Outdoor Things to Do in Ottawa
Explore at your own pace with app-guided clues, puzzles, and hidden stories.
Explore Ottawa with Questo's self-guided walking tours. Follow app-guided clues past Parliament Hill, through the stalls of ByWard Market, and along the locks of the Rideau Canal. Canada's capital hides more stories than it lets on, discover them at your own pace, no booking needed.
Upcoming Events in Ottawa
Limited-time adventures, book before they're gone
How it works
All quests in Ottawa
Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Downtown, Ottawa
2 km | Avg. time: 90 min
4.27 (74 reviews)The Cardinal Disappearance: Shadows of Downtown Ottawa
6.2 km | Avg. time: 102 min
4.49 (141 reviews)Rockcliffe Riddle Ride: The Night You Don’t Remember
3.7 km | Avg. time: 71 min
4.48 (149 reviews)Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in ByWard Market, Ottawa
1.7 km | Avg. time: 90 min
5 (7 reviews)Ottawa: In the Eyes of a Street Artist
7.1 km | Avg. time: 67 min
4.36 (195 reviews)Kid Quest: Solve the case of the lost senses in Ottawa
2 km | Avg. time: 90 min
4.4 (5 reviews)
What people have to say about quests in Ottawa?
Based on 813+ Local Reviews
Juliana Rueda
Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Downtown, Ottawa
Katherine Elmer
Ottawa: In the Eyes of a Street Artist
TeenaPea
Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Downtown, Ottawa
Tessa Bartz
The Cardinal Disappearance: Shadows of Downtown Ottawa
HRG
Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Downtown, Ottawa
Wencel Fabian Santos Rodriguez
Rockcliffe Riddle Ride: The Night You Don’t Remember
Lilia M
Rockcliffe Riddle Ride: The Night You Don’t Remember
BrianM
The Oz Escape in Ottawa
pastorb50
The Oz Escape in Ottawa
hollimaze
The Oz Escape in Ottawa
Ways to explore Ottawa with Questo
One app, one type of quest — different ways to play it.
As a scavenger hunt
Solve clues and puzzles at real Ottawa landmarks. Race against the clock or take it at your own pace — and bring a group to compete for a spot on the leaderboard.
See all Ottawa scavenger huntsAs a self-guided walking tour
A GPS-guided walking route with stories along the way. Play on your own schedule, stop and resume anytime — and once you've downloaded a quest, it works fully offline.
See Ottawa walking toursCities nearby Ottawa
Find a city nearby to play with your family and friends.
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Frequently asked questions
How do self-guided walking tours in Ottawa work?
How many walking tours are available in Ottawa?
Do I need to book a walking tour in Ottawa in advance?
How can I explore Parliament Hill and the historic downtown in a fun way?
Play a Questo quest. You’ll follow clues through Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, and hidden lanes, uncovering Ottawa’s political and colonial history as you go.
We want to try something artsy and off the beaten path—any ideas?
Try “Ottawa: In the Eyes of a Street Artist”. You’ll wander through murals, public art spots, maybe hidden alleys, all while solving creative puzzles and seeing parts of Ottawa that most tourists skip.
I love mysteries—what quest should I take in Ottawa?
Go for “The Cardinal Disappearance: Shadows of Downtown Ottawa”. It’s full of intrigue—chasing clues, piecing together a story, exploring downtown at the same time. Perfect if you like detective vibes.
Visiting with kids—what keeps them excited?
“Little Detectives”—quests like “Solve the Case in Ottawa” are great. Kids get to follow clues, discover fun facts, move around—not just looking, but interacting. It makes walking tours way more fun for young ones.
Looking for a fun date idea in Ottawa—what could we do?
Try a quest like “Murder Mystery: Solve the Case in Ottawa” or “The Cardinal Disappearance.” Walking together, solving puzzles, discovering alleyways and plazas—it’s romantic and engaging.
Do we need to book ahead or go with a group?
Nope. Totally flexible. Download quest in the app, start when you want. You can do it solo, with friends, or as a couple—whatever works.
What about cost—are these quests expensive in Ottawa?
They cost just a few dollars per device or per group for many quests—way cheaper than hiring a private guide. And since you’re doing it on your own schedule, no extra fees for timing or group minimums.
Explore Ottawa with Questo's self-guided walking tours. Follow app-guided clues past Parliament Hill, through the stalls of ByWard Market, and along the locks of the Rideau Canal. Canada's capital hides more stories than it lets on, discover them at your own pace, no booking needed.
About Ottawa
From mystery games in Parliament Hill's surroundings to clue-filled adventures along the Rideau Canal and through the ByWard Market, each quest blends sightseeing with immersive storytelling. You will visit the National Gallery of Canada, Major's Hill Park, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and charming hidden gems like Confederation Park — all at your own pace, with no guide required.
Perfect for couples looking for a fun date, families with kids, groups of friends, or solo explorers, Questo turns "things to do in Ottawa" into live, interactive adventures. Start anytime, pause for a BeaverTail pastry or coffee, and experience Ottawa's history, culture, and stories in a way you will never forget.