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Ottawa Highlights Bike Tour- 3.5 hours

Explore Ottawa’s major attractions, must-see spots, and hidden gems. 
Immerse into the city’s history, local life & culture beyond the downtown core in this small-group guided tour.
This tour is an easy-to-moderate ride on the safe, waterfront pathways at a relaxed pace. 

Ottawa tour by bike departure time by Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks St.
Thu-Sun at 9:30 am/10:00 am (Sep & Oct)
Ottawa tour by bike duration by Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks St.
3.5 hours
The distance that is covered during Ottawa tour by bike by Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks St.
20-24 Kms (14 Miles) on bike paths
Easy to medrate Ottawa tour by bike by Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks st.
Easy to Moderate
Ottawa bike tour is a small group of 2-10 participants at Escape Tours and Rentals

4-10 participants


Adult:

$85 CAD (approx. $62 USD/ 57€)

Child (7-12 years old):

$72

Family or group of 4:

$74.75 per person/ $299 for a group of 4

Ebike add on:

$30

Taxes & fees

13% tax & 3% booking fee

Includes

Bicycle, helmet, a guide, & snack

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Free Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance Free Cancellation Up To 24 Hours In Advance
“My husband and I took the Ottawa Highlights tour and we were impressed with the tour because we covered so much ground and saw so much of Ottawa. Brian was knowledgeable and very attentive to both safety and information about Ottawa. Maria, the owner responds quickly to either emails or phone calls. This tour is a must when visiting Ottawa and was a highlight of our trip!”
Canuk- 2020-  5-star review on Tripadvisor
  • Overview

    Visit the best of the Ottawa highlights including major attractions, must-see spots, and hidden gems in this small-group tour. 

    Get a taste of the beautiful bike paths and quiet neighbourhood streets while your local guide gives you a rich experience of Ottawa’s history, local life, and culture. 

    This is your tour to discover more of Ottawa beyond the downtown core and dive deeper into culture and history than the Ottawa Express tour. 

    The Ottawa bike route is flat, relatively easy, with only a few inclines easily managed when riding multi-geared bikes.

    You will bike on one of our comfortable, top-quality bikes, or you can opt for an electric bike and set off on your journey to discover beautiful Ottawa.

  • Itinerary

    Starting at the Escape Tours and Rentals shop (65 Sparks Street), complete your safety briefing and bike and helmet fitting. 

    Bicycling along the canal pathway, you will hear the history of the Rideau Canal(a UNESCO World Heritage site), followed by a short detour to the Glebe (one of Ottawa’s most charming neighbourhoods), and then a brief ride through  Lansdowne Park.

    Cycling alongside the Rideau Canal, you will see the Arboretum(a magnificent garden of trees and shrubs) and then Dow’s Lake (an interesting human-made lake on the canal). 

    Tour through the trendy neighbourhood of Little Italy to see interesting local eateries, shops, and street art.

    Heading back alongside the beautiful Ottawa River bike path, you will enjoy the view at Chaudière Falls and hear your storyteller guide’s fascinating historical and cultural facts.

    Pass by the War Museum and cross into the province of Quebec to enjoy another spectacular downtown view from the Museum of History terrace.

    Cross back into Ontario from Gatineau, Quebec, through the scenic Alexandria Bridge, and you will see the National Gallery of Canada and Maman, the famous spider. 

    Travel on to Rideau Hall, a national historic site and home to the Governor-General. 

    Cycle to Rideau Falls, the two urban waterfalls that feed into the Ottawa River. 

    Reach the famous Byward Market, one of the oldest outdoor farmer’s markets in Canada and the location of many specialty food merchants.

    See Parliament Hill, undoubtedly one of the most symbolic buildings of our nation, and an impressive structure to see in real life! 

    End your tour with a ride back to the Escape Tours & Rentals shop. There you can ask your guide more questions or enjoy a cup of coffee/tea or a light meal at our bike cafe.

    You can make this tour an electric bike tour of Ottawa. Just select the e-bike as an add-on at the check-out!

  • Highlights

    Experience top Ottawa highlights, including major attractions, must-see points of interest, and the hidden gems of our great city.

    • Rideau Canal
    • Love Lock Bridge
    • Rideau Canal Locks
    • The Glebe neighbourhood
    • Lansdowne Park
    • Arboretum
    • Dow’s Lake
    • Little Italy
    • Ottawa River
    • Museum of War
    • Chaudiere Falls
    • Province of Quebec
    • Museum of History
    • Rideau Hall
    • Rideau Falls
    • New Edinburgh Neighbourhood
    • National Gallery of Canada
    • The Byward Market
    • Major’s Hill Park
  • Important Info

    For your bike and helmet fitting and safety review, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your tour start time!


    Your tour starts and ends at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals at 65 Sparks St.


    Parking: We highly recommend leaving your car at your hotel. Street parking in our neighbourhood is difficult and the meters/time restrictions can be confusing. But if you must drive, here are a few underground parking lots: National Art Centre Parkade (99 Elgin St.), World Exchange Plaza (Metcalfe and Albert entrance), City Hall (110 Laurier Ave W). 


    Flexible Booking – Book with confidence! For public tours, you will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice before your tour starts.

    No refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. 

    Bad weather? Don’t worry, If your reservation must be cancelled due to the bad weather, you will be fully refunded.

  • Video

    Watch this short video to get a flavour for the Ottawa highlights tour.
  • FAQs

    What is your cancellation policy?
    You will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice. There will be no refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. Please inquire about the private tour cancellation policy.


    Are there any hills?
    Ottawa is a flat city, so most of the ride will be on flat bike paths. There might be a few inclines that can be easily managed when riding our multi-geared quality bikes.


    What if it rains?
    Your ride will continue in light rain. We supply you with rain ponchos. 

    In case of heavy rain or storm forecast, your trip will be cancelled — the final call will be made two hours before the start time of your tour, and we’ll contact you by phone and email. 

    If your tour is cancelled due to the weather, you will be fully refunded or can choose to keep your credit for an alternative date or time.


    Is biking in Ottawa safe?  
    Ottawa is an extremely bike-friendly city. Almost all of your ride will be on Ottawa’s well-maintained cycle paths. In a few exceptions, we will be riding on backroads in neighbourhoods or crossing streets with traffic lights. As well, we start all our tours with a safety briefing and proper fitting for your bike and safety helmet.


    Can I bring my own bicycle?
    Yes. Please ensure that your bicycle is in good working condition and you have spare parts (e.g., proper tube size) in case. You will receive a $10 discount for bringing your own bicycle.


    Have more questions? Visit our detailed FAQs page or contact us!

  • Reviews

    “We read, “”Best way to experience Ottawa!”” This is so true! Nora, our guide, was so knowledgeable about the area and its history and was very gracious and personable! She provided an excellent experience for us and adjusted the tour to our riding speed; we were able to see a lot! We were so grateful to see Ottawa from several different vantage points including a view from Quebec. My daughter and I spent over a week traveling in Ontario and Quebec and this was one of our major highlights–don’t miss it! “

    Andrew P

    “Our half day cycle tour was with Richard who was an excellent guide! We couldn’t believe how far we travelled and how many ‘highlights’ we got to see in such a short time. It was a brilliant start to our few days in this beautiful city at just the right pace so we felt we had achieved something! We also had lots of stops to take photos, to rest awhile (we are not as fit as we used to be!) and listen to interesting facts about the city. Highly recommend this tour.”

    Julie H

    “My husband and I took the Ottawa highlights tour on a Saturday monring with Brian. We were impressed with the tour because we covered so much ground and saw so much of Ottawa. Brian was knowledgeable and very attentive to both safety and information about Ottawa. Maria, the owner, responds quickly to either emails or phone calls. She is very easy to deal with. She ensures that the bike and helmet fits properly and that the tour leaves on time. This tour is a must when visiting Ottawa and was a highlight of our trip. “

    Mary Wojas

    “I took the 3 hour Ottawa Highlights tour this weekend and it was a lot of fun. Maria promptly responded to all my questions beforehand so I was sure that I was signed up for the best tour for me. Richard, the tour guide, was friendly and very informative about all the sights. He also took some pictures for me when my camera died on me (thanks!) Ottawa has great bike lanes so I was very comfortable during the entire ride. Overall, I really enjoyed myself.”

    dwynwen
A team of experienced, local, fun and knowledgeable tour guides at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals lead Ottawa tours by bike
Who is my guide?
Map, address, email and phone number for Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks St. Ottawa
For more information

What our awesome customers say about the Ottawa Highlights Tour

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FAQ
What are the best tours in Ottawa?
The Ottawa highlights bike tour at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals is the perfect tour to visit the top attractions, must-see spots, local life and culture beyond the downtown core. Find out more information at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals.
Which experiences are best for bike tours in Ottawa?
The best tours in Ottawa are by bike on the extensive Ottawa bike path system. Visit the top historical sites, nature and neighbourhoods without the crowds and enjoy the great outdoors in the process. Find out about a variety of bike tours at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals.

Why choose us?

Comfortable high quality bike for Ottawa tours and rentals at Escape on Sparks St.

Diligently cleaned, comfortable, top-quality bikes

Small group Ottawa bike tours by Escape Tours Rentals on Sparks St.
Small-group tours
Quality customer service by Escape Bicycle Tours Rentals on Sparks St., Ottawa
Prompt, friendly and helpful customer service
Ottawa bike tours and rentals on safe and scenic bike trails by Escape Bicycle tours Rentals on Sparks St.
Meticulously crafted itinerary on safe and scenic paths
Local, fun, experienced and knowledgeable bike tour guides at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals on Sparks St., Ottawa
Friendly, fun & knowledgeable local guides
Escape offers local tips and insights on things to do in Ottawa for bike tours and rentals in Ottawa
Tours loaded with local insights, stories & tips
Multiple daily bike tour departures and rental all day long at Escape bicycle tours rentals on Sparks St. in Ottawa
Multiple daily departures
Flexible full refund for 24-hour cancellation notice at Escape bicycle tours rentals on Sparks St., Ottawa

Flexible cancellation policy for up to 24 hours in advance

Escape bike tours and rentals is a locally owned business on Sparks st., Ottawa

Locally owned & operated small business #shoplocal

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