We took a short vacation to Ottawa, and the Royal Canadian Mint was the attraction we were most looking forward to. Unfortunately, the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment. After our trip, we liked all the attractions except for the Royal Canadian Mint. All the friends who traveled with us felt that the ticket was not worth it for this attraction. Here's why: Firstly, you can't buy cheap and beautiful commemorative coins for a dollar or two. Because the Mint no longer produces circulating coins, they mostly produce investment and commemorative coins made of gold and silver. The whole tour felt more like a large advertisement where you end up in a queue to buy commemorative coins ranging from dozens to thousands of dollars. Secondly, the tour experience was very poor. The number of people in each tour group was too large, making it crowded. Only those at the front could hear the guide, while those at the back could hardly hear anything. The number of visitors per round was twice that of the free tours in the Senate and House of Commons, but the space was only half as wide. The tour involved looking at the factory operations through glass from a distance. You can't see any details, only the videos displayed beside the operations area, which the staff would explain. The visitor center had no seats, and you had to stand for an hour watching videos. For friends studying engineering, the tour would remind you of an engineering internship class, where you stand in a crowd and can hardly see anything while listening to an instructor ramble on about big, dangerous machines. In summary, both young and old visitors will likely be confused. However, parents can bring their children to arouse their interest in mechanical design. Although, whether or not you'd want to inspire an interest in a field that many consider a "money pit" is questionable. As for suggestions to improve the tour: Learn from European mints where each visitor can exchange for a $1 or $2 colored commemorative coin, making everyone leave happy and satisfied. Limit the number of people per tour to around 10 so that everyone can see. Add a few seats in the corridor for those who wish to rest. Standing for an hour is too tiring, especially for the elderly and disabled. All other attractions in Ottawa, like the Senate, House of Commons, and National Art Gallery, have ample seating for visitors.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, Ontario, is an iconic institution that showcases the craftsmanship, innovation, and history of Canada's currency and precious metals. Nestled in the capital city, this mint offers a captivating and informative experience that appeals to both numismatists and those interested in the nation's heritage. The mint's tour offers an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the intricate process of coin production. From the initial design stages to the precision manufacturing techniques, visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of how coins are created with meticulous attention to detail. The interactive displays and knowledgeable guides provide insights into the minting process, making it an educational experience for people of all ages. One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to witness the mint's cutting-edge technology in action. The mint's advanced machinery produces coins with remarkable precision, showcasing Canada's commitment to innovation in both design and production. Watching the state-of-the-art equipment in operation is a testament to the Mint's dedication to quality and excellence. The Royal Canadian Mint is not only a hub of coin production; it's also a showcase of Canada's rich history and culture. The on-site boutique offers an array of collectible coins, making it an ideal destination for coin enthusiasts and those seeking unique souvenirs. The Mint's themed collections often reflect significant moments in Canadian history, providing a tangible connection to the nation's past. The architecture of the Mint is itself a work of art. The building's stately design and its strategic location overlooking the Ottawa River contribute to a sense of grandeur and importance. The landscaped grounds offer a serene atmosphere that complements the visit, providing an opportunity for reflection and enjoyment. The Royal Canadian Mint is a testament to Canada's commitment to quality, innovation, and preserving its heritage. It serves as a source of national pride and a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating Canada's currency. Whether you're a coin enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the intricate process behind coin production, a visit to the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa is an enriching and memorable experience that offers a unique glimpse into Canada's past and present.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The Royal Canadian Mint is a truly exceptional institution that consistently upholds its reputation as a world-class mint. I've had the pleasure of engaging with their products, and I must say, the quality and craftsmanship are second to none. Their coins showcase stunning designs that highlight the country's rich history and diverse culture. Whether it's the iconic Maple Leaf series or commemorative coins, each piece is a masterpiece in its own right. Furthermore, the Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for its commitment to innovation and technological advancements in the minting industry. Their use of cutting-edge techniques, such as colorization and holograms, adds a captivating touch to their already impressive collections. In addition to the remarkable craftsmanship, the Mint also takes pride in producing coins with a high level of purity, which is essential for collectors and investors alike. The Mint's dedication to quality extends beyond their coins. They offer exceptional customer service, and their packaging and presentation are top-notch, making every purchase a delightful experience.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I've been to the mint quite a few times now and I have enjoyed each visit. I thoroughly enjoy the mint (though if you're not into coins, I understand this might not be your thing). I would recommend trying to take the tour during the week (but not around 3 pm - that's shift change I think) as you get to see the employees hard at work. The tour on the weekend is cheaper but there are few if any workers on the floor and the tour relies more on videos of the processes taking place). The tour guides I had were both informative and very friendly; they had tons of small tidbits and stories about the building to share. I had no idea the mint makes currency for other countries as well! If you just want to go to the boutique to check out new coins (or purchase a few you have your eye on) you can simply ask for entry to the boutique; they give you a receipt and admission to that is free. (If you later decide to take the tour, you have to pop back out to the ticket booth to purchase a spot. Better sooner than later as they seem to fill up quickly!)

The guided tour inside the royal Mint is definitely worth visiting. The Ottawa mint works 24*7*365, three shifts of workers and produces silver/gold collector's coins, while Winnipeg one produces the circulatory ones. Several ineresting facts unfolded before us and perplexed with the whole process that is built on agility and precision. No photo/videography allowed during the guided tour which is understandable due to security reasons. Bought some great coins and definitely will come back for more. Lot of special coins with Queen Elizabeth effigies this year (2023). Went on a Sunday afternoon and was not crowded, might be difficult to find parking during rush hours. Could be a great inspiration for anyone to start numismatics and start a new hobby which is actually physical than being glued to a virtual world on the internet.. :)
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was a great experience to visit this Royal Canadian Mint. As you get the ticket, the information you about the time that you can join the tour. You have to go to the minting area with a guide. There is a gift shop as you enter, where you can wait for your time and browse the items. As you begin the tour, you go down to where all the minting takes place. As it is a facility under security, photography is not allowed while you are on the tour. The tour is very informative, and you learn about the history of minting in Canada. The facility in Ottawa is where they Mint coins for investment and commemoration. The tour is very well planned and takes long for about 45 minutes. The only issue is that the guide spoke very very fast. Slowing down the explanation and speaking more concisely helps the visitors during the tour.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

I bought a couple of coins as gifts online. It went smooth and the products arrived quickly and in perfect condition. The only reason for a 4 instead of 5 star review is due to lack of access. If you are looking for anything of limited production, you had better be part of the masters club, or you will only have access to the leftovers. The different tiers of members get up to a week to buy these coins before the general public has access. You have to spend a considerable amount of money there per year to qualify for the different levels of the masters club. To end on a positive note, the coins I purchased were absolutely beautiful and perfect in every detail! I am certain you will be pleased with whatever your choice is.

The Royal Canadian Coin Shop offers a wide selection of unique gifts, collection items and souvenirs. As an interesting and educational site open every day - 12 months of the year - visitors are invited to visit the Ottawa Coin Factory, which reveals the art and precise craftsmanship of making coins. The Royal Canadian Coin Shop offers a wide selection of unique gifts, collection items and souvenirs. As an interesting and educational site open every day - 12 months of the year - visitors are invited to visit the Ottawa Coin Factory, which reveals the art and precise craftsmanship of making coins.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was a guided tour which shows how coins are made in Canada. The tour guide explained to us how each machine have individual jobs to make the coins in perfect weight, size and detail. Would recommend to buy tickets in advance. There is no online options available for buying the tickets but you can email and call them up to book your slot. Overall the tour was amazing!! Lot of fun and interesting things to learn. Kids of age 7-12 will enjoy a lot. They have a souvenir shop where you can buy real gold and silver coins. Photos were not allowed inside during the tour due to privacy issues.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

What an amazing experience. This has got to be one of the must-do activities if you’re visiting or living in Ottawa. The tour guide (Marie Pierre) was fabulous. She was a wealth of knowledge and information. She was also kind and friendly at all times, showing respect and care, just like our true Canadian values. She was also very capable of handling all questions and used every opportunity she had to ask us, the audience, some questions of her own. The tour was also fun and interactive for all kids and adults. You could hear everyone wow-ing and amazing at all the displays, the machines, etc. What an awesome experience! I already want to come back to see it all again.

Tour is rather short (15 to 20 minutes tops) , price is fine (was $12 for a Sunday morning) however parking is also another $10-$15. Guide was great, had the script down. Asked some pretty pointed questions and was slightly disappointed that they didn’t have answers to some of them but they were tougher (why did mint shield leave white stains on older silver Canadian Maple leaf $5 coins etc). Cool to see machines, definitely wished you saw them closer (or a video on a larger screen of an up and close of machine working away and on a weekend only about 30-40% are going so…)
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Must visit when you are in Ottawa. Tour coat $12 per person, and it was 100% worth it. Our tour guide, Christopher, was funny and knowledgeable. I wasn't expecting much, but it was really cool to see the amount of work that goes into making the coins. Boutique had some cool things to see, touch, and buy if you so desire. No photos or videos allowed during the tour but allowed in the shop. It was great to see the 30-pound gold brick in the gift shop. Highly recommended.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Book ahead, but worth it. Guided tour was excellent. Great information and lots to see. Good pace as well, even for kids. Only bad thing was that the store didn't have as much circulation money as I hoped. I know they make that in Winnipeg, but they could ship some over I'm sure. An employee did help us trade for a few specialty toonies from his till, which was great, but I feel like it's a no brainer to do some basic exchange along with the more expensive purchases of the special coins created at the Ottawa location.
Reservation recommended
Yes

We went to the Boutique/Gift Store only. When you walk up to the gate, just simply tell them, they will let you in and tell you where to go. The building itself is incredible, and the store is no exception. We bought a couple of coins and got a deck of cards thrown in for free. Yannick behind the counter was an absolute rock star! He made us feel welcome, gave so much information, and you could just feel the passion that he has for his job! A thousand times THANK YOU!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Got there too late to do the tour, but decided to go to the gift shop anyway to get some souvenirs. I had previously done the tour but i was with a friend who had not seen it. At checkout when i went to pay, i was asked how i liked the tour, and i told the Representative that i didn't get to do it because we came too late. The Representative ended up giving me a free entrance for the next time i came into town. This was above and beyond what i expected.
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Yes

Went through the whole tour of how they make the coins and the vast volume of what they deal with. It was quite quite informative and a beautiful building overall. The tickets are very modestly price and the tour staff is amazing. Would just recommend to go on an earlier tour so you get some time in the boutique as well. Also would recommend reserving your tickets in advance as you have an option to pay when you get there.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I just wanted to do the mint tour as I was in Ottawa for the day. It came out to be excellent experience. The guide was great in explaining the history and processes. She kept all engaged by throwing trivia questions. My son said that he knew a lot but not all. He was very happy to learn it in totality. A word of caution - book the tour tickets in advance. You can't simply appear there as they may be booked completely.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Took a tour of the mint on a Friday morning. We arrived around 10:15 and the first available tour was 10:45. We killed time by visiting the shop and browsing the coins and souvenirs they offer. The tour is very interesting and informative. Our tour guide Zoe did a fantastic job of giving her rehearsed presentation as well as answering guest questions. Just FYI, photos are not allowed on the tour.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No

Went here with my wife today for the guided tour and it was very informative and interesting. It lasts about 25 minutes and you get to see the entire coin making process! The boutique has a limited selection for collector coins and investment coins. NOTE: You need to book the guided tour in advance for a time slot. (You can’t just walk around yourself) I recommend calling for the booking!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I took a tour here and it was pretty fun and I learned about the sophisticated coin making process! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant. In the shop there is a large variety of collectible Canadian coins and I bought some of them as a souvenir. There are also photo opportunities outside of the mint building but unfortunately photography and videos are not allowed in the factory tour as the production is private. 100% definitely worth going here!

You can call ahead to reserve a spot on the guided tour and pay when you arrive. Tours for the same day (and the time I wanted) were available. No photography or videos allowed during the tour. The tour guide spoke a little fast, but was loud enough to hear as no sound from the mint machines was audible. Stairs or elevator to start & end the tour. Good for all ages.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

On a Saturday our party of 5 had to come back 4 hours later for the tour but that didn't bother us because there was plenty to do in the area. The party of 2 ahead of us was able to go right in. This was a well done tour and we had a very knowledgeable tour guide named Yannick. I'm not sure if all tour guides are trained like Yannick, but he knew his stuff (and more!). We had 3 kids aged 15, 13, and 10 who all enjoyed this.
Visited on
Weekend

Very interesting place to visit. To should know ahead of time that only commemorative and investment coins are minted there. The coins that are in circulation are minted in winnipeg. The tour was informative and was very interesting to see so much value in the precious metals they have. The tour lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. We learned a lot. It would be very interesting for families. The tour lets you look down into the process of minting coins.

Very informative guided tour ~45min. Photo or video recording is not allowed. You must take the tour you were registered for (I did through their site, in advance). Arrive 15 min prior to your appointed tour to buy a ticket. Tour starts at a shop, where one can buy a few sets, coin rolls, bullion gold/silver, or some other merchandise. Great gude :)
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Tour was $12 and worth it. My tour guide Christopher was awesome and very knowledgeable about everything Mint-related. As an amateur collector and enthusiast, I really enjoyed the tour. You can also visit the boutique for free without a tour booking. Tours get sold out (today's was sold out) so I would recommend booking ahead online.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Purchased the tickets in advance. It’s $12 per person for the tour. Learnt alot about the process of how canada makes their coins. Really interesting. Towards the end you can buy yourself something from the boutique shop. For the price of $12 per person. It would have been nice if they offered a free coin or gift at the end of the tour.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was cool to check out, and nice being able to enter for free, but going in for free only takes you to the gift shop where they get you to spend money. In order to really experience it, you need to do the tour which requires buying tickets for it. Overall a cool place to take photos and check out if you're in the area
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

We paid for the guided tour ($12) a person. It was actually quite an interesting tour with great information. They no longer do general circulation coins here, but do collectors coins, limited edition and coins/bars for investments. I'd add photos but they are not allowed inside for security, apparently they keep a whole lot of gold there.
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Yes

The tickets are timed, so the groups are not so large. The quality of work is amazing.The architecture is also beautiful so take a moment to enjoy that. Seems to be fully wheelchair friendly, but an elevator must be used to start the tour so ask to use it asap so you don't miss the first bit of tour speech.
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Loved the experience overall. Very quick tour, they suggested the PM tours because we get to see everyone working in the production area. My kid was impressed in seeing the rolls of precious metals. I suggested to them that they provide more touchable examples for the visitors,
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

You don't have a choice - no self guided tour or free roaming about. You must purchase tickets for a guided tour, which is what we did today and it was worth every penny of the $15 CAD for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids). Informative, great guide and lots of beautiful coins. We even got to hold a gold bar weighing 22 lbs and worth over $750K.

Love the products that come out of the Mint, but way over spot so not an investement. Coin shops will only offer you the price of the precious metal wich is half of what you paid for. Only buy if you like the coin design and coin exchanges are fun
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

The tour was wonderful and very informative. Our tour guide Claire was awesome and gave us lots of information as well as made it fun to hear about! The boutique had some interesting things as well! Got some earrings and a necklace which look/are wonderful!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Very interesting tour. It covers the coin manufacturing process. Definitely worth the time for a visit. My 6 years old son also enjoyed the tour a lot. The gift shop carries a lot of different collector's coins. No photos or video allowed in the tour so if you plan to bring your heavy DSLR, you should leave it at the hotel or home.

We have been here twice. Loved it, very interesting. The only negative thing is I think they can have better things to sell in the gift shop. 4 years ago, they had better souvenir items. Also, it's always better to buy the tickets in advance.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was a good place to visit. Be sure to understand scheduled tours to be part. The public store is equally interesting to appreciate the business of the mint here in Canada, plus other countries. There is a lot of coins to see and purchase.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It's an okay tour, you walk through a viewing platform overlooking some of the equipment but the tour lacks technical detail (more aimed at kids I felt). Takes about 30 minutes. No pictures allowed due to proprietary technology used.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Amazing place, worth the visit to know more about our coins and the history. Seeing the plant in operation was extra cool too. This is a must for anyone coming to Ottawa. And, the admission tickets are extremely reasonable.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The boutique was lovely, but they fit alot of people in there at once. Great tour guides, with a great explanation of mint history. *Ensure that you take the time to lift the real gold bar, right next to the police officer.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Best place to visit on your Ottawa visit. Got to know the making process of silver and gold historical & investment coins. You can purchase the coins and other materials from the stores. $12 per person is reasonable for the tour. Great knowledge received from the guide. This place also made Olympic medals.

Loved our day here. Was a good outing and we seen people making coins. Be nice if we could have seen up close what the workers where doing. The catwalk is nice but watching a video is something I can do at home.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

I came here during Canada's Day weekend. It was a blast for a coin lover like myself. I got opportunity to learn about the process of coin making and history. The gift shop was a must for me! The staff were all friendly and professional. I went as a solo traveler and they did not make me feel awkward!

Admission to the Mint includes a 45-minute informative tour. It was interesting to know that the Canadian Mint makes coins for so many other countries other than for Canada. Unfortunately, you can't take any photos during the tour. It was well worth a visit. Highly recommend.
Visited on
Weekday

It’s an amazing place. They show how the Canadian coins are made. They have four shows in the evening, but better reserve online. The souvenir shop (or boutique) can be accessed without the reservation ticket. I recommend this shop as they have amazing coin collections! A must visit place in Ottawa.

Really cool to see how once off / commemorative coins are produced here. Tour Guide is entertaining & very informative. Tour takes about forty five minutes. No photos or video are allowed on the tour.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

I always visit when they have the limited time coin exchange. The last time I was there I was able to touch a 1.3 million dollar pure gold bar, not something you get the chance to do often!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The Canadian Mint was a spur of the moment visit. Entrance includes a tour of the mint. The tour is phenomenal. Loads to see. Very informative. Tour guides are very knowledgeable. Strongly recommended. Will not be disappointed.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Very cool tour of the facilities, you get an above view of the forges and machines they use to make the investment coins and collectors coins. Zoe was very knowledgeable giving the tour.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

We did a day trip to Ottawa. We wanted to visit the museum but unfortunately by the time we got there (1:30pm) the tours for the day were sold out. So definitely recommend to purchase your tickets online in advance.
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Yes

What an amazing experience learning about the Canadian money. I highly recommend it. Tours are 45 minutes long and you can ask as many questions as you want.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Informative tour takes about 45 mins they do not let you in till 15 mins before tour begins so you have to wait outside with no shelter from the elements ☔❄️
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I love Collecting coins and visiting Royal Canadian Mint was so impressive. It is 100% recommended to book your tour with anticipation.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Really informative, we enjoyed the tour. One of the employees took time out of their day to take a photo of us after the tour.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

We really liked the place. It was worth visiting to see how currency is made up. We were relating it to Money Heist
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Excellent tour with very interesting info. Our tour guide was next level amazing. Ask for Chaya to give you the tour or wait for her because she made the tour so interesting and fun!

You should to book a tour to see how to make Canadian money. The tour took 45 minutes. It’s really interesting. At the store inside of the museum you can buy very unique coins.

Great place to visit. The tour is super interesting. And their gift shop is great!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Good to know how the coins are made. Warning! Not allowed to take pictures and video during the tour.

Very educational and fun tour. Interesting exhibits

Great tour experience that is worth the cost