Useful Information

• All tours and activities are free.
• Rideau Hall is fully accessible for persons with a disability; wheelchairs are available on-site.
• Water fountains, washroom facilities, public telephones, picnic tables and a play structure are also available on-site.
• Scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events.
• For more information, please contact Visitor Services by phone at 613-991-4422 or 1-866-842-4422; by fax at 613-993-1656; or by e-mail at guide@gg.ca.

How to Get to Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall is a 3.5-kilometre walk from Parliament Hill along scenic Sussex Drive, or a short bus ride (http://www.octranspo.com or call 613-741-4390 for information on bus schedules). Follow this sign:

Parking

• Cars: street parking is available in the surrounding neighbourhood.
• Buses: click on this link for information on the bus lay-by.

Start your visit at the Visitor and Interpretation Centre located near the Sussex Gate. Here you can learn about the role and responsibilities of the governor general, as well as the history of this public office, through interactive displays designed for visitors of all ages.

Browse through the Gift Shop for special Canadian souvenirs.

2010 schedule:

• May 15 to September 6: daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• September 7 to October 31: daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walk through Canada’s history at Rideau Hall,the historic residence and workplace of the governor general. Visit the ceremonial rooms where Canadians are honoured and dignitaries are welcomed. Come discover the DIASPORArt temporary exhibit.

Guided tours are free of charge. Each tour lasts 45 minutes.

2010 Schedule

• January to April: by reservation only
• May 1 to June 27: Saturdays and Sundays,
  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• June 28 to September 6: Daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• September 7 to October 31: Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. 

Tours are offered on statutory holidays from May to October.

At all other times during the year, please reserve your tour by calling us at 1-866-842-4422.

Virtual tour of Rideau Hall, presented by the National Capital Commission.

Rideau Hall is a working residence and official events may require unforeseen changes to your visit.

The historic Grounds of Rideau Hall recall dramatic stories of this country's past. Their evolution and their design reflect a distinctly Canadian environment.

Originally, the grounds were styled as an English country estate, with verdant lawns bordered with gardens and walking paths winding through the nearby forests. More than 10 000 trees provide summer shade and year-round charm. Discover the inuksuk and the totem pole, come admire the sweeping arc of roses in the Canadian Heritage Gardens, enjoy a picnic on the grounds or take in a cricket match—there's so much to do!

There are two ways to discover Rideau Hall's grounds:

• Take a guided tour with one of our guides
• Pick up a self-guided tour brochure at either entrance (the Thomas Gate off Sussex Drive, or the Mackay Gate, off Mackay Street), and explore the grounds at your leisure, following the interpretive panels along the paths.

Opening Hours of the Grounds

• From 8 a.m. until one hour before sunset

Guided Tour of the Grounds

• May to September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by reservation only. Please call 613-991-4422 or 1-866-842-4422

Rideau Hall is a working residence and official events may require unforeseen changes to your visit.

In this much-loved ceremony, sentries, led by a piper, march to their posts at Sussex Gate June 28 to August 27, on the hour, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Everyone is invited to savour the sounds of summer on the grounds of Rideau Hall during the Governor General’s Summer Concerts Series. In partnership with the International Chamber Music Festival, Rideau Hall is proud to present:

Saturday, July 24, at 1 p.m.

Songs and Tangos from the Americas with Gryphon Trio and Patricia O’Callaghan

Saturday, July 24, at 3 p.m.

The Band of the Ceremonial Guard

Sunday, July 25, at 1 p.m.

Afiara String Quartet

Sunday, July 25, at 3 p.m.

Time for Three

Rideau Hall is home to a magnificent collection of Canadian art and furniture—the Crown Collection. The residence also features artwork on loan from various Canadian museums and art galleries. Visitors will see, on display here, the works of renowned Canadian artists, such as Norval Morrisseau, William Kurelek, Jean Paul Lemieux and Jean-Paul Riopelle. Visitors will also discover a unique portrait gallery of former governors general, some of Canada’s best stained glass, and thought-provoking temporary exhibitions. Rideau Hall holds many surprises guaranteed to capture the eye of the art lover.

An important feature of the art tour, the current temporary exhibit, DIASPORArt, presents works by Canadian artists from culturally diverse communities. Click here to learn more about this exhibition.

Schedule

Available year-round, by reservation only. To enquire about reserving an art tour, please call 1-866-842-4422.

Rideau Hall is a working residence and official events may require unforeseen changes to your visit.

In the summertime, meet at the Visitor Centre to participate in family activities and enjoy the nearby play structure. In winter, families can come and enjoy Rideau Hall’s outdoor skating rink.

Follow the Tell-a-Tale Trail

This treasure hunt is designed to challenge young and old alike with a quest to find secret words along the trail. Fun and educational for the whole family! Ask for your brochure upon arrival.

Heraldry and National Symbols

Discover Canadian heraldic art from yesterday and today. Imagine yourself back in the days of knighthoods and create your own coats of arms with symbols from your family heritage or your hometown.

• July 1 to September 6, 2010: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

The skating rink at Rideau Hall was originally built in 1872 during the mandate of Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General. Along with his wife Lady Dufferin, who soon became a keen skater herself, Lord Dufferin organized many skating parties during his stay at Rideau Hall. Today you can step back in time and go for a skate on this historic rink.

Schedule

Open January 4 to March 14, 2010, weather permitting.

Reservations and Guidelines

To view these documents, you will need the free Acrobat Reader software.

Skating Rink Guidelines (PDF — 140 Kb)

Reservation Procedures (PDF — 132 Kb)

Skating Rink Reservation Request Form (PDF — 60 Kb)

For additional information about the skating rink and other programming at Rideau Hall, please call 1-866-842-4422.