Tour Times – Summer 2024

Must-see music festivals in any season

Live music events pop up around the city every season. Fan-favourite summer festivals include the Ottawa Bluesfest, which draws about 300,000 fans to experience 200 acts across two weeks and is ranked among the world’s top 10 outdoor music festivals, and Ottawa Jazz Festival, which takes over outdoor stages, theatres, restaurants and clubs.

Nostalgia Music Festival travels back in time to the 70s, 80s and 90s and highlights the greatest tribute bands in the world.

In September, groups and FIT can enjoy an eclectic lineup of performers at CityFolk. Festivalgoers will experience four days of musical performances across multiple indoor and outdoor stages at Lansdowne Park. From country to rock, alternative to hip hop, the event appeals to a variety of music lovers. This year’s lineup includes The Beaches, Greta Van Fleet, Milky Chance and more.

Did you know there are even special children’s activities and family performances?

Escape Bicycle introduces accessible cargo bike and kayak and stand-up paddleboarding at new location

Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals are now offering an accessible cargo bike. The electric bike is ideal for families with little ones, folks with mobility requirements wanting to explore the great outdoors, or those who simply don’t want to ride a bike.

The accessible bike includes a spacious cargo area, adjustable seating, and various safety features. It’s available for self-guided adventure and guided tours. Learn more about the bike.

The attraction is also offering kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at a new location. The rentals sit at the shores of the Ottawa River, just steps away from the National Capital Commission River House. Pro-paddlers and first timers won’t forget exploring the Ottawa River in this way any time soon.

Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals even offers double kayaks and bike rentals at the site so groups and FIT can explore the city’s dreamy waterfront pathways. Visit their website for more information on tours.

Earn exciting rewards with the latest Ottawa Visitor Inspiration Program (VIP)

The Travel Trade team at Ottawa Tourism has revamped the Ottawa Visitor Inspiration Program (Ottawa VIP)! The exclusive program is now points-based. Simply register your group for access to the Ottawa VIP experience and begin earning points. Every group and night you register throughout the year will earn you points, and you can redeem them for various rewards like coupons, personal trips to Ottawa, and Visit Ottawa Passes. You can use these passes yourself or your company can use them for future client tours, saving you money.

For more information about registration and how to earn and redeem points, visit the Ottawa Visitor Inspiration Program webpage.

Updated Changing of the Guard schedule

Here's the Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard by Her Excellency the Governor-General schedule.

Band Concerts on Parliament Hill are taking place every day at 10 a.m. for 30 minutes until Wednesday, August 21, weather permitting. The band typically marches along Elgin Street to Parliament Hill from the Cartier Square Drill Hall and back again.

Sentries at Rideau Hall features sentries mounted at the front door and gate of Rideau Hall on weekends and holiday Mondays only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Wednesday, August 7.

Saunders Farm offers group and FIT experiences all year long

Saunders Farm is an award-winning farm nestled in the Ottawa countryside that offers epic experiences in every season.

Summer Maze Days include a variety of summertime attractions such as mazes, ziplines, jumbo jumpers, and even a splash pad.

PumpkinFest embraces all things autumn with world-famous mazes, playgrounds, wagon rides, games and beyond. Checking out their CiderHouse is a must during the crisp fall season.

There’s also FrightFest which takes place from September to October each year. The farm is transformed by spooky spectacles, including the latest attraction, “Circus Macabre." The bone-chilling haunt immerses folks in twisted illusions and creepy characters. The fan-favorite Haunted Hayride — which takes participants on a spine-tingling tour around the Saunders grounds — has been recently renovated too.

Visiting during the most wonderful time of the year? Country Christmas Days is the chance for groups and FIT to dive into the spirit of the season with activity stations like Mrs. Claus Cookie Class, shopping, wintry play structures, and more jolly entertainment. It’s the perfect opportunity for a Christmas card photo opp too! There’s also Holiday Light Stroll, an immersive experience featuring twinkling lights, Santa and elf visits, and more festive fun.

School trips to the farm are also available from May to October (Wednesday to Friday), with packages for every group and occasion. Options include a field trip full of natured-based learning and entertainment, graduation retreats with team-building activities and celebrations, and traditional student tours for a full day of farm fun.

Of course, there are always plenty of seasonal food and drinks available each time you visit too.

24-hour tour bus parking permits now available by PayByPhone

You can now use PayByPhone for 24-hour tour bus parking permits. Simply use the location number 103000 for all paid on-street tour bus parking spaces. The option is available 24/7 and makes picking up a physical permit at City Hall during business hours no longer necessary.

The PayByPhone permit works just like traditional paper permits. They’re $30 (the same as the paper permits, but with a 25-cent service fee) and are valid for 24 hours at any paid on-street tour bus parking space.

The City of Ottawa has also created a new Tour Bus Parking Map.

For more information, visit the City of Ottawa’s “tour bus parking” webpage.

Camp Fortune is the ultimate year-round outdoor adventure spot

Camp Fortune is a four-season recreational resort located just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa in Gatineau Park — and they have recently introduced their Peak to Peak Ziplines! Whizz across Camp Fortune Valley and take in gorgeous views of Gatineau Park on three new ziplines (there's even a 50-foot free fall jump to conclude the course).

The outdoor adventure destination offers skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter, and in the spring, summer, and fall, groups and FIT can build their own adventure with options such as an aerial park, a new mountain coaster and of course, the ziplines.

The mountain pipe coaster uses gravity to zoom riders through the trees and the Aerial Park includes suspended walkways, bridges, and more for both adults and kids.

Virtual Coffee Break FAM

Visitors can immerse themselves in a farm within the city at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum! Discover Canada’s farming heritage and food legacy, meet some cute farm animals, and learn the surprising ways that food makes it from farm to plate.

Planning a new tour to Ottawa but can’t get here just yet? Explore Canada’s capital through our many virtual guided tours and FAMs.

You can also get in touch with the Travel Trade team here or explore the Travel Trade toolbox.

Like what you’re seeing? 👀 Spread the word to your fellow Travel Trade pros! They can subscribe to this quarterly newsletter by contacting Ottawa Tourism’s Travel Trade team.