Discover contemporary and historical artworks - including paintings, sculptures, photographs and multimedia installations - in this landmark site located near the vibrant ByWard Market area.
Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, alongside more than 30 local museums and galleries spread throughout the national capital region.
Together, these museums and galleries present one of the top attractions in Ottawa. Visitors from around the world come to explore everything from art and history to science and nature.
National museums
Visit seven national museums in Ottawa, Canada. Spanning subjects from science, nature, art, history and so much more, you can discover Canada through its museums.
Here are some must-sees at Ottawa’s national museums:
- The Forty-part motet sound sculpture at the National Gallery of Canada
- The largest indoor collection of totem poles in the world at the Canadian Museum of History
- Enormous steam-powered locomotives at The Canada Science and Technology Museum
- Over 130 aircraft including the most complete and original Lancaster in the world at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- The barns at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- The moon at the Canadian Museum of Nature
- A WWII-era Enigma Machine at the Canadian War Museum
Canadian Museum of History
Discover the events, people and objects that have shaped Canada at the Canadian Museum of History, across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Get ready for hands-on fun and discovery at the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Take your sense of adventure to new heights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum offers a fun-filled adventure on a working farm!
Canadian Museum of Nature
Explore the fascinating science related to fossils, mammals, minerals, birds, plate tectonics, Arctic discovery and more in a historic building minutes from Parliament Hill.
Canadian War Museum
Discover Canada’s rich military history at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum through artifacts, personal stories, artwork, photos and interactive presentations.
Ottawa Museums Pass
Access museums and galleries for one low price with the Ottawa Museums Pass! Choose from a one-day or a three-day pass and save on admission.
3-Day Ottawa Museums Pass, ONLY $30
Use Promo Code Winter30
Local museums
In addition to Ottawa’s national museums, there is an amazing selection of local exhibitions highlighting Ottawa’s historic neighbourhoods, Canadian history and economics.
Check out Ottawa’s local museums:
- Bytown Museum
- Diefenbunker
- Vanier Museopark
- Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House
- Bank of Canada Museum
- The Royal Canadian Mint
Bytown Museum
Housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the Bytown Museum explores the city’s history, from the construction of the Rideau Canal until today.
Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum
Ponder the Cold War as you tour this four-storey underground bunker in rural Ottawa.
Vanier Museopark
Visit Ottawa’s only French-language museum to discover and learn about the habits and customs of the local francophonie.
Bank of Canada Museum
Create your own avatar and learn about the important role you play in the economy. Hands-on exhibits illuminate everything from the psychology of economic expectations to the history of bank note design.
Royal Canadian Mint
Take a fascinating, affordable tour to learn how coins are made, and shop for unique gifts and collectibles in an historic building near the ByWard Market area.
Special events and exhibits at Ottawa’s museums and galleries
Free Thursday Nights presented by BMO at the National Gallery of Canada
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights, experience the National Gallery of Canada with music and an artful atmosphere. Take part in free art-making…
Heroes on the Air
Heroes on the Air is a live old time radio performance featuring stories from the Royal Canadian Air Force, staged inside a 1940s radio studio.This…
A Street Photography Series
Explore the art of street photography in a dynamic three-part series inspired by the exhibition Camera and the City. Presented with the SPAO…
Camera and the City
Drawing from the National Gallery of Canada’s rich collection, Camera and the City showcases photographers who reveal the many facets of urban life…
Winter Count: Embracing the Cold
Explore Winter Count: Embracing the Cold, an exhibition highlighting winter’s influence across cultures and artistic traditions. Featuring over 150…
Nature Nocturne
Dance until midnight while DJs fill the castle with awesome sound! Meet artists throughout the galleries. Discover four floors of world-class museum…
FAQ
Which museums are free in Ottawa?
A few museums and galleries are free to visit in Ottawa, including the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Bank of Canada Museum, and the galleries at City Hall.
Are museums free on Thursdays in Ottawa?
A few Ottawa museums offer free visiting hours on Thursday evenings, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature and Canadian Museum of History.
Learn more about Ottawa’s museums
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Explore these 11 Ottawa museums
Fun fact: Ottawa has seven of Canada’s nine national museums! But did you know, the capital city also has 11 other local museums as well? -
Don’t miss these unique museum-like experiences in Ottawa
It’s no secret: Ottawa is home to some of the best museums in the world. But what other museum-like experiences exist in Canada’s capital? And what wonders do they hold?
