Tours

This tour will bring cyclists west along the south shores of the Ottawa River. Participants will be treated to incredible views of the Ottawa and Gatineau skylines on their way to the newly re-habilitated Westboro Beach Pavillion. Other stops and sites on the tour will include Parliament Hill, LeBreton Flats, the William Commanda Bridge and Lemieux Island, Bate Island, pop-up activations, commemorative sites and a discussion on the future plans for federal parkland along the River. 

Most of the route will be on dedicated cycle tracks or protected on-street lanes. Portions of the tour will encounter moderate slopes. 18.2km of cycling.  

This tour will take cyclists  on a looped route south along the Rideau Canal and returning to downtown along the Capital Pathway network. Points of interest along the route include newly developed pedestrian bridges that traverse the heritage Canal, Lansdowne Park, the floral display gardens of Commissioner’s Park, Dow’s Lake, the site of the new Ottawa Civic Hospital, the Trillium LRT line, LeBreton Flats, and the under-construction Central Library Adisoke.

Most of the route will be on dedicated cycle tracks or protected on-street lanes.  12.6km of cycling. 

Participants will be able to experience the ease of connecting from downtown to the LeBreton Flats, one of Canada's most exciting redevelopment projects, and Zibi, a 34 acre waterfront urban renewal site with a focus on sustainability. Other points of interest along the walking route include several commemorative monuments and spaces (completed and in-construction), and the network parks and active transportation routes that connect them all. 

3km of walking. 

This tour will showcase how Ottawa’s new light-rail Confederation Line allows commuters to access the City’s riverfront from the downtown core. Departing on foot from Lebreton Flats, one of Canada's most exciting redevelopment projects participants of this tour will be able to see the progress made to-date while guides articulate the vision for the future. The tour will also explore public art, the well-used Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway, the Ottawa River, Lemieux Island and the newly opened Chief William Commanda pedestrian bridge. 3.3km of walking. 

Discover the hidden gems of Ottawa's east end on this guided bus tour along the scenic Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway. Destinations along this route include Rideau Hall and lush garden behind the Governor General's residence, the Aga Khan Garden at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the NCC's River House - a picturesque retreat with breathtaking views - and Wateridge Village, a vibrant new community built on the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Rockcliffe lands that showcases sustainable urban design and a rich Indigenous heritage. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Ottawa's east end like never before! 

Hop on a party bike and experience the historic Hintonburg neighbourhood. We'll make our way on foot and by LRT from the Shaw Center to the Braumeister Bierhalle where the Thirsty Pedaler tour begins. From there, you'll pedal your way to three local stops for a taste of what Hintonburg has to offer. 

This tour will culminate with an exploration of the newly re-imagined Kiweki Point (formerly Nepean Point). The tour will guide participants through Majors’s Hill Park and across the new Pidaban pedestrian bridge, which re-establishes a historical connection to Kiweki Point. Along the way participants will enjoy discussions about reconciliation, urban park design and management, pop-up activations, and public art while being treated to the most astonishing views in the Capital region.                          

2.9km of walking. 

This leisurely tour will take cyclists along the Rideau Canal and return through some of Ottawa’s historic downtown neighbourhoods. Points of interest along the route include floral display gardens and newly developed pedestrian bridges that traverse the heritage Canal. The now 10-year-old public realm of redeveloped Lansdowne Park will be explored and project leaders will be on hand to discuss the next exciting chapter of redevelopment coined “Lansdowne 2.0”.

Most of the route will be on dedicated cycle tracks or protected on-street lanes. 9.1km of cycling. 

Join us for an exciting urban adventure via Ottawa's LRT to explore the Hintonburg Pumphouse. This historic waterworks facility is in the process of being transformed into a vibrant community space with enhanced public amenities. Along with the preservation of its existing ruins and plans for shoreline restoration, the site blends Ottawa's industrial heritage with modern sustainability. Learn about the site's fascinating past and the vision for its future as a cultural and recreational hub. Enjoy scenic views of the Ottawa River and evolving urban landscapes to and from the site!       

Experience Ottawa from a fresh perspective on this exciting boat tour, departing from the historic Rideau Canal locks. Glide past Parliament Hill and many other scenic landmarks en route to the NCC's River House - a stunning waterfront revitalization project with breathtaking views towards the river and Gatineau Hills. 

Join Conservation Landscape Architect John Zvonar to reflect on the current state of the National Gallery of Canada’s landscape designed by Cornelia Oberlander. Mrs. Oberlander created spaces that seamlessly integrated nature with urban life, in particular, the Taiga Garden, symbolizing one of Canada’s diverse ecosystems. This tour allows us to appreciate her work more deeply and will emphasize the importance of respecting original design intent and maintaining good public places. By remembering the recent past, we will ensure that other sites, like the Peacekeeping Monument and the former Ottawa City Hall, are maintained with the care that they deserve.

2km of walking

A Saturday morning social meet-up to greet the day! Join local landscape architect Kelly Wojnarski for a short sight-seeing stroll through the Byward Market while grabbing a favourite hot beverage / snack and connecting with other conference participants. The walk will depart from the Rogers Centre, meander through the Market and surrounding area, and return to the conference prior to the day’s programming. Allow 60 minutes with approximately 1.5km of walking. 

Designed for enthusiasts of Nationally significant landscapes, those joining this tour will be able to experience the broad context of Parliament Hill as well as the more intimate spaces around it and it’s connection to the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal. Other topics of discussion will include restoration and management of the shoreline and the escarpment, public art and commemorations. Participants are promised spectacular views of the Capital region.

Stairs and moderate sloped routes will be encountered on this tour. 2.6km of walking.

Cyclists will experience an introduction to many capital sites and urban renewal projects along the commemorative Confederation Boulevard, that connects Ottawa and Gatineau. Notable sites and stops along the route include Major’s Hill Park, the National Gallery, Kiweki Point, the Alexandra Bridge, Canadian Museum of History, waterfront urban renewal projects Zibi and LeBreton Flats, Parliament Hill and several national commemorative monuments.    

Most of the route will be on dedicated cycle tracks or protected on-street lanes. 8.9km of cycling. 

Discover the transformation of Rideau Street, one of Ottawa's most well-known arteries, on this compressed walking tour. Stoll along the newly revitalized bike lanes, designed for safer and more sustainable urban transportation. Then, visit the Rideau LRT Station, where cutting-edge transit meets evocative public art installations that reflect the city's cultural vibrancy. Along the way, learn about the vision for a more pedestrian-friendly, connected downtown.

A short but insightful walk through one of Ottawa's busiest and more dynamic corridors! 1km of walking.

Join us on a compressed guided walk to Confederation Park, one of Ottawa's oldest and most beloved green spaces. Crossing historic bridges which span the historic Rideau Canal, the tour will arrive at the park and explore strategies for sustaining urban parks, ensuring resilience amid heavy use and major events. Learn about balancing the management of tree health, soil protection and climate adaptation with initiatives for reanimation and reactivation of public space in the form of public art and pop-up installations.

A compact yet fascinating tour blending history, sustainability, and urban design in the heart of Ottawa! 2km of walking.