Sight guide · Ottawa · Canada
Visiting Rideau Hall
The official residence of the Governor General has 32 hectares of landscaped grounds open to the public, with trees planted by visiting dignitaries, a cricket pitch and greenhouses.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Rideau Hall is a palace in New Edinburgh, Ottawa. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Palace
- Area
- New Edinburgh
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, free, architecture and outdoors
- Best months
- June–August
About Rideau Hall
The official residence of the Governor General has 32 hectares of landscaped grounds open to the public, with trees planted by visiting dignitaries, a cricket pitch and greenhouses. Free guided tours of the state rooms run regularly, with art from the Crown Collection.
Tip: Combine it with Rideau Falls and a walk through New Edinburgh's streets, all within 15 minutes on foot.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: New Edinburgh.
Best time to visit Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- August: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- July: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Ottawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Rideau Hall is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks.
- No. 14 of the 18 sights in our Ottawa things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Ottawa.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Ottawa.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Ottawa.
Near Rideau Hall
Also in New Edinburgh, so you can walk between them:
- Rideau Falls — 30 minutes, free
If you like Rideau Hall
- Parliament Hill — Downtown and Parliament Hill, 1.5–2 hours with a tour
- Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks — Downtown and Parliament Hill, 1–2 hours
- Canadian Museum of History — Old Hull, Gatineau, 3 hours
- National War Memorial and Confederation Square — Downtown and Parliament Hill, 20–30 minutes
Staying near Rideau Hall
Where to stay in Ottawa compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Rideau Hall?
Plan 1–1.5 hours. With Rideau Falls nearby, it fits a half-day in New Edinburgh.
+Is Rideau Hall free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Rideau Hall?
June–August for the most comfortable weather. Combine it with Rideau Falls and a walk through New Edinburgh's streets, all within 15 minutes on foot.
+Do I need to book Rideau Hall in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.