large building with curvy architecture with river flowers in foreground Canadian Museum of History Ottawa museums

History lovers, science buffs, art aficionados, and culture enthusiasts will love Ottawa’s museums. Home to seven national museums, as well as several independent museums and art galleries, there is someone for everyone in the city. With amazing permanent galleries, fun and interactive activities for kids, and a host of rotating special exhibitions throughout the year, you won’t have time to explore it all in one trip. Explore our guide to Ottawa’s best museums and plan a fun museum crawl through Canada’s capital.

Canada Science and Technology Museum

A dynamic museum focused on the evolution of science and technology in the world, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is a fascinating museum for people of all ages.

With a staggering 150,000 objects in Canada’s science and technology collection, there are endless things to see in the Canada Science and Technology Museum’s Artifact Alley. Discover the innovation of vehicles throughout the ages including the only amphibius car made for the retail market, learn about telescopes and cameras throughout the ages, and dive into the past with cool retro household appliances and games.

Some not-to-miss highlights of any visit to the museum are hopping aboard the iconic CN 6400 steam locomotive, navigating your way through the mind-bending Crazy Kitchen, and exploring music and sound at the Sound by Design exhibition. The museum is also one of the best in Ottawa for kids thanks to the Zooom Children’s Innovation Zone; a giant play area packed full of interactive activities providing hours of hands-on fun with learning and experimentation at its foundation.

Admission: Adults: $19, Kids (3-17 years): $12.25

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Experience life on a working farm in the heart of Ottawa at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. With its unique location at the Central Experimental Farm, the museum is known for its barns full of adorable animals including rabbits, alpacas, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and cows.

The museum has interesting exhibitions about soil, food and crop science, delves into Canada’s farming history, and the Demonstration Kitchen offers daily cooking demonstrations; a fun way to see how food goes from farm to table.

Admission: Adults: $14.50, Kids (3-17 years): $12.25

National Gallery of Canada

Garden court National Gallery of Canada Ottawa museums

Home to one of the best collections of Canadian and Indigenous art in the world, the National Gallery of Canada is a dream for art lovers, and those looking for creative inspiration.

Explore the Canadian galleries featuring an extensive collection of works by the famed Group of Seven, European and American masterpieces in all disciplines, contemporary world art, and the Indigenous Galleries; a display of hundreds of works from some of the best-known Indigenous artists in Canada.

The National Gallery of Canada is also a masterpiece in itself, with unique architectural spaces at every turn. You can’t miss the towering cathedral-like Colonnade and majestic Great Hall as you enter, but look for interesting hidden spaces like the Fred and Elizabeth Fountain Garden Court, Michael and Sonja Koerner Family Atrium, and the Rideau Street Chapel.

If you’re looking for some context and history throughout your visit, the gallery offers free 45-minute guided tours, as well as a free self-guided audio tour. They also host artist talks, workshops and special events throughout the year.

Admission: Adults: $22, Young adults (18-30 years): $15, Youth (12-17 years): $12

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Showcasing over 130 aircrafts and artifacts from Canadian aviation history, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is a fascinating place to explore.

The museum is housed in a giant hangar full of civil and military aircrafts, displaying planes from the cold war and World War II, along with an amazing collection of Canadian bush planes. Learn about the history of aerospace in Canada, what life is like on the international space station, what it’s like to manage air traffic control in Canada, and hop into a flight simulator for an interactive experience.

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers guided tours, special events throughout the year, and is also the jumping off point for scenic helicopter rides over the city.

Admission: Adults: $16.50, Youth (3-17 years): $11.50

Canadian Museum of History

One of the most visited museums in Canada, the Canadian Museum of History (once the Museum of Civilization), is a must-see for anyone visiting Ottawa. Located on the banks of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, QC, the museum explores the history of Canada through artifacts, stories, galleries, displays and works of art.

The Canadian Museum of History is extensive in scope and breadth; you could easily spend a full day there and not see it all. Visit the Canadian History Hall and the First People’s Hall to learn about Canada’s history and culture from past to present, and admire the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles in the Grand Hall.

If you’re visiting with small children, the Canadian Children’s Museum is one of the top attractions for kids in Ottawa, with fun interactive exhibits that will keep kids busy for hours. Included with admission is also access to the CINÉ+ 3D theatre, showing cool documentaries on animals, the environment, history and culture.

Admission: Adults: $24, Student (13-17 years): $19, Child (2-12 years): $17

The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

Designed to safeguard Canada’s government in the event of a nuclear attack, the Diefenbunker will give you a fascinating insight into life during the cold war era.

Located in a four-storey underground bunker in rural Ottawa, the Diefenbunker was constructed in 1961 as a Cold War communications headquarters. Explore government workspaces, living quarters, the Prime Minister’s Suite, the War Cabinet Room, and even the secret Bank of Canada Vault. Pick up the museum’s free audio guide and delve into the cryptographic area equipped with vintage maps, early-age computers, and rotary telephones, and learn about the technological innovations that shaped Cold War strategies.

Admission: Adults: $19.50, Youth (6-17 years): $13, Family rate (2 kids, 5 youth): $55

Canadian War Museum

Go back in time and learn about Canada's war history at Ottawa’s iconic Canadian War Museum. A must-visit for anyone interested in Canada’s rich military past, the museum showcases displays of large military artillery, exhibits about Canada’s role in conflicts around the world, as well as works of art and intriguing and inspiring personal stories from Canadian war veterans.

The museum also has important spaces for reflection and remembrance, the primary being Memorial Hall, which holds the headstone from the grave of Canada’s Unknown Soldier. On Remembrance Day, at exactly 11 am, sunlight shines through a single window within and perfectly frames the headstone.

Admission: Adults: $22, Student (13-17 years): $17, Child (2-12 years): $15

Bytown Museum

If you’re visiting Ottawa for the first time, head to the Bytown Museum to learn about the history of Ottawa. Learn about the history of the region from its First Peoples and its early days as Bytown, to the Ottawa you see today. Dive into the permanent exhibitions and discover important people and events which shaped the city, including the fascinating Parks Canada exhibition about the history and construction of the Rideau Canal.

The Bytown Museum is housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, which once served as the headquarters for the Rideau Canal project, and is located at the base of Parliament Hill in a beautiful location alongside the impressive Ottawa locks. If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to take a stroll outside and watch boats pass through the series of 8 locks; the largest single set of locks on the Rideau Canal.

Admission: Adults: $10, Kids (5-12 years): $3

Canadian Museum of Nature

Known for its collection of dinosaur fossils and stunning architecture, the Canadian Museum of Nature is full of knowledge and learning just waiting to be absorbed. Spend a day exploring the seven permanent galleries and learn about dinosaur fossils, birds, live bugs, mammals, and ocean life.

Canada’s Arctic gallery is an especially fascinating exhibition you’ll want to explore. Dive deep into the stories of the Indigenous Peoples of the region and their connection to the land, as learn about the characteristic of the region, as well as potential threats from climate change. Don’t miss the unique multimedia installation Beyond Ice, a collaboration with the Museum of Nature and National Film Board of Canada. Watch as beautiful photos and videos of the north are projected onto a real giant block of ice, and become part of the installation by leaving your handprint in the ice.

Admission: Adults: $24, Student (13+ years): $19, Child (3-12 years): $19

Bank of Canada Museum

Just steps away from Parliament Hill, the Bank of Canada Museum (formerly the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada) is a fun place to learn about all things money.

After an extensive modernization in 2022, the museum has incorporated fun, interactive and tech-centric exhibits to make learning fun. Create your own cartoon avatar as you tour the museum, learn how to detect counterfeit currency, create your own banknote, and explore unique and interesting currencies from around the world.

Admission: Free

Discounts and Ways to Save at Ottawa Museums

The Ottawa Museums Pass

If you plan on visiting several museums while in Ottawa, the Ottawa Museums Pass will help you save. Select from a 1-day or 3-day pass, and visit 9 of the city’s best museums for an incredible price. Admission to many museums can be upwards of $20/person, so if you have 2 or more museums on your list, the Ottawa Museum Pass is definitely worth it.

The Ottawa Museums pass can be purchased online, and is delivered directly to your phone via email or text. The 1-day pass (24hrs) costs $40, while a 3-day (72hrs) pass goes for $80.

PRO TIP: Look for discounts codes on the Ottawa Museums Pass site, including the current winter offer: $30 for a 3-day pass using discount code WINTER30