REVIEW · OTTAWA
Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour – Night Trip From Ottawa
Book on Viator →Operated by Aventure Outaouais · Bookable on Viator
Spooky stories, comfy snacks, and real small-town stops. This Ottawa Valley haunted night trip brings you through historical villages with local storyteller Brandon, plus I like that it keeps moving for about 4 hours 30 minutes without feeling rushed. You also get apple pie and cider to steady your nerves.
I especially like the tour’s small-group feel. With a maximum of 14 travelers, you stay close to the action and get a more personal vibe during the storytelling, not a big noisy bus blur.
One key thing to consider: language can be a surprise. The tour is typically offered in English, but on select dates it’s French-only, so check the calendar before you book.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll notice fast
- How the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour runs (pickup, timing, and pace)
- A good way to think about the pace
- The stories: poltergeists, ghosts, witches, and the names you’ll remember
- Stop 1: Coronation Hall tea room and gift shop
- What to watch for
- Stop 2: Symmes Inn Museum (Musee de l’Auberge Symmes)
- A practical consideration
- Stop 3: Quyon and the feel of a small place after dark
- Keep your expectations realistic
- Stop 4: Plage Norway Bay (and the night air factor)
- A heads-up for comfort
- Apple pie and cider: the snack break that actually matters
- Price and value: what $63.48 buys you in the real world
- Language notes: English most days, French-only on specific dates
- How to handle this before you go
- Who should book this haunted night tour
- Should you book the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour from Ottawa?
- FAQ
- What time does the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Is pickup available from Ottawa and Gatineau?
- When will I know my pickup time?
- What ticket method do they use?
- How many stops are included?
- What snacks are included?
- Is the tour in English or French?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Can I change or refund my booking if I cancel?
Key highlights you’ll notice fast

- Local storyteller Brandon keeps the pace lively and easy to follow
- 6 stops across 4 historical villages, so you see more than just one town
- Apple pie and cider included, an underrated win on a cold night
- Pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau plus mobile ticket for an easy start
- Maximum 14 travelers for a more intimate tour feel
- Weather-dependent timing, since it’s designed for an outdoor night
How the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour runs (pickup, timing, and pace)
This is a night tour that starts at 6:00 pm and runs about 4 hours 30 minutes. It’s built for a real evening outing: you’ll ride out of Ottawa, stop at several places, and come back with your head full of eerie facts and legends.
The start is designed to be low-stress. You get pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau, and your exact pickup time usually lands within a 10-minute window about 45 minutes before departure. If you want to confirm your pickup location, you can message the operator with your accommodation address or a map screenshot.
You also get a mobile ticket, and there’s a meeting-point option that’s near public transportation. That matters if you’re not staying right next to where the pickup happens. On top of that, it’s capped at 14 travelers, so you’re not stuck shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers the whole time.
You can also read our reviews of more evening experiences in Ottawa
A good way to think about the pace
This tour is more “story stations” than “one long lecture.” The itinerary lists four named stops, but the tour experience includes 6 stops in total across 4 historical villages. Practically, that means you’ll get repeated moments to pause, hear a new story thread, and reset. It’s a nice rhythm for a night activity.
The stories: poltergeists, ghosts, witches, and the names you’ll remember

The heart of the tour is the storytelling. You’ll be guided by a local storyteller named Brandon, and you’ll hear about several spine-tingling legends tied to the Ottawa Valley.
Here are the types of tales you’ll hear during the evening:
- Canada’s first registered poltergeist
- The lost lumberman’s bride
- Jacques Cadieux’s passing
- Ghost Hill
- The Ghost of Hannah
- The Witches of Eardly
- Plus other local stories tied to those historical spots
What I like about having this mix of legends is that it stops the tour from feeling like one-note fear. Some stories lean more “uncanny events,” some lean more “who/what happened,” and together they make the evening feel like an unfolding set of local mysteries rather than a single theme stretched too far.
Stop 1: Coronation Hall tea room and gift shop

Your first stop is Coronation Hall, with a tea room and gift shop. Starting here makes practical sense. Even if you’re going for the spooky part, tea-room style warm-up time helps you get into the mood without your night going straight to shivering.
This stop also gives you an easy way to anchor the tour. You’re in a public, established setting, which can feel more comfortable at the start of an evening outing. The gift shop element is a small bonus too—if you want a souvenir that matches the theme of the night, this is where you’ll have your first chance.
What to watch for
Because it’s the beginning of the tour, don’t assume you’ll have long free time. Plan to stay with your guide and be ready to move on quickly after the initial stop.
Stop 2: Symmes Inn Museum (Musee de l’Auberge Symmes)

Next up is Musee de l’Auberge Symmes / Symmes Inn Museum. A museum stop is one of those smart travel choices for haunted tours: it gives you structure. Instead of only hearing legends, you’re placed in a setting where the past feels tangible.
I like museum stops because they help you connect dots. Even if you’re focused on chills, it’s easier to feel invested when the environment supports the storytelling. In this case, the “inn museum” angle naturally fits the idea of places where people once lived, visited, waited, and talked—exactly the kind of setting where ghost stories tend to take root.
A practical consideration
Museums often mean indoor space and lighting that changes how the night feels. If you’re the type who gets cold easily, this stop can be a welcome break from the outside air.
Stop 3: Quyon and the feel of a small place after dark

Your third stop is Quyon, a named stop that signals a real shift from “building” to “community.” Village stops are where haunted tours can either feel too quick or hit a sweet spot, and Quyon is the kind of place that can work well for atmosphere because it’s not a giant city stop. At night, smaller towns naturally create stronger mood.
What you get out of a village stop is simple: a more personal sense of place. You’re not only collecting stories; you’re experiencing where those stories would have lived in everyday life.
Keep your expectations realistic
This isn’t a full walking tour where you explore every street for hours. Think of it as a guided stop with storytelling moments that use the village setting as part of the show.
Stop 4: Plage Norway Bay (and the night air factor)

The final named stop is Plage Norway Bay. A bay or waterfront stop is classic for haunted evenings. Water adds sound. Darkness adds contrast. And even without any jump scares, a shoreline can make legends feel more believable.
If you’re planning clothing, this is the moment to be ready for the outdoor feeling. Night + waterfront weather can change fast, especially in fall in this part of Canada.
A heads-up for comfort
Because the tour requires good weather, the operator still expects you to enjoy the night outdoors. Dress for warmth and plan for the fact that the air near water can feel colder than you expect.
Apple pie and cider: the snack break that actually matters

One included perk you’ll genuinely use is snacks: apple pie and cider. I’m not saying a pastry can banish fear, but it does make a difference. It also helps you stay comfortable during a tour that runs 4.5 hours at night.
Cider in particular fits the theme without being gimmicky. It’s one of those travel details that turns a “tour” into an experience. And since you’re riding between multiple stops, having a snack included saves you from hunting for food mid-evening.
Price and value: what $63.48 buys you in the real world

The price is $63.48 per person for about 4 hours 30 minutes. Here’s the value math that matters:
- You’re paying for transportation from Ottawa & Gatineau, which is usually one of the biggest expenses in tours like this.
- You also get a guide for the entire activity and 6 stops across 4 historical villages.
- You’re not just watching from a distance—you’re being taken from place to place so you don’t need to drive yourself at night.
Add in the apple pie and cider, and the tour feels less like a pure storytelling lecture and more like a packaged night outing.
One more thing: it’s commonly booked about 13 days in advance on average. That doesn’t mean it sells out instantly, but it does mean if you have a specific date (especially around the French-only schedule), you should lock it in sooner rather than later.
Language notes: English most days, French-only on specific dates
The company, Aventure Outaouais, is bilingual and offers tours in both English and French overall. But for this specific haunted tour, you should know the rule:
To keep the storytelling smooth, the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour is offered in French only on select dates:
- October 12
- October 16
- October 19
- October 26
- October 27
- October 30
- November 2
On other dates, the tour is offered in English.
How to handle this before you go
If you’re choosing between dates, pick based on the language you’re comfortable hearing for 4+ hours. Haunted tours work best when you can follow every name and detail—especially with the variety of legends involved.
Who should book this haunted night tour
This tour is a strong fit if you want:
- A guided night experience that uses storytelling as the main attraction
- A small group (max 14 travelers) instead of a large crowd
- A mix of spooky legends tied to real, named places across the Ottawa Valley
It’s also a good choice if you don’t want to manage driving after dark. Pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau removes that stress.
If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers solo exploration and silent browsing, this may feel too guided. But if you like a structured, timed evening with stops and stories, you’ll probably enjoy the flow.
Should you book the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour from Ottawa?
Yes, with two smart checks. First, confirm the language for your date. Second, be honest about your comfort with a 4.5-hour night outing that depends on good weather.
If you match those two points, this is a fun, well-paced haunted evening with a local storyteller, multiple historic villages, and included snacks that make the experience feel like more than a standard tour. I’d book it for a group outing, a date-night style adventure, or any time you want a spooky story trip that still feels practical.
FAQ
What time does the Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour start?
The tour starts at 6:00 pm.
How long is the tour?
The duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $63.48 per person.
Is pickup available from Ottawa and Gatineau?
Yes. Transportation from Ottawa & Gatineau is included, and pickup is offered.
When will I know my pickup time?
A pickup time is sent by email, typically within a 10-minute time frame about 45 minutes before the tour begins.
What ticket method do they use?
You receive a mobile ticket.
How many stops are included?
This experience includes 6 stops in 4 different historical villages.
What snacks are included?
Snacks included are apple pie and cider.
Is the tour in English or French?
The tour is offered in English, but on select dates it is French-only (October 12, 16, 19, 26, 27, 30, and November 2).
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I change or refund my booking if I cancel?
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.































