17 Best Museums in Ottawa to Visit in 2024 (Local’s Guide)

1. Canadian War Museum

Learn about Canada’s military history at this interactive museum. 

See how early wars in Canada between the First Peoples, French, and British shaped the Canadian landscape. The museum covers the World Wars up through today.

Visitors can get up close to the full-sized planes and tanks on display and interact with the hands-on displays. Special exhibits dig deeper into what it was like to be a soldier. 

Take a minute for quiet reflection at Memorial Hall and pay tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. 

2. National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is the best museum in Ottawa for art lovers.

This three-level glass building houses collections of stunning Canadian and Indigenous art, European and American art, and Contemporary art. Enjoy various art forms, from classical painting to sculpture to modern video. 

Exhibitions here change often, so check the website to see what might interest you before you go.

3. Diefenbunker

Plan for at least an hour to see this unique Cold War bunker-turned-museum. It was built as a nuclear shelter between 1959 and 1961 at the height of the Cold War. 

The museum has four stories, and you’ll have to go underground to explore.

Diefenbunker even does birthday parties and spy camps. There is an escape room for adults where you and your team will be challenged to escape the bunker!

You can do a self-guided tour with an audio guide or pay a small fee for a guided tour.

4. Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Aviation enthusiasts of all ages will love seeing all the aircraft at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum! Planes of all shapes and sizes are on display in the main exhibition hall and tell the story of aviation and how it has affected Canada.

Other exhibits look at international space stations, health in space, engines, air traffic control, and more.

The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum is among the top museums in Ottawa for aviation!

5. Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is a wonderful place to explore natural history and the species of Canada. Prepare to spend a few hours here to be able to see everything. 

Life-size statues and replicas of animals and dinosaurs greet visitors at the entrance.  

Not everything here is dead, though–the Bugs Alive exhibition features live insects and tarantulas.

Budding geologists will love the Earth Gallery, with minerals and rocks to touch and a cave to explore. You can also skate or take a ride on the Rideau Canal Cruise just near the museum!

6. Canadian Museum of History

The Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of History impresses visitors with totem poles and houses that showcase the First Peoples of Canada’s Pacific Coast.

The design of this museum is top-notch, and it is one of the best museums in Ottawa. It weaves human stories and artifacts together for a great visitor experience.

When you get hungry, get food at the Panorama Café. In the summer you can eat on the terrace and enjoy a beautiful river view.

7. Bytown Museum

If you really want to dig into the history of Ottawa, the Bytown Museum is the place to go. 

Displays and personal stories chronicle the growth of the settlement that would become the city of Ottawa and later the nation’s capital. Grab the free audio guide that is included in the admission fee and hear about a variety of artifacts from photos to footwear.

8. Laurier House National Historic Site

This house was home to two of Canada’s most well-known prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King. See their lives here through art and artifacts on three floors. 

9. Rideau Hall

If you want to learn more about Canada’s government, visit Rideau Hall, the home of the governor-general. 45-minute public tours of the staterooms let visitors see where the governor conducts work and welcomes foreign dignitaries.

The vast grounds are fun to explore and even include a skating rink for anyone to enjoy. 

10. Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Science and Technology Museum is a hands-on museum with unique exhibits.

From a historical view of how steam changed Canada to how wearable tech is changing our lives, visitors will find something interesting here. 

Peruse the exhibits about technology and medicine and head to the Crazy Kitchen to play with perceptions and illusions. 

11. Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum

This museum is actually a working farm in the heart of the city! The Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum allows visitors to get up close and personal with cows, horses, goats, sheep, and more while they learn how a farm works.  

Kids will love petting the farm animals and learning about them from special presentations by staff members. 

The more traditional museum learning center has ever-changing exhibitions that connect food and the environment. Current exhibits include Canola! Seeds of Innovation and Healthy Oceans for a Healthy Planet.

12. Upper Canada Village

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, this living-history site is one of the biggest in Canada. You’ll be transported to an English-Canadian settlement in 1866.

There are over 40 historical buildings that show what life was like almost two centuries ago. Expert artisans show visitors how they create shoes, brooms, iron goods, and more.  

Taking a ride in the tow scow boat or on the miniature train is a highlight for many visitors.  

Check out the kitchen and garden, and take home some fresh-baked bread from the bakery.

13. Mackenzie King Estate

The Mackenzie King Estate estate is the home of former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. 

The cute country setting has French and English gardens, hiking trails, and historical ruins. It’s a great place to get out of the city and enjoy some time outside.

During the summer, there are plenty of events and activities for kids and families. 

14. Bank of Canada Museum

The Bank of Canada Museum takes visitors on a candid experience of the Bank’s key functions and sheds light on the impact each citizen has on the Canadian economy.

Through a series of informative and interactive exhibits, guests will experience the bank in a whole new way. You can learn the history of Canadian currency and uncover the Bank’s role in the health of the Canadian economy.

It’s free, and almost all the activities are kid-friendly, so children can learn about the history of currency, too!

15. Canadian Children’s Museum

The Canadian Children’s Museum lets children travel the world with activities like riding a Pakistani bus, cooking in a Mexican kitchen, or visiting a Japanese home.  

Kids can pick up an activity passport with stickers as they “visit” different countries.

The museum is located within the Canadian History Museum, and there is no separate ticket option just to see the Children’s Museum.

16. Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is the area that contains Canada’s Senate and House of Commons. These are not specifically museums, but a visit provides a window into the working of Canada’s government. 

The Senate is currently in a large building that was Ottawa’s central train station. 

Visitors can attend a 30-40 minute guided tour of either or both locations but must book them separately. 

There is no bag check, and only one small bag is allowed per person.

Hours: Entrance is by guided tour only. Tour dates and times vary and are not available on December 1, January 1, or July 1 or on parliament sitting days.  

17. Women Are Persons! Monument

If you do the Parliament tour or are in the area, this monument of the Famous Five is worth your time.  

These five Albertan women brought the case before the court that decided that women were, indeed, persons in a significant victory for women’s rights.  

The statues here were created by artist Barbara Paterson who also made similar statues in Calgary.