Canadian Museum of History
Canadian Museum of History
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Experience Canada’s history in exciting new ways. The Canadian Museum of History is a destination of choice in the National Capital Region. An architectural jewel designed by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, the Museum is less than five minutes from downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill. Explore Canada’s rich history and the outstanding achievements of First Peoples. Marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles. The Canadian History Hall, our signature exhibition, will let you discover the events, personalities and historical currents that have shaped Canada — from time immemorial to the present day.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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£12.66
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4.4
2,310 reviews
Excellent
1,439
Very good
573
Average
182
Poor
81
Terrible
35
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Mamzelltopi
Dole, France623 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
It takes a good half-day to take a thorough tour of this huge museum that traces the history of Canada from the First Peoples to today. The proposed tour route is very interesting and follows the chronology but the part on the ancient peoples is repeated a little with the exhibition of the ground floor in traditional dwellings. The visit is nevertheless very interesting!
Automatically translated
Written 11 September 2024
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.
YLNS
Rio de Janeiro, RJ53 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
My time was somewhat restricted, so I ended up not being able to enjoy the entire museum, but it would certainly be worth it for the architecture of the facade and the large hall with the totems!!! It also has a great little store.
I walked from Ottawa, it's about 12/15 minutes from "Maman" (Louise Bourgeois's spider), passing over a bridge with beautiful views.
Tip: I got the free Thursday night ticket (which made it more worth it)
I walked from Ottawa, it's about 12/15 minutes from "Maman" (Louise Bourgeois's spider), passing over a bridge with beautiful views.
Tip: I got the free Thursday night ticket (which made it more worth it)
Written 13 June 2024
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.
BigJeff L
2,322 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We decided to visit this museum to see the display of Totem Poles. We were not disappointed. There is a spectacular vantage point to see these in their full gallery setting which was worth the visit alone. The building is also very interesting architecturally with its unusual swirling curves. Its free to get in so what is there not to like. Around the back of the building there is also an amazing panoramic view of the Ottawa Skyline which is not to be missed.
Written 3 November 2024
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.
AcademicTravels
Toronto, Canada57 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
The opening gallery is one of the best museum galleries anywhere in the world. I could just sit here an enjoy the ambience over and over again. A true gem and a must see for Canadians and international visitors alike.
Written 13 November 2024
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.
JCruz61
Sao Paulo, SP199 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The museum is huge. We stayed for more than 4 hours and didn't get to see everything we wanted to. The collection is very rich and the environment is very pleasant.
We missed a more detailed map about the floors and the sequence for carrying out the visit.
Audioguides are not available, but I believe if they were, they would make the visits more interesting, especially for “non-Canadians”.
We took a guided tour, however, although it was interesting and the guide was extremely attentive, it was very quick and did not do justice to the story.
Anyway, if you don't know the history of Canada, I recommend that you read a little before going to get acquainted better.
Furthermore, I believe that the most immersive museums that can place you in that moment in history are always more interesting. Unfortunately this is not the case.
Still, I think the visit is worth it.
We missed a more detailed map about the floors and the sequence for carrying out the visit.
Audioguides are not available, but I believe if they were, they would make the visits more interesting, especially for “non-Canadians”.
We took a guided tour, however, although it was interesting and the guide was extremely attentive, it was very quick and did not do justice to the story.
Anyway, if you don't know the history of Canada, I recommend that you read a little before going to get acquainted better.
Furthermore, I believe that the most immersive museums that can place you in that moment in history are always more interesting. Unfortunately this is not the case.
Still, I think the visit is worth it.
Written 21 September 2023
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.
Corihi
Honolulu, HI704 contributions
I enjoyed The Museum of History in Ottawa more than the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto because it focused solely on Canada and wasn’t as overwhelming. My favorite exhibits were the totem poles and house fronts of the First Peoples of the Northwest Coast in the Grand Hall. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of totem poles. I also liked the Canadian stamp collection (yes, postage stamps). I thought the use of stamps was a clever way to chronicle the history of Canada. If you want to learn about Canadian history, check out this museum.
Written 6 November 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.
Corihi
Honolulu, HI704 contributions
I enjoyed The Museum of History in Ottawa more than the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto because it focused solely on Canada and wasn’t as overwhelming. My favorite exhibits were the totem poles and house fronts of the First Peoples of the Northwest Coast in the Grand Hall. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of totem poles. I also liked the Canadian stamp collection (yes, postage stamps). I thought the use of stamps was a clever way to chronicle the history of Canada. If you want to learn about Canadian history, check out this museum.
Written 6 November 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.
Leigh C
Courtenay, Vancouver Island, BC192 contributions
Sept 2022
We walked across the Alexandra Bridge into Gatineau (Hull) and spent five hours at this museum, until our brains were overloaded. It is so well laid-out, doesn't sugar-coat the things that happened here to immigrants and First Nations, and should be seen by anyone going to Ottawa. There are some interactive displays which are fun, and truly imaginative set-ups.
Written 29 September 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.
iplayazi
Calgary, Canada291 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Visited the museum by booking tickets online for our family of 5. Access to the museum is limited to a 30 minute guided tour of the hall with the totem poles. Guide was very informative and definitely worthwhile. Also attended the indigenous dance performance. We go to a pow wow every summer, but of course they have all been cancelled for this summer. The performance was brief but definitely made us miss the pow wow experience that we won’t be able to enjoy this summer.
Written 16 August 2020
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.
Dear iplayazi, thank you for your comments and for sharing them through this platform. We are glad that you enjoyed the activities offered during our Summer Offer.
The Museum has now begun it's next phase of opening, with access to most of our exhibitions. We are offering self-guided family activities, the special exhibition UNCEDED ‒ Voices of the Land, and perennial favourites like the Grand Hall and the Canadian History Hall.
Check our website for details.
We hope that you visit us again soon!
Regards,
Stephanie Fortin
Head, Tourism
Canadian Museum of History
Written 9 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mama M
Toronto, Canada8 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
I read the reviews before I went, and then I read them again - and now I know that all the 5 star reviews are on point! This place is absolutely amazing! I came with my young daughter, but I could spend all day here. We both want to come back again. After we left, I was speechless about how well executed all the exhibits are, and how much there is to see and learn. Thank you to the worker (sadly never asked her name), who told us the story about the original plaster of The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, and about the Morning Star mural. Now scroll down and read the other reviews - every good word is true!
Written 11 September 2020
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.
Dear MamaMayaB, thank you for your great comments following your visit to the Canadian Museum of History. We are glad to hear that your enjoyed your experience. We hope that you will visit us again soon!
Regards,
Stephanie Fortin
Head, Tourism
Written 14 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is the exhibit on Jesuits, including tbe handwritten bibles and vestments, still there? If so, is it a permanent exhibit?
Written 17 March 2018
Well I am not sure about it. The best way is looking for it from their website or contact directly for the specific information.
Have fun,
Kaveh H.
Written 3 April 2018
An aerial view shows no parking lot. Is there underground parking? Where is the best place to park.
Written 10 June 2017
Underground parking. I think we paid $13 to stay there all day.
Written 8 July 2017
Good afternoon, in this museum there are improvements intended for people with disabilities? And what exactly is done for them?
Written 5 May 2017
Hello,
The Canadian Museum of History makes every effort to ensure that visitors with disabilities will have a satisfying visit.
We offer the following services:
-Teleprinter (TTY): 819-776-7003.
-Courtesy wheelchairs, a motorized wheelchair and strollers are available at the Coat Check. Subject to availability.
-Parking spaces for those using wheelchairs are available on level P1.
-Elevators (with floor numbers in braille) connect all levels of the Museum building and access ramps are installed where needed.
-Spaces are reserved for wheelchairs in the Theatre and CINÉ+.
-An FM Assistive Listening System is available for all films showing at the CINÉ+.
-Free admission for a single attendant accompanying a person with a disability.
For more information related to our services, please inquire at the Information Desk or call 819-776-7000 / 1-800-555-5621.
We hope you will visit us soon!
Stephanie Fortin
Tourism and Marketing Officer
Canadian Museum of History
Written 7 May 2017
DH and I are trying to set an itinerary for a one-day visit to the NCR. How much time do you recommend we set aside for a visit to the Cdn Museum of History?
Written 11 February 2017
Hello, indeed you can easily spend the entire day in the Museum! We usually recommend at least 3 hours to have time to see the permanent and special exhibitions, and catch a movie at CINÉ+. Visit our website for ongoing programs and exhibitions.
Hope to see you soon!
Stephanie Fortin
Canadian Museum of History
Written 13 February 2017
I have been looking for "the children's museum" in Ottawa. Is this it? I have heard a lot about it but when I search for it, this one come up.
Written 2 February 2016
Hello, the Museum offers indoor parking at the following rates:
Rate: $2.50 per half hour
Daily maximum rate: $12.50
Flat rate from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.: $6.00
Prices are subject to change for special events and festivals.
There is additional parking on streets around the Museum.
Regards,
Stephanie
Canadian Museum of History
Written 5 August 2015
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