife spotting along the Ottawa River, where herons and ducks are common.
Comfortable walking shoes
For walking during the Grayline city tour and moving on and off the boat easily.
Camera or smartphone
To capture panoramic views and vibrant cityscapes from both boat and bus.
Water-resistant jacket
Helpful during spring showers when weather can be unpredictable.
spring
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Protect your eyes and skin during daytime tours in sunny weather.
summer