Rideau Hall Palace

Address: Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Website: https://www.gg.ca/

Admission: Free (public grounds); guided tours/events may be free but require advance arrangement

Rideau Hall is the official residence and workplace of the Governor General of Canada, located in Ottawa, Ontario. It functions as the primary venue for official ceremonies, state receptions and the Governor General’s administrative offices.

The property includes formal state rooms used for ceremonies and entertaining, together with extensive grounds and gardens that host public events. The grounds and selected interior rooms are made accessible to the public through guided tours and special events.

Originally built in the 19th century, the site has been adapted over time to serve as the viceregal residence and to accommodate official functions and public visitation. Its use has remained continuous as the principal official residence for Canada’s representative of the Crown.

Rideau Hall sits in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood of Ottawa, close to the Rideau River and within the capital’s central ceremonial area.

• Role: Serves as the official residence and workplace of Canada’s Governor General and is located in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Address: Situated at 1 Sussex Drive in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood and set within formal grounds near the Rideau River.

What to See#

• State rooms: The official residence and principal state rooms that are used for ceremonial events and hosting foreign dignitaries.
• Grounds: Extensive grounds and gardens surrounding the residence that host public events and official ceremonies.

Rideau Hall is located at 1 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, adjacent to Rockcliffe Park and about a 10-20 minute walk (roughly 1-1.5 km) from Parliament Hill and the downtown core along Sussex Drive. By car or taxi it is a short 5-10 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.

The site is served by OC Transpo buses serving central Ottawa (use stops near Sussex Drive/Elgin or near the National Gallery) and there is visitor access and parking at the Rideau Hall grounds.

• Enter Rideau Hall grounds via the main gate on Sussex Drive and check the official website for seasonal guided‑tour times and any security procedures before you go.
• If you want to see interior rooms or special exhibits, book a guided tour in advance-grounds are open more often than the residence interior, which has limited, scheduled access.
• Combine a visit with a walk through the landscaped grounds and official gardens early in the day to avoid tourgroup clustering and to catch the best light for photos.