Canadian Museum of Nature

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	9:30AM-4PM
Wednesday	9:30AM-4PM
Thursday	9:30AM-4PM
Friday	Closed
Saturday	9:30AM-4PM
Sunday	9:30AM-8PM

The Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa stands as a magnificent tribute to the rich tapestry of Canada’s natural world. With its captivating exhibits, immersive displays, and dedication to education and preservation, the museum has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of scientific exploration and understanding. The museum’s exhibits offer a breathtaking journey through the diverse landscapes that define Canada. From the towering skeletons of ancient dinosaurs to the intricate ecosystems of the Arctic tundra, each gallery transports visitors to a different realm, showcasing the remarkable biodiversity that graces the country. The attention to detail and lifelike representations create an immersive experience that fosters a deep appreciation for the natural wonders that surround us. One of the museum’s crowning achievements is its commitment to highlighting the significance of Canadian wildlife and ecosystems. The Habitat Hall, for instance, offers an up-close look at the various regions and habitats that make up the nation, shedding light on the delicate balance that sustains life across the country. The Water Gallery delves into the vital role that water plays in shaping our environment, while the Fossil Gallery takes visitors on a journey through millions of years of Earth’s history. The Canadian Museum of Nature also stands as a beacon of scientific discovery and education. Its research initiatives, partnerships with academic institutions, and dedication to public programming ensure that visitors of all ages are able to engage with cutting-edge science and discoveries. The museum’s interactive elements, workshops, and guided tours make learning a dynamic and enjoyable experience, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world. The architectural marvel that houses the museum is a testament to the fusion of history and modernity. The historic Victoria Memorial Museum Building, with its stunning glass lantern, seamlessly blends with the contemporary elements, creating an atmosphere that is both awe-inspiring and inviting. The balance between preserving the past and embracing the future is a reflection of the museum’s commitment to evolution and growth. Furthermore, the Canadian Museum of Nature’s role in environmental stewardship and conservation cannot be overlooked. By raising awareness about the fragility of ecosystems and the impact of human activities, the museum serves as a catalyst for change and a call to action. It inspires visitors to not only appreciate the beauty of the natural world but also to become active participants in its preservation.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Solid 5star: this place is top notch: clean, beautiful, up to date. Everywhere is an extra something to make it special. I want to emphasize how great this place is for kids: there are interactive stations everywhere and not just computers - special notes for the binocular station in the bird area, turtle viewers for jellyfish vs plastic bags, touching water creature station, real ice sculpture to walk through and touch. There are bathrooms everywhere and an elevator for strollers/low mobility folks. Friendly security are also strolling around. We arrived for the opening so didn't have issues parking but they were full by the time we left so I do recommend having a backup plan in mind if you come for a busier period- it's also pricey so parking on neighboring streets is cheaper but need to be very careful of parking restrictive. Memberships are a good deal if you plan to come at least 3 times in a year (does not include parking fees): note you get a discount if you're an ingenium pass holder. It's also useful to get 2 cards as I've of you will likely be taking extra time to park while the other goes in with kids.. The pain point is the entry: it takes 3 months to get the membership card in the mail so you have to line up at the very slow counter every time you go (I've waited 15 mins at times). Even once you get the card you still need to show ID.... It's really inefficient and annoying. You have to pay extra for exhibitions. Also a note that there aren't snacking areas throughout so it's not optimal on where to stop for kids.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking

With 5 floors of galleries there are a lot of things to investigate. If you want to do everything you’ll need time. We spent 3 hrs and still didn’t get to 2 floors. They have a good mix of visual and audio information. Only some hands on learning, which we prefer - some galleries have none and others are much better. Overall, it’s what you expect of a museum. Lots of walking, reading, and learning. The info they provide is easy to understand and you can go in depth more if you want. For some things we were already knowledgeable in we wish they shared different information, helped bust myths, or gave more general info to help people understand. We enjoyed the dinos the best as the visual really helps understand scale. Wish they had talked more about all the changes that have been made to our Dino understanding in the last 20 years (between when we were in school and now).
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The Museum of Nature is an incredible place to explore and learn about the natural world. The exhibits are well-designed and informative, with interactive displays that engage visitors of all ages. The highlight for me was the dinosaur exhibit, which features life-sized models and fossils that transport you back in time to the age of these magnificent creatures. The museum also has a great collection of specimens from around the world, including rare and exotic animals. The staff at the museum are knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to answer questions and provide additional information about the exhibits. The gift shop is also worth checking out, with a wide range of nature-themed souvenirs and educational toys. Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Nature for anyone interested in science or nature. It's a great way to spend an afternoon or even a whole day exploring and learning about our amazing

This museum was fantastic. Spread over 5 floors (including basement), in a historical building. Was beautiful. We gave ourself 2 hours because we thought our 3yr old son wouldn't last longer - but because of all the exhibits and interactive things, we easily could have done 3hours. But if you are just adults.... you need a LOT of time to actually read and appreciate it all. Under the canopy exhibit was going on while we were there - very cool! Loved seeing the sloth. A few things for kids to take pictures with and sit on. A great location for owls on the back terrace - my son loved this. Live insects in the basement are a must see. Will go again and again.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Wow, what an amazing building, the architecture of the place is stunning. We came back at night to take some night photos. The good: The price was reasonable for an attraction that realistically would take you an entire day to really take in. The exhibits were interesting and unique. We really enjoyed the Arctic exhibit with the ice presentation that you could interact with. The Owls exhibit was amazing too. We enjoyed everything we looked at. The bad: Some exhibits had pieces out of order. Their beverage selection in the cafe was meh. We parked at the public parking at the police station area behind the museum as it was the cheapest option.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Always love this museum. Lots for all ages. Interactive sections for the kids, easy to read information, well laid out, not overly busy on a Saturday. Mostly families. Sometimes children will try to take over what your child is using (with the interactive sections), it can be frustrating but we use it as an opportunity to teach children turn taking “our child is using it and is almost done, when she is done, you can have a turn” smile. Avoided the gift shop although it had many cute items. We spent about 2 hours here in total. Got our museum pass from our local library so just had to pay for parking.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Loved the place, a very nicely designed museum in a very gorgeous looking historical building. It has a total of four floors to visit and we took steps because even they are beautiful. Its wheelchair accessible. Has a cafe and a very pretty gift shop. It has a good amount of seating on every floor and some outside patio as well, which makes it perfect to enjoy your snacks outside on a pretty day. They had a live display of a few birds of prey and a display of bugs !! So many wonderful fantastic bugs. Overall, it was a fabulous trip. Kids had a blast as well.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
No

Just visited and they have their “Under the Canopy” special exhibit on right now - the kids loved it. We usually spend an entire day here, even though we’ve been multiple times. Lots to see and do on each level (including the movie that is included with admission - English on the hour and French every half hour). It’s also great that the Cafe is open again as we were able to grab some sandwiches and salads for lunch (they replenish food throughout the day, so if it looks like they’re out, they generally get more later). Such a great museum!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Good place for kids. The museum of nature is a good place if you’re someone interested in knowing more about biodiversity and evolution. They have a huge whale exhibit, T-Rex exhibit, raptors and many more. One could spend about 5 hours to look at every thing here. Well maintained and helpful staff. My personal favourite non-animal exhibit was the thermal detector. Not something I’m used to doing in everyday life. P.S: Since the museum closes at 4, all entries after 3:30 are free of cost.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

This is a really well managed and beautiful museum. If you have kids, this is a must go. They have different sections like fossil, earth, arctic, insects, mammal, pacific water, birds, etc. They have a really huge collection of rocks, minerals, and gems. They have a huge skeleton of Blue Whale. They have an additional section called “Under the Canopy” which has living snakes, spiders, sloth, frogs, etc. It is totally an awesome experience if you love nature and want to see that you might never get to see.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great place for kids to explore and learn more about Earth, like its wildlife,minerals, and survival. -very Affordable price 17.99 dollars (entry) -it takes almost 2 to 3 hours to explore thoroughly -very quiet and educational -walking distance from Ottawa centretown -must go if visiting Ottawa Parkiament Hill -5 story Architecture The interesting thing is that it has some quizzes and some games for kids to focus on memory and learn things. - Not suitable for those who believe Earth is not round.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This is by far the coolest museum in Ottawa. Probably should have gone during the week, as the place was packed. Doesn't matter though, it was still such an incredible place. Spent over 3 hours wandering the exhibits and was happy to see some of them from childhood are still there! The building itself is worth the price of admission and take the time to check out the displays on the history of the building at each level of the great lantern.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Went in the before times and not much has changed, other than the rainforest exhibit they have/had. Honestly though it's super cool, they have everything from Bugs to Dinos, I even found the queen bee! It's definitely worth spending the whole day either with your family or friends. I do have to say parking was a huge pain though, even though we bought tickets in advanced their parking lot was a cluster. Took about 30 mins for parking
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A very nicely designed museum with spacious halls and a variety of cool displays. Their animal models look almost alive. Besides, there is a place outside with live owls, and you can touch some sea creatures during one of the exhibitions. Also, I was thrilled by the enormous model of the moon, the real ice model, and the cave replica. The team did an astonishing job with the museum content.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Very cool expositions although since I came there 1 hour 30 minutes before closing, I did not have time to see all. There is a lot of kids there and a lot of it is made for them to understand. If you don't like children, you might be annoyed. The building itself is amazing and there is information about its history and architecture. It's definitely worth the price of the tickets.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Great museum to visit in family. So many things to see and, the way things are set up, makes the whole experience amazing. We did not expect the bug exposition to be so interesting. Seriously, the work and the time dedicated in the expositions show the passion these people have for what they do, for what they teach us. This museum is worth of every mimute you will spend there.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I found the Canadian Museum of Nature to be somewhat overrated. While it does have a decent collection of exhibits, I expected more in terms of depth and variety. Additionally, the ticket prices were a bit steep for what was offered. However, the architecture of the building is impressive, and it could be an enjoyable visit for those with a strong interest in natural history.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The Canadian Museum of Nature is a nice place to go if you want an educational and interactive afternoon! There are so many floors and spaces to cover, it’s easy to lose your entire afternoon! It does get very busy and you can feel a little rushed, so I’d recommend avoiding the afternoons on the weekends if you’d like some quiet time. It’s a great rainy date idea!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Such a beautiful place to visit. One of the highlights of Ottawa is "the castle museum" (that's what my kids called it when they were little). So much to see! This visit we saw the Owl special exhibit. You definitely need to plan an entire morning or afternoon to see this museum. Best to go early so you can get a parking spot and avoid the crowds later in the day.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A very well organized museum with tons of displays. On weekends, parking is free on streets around the museum. You can also get an hour of free visit. Spare around 3+ hours for the visit. Dinosaurs, birds, mammals, earth, sea creatures, bugs, wolves and a lot more to explore. Overall, a very informative visit for kids & adults alike.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Lovely place to visit with the family. Can easily spend 3 hrs. Very informative and historically rich with 2 mini theaters included. Friendly staff Clean place Boutique shop Cafeteria Alive bugs , fossil gallery, mammal gallery, water gallery, bird gallery, earth gallery, arctic gallery. Parking available. A MUAT VISIT IN OTTAWA
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The visit to the museum was thrilling as well as an enriching experience for the whole family, especially our daughter, who was amazed to see the dinosaurs sections. It was one of the richest experiences to have seen and experienced all of that in the museum. It was deeply moving to learn the vast of our country's natural and cultural resources
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Well worth it, adults and kids will have a great time. They had live animals and lots of cool displays. The historic building itself was worth visiting. For the people that might think museums are boring not this one. Got a cafeteria and everything is clean. We know for sure we will be coming back during winter season.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great for a museum, exactly what you would expect. Though, we DID expect more, something amazing. It is the NATIONAL Museum of History and it didn't seem any better than the ROM back here in Toronto. Appreciate the dino diorama, though, you don't find them too often any more. We were whelmed, no more or less.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Loved it. Great place for the family. :) Only one complaint..... Spent almost $100 for 5 of use. Ok but we could not go "Under the canopy" without paying more. Booo. Expensive food. Over all we loved it. Needs a little work. I know things are expensive now a days, but pay more and more once inside... Booooo. Lol. ;) Definitely will go back and I think everyone should go here more than once.

What a perfect spot for people of all ages to enjoy. With such variety in the museums exhibits, interactive sections for children, and even live animals, this is certainly a great family day location or even a school/camp excursion. Make sure to spend the whole day getting lost in all of the different displays and find yourself enjoying the architectural design of the building itself.

I took my family here and everyone loved it. They don't have too many interactive displays for younger kids, so my 3 year old got a little bored. The dinosaurs and animals were his favourite parts of the museum. My 9 year old loved every part of it. My husband and I as well. Great museum!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

What an amazing experience for the children! Every floor has something cool and exciting for them to learn. The different games and diplays are great for children of all ages. We happen to have arrived on a Thursday and were pleasantly surprised that our tickets were free for the evening.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The kids love this place. Who doesn't love dinosaurs. I really enjoyed the insects , especially the leaf cutter ants. The attic section was great. When we went there was an under the canopy exhibit. Also some owls and birds outside. The building is also very cool it feels like a castle.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The National Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of European artwork that is definitely worth a visit. The interior design of the gallery is simply fantastic, creating a wonderful atmosphere and vibe. If you appreciate art, this is a place you should not miss out on.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

What a blast! This museum kept surprising us at each turn! Not enough hours in a day. You could learn so much here. Our family had a blast. We highly recommend it for all ages! The only problem we encountered was that the food at the cafe is scarce and very expensive.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

We went during the Thursday free time (5pm-8pm) and had a great experience. It was busy with lots of families but not too much. The exhibits are really cool and there are multiple floors to explore. We spent 3 hours but we could easily have spent 5 or 6 hours exploring.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was so much fun!! Apart from looking at the dinosaur (& other animals) fossils, we got to touch the snakes & see other animals live in ‘under the canopy’ and there were owls on the first floor. I was so in awe & really enjoyed myself!!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I really liked this museum, and I didn't even know it existed. Came from Montreal to see the tulip festival, and by luck, I decided to have brunch nearby. When I saw I had to stop and visit. Loved it. Well kept place with nice exhibition, not crazy expensive. I enjoyed every minute, and I highly recommend a visit.

We had a wonderful experience as a family. Lots of interesting and cool things to see and experience. We had a free family pass we got from the library and did a family outing. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Lots of fun exhibits for children. Interesting mineral collection. Very beautiful specimens. A bit small section with paleontology. Iwas expecting something more. Under canopy exhibit was okay, but i am not sure if worth much extra. Some animals were on display like frogs, sbakes, lizzard and a sloth.

Weloganite for the win! This museum is a wonderful place for curious kids and adults. We didn't have time to hit all the exhibits but the ones we did see were top notch! Mammals, birds, dioramas, rocks, and minerals!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

So many interesting exhibits. Learning about lots of different things. The earth exhibit seemed like it might be boring but it was so interesting seeing all the gems and rocks. A definite must see while in Ottawa
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

one of the most complete museums, 3 levels for entertainment! a lot of information and above all you learn the different ways of life! I recommend you take your children ! something completely different, plus there is a small restaurant where you can find sandwiches! 1000% recommended it ! …

We love the nature museum! Lots to keep even the littlest ones engaged (mine are 3 and 3). But also plenty to keep older audiences engaged as well. Love that they have a discount for those accompanying a special with special needs, as well. The dinosaurs are definitely a fav for us!

Great museum for kids. Free on Thursdays after 5. You can enter at 4:30 if you book for free online. Parking on site is also only $5 after 4:30. Great place to go on Thursday. Ensure you check out the ice exhibit on the 4th floor if you go. Super cool, actually, super cold! More

Fantastic place to visit.. plan to spend 3-4 hours there. For me Dinosaur / mammal exhibit rocks. Its beautiful, clean and wheelchair accessible. Has a small store as well as a cafeteria.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

So much to see! We arrived a little after opening and walked through the entire museum, including the special exhibit (Under the Canopy) and had a quick lunch break. It took us from 930-4 to see it all.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Beautiful stone building, educational displays. There is an enormous globe that rotates in the glass rotunda. Quite spectacular. The dinosaur exhibit is not as expansive as other museums but much more intimate and approachable.
Visited on
Weekend

The exhibition variety, every specimen crystal clear, animal adorable, mines looks so valuable. I got three pyrite mine, and can get more beautiful rock if you want.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The musuem was very crowded on the 1st July. The dinousar section is very impressive, a lot of fossils and incredible statues. They have a section called "bugs alive" but it's more like "dead bugs in a frame" or "bugs in small cages". They

Could not have been more special! We feel so fortunate to have been able to have had our wedding at the Canadian Museum of Nature. From the natural, historic beauty of the event spaces to the incredible attention to detail of the Events &

Had a hoot observing the owls, especially considering we went on a Thursday evening when it's free of charge! Highly recommend pre-booking your tickets and arrive at 5pm to get a solid headstart as it becomes a full house quickly.

This is one of my favorite museums. The contents are so rich and every floor has informative amusements. The building itself is beautiful too.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

We visited on a Saturday, just myself and my 10yr old daughter. We ended up spending the full day on site and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The exhibits were spaced out nicely, the place was clean and we had a great time.

Awesome place with beautiful a exhibition of every living thing imaginable and rocks too. Thursday after 5 is free admission!!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Water theme exhibition is the most interesting. In overall it is very good museum with lots of information. Whale skeleton is real.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Had an amazing time! Went back the next day! So many interesting exhibits, and lovely informative staff!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Free entry Thursdays 5-8pm. Best to print your ticket online before arrival. Paid street parking available.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A very large museum. You need to come in advance in order to calculate the time and have time to see all the sights of the museum. It's very beautiful inside. Various events are also held.

Great museum to bring your children and family to. Lots of really interesting topics covered and great interactive experiences. The owls and bald eagle were really cool to see too!

Don’t buy canopy or any additional fee for smth. It’s mot worth it. Here is everything i saw in canopy. Enjoy and any other animals are in orher floor and they are live. …

5 floors of discovery, plenty of history to learn. It was fun to see our daughter being amazed in every room. A must if you want your kids (and you) to learn about nature More

Kids loved it! 4 floors of exhibits. Very reasonable for price. Highly recommended
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The blue whale was a highlight! The kids liked the Arctic exhibit with the ice. There was a new bistro that's not quite up and running yet. Bring your own food.