Bytown Museum
Bytown Museum
4
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, the Bytown Museum explores the stories of an evolving city and its residents from the early days of Bytown to present day Ottawa.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
246 reviews
Excellent
109
Very good
97
Average
32
Poor
6
Terrible
2
I9917TWbarbaram
28 contributions
Aug 2022
We tried several times and only found this open once and they were about to close. It is scheduled to be open very often and it is not open even when it is supposed to be. I ran into some locals who had been trying for yrs to see this museum and never found it open.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvs2TravelAnywhere
New York City, NY7,191 contributions
Aug 2015
Small, quaint museum that packs a punch in a beautiful setting. The history of Ottawa is held in this two-story building.
Written 23 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard T
Great Baddow, UK144 contributions
Sept 2019
A very informative little museum and only a $2 entry. Plenty about the history of Ottowa and the Rideau canal Worth a visit
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
futtock21
London, UK17,143 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
The Bytown Museum tells the history of the city of Ottawa from its earliest days in a three-storey building known as the Commissariat adjoining the locks on the Rideau Canal dating from the early nineteenth century when it was used as a storehouse by those constructing the canal. There is a cafe on the ground floor and currently an exhibition about Canada’s contribution to the Boer War. Photographs showing the construction of the Parliament buildings are of particular interest.
Written 3 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Penang Island, Malaysia1,244 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This Museum is housed in Ottawa's oldest stone building, built almost 200 years ago! The focus of the museum is to highlight Ottawa's early days as well as the construction (and its challenges) of the 202 km long Rideau Canal. History buffs, couples and families will enjoy it! The interactive displays are really great! There is also a great cafe with super coffee and "artisnal food" offerings. The location is beside the beginning of the canal. The entry fee is modest [as its is a not for profit entity].
I hope that this Review is helpful.
I hope that this Review is helpful.
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis D
Montreal, Canada1,807 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This place is a nice little museum that can be visited under 1 hour.
In fact, the audioguide (free with entrance fee) lasts about 45 minutes and covers everything contained in the museum (except for the free Rideau Canal exhibit behind the ticketing office).
Bear in mind that Ottawa is relatively young city, that doesn' have much history as compared to other cities. Therefore, don't expect to spend too much time in the place.
The museum is well done though and explains the place Ottawa (formerly knoww as Bytown) occupied through time and how it grew to become Canada's capital we know today.
This is a well 1-hr spent while in Ottawa.
In fact, the audioguide (free with entrance fee) lasts about 45 minutes and covers everything contained in the museum (except for the free Rideau Canal exhibit behind the ticketing office).
Bear in mind that Ottawa is relatively young city, that doesn' have much history as compared to other cities. Therefore, don't expect to spend too much time in the place.
The museum is well done though and explains the place Ottawa (formerly knoww as Bytown) occupied through time and how it grew to become Canada's capital we know today.
This is a well 1-hr spent while in Ottawa.
Written 18 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tracy r
Ottawa, Canada23 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
We had good weather and were very curious about this museum. We went for a long walk around the Parliament Buildings and took in the Bytown Museum. I couldn't believe how big it was and all the history was great to learn. The locks are beautiful and some men were working on one of the ships in the locks. October is beautiful in Ottawa.
Written 11 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JubileePhil
Rothbury, UK152 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
This small, but perfectly formed museum is worth visiting both for its stunning location in city centre Ottawa as well as the interesting and Informative audio commentary on the history of the city. Housed in the oldest stone building in Ottawa, it sits next to the stunning series of locks on the Rideau Canal. The audio commentary over two small floors paints a vivid picture of the astonishing Rideau Canal development and how Bytown grew in to the country’s capital in a relatively short time. Recommend a visit!
Written 6 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debrakgrose
Port Perry, Canada123 contributions
Aug 2017
Make sure you splurge for the guided tour - its worth it.
The Bytown Museum is on the lower side of the Rideau Canal just below the Locks.
The Bytown Museum explores the early history of Canada’s capital, when it was known as Bytown. The museum also pays homage to Lieutenant Colonel John By, who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal, and features a variety of exhibitions displaying local historical treasures.
The museum presentation Where Ottawa Begins is a treat and can be a guided tour or a self guided tour with headphones but the guided tour really helps you put the history in perspective. There are interactive displays and a video presentation about the locks, how they were built.
This year they created a temporary exhibit, entitled Bytown Museum: A Century of Community. The exhibit presents the history of both Ottawa and the Museum itself through 100 artefacts from the Museum's vast collection.
It's a great place to learn about our history. Well worth a visit!
The Bytown Museum is on the lower side of the Rideau Canal just below the Locks.
The Bytown Museum explores the early history of Canada’s capital, when it was known as Bytown. The museum also pays homage to Lieutenant Colonel John By, who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal, and features a variety of exhibitions displaying local historical treasures.
The museum presentation Where Ottawa Begins is a treat and can be a guided tour or a self guided tour with headphones but the guided tour really helps you put the history in perspective. There are interactive displays and a video presentation about the locks, how they were built.
This year they created a temporary exhibit, entitled Bytown Museum: A Century of Community. The exhibit presents the history of both Ottawa and the Museum itself through 100 artefacts from the Museum's vast collection.
It's a great place to learn about our history. Well worth a visit!
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hotel Harry
Keighley, UK240 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Down by the locks on the canal, this little museum tells the story of the area's development and has some very nice exhibits. You can sit outside and drink freshly squeezed lemonade which is very pleasant.
Written 15 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, I really would love to know is there accessible for the handicapped to get to the Museum.
Written 17 July 2024
Sorry for the late response. We stayed at a Downtown Ottawa Hotel and walked everywhere. There are several parking garages throughout downtown Ottawa, including at the Rideau Centre, where you can park for the day. Recommend walking and leaving your car in a garage for the day. The City is walkable, but traffic can be hectic and parking expensive, if you continually move your car.
Written 22 August 2017
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