Don’t Miss Paul’s Boat

Just when you think you’€™ve seen it all and done it all in the capital, Paul’€™s Boat Lines can give you a whole new’€”and cool’€”perspective on the city with a boat tour of the Ottawa River.
Half the fun is getting down to the dock, which requires a short walk along Rideau Canal. If it’€™s the weekend, you’€™re sure to see the locks in action, and if you have time, you can even pop into the Bytown Museum on the way.

Once at the dock, it’€™s time for boarding. There are two levels to the boat’€”a shaded upper level that enjoys a lovely river breeze, and an enclosed downstairs with booths. Upstairs, you’€™ll be treated to great views, funny and informative trivia from the guide and the opportunity to have a king-of-the-world moment at the front of the ship. We’€™ve never seen the Parliament Buildings look so beautiful before, and we got closer than we’€™ve ever been to 24 Sussex. Meanwhile, our kids were enthralled at the close-up stop we made at Rideau Falls.

Downstairs is perfect for kids who want to break for a card game or a snack’€”there’€™s a small tuck shop on board, and we’€™ve been told that chips and lemonade taste much better when you’€™re at sea. At an hour and a half, it’€™s the perfect length for a different kind of downtown outing’€”and we were sad when it was time to turn the boat around.

Good to Know: Tickets for Paul’€™s Boat Lines can be purchased at the kiosk downtown, on the south side of Rideau Street, where it meets Elgin. Unless it’€™s a holiday weekend, you can just drop by the kiosk to get same-day tickets. Tours leave at 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm and 7:30 pm.

We’€™re just enjoying another sunny day in our nation’€™s capital. Here are a few more ways you can too with these 11 Reasons to Love Ottawa in the summer.

Tested by Lynn J., Ottawa