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Rideau Hall is an oasis of quiet in what can sometimes be a loud and boisterous experience in downtown Ottawa. Need a little peace and quiet? Visit the home of Canada’s Governor General.
It’s not hard to get to. If you are standing in front of and looking at Canada’s Parliament Buildings then the road to Rideau Hall is just a ½ kilometer or so east (to the right) of where you are.
You take Sussex north, which is a left turn from where Wellington Street and Rideau Streets join just east of the Parliament Buildings.
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Drive along Sussex Drive a couple of kilometers to where it just turns into the Rockcliffe Parkway (itself worth leisurely strolling or driving along on a beautiful summer’s or crisp winter’s day) and immediately on your right is Rideau Gate, which is at #1 Sussex Drive. Turn right there, and just before the gates shown in the picture above, turn right onto a residential street. Take the first left, Mackay Street, and you should find parking within comfortable walking distance of the entrance to Rideau Hall.
Or, please see the map here. You should be able to find parking on Mackay Street shown on this map, or on another of the residential streets nearby. All of the grounds to the right of Rideau Gate are part of Rideau Hall.
If you are staying in a hotel in downtown Ottawa, it’s a worthwhile walk along Sussex Street, as you’ll pass by the American Embassy, the Basilica, the National Gallery, the Mint, and the Prime Minister’s house on the way. Canada’s Prime Minister lives almost directly across the street from Rideau Hall.
As you pass through the entrance gates of Rideau Hall know that you’re joining the royalty, international heads of state, Prime Ministers, Canadians and visitors from around the world in visiting this prestigious home since Canada’s confederation.
All tours and activities at Rideau Hall are without charge.
Rideau Hall has been the home and workplace of every Governor General since 1867, and was built in 1838 as a mansion for wealthy stonemason Thomas MacKay. He helped build another of Ottawa’s major attractions, the Rideau Canal.
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Though worth visiting any time you happen to be in Ottawa, visiting Rideau Hall during July and August will ensure that all visitor amenities are available for your visit, and hopefully, by then this year, the renovations that are ongoing to the façade of Rideau Hall are complete.
That there are renovations going on won’t stop the visitor tours from seeing the inside of the hall, though until July and August, not many tours are available during the week. You may want to visit on weekends until then.
Rideau Hall is a people place, offering visitors a skating rink open to the public (winter only, of course), beautiful gardens and greenhouse, a cricket pitch, a children’s play structure, and during the summer, the pageantry of the every-hour-on-the-hour changing of the ceremonial guard.
The grounds are spacious, so wear good walking shoes.
Scattered throughout the grounds you will find the symbol of Canada’s north – the Inuksuk. The Fountain of Hope was built in memory of Canada’s hero, Terry Fox and his run to raise funds to combat cancer. Check out the Governor General’s flag. If it’s flying over Rideau Hall (a blue flag with a crowned gold lion holding a red maple leaf) then Canada’s current Governor General – Madame Michaëlle Jean – is in residence.
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The picture above shows the façade of Rideau Hall as it is in May 2007, completely shrouded while undergoing reconstruction. Do you see it? The Governor General’s flag is flying at the top of the mast. Madame Jean was home the day we stopped by.
No, we didn’t get to see her, but I assure you that the structure beneath the shroud is quite beautiful and Rideau Hall is well worth visiting whenever you can.
Contact information:
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A1
Telephone: (613) 991-4422
Toll free: (866) 842-4422
Rideau Hall Web Site
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