Mackenzie King Estate
Mackenzie King Estate
4
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
300 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
105
Average
24
Poor
9
Terrible
14
Alejandro B
Ottawa, Canada854 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
As a longtime Ottawa resident, I have come here numerous times over the years. During my latest September visit, I enjoyed the lovely strolls and views that this tranquil site offers.
Tip: I normally park in the Estate parking lot when I come here. On this trip, however, I parked in the lot at the start of the Lauriault Trail and then hiked to the Estate. This lovely path through the woods takes about 30 minutes to get to the Estate if you are going at a quick pace, or 45 mins to an hour if you are going at a leisurely pace. Something to keep in mind in the fall as the Estate parking lot gets jammed with tourists who want to see the leaves change colours.
Tip #2: A staff member on site told me there are presently no food services at the Estate due to Covid-fallout and renovations, so make sure to pack a lunch and/or snacks if you plan to stay a long time.
Tip: I normally park in the Estate parking lot when I come here. On this trip, however, I parked in the lot at the start of the Lauriault Trail and then hiked to the Estate. This lovely path through the woods takes about 30 minutes to get to the Estate if you are going at a quick pace, or 45 mins to an hour if you are going at a leisurely pace. Something to keep in mind in the fall as the Estate parking lot gets jammed with tourists who want to see the leaves change colours.
Tip #2: A staff member on site told me there are presently no food services at the Estate due to Covid-fallout and renovations, so make sure to pack a lunch and/or snacks if you plan to stay a long time.
Written September 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott P
Ottawa, Canada178 contributions
Sep 2019
On a Sunday afternoon, I was at the Mackenzie King Estate with friends for an afternoon tea. as well as to explore the estate where Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King had his summer residence and retreat. There were these old ruins of Medieval archways and columns that were salvaged from the 1916 fire that consumed the Parliament Building in Ottawa as well as fragments that King collected from the British Houses of Parliament. While my friends and I were eating outside of the Pat Cafe, music from the Swing Era of the 1940s was playing in the background that was as a trip back in time making it a jolly day.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane B
Gatineau, Canada9 contributions
Aug 2019
Gatineau Park is a must for visitors to Canada's Capital region. If hiking is not your thing, you might nevertheless enjoy a stroll on the Mackenzie King estate. Our prime minister during the war years (WWII) would escape to this lovely place to resource himself. He was a strange man to be sure, never marrying and enjoying séances. He put together an interesting variety of ruins which couples come to for wedding photos. There is also a preserved summer house and a tea house in the main building. There is a short trail that follows a stream. Lovely for a summer day!
Other than young children who would not find this interesting, it is for all ages.
Other than young children who would not find this interesting, it is for all ages.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C S
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
The estate website doesn't list an address that is Map/Navigation friendly
There is only 1 large sign directing you to continue to the estate
There are no signs for the estate parking at 2 required turns; however, if you manage to get someone to give you directions you'll find HUGE signs directing you BACK to Gatineau/Ottawa to exit Gatineau Park.
We went for a tour listed on the website for 1100 am.
With proper GPS/signage we would have arrived 30 minutes early, but got there finally at 1055 am.
There were no notices about tours or directions to them from the parking lot.
Knowing there wasn't time to find and join the tour we left.
Overall my worst French Canadian experience ever!
There is only 1 large sign directing you to continue to the estate
There are no signs for the estate parking at 2 required turns; however, if you manage to get someone to give you directions you'll find HUGE signs directing you BACK to Gatineau/Ottawa to exit Gatineau Park.
We went for a tour listed on the website for 1100 am.
With proper GPS/signage we would have arrived 30 minutes early, but got there finally at 1055 am.
There were no notices about tours or directions to them from the parking lot.
Knowing there wasn't time to find and join the tour we left.
Overall my worst French Canadian experience ever!
Written June 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
runningwild32
united kingdom355 contributions
May 2024 • Family
This is a beautiful estate where you easily relax and avoid the stresses of life. The estate has some great trails through it and a walk to the waterfall should be considered if you are able as the path is quite steep.
Unfortunately the properties were closed on the day we visited but there were still some good information boards outside giving the association of the longest serving Prime Ministers to the area and his love for it.
Unfortunately the properties were closed on the day we visited but there were still some good information boards outside giving the association of the longest serving Prime Ministers to the area and his love for it.
Written May 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah S
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Canada39 contributions
Sep 2019
Mackenzie King was an unusual person, but all of that aside, this was his refuge, as a single (unmarried) prime minister - he loved his dog and there is a special walking path for the pet .. the columns as seen in the photo were set up to frame certain parts of the landscape ... great for photos and just quiet time to contemplate ones life choices ... always a great visit ..
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CPhillips
Barrie, Canada1,042 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Walking the grounds of this beautiful historic site was peaceful and contemplative. Even though the buildings are closed for the season, the lack of crowds, many interpretive plaques and information boards and sheer natural beauty made our visit perfect. The trails throughout, gardens and path to the waterfalls were lovely. The Victorian faux ruins were also very special. Will definitely be back when it’s fully open.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mason M
Gatineau, Canada20 contributions
May 2019
Great place to visit, may be a bit hard for some to walk up from the parking lot, but worth it. Makes for great photos.
A nice walk with flowers around, the 'prime minister's chalet ' more a tea and coffee area. Those ruins were the first places i visited as a kid and still is a joy to this day. I prefer spring or fall to visit but summer is good also
A nice walk with flowers around, the 'prime minister's chalet ' more a tea and coffee area. Those ruins were the first places i visited as a kid and still is a joy to this day. I prefer spring or fall to visit but summer is good also
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chitrayukt
Laval, Canada9 contributions
Jul 2022
Visiting Mackenzie King Estate was a pleasure. It was summer home to Canada's longest Prime Minister. We visited Kingswood and Moorside Cottages and witnessed the artifacts from that era.
You can checkout the lush green gardens and estate ruins. You can also go on the waterfall trail to see a small but cute waterfall. It is currently closed due to erosion though.
Don't forget to take amazing pictures. The estate provides a nice background to your pictures.
Please check out the schedule of visiting the Mackenzie King Estate before visiting during summers specifically.
You can checkout the lush green gardens and estate ruins. You can also go on the waterfall trail to see a small but cute waterfall. It is currently closed due to erosion though.
Don't forget to take amazing pictures. The estate provides a nice background to your pictures.
Please check out the schedule of visiting the Mackenzie King Estate before visiting during summers specifically.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaudieOttawa_Canada
Ottawa, Canada13 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
He thought he was funny and not attentive in the least. It's not like there were more than 6 people in the whole restaurant. When serving high tea, you would expect to have nice tea cups and a nice pot of tea, not some standard ugly white cups that are actually COFFEE CUPS. At $20.00 a piece for slivers of sandwiches and a few sweets, MAYBE the butter should NOT be in cafeteria style patties? So tacky. More cream and jam would have been greatly appreciated. Didn't dare ask. We were there at 1:45 and he told us WE COULD NOT ORDER HIGH TEA TILL 2PM!!! I truly thought he was kidding... but he was serious. Very serious. OK....
While the nuns were in the washroom, I suggested maybe going to a thrift shop and picking out some cute cups and saucers cheap. He said " Do you know how much that would cost??? I said yes, CHEAP.
It's not like I come here every day for tea, actually I never do, but thought it would be nice to treat 3 very special nuns that NEVER get out to restaurants, let along high tea. And it was their birthdays. NO SPECIAL TREATMENT OF ANY KIND. come on. It's also time to wash your drapes. They are in desperate need of "fluffing".
All in all it was very expensive for what we got. He even OVER charged me. The ambience was lacking also. No music, except for a speaker behind the hostess station. The only other people were a couple near our table. They were making out!!!! You think the owner could have asked them to cool their hormones? They weren't' young either.
I must comment about the "outdoor" staff. Very kind and friendly in every way. Long walk for handicapped people. I do NOT recommend it.
Plus you have to pay to park there. Another $8.00. They should stamp it when eating at the Tea House, or give you a credit if you spend more than $50.00.... Yes that would be nice Mr. Who ever you are.
WIll I go back? NO, I would go to the Château Laurier next time for high tea or some other place.
Hope this helps someone else.
While the nuns were in the washroom, I suggested maybe going to a thrift shop and picking out some cute cups and saucers cheap. He said " Do you know how much that would cost??? I said yes, CHEAP.
It's not like I come here every day for tea, actually I never do, but thought it would be nice to treat 3 very special nuns that NEVER get out to restaurants, let along high tea. And it was their birthdays. NO SPECIAL TREATMENT OF ANY KIND. come on. It's also time to wash your drapes. They are in desperate need of "fluffing".
All in all it was very expensive for what we got. He even OVER charged me. The ambience was lacking also. No music, except for a speaker behind the hostess station. The only other people were a couple near our table. They were making out!!!! You think the owner could have asked them to cool their hormones? They weren't' young either.
I must comment about the "outdoor" staff. Very kind and friendly in every way. Long walk for handicapped people. I do NOT recommend it.
Plus you have to pay to park there. Another $8.00. They should stamp it when eating at the Tea House, or give you a credit if you spend more than $50.00.... Yes that would be nice Mr. Who ever you are.
WIll I go back? NO, I would go to the Château Laurier next time for high tea or some other place.
Hope this helps someone else.
Written June 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
os28
Ottawa, Canada
Is it possible to find an uber or a taxi to get back from there? Getting there should not be a problem, I'm worried about coming back if I don't have a car of my own. Thanks
Written March 24, 2018
I'd say it would be possible, but you'll pay a fortune. The estate is a fair drive into the heart of Gatineau park. I believe it took us 30 minutes from the entrance on a Saturday during the fall. You're better off to go with a friend or someone with a car to and from if you are concerned about it.
Written April 9, 2018
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