Maksym KuzaievSome of my family came to visit me in Ottawa recently, and I figured it’s the perfect time to show them around the city and help them discover everything the city has to offer.
One of my non-negotiables for my tour was the Lady Dive Amphibus just because it’s one of the coolest tours ever. Imagine a boat and bus hybrid? Plus, I’m sure it would be a hit with my nephews and nieces.
As a conscientious uncle, I wanted to see what the tour will entail to guide the itinerary I’m making. From that research, I realize that there may be other people like me looking into the Lady Dive Amphibus.
So if you’re looking for exciting tours for families, or you’re someone who wants to show out-of-town guests around, then this guide is for you!
What is the Lady Dive Amphibus known for?
Media Credit: ladydivetours
The Lady Dive Amphibus is unique, being the only amphibious bus that gives tours around the Ottawa-Gatineau region. True to its name, the Lady Dive Amphibus travels on both land and water. It’s a bus that turns into a boat – pretty cool, eh?
One of the best moments of the tour is the “splash” moment, where the bus suddenly turns into a boat. It’s a thrilling “core memory” experience.
You will have a friendly and warm tour guide who’ll go over and beyond just giving fun facts, they will share a lot of historical and cultural insights from a local’s point of view. You can book a tour in English or in French.
The tour lasts one hour and will pass by 75 important landmarks to give passengers the full Ottawa experience. The first 30 to 40 minutes will be on land, the next 20-30 minutes will be on water.
This includes the National War Memorial, the Privy Council Office (also known as the Office of the Prime Minister), ByWard Market, National Gallery of Canada, French Embassy, the Prime Minister’s residence, the Rideau Falls, and the Ottawa River.
Where do you book the Lady Dive Amphibus?
You can book the Lady Dive Amphibus via the Lady Dive website, with the details below:
Lady Dive
Website
Address: 44 Sparks St.
Contact: +1 613-524-2221
Operating Hours: Daily (8:30 AM– 8 PM)
You can book your tickets for the Amphibus tour at the Lady Dive website, or you can give them a call to book your slots. You can also drop by their office if you want to be able to talk to the staff about concerns and ask questions prior to the tour.
Here are the prices for regular tickets as of time of writing:
- Adults – CA$ 53.99
- Children – CA$ 38.79
- Infants – CA$ 17.20
- Seniors – CA$ 50.99
- Students – CA$ 50.99
If you want to have the best seats during the famous “splash” moment where the bus turns into a boat, here are the prices for premium tickets:
- Adults – CA$ 63.99
- Children – CA$ 48.79
- Infants – CA$ 27.20
- Seniors – CA$ 60.99
- Students – CA$ 60.99
Please take note that for students, they need to be between 13-17 years old or have a valid student ID with them to avail of the discount.
Things to Know about the Lady Dive Amphibus Tour
Washroom: There will be no washroom stops during the tour, it will be best to go to the bathroom before boarding.
Eating or Drinking: You are not allowed to eat or drink when you’re on board the Amphibus. Littering is also not allowed.
Accessibility: The Amphibus tour is not wheelchair accessible. Their staff are willing to help carry people on board, however. Of course, the viability of this option will depend on the range of mobility of the PWD. If this option is workable, you can book your tickets in advance and let the staff know. They will have people ready for your arrival.
Clothing: You can wear anything you’re comfortable in. We suggest movable fabrics and a jacket in case you get cold. You don’t need to bring extra clothes or water protective gear, even during the splash. The driver will transition to water very carefully to ensure no one gets splashed. In case of rain, all windows of the bus will be closed.
Pets: The Amphibus tour is pet-friendly as long as your pets have a leash and are trained well to handle social situations.
Parking: Lady Dive has no designated parking, but there’s paid parking available nearby at 59 Sparks Street. You can check out this link to check out parking spots.
World Exchange Plaza or the National Arts Center has paid parking and is nearest to the starting point of the tour. This is why it’s important to be there at least 30 minutes earlier to ensure you have enough time to look for parking.
Where to Eat and Drink Near the Tour
Since you cannot eat inside the Amphibus, here are some restaurants that are near the starting point that you can check out:
Riviera Ottawa
Media Credit: dineriviera
Website
Menu
Address: 62 Sparks St
Contact: +1 613-233-6262
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Wednesday (5 PM – 10 PM)
- Thursday-Saturday (5 PM – 11 PM)
If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant where you can bring your family after the tour, Riviera is a good choice. They have delicious tartares and crudos, fresh pasta, and even lobster.
They specialize in elevated dishes, like toast with mushrooms and black truffle, and dry-aged steaks. They also have special cocktails and an extensive wine list. This is a great restaurant for reunions and special occasions.
However, you might need to make a reservation to ensure your table. You can reserve it easily here. This place isn’t exactly kid-friendly, so it might be best to check out a different option if you’ll be bringing a lot of children to the tour.
Pro Tip: Looking for a rad gift idea? Check out their gift certificates here.
D’Arcy McGee’s
Media Credit: darcymcgees44sparks
Website
Address: 44 Sparks St.
Contact: +1 613-230-4433
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday (11:30 AM – 11 PM)
- Thursday (11:30 AM – 12 AM)
- Friday (11:30 AM – 1 AM)
- Saturday (10 AM – 1 AM)
- Sunday (10 AM – 11 PM)
If you’re looking for something more casual, this place is a good option. While it’s not super child-friendly since there’s still a pub here, they have more food options that children would want to eat, like burgers, chicken, and nachos.
It’s a good place to chill and unwind after the tour. They have different kinds of wine, beer, and specialty coffees on hand. They also have yummy desserts like cheesecake, donuts, and toffee pudding.
Pro Tip: Always check out their website for daily promos! Look here for more information.
3 Brasseurs – Sparks
Media Credit: 3 Brasseurs Sparks (Sparks)
Website
Menu
Address: Local C215, 240 Sparks St.
Contact: +1 613-380-8140
Operating Hours:
- Monday (11 AM – 10 PM)
- Tuesday-Thursday (11 AM – 11 PM)
- Friday (11 AM – 12 AM)
- Saturday (11:30 AM – 12 AM)
- Sunday (11:30 AM – 10 PM)
The service at 3 Brasseurs is excellent. The staff are friendly and they have a kids’ menu! Some show stoppers are calamari, their burgers (Saigon and Smash Bacon & Fromage), hot dogs, fish and chips, and steak and frites.
Their serving sizes are good, and the food is reasonably priced. They’re a good family restaurant with Western and French favorites. Their extensive menu has options for vegetarians and even a few drinks if you want to blow off some steam with your friends.
The ambiance is friendly and warm. The place also has a large capacity, so it’s even a good option for small parties. Overall, it’s a solid place to go to after the tour. Just take note of their inconsistent opening and closing times.
Pro Tip: The churros are so good and very popular among kids and kids at heart!
Rabbit Hole
Website
Address: 208 Sparks St.
Contact: +1 613-695-0500
Operating Hours:
- Monday (5 AM – 12 AM)
- Tuesday-Friday (4 PM- 12 AM)
- Saturday (5 PM – 2 AM)
- Closed on Sundays
If you’re looking for a cozy restaurant and bar, the Rabbit Hole is a must-try! They have fun drinks with cool names, yummy food, and a cute ambiance. We particularly love their falafels and burgers – they’re very filling and the meat is of very good quality.
For those who aren’t that hungry, their charcuterie board is also very impressive! They have large portions and fresh ingredients, so you get your money’s worth in cheese.
Aside from the amazing food, you’ll be happy to know that this restaurant is in a 122-year-old building, so you get to eat AND go to a place with historical significance. A double win, if you ask us!
Just take note that on Fridays and Saturdays, their dress code is stricter, and you won’t be able to get in if you’re wearing streetwear or casual wear. For some of us, this is a good excuse to get out of our usual office wear and dress up!
Pro Tip: Reservations are needed because slots fill up fast. Check the availability here.
Gyubee Japanese Grill
Media Credit: Gyubee Japanese Grill
Website
Menu
Address: 95 York St.
Contact: +1 613-367-5065
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday; Sunday (11:30 AM – 10:30 PM)
- Friday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 11 PM)
If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat restaurant, Gyubee is the place to go to! It serves authentic Japanese barbecue, perfect for big groups and families. They serve only the freshest ingredients, so you know it’s worth your while.
Items you must try on their menu are the miso-marinated steak, black pepper kalbi, and sweet soy beef brisket. Their cold noodles are a good break in between bites of meat.
They have a warm ambience and very attentive staff. The meat here is so flavorful, and the sides are refreshing. The only possible bad thing is that you might have to loosen your belt from being too full! It’s well worth noting, too, that they’re child-friendly!
Just a heads up: their last call for orders is 20 minutes before your seating limit ends. All leftover food will be charged according to weight (5 CAD per 100 grams).
Pro Tip: Remember to mention in advance if you have food allergies or sensitivities!
