Home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, Ottawa is the mecca for culture vultures, historical enthusiasts and Canadiana buffs. When you visit Canada’s capital, you can experience the entire country, all in one welcoming city! – check out these national museums to help you plan your Ottawa itinerary:
National Gallery of Canada: if you want to truly appreciate Canada’s artistic treasures – this is a must. The beautiful modern building houses Canada’s finest collection of European art, strong collections of Indigenous, Asian and international works. It also has one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of photographs and related materials. What’s on? Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment, showcases nearly 200 works by extraordinary women painters, photographers, weavers, bead workers, and sculptors from a century ago.
Canadian Museum of History: Canada’s most visited museum is home to the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, the largest exhibition about Canadian history, and it highlights the achievements of Indigenous Peoples in the First Peoples Hall. The gorgeous, undulated building also houses the Canadian Children’s Museum, where kids can travel the world and explore other cultures through interactive elements, including a variety of toys and games. Complete your visit with a 3D movie in the CINÉ+ theatre! What’s on? Television of Our Childhoods, traces 70 years of Canadian children and youth TV programming.
Canada Science and Technology Museum: Reopened in 2017 after extensive renovations, the museum combines interactive and hands-on elements with cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality. Explore old favourites like the giant locomotives and Crazy Kitchen as well as new state-of-the-art exhibits. A paradise for kids and the young at heart! What’s on? Our Climate Quest: Small Steps to Big Change, contains immersive, interactive and fun activities designed to empower everyone to make sustainable choices in the fight against climate change.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum: Journey into Canada’s world of air and space at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The expansive, hangar-like building is home to the most extensive aviation collection in the country and covers everything from the humble beginnings of flight to the sophisticated aerospace industry we know today, plus Canada’s role in outer space. Try flight simulators, sit in cockpits, or take a real flight in a helicopter or vintage biplane!
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum: Did you know Ottawa has a working farm in the city that you can visit to learn about Canada’s unique agricultural heritage? The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is the perfect place for young and old to meet farm animals like horses, alpacas, goats and rabbits. Visit the cows in the dairy barn and learn how milk is collected. Learn how different breeds of sheep are sources of wool, milk and meat. You’ll also encounter daily demonstrations of butter churning, ice cream making and other fun activities. What’s on? Farming the Waters, invites people on a journey to discover how Canadian farmers produce seafood—not only on Canada’s coasts, but across the country.
Canadian Museum of Nature: The castle-esque Canadian Museum of Nature is not only a cool-looking historic building, but inside you’ll find dinosaur replicas, whale skeletons, an Arctic gallery, mammals, minerals, birds, insects, and flora. Some events and activities even feature live animals! What’s on? Wolves! Shape-Shifters in a Changing World, explores the evolution of these charismatic animals through scientific research, specimens, cultural stories, video, and stunning images by renowned Ottawa-based photographer Michelle Valberg.
Canadian War Museum: Tanks, jet fighters, artillery and art are just some of the impressive items that represent Canada’s war history at the Canadian War Museum. The building’s architecture is based on the theme of regeneration, with energy-efficient features like a green roof, and symbolism like the morse code windows that spell out “Lest We Forget”. What’s on? catch War Games to learn how war games evolved over time—from early strategy games to massive multiplayer online battles—and how militaries use gaming as a training tool.
