Across the Ottawa River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Hull
Quebec, Canada
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Product ID: 6182
1 hour 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 1 more
Explore Hull’s intriguing back story on this self-guided audio tour across the river from downtown Ottawa. Once Canada’s crime capital known as ‘le petit Chicago’, Hull supplied liquor and late-night vices to Ottawa revelers while growing as a lumber town with a rocky, co-dependent relationship with Canada’s capital. Walk from the Canadian Museum of History along Ottawa River shores discovering Wright’s Town founded by settler Philemon Wright, learning about entrepreneur Ezra Butler Eddy who built his fortune making fire matches, and strolling Hull’s infamous ‘Strip’ where young people from Ottawa came to party. Hear about the catastrophic Great Fire of 1900, timber slides, lumber barons’ massive timber operations, meet Algonquin Chief Tessouat who ruled the Ottawa River in the 1600s, and enjoy spectacular views of Ottawa and Chaudiere Falls on this 75-minute circular tour that reveals Hull’s dramatic past and its significance to indigenous peoples, explorers, and lumber barons alike.
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Meeting point
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The tour begins close to the main entrance of the Canadian Museum of History, between the museum's two main buildings and close to the mid-point along the museum's semi-circular driveway. There is a parking garage under the museum, and it's just a five-minute drive from downtown Ottawa.
End point
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This tour ends at the intersection of Rue Élisabeth-Bruyère and Laurier Street near the Canadian Museum of History.
1
Canadian Museum of History
The tour starts outside the Canadian Museum of History, an architectural masterpiece located on a site that has ancient historical significance. As you walk through its grounds, you'll find out what the museum's design represents.
Duration:
2
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You’ll stop at the statue of Chief Tessouat and learn about the activities of the Algonquin people at this important part of the Ottawa River for thousands of years. As you proceed along the river, you’ll hear about the early European explorers who first came through here.
Duration:
3
Parliament Hill and Buildings
Though the walk is across the river, it offers some of the best views of Ottawa's most iconic buildings, including Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada. This is a great spot to take photos.
Duration:
4
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As you follow this footpath along the river, you’ll discover more about the birth of the timber trade when the river was a sea of floating logs en route to the sea. You’ll even walk along the route of an old timber slide.
Duration:
5
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You'll cross this historic steel truss bridge spanning the Ottawa River, offering spectacular views of the powerful Chaudiere Falls rushing beneath your feet. Experience the thundering sound of cascading water while walking between Ontario and Quebec on this vital link that has connected the two provinces since 1919.
Duration:
6
Chutes de la Chaudiere
We'll get a good look at the powerful Chaudiere Falls which played such a significant role in Hull's development. There'll be an option to go even closer to the falls if you're interested.
Duration:
7
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In old downtown Hull, we'll admire the Bank Hotel and learn about its role during the Prohibition era, serving liquor to people from 'dry' Ottawa. Note that this building is not currently open to the public.
Duration:
8
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This quiet street, now lined with restaurants and shops, was once party central for young people from Ottawa. Along the way, you’ll pass one of Hull’s former chateau-style mansions that became a luxury hotel in the 1930s.
Duration:
9
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On this street with its brutalist office towers, you’ll see the results of Hull’s redevelopment in the 1970s.
Duration:
10
Gatineau City Hall
Passing by Gatineau City Hall, you'll see another example of modern urban development that replaced the charming old streets and buildings of Hull in the late twentieth century. We won't go into City Hall itself.
Duration:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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