Canadian Museum of Nature

The museum offers an interactive and educational experience for visitors of all ages with seven permanent galleries and a variety of temporary exhibitions featuring everything from live butterflies to Inuit art.The museum’s 3D theater shows educational films focused on topics like volcanoes and flying dinosaurs. Visit on a self-guided tour or as part of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Ottawa.

• The Canadian Museum of Nature is a must-see for nature lovers and history buffs.

• Guests must purchase separate tickets (or an admission combo pack) to see special exhibits or movies at the 3D theater.

• All areas of the museum are wheelchair and stroller accessible, and both conveyances are available to borrow, free of charge.

• The museum has free Wi-Fi and a charging station.

• You can bring your own snacks and lunch to eat in one of the museum’s designated areas or fuel up at the on-site cafe.

• Admission to the museum’s permanent galleries is free on Thursdays after 5pm.

The museum is easily accessible from downtown Ottawa or the Queensway (also known as the Trans-Canada Highway or Highway 417). If coming from the highway, take the Metcalfe exit. If visiting from downtown Ottawa, follow Metcalfe Street to the museum, which is visible from a distance. There are also numerous OC Transpo buses that will take you within one or two blocks of the museum.

The museum is open year-round with hours varying by the season. Special events and temporary exhibits take place throughout the year, so look at the museum’s calendar before your visit to see what is scheduled.

Museum lovers should consider purchasing Canada’s National Museums Passport, which lets you pick three of the city’s seven national museums and visit them anytime during a 3-day period. Then, after visiting the Canadian Museum of Nature, you can delve into the country’s past at the Canadian Museum of History and see the nation’s top art at the National Gallery of Canada.