Museum Tours in Ottawa: 6 That Use a Whole Day Well

1.Canadian War Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 232 reviews · 1 day · from $18Our pick

Spend a full day at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum, a self-guided visit through Canada’s military past. See tanks, artillery, uniforms, art, photographs, and personal stories, then pause in Memorial Hall beside the Unknown Soldier’s headstone. Admission includes permanent galleries, special exhibitions, a multilingual guide, and a self-serve coat check.

“Amazing, one of the best War Musuems in the world. I have been to WWII ones in France, england and New Orleans --just an amazing collection --one of the best Armored vehicle / Tank collections”

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2.Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 230 reviews · 1 day · from $20Top rated

Spend a full day at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, across from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. Explore four floors of permanent and special exhibitions, the Canadian History Hall, the world’s largest indoor display of monumental poles, the Canadian Children’s Museum, and Ciné+. Admission includes a museum guide app, coat check, and wheelchair access.

“j’avais deux heures devant moi, ce qui m’a permis de voir l’exposition sur l’histoire du Canada.”

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3.Canadian Museum of Nature Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 226 reviews · 1 day · from $19

Spend a full day exploring four floors of Canadian nature inside Ottawa’s historic museum castle. See dinosaurs, a complete blue whale skeleton, gems, Arctic displays, live insects, Pacific tide pool creatures, and Canadian birds. Admission covers permanent galleries, with limited special-exhibit tickets available at the museum.

“i liked the whole experience! so much to see and learn. We spent almoat 4hrs there taking everything in. was a great time”

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4.Canadian War Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 213 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $18

Set your own pace at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum, where admission covers the permanent galleries and special exhibits. Plan about three hours to read the displays, view tanks and damaged equipment, reflect in Memorial Hall, and see the building’s hopeful architectural design. Guided tours cost extra, and mobile tickets are available.

“Great morning. Kids loved it. Workers were so helpful. Takes about 3 hours to really absorb info available”

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5.Ghosts of the Bytown Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 9 reviews · from $24

Meet cloaked guides at 46 1/2 Sparks Street for a 75-minute evening walk through Ottawa’s best-known ghost stories, then enter the Bytown Museum after hours. Hear tales linked to the Rideau Canal, Barrack Hill Cemetery, and the Gatineau River. Guides lead in English or French, and Véronique is especially praised for her dramatic storytelling.

“We loved the tour, our guide Veronique was interesting and captivating, she kept us on the edge of our seats throughout the tour. Her knowledge and experiences made us have a memorable evening.”

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6.National Gallery of Canada Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $18

Spend a full day at Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada, where admission covers the exhibitions and artist talks. See Canadian, Indigenous, and international art inside Moshe Safdie’s glass and granite building, pause in the garden court, photograph the Great Hall and Maman, and join art-making activities when offered. The main entrance is your meeting point.

“Super musée à découvrir, personnel très professionnel, accueillant. Endroit très agréable, vous pouvez allez voir la vue sublime d’Ottawa au Kiweki point view. Je recommande !”

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