THE 10 BEST Museums in Ottawa
Museums in Ottawa
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Museums
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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66 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Military Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Admission tickets from C$21
Speciality Museums
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Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
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Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
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Historic Sites • History Museums
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Art Galleries
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Art Galleries
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
Art Galleries
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Art Galleries
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
What travellers are saying
- Yumiko10 contributionsWe wish they had audio tour available since their guide tour was full and an audio tour could increase the experience but it is not available as this facility.Written January 1, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Flyer146824561671 contributionThe museum was very butiful and i had fun with my friends. The tank reproductions were really cool and well done. The models were very well done too. It was the best museum I have visited in my life.Written November 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- steve lOntario, Canada6 contributionsBeautiful building requires a full day to take in all the exhibits in one day . Very easy to miss sections due to the amount of adjoining rooms . Loads of washrooms . Security went out of there way to show locations. Little disappointed with the amount of indigenious art although the Canadian Museum of history has this coveredWritten February 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Try2TravelSustainablyHamilton, Canada406 contributionsBeautiful building and while mostly geared to kids enough for adults to do in a few hours. The rock display is almost as good as the ROM in Toronto. The mammal display is great.Written February 11, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 80237travelDenver, CO2,161 contributionsThe Aviation and Space Museum is a little ways removed from downtown Ottawa and where many of the others things to do and see (at least for out-of-town visitors) are located. Still, it's worth the drive or Uber ride -- especially for anyone with an interest in aviation.
The main part of the museum is, as expected, an assorted collection of aircraft from throughout Canadian aviation history. While nothing can really be touched or explored first-hand, it is still interesting. Perhaps most interesting are some of the military aircraft that you might not see unless you were in the military in a given era.
There's also the opportunity to book a separate 15-minute plane ride on a small aircraft. This was fun, although you have to know Ottawa and the assorted landmarks since the pilot doesn't provide any kind of commentary. Still, it's pretty cool to see the city from the vantage point of a bird.
I didn't have a problem getting an Uber ride from the museum, although the wait time was almost 15 minutes. Keep that in mind.
All things considered, it's a nice museum.Written December 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Matthew MFarmington, NY315 contributionsJust an ok science museum. I think I'm glad I went- and I often go to different science museums when I'm traveling mostly since they're free with the reciprocity program with our local science museum. But this was mostly just ok. Felt kinda small and not super interesting. Even the show on pyrotechnics felt unclear and hard to hear and seemingly not containing any science content. We left after an hour and we had to push ourselves to last the hourWritten September 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PhilipLeicLeicester, UK1,649 contributionsThis is a free museum that is great for children to learn about all aspects of finances and currency. Many of the exhibits are interactive and the museum is larger than I was expecting. Overall well worth a visit.Written December 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- everyjonCanada121 contributionsI loved going to the house. its very interesting house. We went to the house on not busy day and we got the best time with the house.Written October 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- STSWMFCWMontreal, Canada77 contributionsThe gallery being conveniently located, we took advantage of their free admission to do a quick walk-through during the wait for a nearby tour. I wish we had had more time to see everything but thoroughly appreciated what I did see. The gift shop is filled with incredible handmade items and is well worth the detour on its' own.Written October 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AmarilisVosJabbeke, Belgium2,660 contributionsWe visited the museum on July 3. There is parking at the museum (9 CAD for the day). Kids will like the animals and adults will like the rapeseed and aquaculture exhibit. There is explanation for young and old at certain hours. These are in different locations, so you need to be well organized if you want to see them all. Making ice cream with an old 19th century ice cream machine with tasting is not to be missed.Written August 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Louise BAberdeen, UK113 contributionsAn interesting museum about the history of Ottawa. We did it after taking the cruise trip which was also very good, we had a lovely day.Written October 21, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dahlia G1 contributionThank you! We weren't sure what to expect and the kids had a great day! There was something for everyone in our family from the school house experience to the village feel complete with apple trees it was a special day. My younger children especially loved being given a guided tour with the farmer Val I believe. She made the experience very interactive and livey for my young kids - 3 and 1 years old.Written August 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Yvan Magnus HOttawa, Canada68 contributionsI went in blind, not knowing what to expect and came out a lover of glassblowing. Every aspect was well explained, and demonstrated, the instructor was very knowledgeable and let you take the lead. I went to 2 classes in the same day, produced 2 lovely colorful pieces which I gave to my mother as gifts. Such an inexpensive class with such a rewarding result. I am doing a third class and am considering the week long course, it was that pleasant!Written August 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Vandana KChennai (Madras), India33 contributionsWe enjoyed the freshly baked warm scones and cream along with some dainty finger sandwiches and cookies once again! Tea on the Lawn is an experience, it's not a restaurant serving refreshments but a heritage site providing visitors a taste of times gone by. One needs to book well in advance for the tea as they have limited seating arrangements and specific days and timings for the tea service. There is a set menu which gives an option for a variety of tea blends. We loved the Billings Blend and Orange Caramel flavours. Lawns are well maintained and one can spend time just strolling leisurely.Written August 26, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- futtock21London, UK17,259 contributionsI’m used to London galleries not recognising Sundays and Mondays. Ottawa galleries tend to have a weekly retirement from Sunday to Tuesday inclusive. But when I walked past Cube last week I saw a notice on the door indicating it was now permanently shut save for occasional hirings. This it was a pleasant surprise this Saturday lunchtime to find it open, or rather a gentleman sitting in a chair outside ready to open it to anyone showing an interest. What was on display seemed to be an exhibition put on by the gallery because many of the most striking pieces were not for sale because part of the gallery collection. There was an impressive selection of works in different media, including oil and acrylic paintings, prints and sculptures.Written August 3, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.