Educational tour of Ottawa - sample itinerary

MORNING

Educational sightseeing tours and city discovery

Start the day with a guided city tour, a convenient and engaging way for student groups to experience Ottawa’s top attractions. Climb aboard Lady Dive’s Amphibus (a bus that transforms into a boat) or Grey Line’s double-decker bus, which offers a classic city tour or a Hop-on Hop-off experience.

AFTERNOON

Museums, authentic cultural experiences and adventure

Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, making it a perfect destination for educational travel. Begin your afternoon at the Canadian Museum of History, Canada’s most visited museum and the largest exhibition about Canadian history. Located in Gatineau, Quebec, directly across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the museum is home to the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and highlights the achievements of Indigenous Peoples in the First Peoples Hall.

Next, visit Mādahòkì Farm, an Indigenous-owned and operated farm dedicated to sharing cultural traditions. The Farm is a unique educational opportunity for students to engage with Indigenous culture, meet rare Ojibwe Spirit Horses and gain a deeper understanding of Canada’s diverse Indigenous heritage.

Located just 15 minutes away from downtown Ottawa, Mādahòkì Farm brings immersive year-round Indigenous experiences and events and is also home to a Indigenous Marketplace featuring over 75 artisans and Indigenous owned businesses.

Check out the student group programming to learn more about activities, menus and prices.

MORNING

Active exploration and educational visit to Parliament Hill

Start the day on a cycling tour through Ottawa’s extensive, safe and beginner-friendly network of cycling paths. Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals and RentABike offer student-friendly experiences that combine fun, learning, and exploration. Students will ride along scenic waterways, vibrant parks, local neighbourhoods, and national historic sites while learning about the city’s history and culture.

Afterward, make your way to the heart of the city, because no educational tour of Ottawa is complete without a stop at Parliament Hill.

While the Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament buildings undergo a major rehabilitation project, students can still tour the House of Commons, inside the West Block of Parliament; and the Senate,

relocated a short walk away in the former historic train station.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience, a multimedia attraction that brings Canada’s parliamentary history to life through 360-degree audiovisual projections and immersive effects, it’s also a great way for students to learn more about Canadian democracy.

For all the Parliament experiences, tours are free and groups book online. It is recommended to arrive earlier for registration and screening.

AFTERNOON

ByWard Market and outdoor learning

Time for lunch! Head to The Grand Pizzeria & Bar to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in the historic ByWard Market, one of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The market is also a top spot for gifts and souvenirs. From locally made clothing and jewelry to Indigenous-crafted keepsakes, students will find plenty of unique mementos to take home.

Next, spend the afternoon at the Canadian Museum of Nature, located in the Centretown neighbourhood, a bustling spot with plenty of food options, arts and culture and shopping.

Inside the museum, the Fossil Gallery takes students millions of years back in time with more than 30 complete skeletons, hundreds of fossils and a walk-through forest featuring seven life-sized dinosaur models.

With eight permanent galleries covering everything from dinosaurs, Arctic ecosystems, birds, mammals and live insects to the origins of Earth and the wonders of the oceans, the museum offers endless opportunities for discovery. Students will gain valuable insights into Canadian wildlife, natural resources, Indigenous Peoples’ connections to the land, and the importance of environmental sustainability.

School groups can choose from both guided tours and self-guided visits.

Then, experience Ottawa from the water with Ottawa Boat Cruise.

Aboard North America’s largest electric passenger vessel, the Rideau Canal Tour offers students a unique opportunity to explore this historic waterway while learning about its landmarks and significance. The Ottawa River Tour showcases some of the region’s most spectacular scenery, including the impressive Rideau Falls.

MORNING

Whitewater adventures for students

Canada’s National Capital Region is known as one of the world’s top destinations for whitewater adventure. Wilderness Tours’ Ottawa City Rafting experience provides an exciting way to explore the Ottawa River while taking in spectacular scenery. This whitewater excursion starts just 10 minutes’ drive west of downtown Ottawa at Britannia Beach.

For more water adventure, Owl Rafting offers a variety of experiences designed for every comfort level, from authentic Canadian paddling and guided canoe trips to adventure rafting and more.

AFTERNOON

Learning beyond the classroom: wildlife encounters and museums

What better way to learn about Canadian wildlife than through real-life encounters? Located less than an hour from downtown Ottawa and open year-round, Parc Oméga takes visitors on a 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) self-drive safari through diverse natural habitats.

Students can observe elk, bison, wolves, bears and many other species while learning about conservation and biodiversity. The park also features walking trails, including the popular Trout Lake Trail, and unique experiences such as ONIRO, an immersive nighttime journey that tells the story of Oniro, the wolf cub, and explores what animals dream of through captivating projections, storytelling, and scenery.

Upon your return, make a stop at the National Gallery of Canada. Featuring striking architecture and an expansive collection, ranging from Indigenous and Canadian art to renowned European and Contemporary works, the gallery inspires students to explore creative expression and interpret art through their personal experiences.

In the Colours of Canada: A Gallery Tour and Watercolour Experience students won’t just tour the gallery, they will also participate in a hands-on workshop, learn a new technique, and create a watercolour postcard to take home as a keepsake.