Rewarding visits to the region’s museums
The National Capital Region is a great place for people with an inquisitive turn of mind who are keen on discovery. With the highest concentration of museums in the country, there’s a museum and an exhibition for every taste. Whether you’re a fan of currency, nature, war, science, aviation, history, fine arts, play or agriculture, you’re sure to learn something new when you visit one of the region’s museums. Explore these national treasures now!
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is a fascinating place where 400 years of history—marked by technological advances and memorable events—combine with a wealth of stories about money and, above all, a healthy dose of human interest. Take a guided tour and watch coins being made in real time. Learn more about collector coins and the fascinating history of our currency.
320 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON
Infant (age 4 and under): Free | Child (age 5 to 17): $8 | Senior (65+): $10 | Adult: $12 | Special family rates are available. | Free admission for Canadian military (active and retired) and Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
The Mint also offers virtual guided tours.
Bank of Canada Museum
Learn about the Bank’s role in Canada’s economy through entertaining interactive exhibits at the Bank of Canada Museum. Ask yourself questions about your own spending habits and needs, watch a multimedia show and admire the beauty of Canadian banknotes. Dive into the heart of the economic system and learn your way around!
30 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
Free
There’s no public parking on site, but there are several parking lots nearby. | The museum can organize guided tours for people with special needs.
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature houses one of the world’s finest natural history collections. See iconic mammals, inspect the original collection of Canadian dinosaur fossils, view a blue whale skeleton and more. Browse special exhibits and take a guided tour.
240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON
Infant (age 2 and under): Free | Child (age 3 to 12): $13 | Student: $15 | Senior (65+): $15 | Adult: $17 | Special group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Canadian Museum of History
Discover 15,000 years of social and human history at the Canadian Museum of History, one of Canada’s most popular museums. Walk through the Grand Hall and learn about Indigenous achievements. Discover new cultures through compelling personal stories. Take a seat in the CINÉ+ theatre and enjoy a film screening.
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, QC
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Child (age 2 to 12): $13 | Student: $16 | Senior (65+): $19 | Adult: $21 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Canadian Children’s Museum
Located inside the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Children’s Museum invites young visitors to learn new things by travelling around the world (by make-believe!) and discovering different cultures. Learn with them the different means of transportation and discover their imaginary world!
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, QC
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Child (age 2 to 12): $14 | Student: $16 | Senior (65+): $19 | Adult: $21 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum sheds light on the far-reaching effects of armed conflict. Stroll among the rare vehicles and artillery. Examine military uniforms, medals and wartime artwork. Read powerful stories, consult archives and spend a moment of silent reflection in Memorial Hall.
1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, ON
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Child (age 2 to 12): $12 | Student: $14 | Senior (65+): $16 | Adult: $18 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability, for Canadian military (active and retired) and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
The Canadian War Museum is one of the world’s most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Discover Canadian technological advances at the Canada Science and Technology Museum and enter a playful universe that encourages experimentation! Browse through 11 interactive exhibits on themes such as medicine, sound and transportation, and let the kids run wild in the ZOOOM Children’s Innovation Zone.
1867 Saint-Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Child (age 3 to 17): $12 | Student: $14 | Senior (65+): $14 | Adult: $18.50 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability, for Canadian military (active and retired) and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
The museum offers scheduled sessions that provide a calm, low-sensory environment for young visitors with various disabilities. As well, sensory guides are available on the museum’s website to prepare visitors with autism spectrum disorders or disabilities for things they might see and do during their visit.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Take a journey through Canada’s aviation and space history at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, which houses the country’s largest aviation collection. While you’re there, take a tour of the aircraft and learn how engines allow planes to fly through the sky. View satellites and learn about Canadian achievements in space.
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Youth (age 3 to 17): $11 | Student: $12 | Senior (60+): $12 | Adult: $15 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability, for Canadian military (active and retired) and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world. | The museum has prepared self-guided tours for several of its exhibitions. Visitors can download Braille Ready Files (.brf) for use on their personal braille reading device, or Portable Document Format files (.pdf) for use with text reading software. Braille binders (physical copies of the museum’s braille self-guided tours) are also available at the museum’s Information Desk.
National Gallery of Canada
Admire the National Gallery of Canada‘s distinctive architecture and wander among the multidisciplinary works in its many exhibitions. View one of the world’s largest collections of Indigenous and Canadian art. Relax in one of the indoor gardens or take a seat in the Water Court atrium and immerse yourself in the beauty of the works.
380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON
Child (age 11 and younger): Free | Student: $10 | Senior (65+): $18 | Adult: $20 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability and for Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Through its customized SPARK! program, the gallery offers guided tours for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Advance registration is required.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is the only working farm in the world located in the heart of a capital city. Its programs and exhibitions highlight agricultural culture and heritage. Take a guided tour of the barns and meet the animals. Don’t miss the open-air exhibits!
901 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON
Infant (under 2 years old): Free | Youth (age 3 to 17): $11.25 | Student: $11.25 | Senior (60+): $11.25 | Adult: $13.50 | Special family and group rates are available. | Free admission for one support person accompanying a person with a disability.
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is a working farm, and some areas have limited accessibility. However, the museum is committed to providing an excellent visitor experience, and staff will do their best to accommodate visitor needs. If you have questions or concerns about your visit, please contact the museum directly.
These museums present an ever-changing program of temporary exhibitions, so find out about the special exhibitions that will be on when you plan to visit. On your own, as a couple or with family or friends, you’re sure to find an institution that will match your interests and meet your needs. Some museums even offer free admission a few times a month or on special occasions. Plan an outing to one of the region’s museums—you won’t be disappointed!
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Are you a culture vulture? Check out our suggestions of art galleries to visit while you’re in the area.
