Historical Buildings Walking Tour, Ottawa

Historical Buildings Walking Tour (Self Guided), Ottawa

The architecture of Ottawa – formalistic and functional, for the most part – is marked by the city's role as the national capital of Canada. As such, it represents a mix of styles, varying considerably based on the era of construction of any particular object, and reflects the nation's heritage and political significance.

Centermost among these structures is the Parliament Building's Gothic Revival complex, designed to represent the federal authority.

The Peace Tower, a prominent feature on Parliament Hill, stands as a symbol of peace and remembrance. It houses the Memorial Chamber, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country. Nearby, the Office of the Prime Minister Building is where the nation's leader conducts crucial governmental affairs.

The Scottish Ontario Chambers, Central Chambers, and Bell Block are remarkable examples of Victorian-era architecture. These buildings showcase ornate details and historic charm, providing a glimpse into Ottawa's 19th-century ambiance.

A jewel along the Rideau Canal, the Fairmont Château Laurier epitomizes grandeur and opulence. This iconic hotel is an architectural marvel, hosting dignitaries and visitors alike in a luxurious setting.

The Connaught Building, a fine piece of Tudor Gothic, is a testament to Canada's commitment to public service. It has been home to various government departments over the years.

The Former Geological Survey of Canada Building and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica also add to Ottawa's architectural diversity. The former, with its neoclassical design, showcases Canada's scientific endeavors, while the latter, a stunning Gothic Revival cathedral, is a spiritual and artistic masterpiece.

As the living witnesses of Canada's past, these landmarks serve as tangible links to its political processes and cultural heritage. To truly appreciate Ottawa's historical buildings in their variety, consider embarking on this self-guided tour and explore them at your own pace.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and D. Gordon E. Robertson.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Ottawa

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Guide Location: Canada » Ottawa (See other walking tours in Ottawa)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Ottawa?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Ottawa Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Ottawa?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Ottawa, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Ottawa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Ottawa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Ottawa's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The city of Ottawa has a number of notable religious sites fit to spark interest in both ardent believers and those keen on ecclesiastical architecture. With most of the churches located in the downtown area or nearby, one can visit these locations without trouble.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a splendid Gothic Revival masterpiece, is a centerpiece of Ottawa's spiritual landscape.... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Statues and Sculptures Walk

As a cultural city, Ottawa abounds in monuments and statues of various sorts. In fact, there are so many of them that the locals, accustomed to their presence, jokingly claim they hardly notice them at all. Still, these artistic creations serve as visual storytellers, sharing tales of courage, peacekeeping, and commemoration.

The Maman Statue, a prominent sculpture located outside the National... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Ottawa Introduction Walking Tour

Perched on the banks of the Ottawa River, the Canadian capital has story that began long before Parliament’s iconic Gothic towers pierced the skyline. For thousands of years, this land was home to the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, whose traditional territory stretched along the river’s length. The word “Ottawa” itself comes from adawe, meaning “to trade,” a nod to the waterway’s... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles