List of museums in Ottawa facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The City of Ottawa and the area around it, called the National Capital Region, have tons of amazing museums and art galleries! These places range from huge national museums that are famous worldwide to smaller, local galleries and even "living museums" where you can experience history. They offer a fun way to learn about Canada's past, nature, science, and art.

Canada's Big National Museums: What Can You Discover?
Other Cool Museums and Galleries in Ottawa
Museums That Have Closed or Moved
Images for kids
See also

Canada's Big National Museums: What Can You Discover?

Ottawa is home to many of Canada's most important museums. These are often called "national museums" because they tell the story of our whole country. They are great places to visit and learn something new!

Exploring History at the Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History is one of Canada's biggest museums. It's located in Hull, just across the river from Ottawa. This museum helps us understand the human history of Canada, from ancient times to today. It has a huge collection of items that show how people lived and what they created throughout the years. It opened way back in 1856!

Location: Hull
Opened: 1856
What you'll find: Canada's national history museum, with a large collection that shows the human history of Canada.

Discovering Nature at the Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is in Centretown Ottawa. If you love animals, plants, and rocks, this is the place for you! It's Canada's national museum for natural history and natural sciences. You can see dinosaur skeletons, learn about Canadian animals, and explore amazing minerals. The building itself looks like a castle!

Location: Centretown
Opened: 1968
What you'll find: Canada's national museum for natural history and natural sciences.

Learning About War at the Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum is located in LeBreton Flats. This museum tells the story of Canada's military history. You can learn about different wars, see real tanks and military vehicles, and understand the experiences of Canadian soldiers. It's a powerful place that helps us remember important events.

Location: LeBreton Flats
Opened: 1942
What you'll find: Canada's national museum of military history.

Flying High at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

If you're fascinated by planes and space, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is a must-see! It's in Rockcliffe Park and has the largest collection of aircraft in Canada. You can see planes from different eras, learn about space travel, and even try out flight simulators.

Location: Rockcliffe Park
Opened: 1982
What you'll find: Canada's national aviation and space museum, with the biggest collection of aircraft in Canada.

Exploring Science and Tech at the Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is on St. Laurent. This museum is all about how science and technology have shaped Canada. You can explore interactive exhibits, learn about inventions, and see how things work. It's a fun place for hands-on learning!

Location: St. Laurent
Opened: 1967
What you'll find: Canada's national science museum, showing Canada's history of technology and science.

Farming Fun at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is part of the Experimental Farm. This unique museum shows how farming science and technology have changed over time. You can visit a real working farm, see farm animals, and learn about where our food comes from.

Location: Experimental Farm
Opened: 1983
What you'll find: Canada's main agriculture museum, showing new ideas in farming science and technology.

Seeing Amazing Art at the National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada is in Lower Town and is one of the largest art museums in North America. It has a huge collection of art from Canada and around the world. You can see paintings, sculptures, and photographs by famous artists. It's a great place to get inspired by creativity!

Location: Lower Town
Opened: 1880
What you'll find: Canada's national art museum and one of the biggest art museums in North America.

Enjoying Performances at the National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre is in Centretown. While it's not a museum in the traditional sense, it's Canada's main place for performing arts. You can watch plays, concerts, and dance shows here. It's where many amazing artists perform!

Location: Centretown
Opened: 1965
What you'll find: Canada's centre for the performing arts.

Other Cool Museums and Galleries in Ottawa

Besides the big national museums, Ottawa has many other interesting places to visit. These smaller museums and galleries often focus on specific topics or local history, giving you a deeper look into different parts of the city's story.

Exploring Ottawa's Past

Bytown Museum: Located in Centretown, this museum tells the story of Ottawa's early days and how the Rideau Canal was built. It's a great way to imagine what the city was like long ago.
Billings Estate Museum: In Alta Vista, this is a historic house from 1828. Guides in costumes can tell you about the city's history and the early settlers.
Carleton County Gaol: This old jail in Centretown is now a hostel, but you can still take tours. It's famous for being the site of the last state execution in Canada.
Laurier House National Historic Site: Also in Centretown, this historic home belonged to two of Canada's former prime ministers. You can learn about their lives and times.
Library and Archives Canada: In Centretown, this place holds many important Canadian documents. They often have exhibits from their huge collections.
Mackenzie King Estate: Located in Kingsmere, this was the home of another former prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. You can take guided tours and see restored artifacts.
Pinhey's Point Historic Site: In Dunrobin, this is a 19th-century estate with a park and a living museum. It's like stepping back in time!
Rideau Hall: In Rockcliffe Park, this is the official home of the Governor General of Canada. You can take tours and see where important events happen.
Royal Canadian Mint: In Lower Town, you can take tours to see where Canadian coins are made! It was founded in 1908.
Watson's Mill: Located in Manotick, this is a 19th-century flour grist mill. You can see how grain was turned into flour long ago.
Parliament of Canada: In Centretown, you can take tours of the Parliament buildings, see displays, and learn about how Canada is governed.

Specialty Museums for Unique Interests

Bank of Canada Museum: In Centretown, this museum has the National Currency Collection. You can learn all about money and its history in Canada.
Diefenbunker Museum: Located in Carp, this is a fascinating Cold War bunker built for the Canadian government. It's an underground museum that tells the story of a secret past.
Dominion Arboretum: Part of the Experimental Farm, this beautiful outdoor space started in 1889. It covers about 26 hectares (64 acres) and is a great place to see many different kinds of trees and plants.
Museum of Classical Antiquities: At the University of Ottawa in Sandy Hill, this museum has items from ancient times.
Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame: Located in the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, this museum celebrates Ottawa's sports heroes and their achievements.
Swords and Ploughshares Museum: In Kars, this museum focuses on the history of citizen soldiers and reservists. It has many military trucks and vehicles.
Vanier Museopark: This museum in Vanier tells the history of Vanier and the French-speaking heritage of Ottawa.

Art Galleries Around the City

Ottawa has many art galleries where you can see works by local and international artists.

Atrium Gallery: In Centrepointe, this gallery shows art by local and regional artists. It's run by the City of Ottawa.
Canadian Photography Institute: This is part of the National Gallery in Lower Town and focuses on amazing photographs.
Carleton University Art Gallery: This gallery is at Carleton University in Old South.
Centrepointe Theatre Gallery: Also in Centrepointe, this gallery features works by local and regional artists.
City of Ottawa Art Galleries: The City of Ottawa runs several art galleries, including some at City Hall in Centretown.
Cube Gallery: In Wellington West, this gallery features local artists.
Foyer Gallery: In Tanglewood, this is an artist-run gallery for regional art, located in the Nepean Sportsplex.
Gallery 101: In Centretown, this is an artist-run centre for modern art.
Kanata Civic Art Gallery: In Kanata, this gallery shows and promotes original artworks.
Karsh-Masson Gallery: One of the art galleries at City Hall in Centretown.
L. A. Pai Gallery: In Centretown, this gallery specializes in sculptures and modern jewelry.
Lee Matasi Gallery: An Ottawa School of Art gallery in the ByWard Market.
Nepean Fine Arts League Gallery: An artist-run gallery in Nepean.
Orange Art Gallery: In Centretown West, this gallery features contemporary art.
Ottawa Art Gallery: In Centretown, this gallery shows contemporary and 20th-century art.
Ottawa School of Art Galleries: In the ByWard Market, these galleries show a wide variety of modern art and host events.
SAW Gallery: An artist-run gallery in Centretown.
Shenkman Arts Centre: In Orleans, this centre has galleries showing local and regional artists, including the Dust Evans Gallery and the Ottawa School of Art Orléans Campus Gallery.

Museums That Have Closed or Moved

Some museums in Ottawa have closed their doors or moved to new locations over the years.

Canada and the World Pavilion: This museum in Rockcliffe Park used to be an exhibition space for the National Film Board of Canada. It focused on geography.
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography: This art museum in the ByWard Market closed in 2009.
Canadian Postal Museum: This museum in Centretown focused on postal history but closed in 2012.
Canadian Ski Museum: This sports museum in Centretown moved to Mont-Tremblant.
Wheelhouse Maritime Museum: This historical maritime museum was located in Centretown.