Pre-conference Fam Tours
Nov. 5–8 and Nov. 6–8
Hosted by Ottawa Tourism

For tour operators only
*Participants must attend Travel Exchange to be considered.

Natural Wonders & Culinary Delights of Ottawa
Nov. 5–8

Explore natural Canadian landscapes and fuel your journey with delicious culinary experiences. Get your bearings on Canadian flora and fauna at the Canadian Museum of Nature before seeing both—up close and personal—at a wilderness wildlife park. See cheese made before your eyes then enjoy it on a healthy serving of poutine, a signature Canadian dish. Imagine soaking in the heat at North America’s largest spa, then relaxing over dinner at a local craft distillery. You’ll stroll through painted Canadian landscapes at the National Gallery of Canada, take a cycling tour of major attractions, go on an interactive augmented reality treasure hunt, and quench your thirst at local craft breweries. You can also descend underground and back in time to explore a Cold War bunker. Then slide into the weekend with a guided progressive dinner in the historic ByWard Market. This Fam tour will leave you totally satisfied, yet craving more of what makes Ottawa unique!

Arrive in Ottawa on Nov. 5 and check into your hotel no later than 4 p.m. (one hotel for the three nights of the Fam).

Cities you will visit: Ottawa and St. Albert in Ontario; Chelsea, Gatineau, and Montebello in the Outaouais region of Quebec

Historic Journeys in Canada’s Capital
Nov. 6–8

Connect with Indigenous culture, Canadian history, and Ottawa lore. Learn about Canada’s Capital, a dynamic city with famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Explore the Canadian Museum of History, home of the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and filled with stories of Canada that stretch over millennia. Journey to the west end of Ottawa to Mādahòkì Farm, an Indigenous tourism operation that hosts traditional performances, creative workshops, and nature walks, and is home to the Ojibwe Spirit Horses. Climb aboard a pedal-powered tour and travel through downtown in search of an Ottawa roasted coffee before witnessing how world-famous Canadian coins are made at the Royal Canadian Mint. Be ready for some spine-tingling moments on a haunted walk of the capital one night, then take a guided stroll past sights and the Canadian Parliament Buildings in the light of day, finishing with a Beavertail, Ottawa’s signature pastry snack. This Fam tour will stimulate your mind and emotions!

Arrive in Ottawa and check into your hotel no later than 4 p.m. (one hotel for the 2 nights of the Fam).

Cities you will visit: Ottawa in Ontario and Gatineau in the Outaouais region of Quebec