Museums and Culture

Free 45 minute guided tours of the State rooms of Rideau Hall, the Governor General's residence, with a fine collection of Canadian art. From October 31 to December 20, 2026 tours run daily 10 am to 3 pm by reservation only (book at least 72 hours ahead); Rideau Hall closes December 21 to January 3. The grounds are open from 8 am until one hour before sunset.

Free 30 minute guided tours of Canada's highest court, now in its temporary home in the restored West Memorial Building while the main building is restored. From September to April, tours run Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm by reservation only. When the Court is in session you can also attend a hearing for free.

A 30 minute exhibition and 360 degree multimedia show that takes you inside Centre Block, the main Parliament Building, while it is closed for rehabilitation. Tickets are free and the experience is open daily; reserve ahead since same day tickets may run out. It is on one wheelchair accessible floor, but includes near darkness, flashing lights and loud sounds.

Free 40 minute guided tours of the House of Commons in West Block, one of the historic buildings on Parliament Hill, with the chance to visit the Room of Remembrance afterwards. Reserve free tickets in advance; visitors 16 and over need government issued photo ID. Tours are not offered while the House is sitting.

Free 30 minute guided tours of Parliament's upper chamber in its temporary home, the beautifully restored former Ottawa train station. Reserve free tickets in advance; arrive 25 minutes early for security screening. Tours are not offered while the Senate is sitting and schedules can change.

The city's municipal art gallery, in a modern building beside the Rideau Canal, showing contemporary and historical art from Ottawa and the region. Admission is always free. Open Tuesday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 10 am to 9 pm, closed Mondays.

A working farm museum on the Central Experimental Farm, with cows, horses, goats and exhibits about where our food comes from. Admission is free every day the museum is open between 4 pm and 5 pm. The museum is open 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

One of the world's great aviation collections, with bush planes, fighter jets and space artifacts in a huge hangar at the former Rockcliffe airport. Admission is free every day the museum is open between 4 pm and 5 pm. The museum is open 9 am to 5 pm and closed on Tuesdays.

A hands on Ingenium museum full of trains, inventions, space and the famous Crazy Kitchen. Admission is free every day the museum is open between 4 pm and 5 pm, the last hour before closing. The museum is open 9 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays; it is fully barrier free.

Canada's natural history museum, in the castle-like Victoria Memorial Museum Building, with dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton, minerals and live animals. General admission is free for everyone on Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm; every visitor still needs a free ticket. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Canada's national museum of military history on LeBreton Flats, with tanks, aircraft and moving galleries about the country's conflicts. General admission is free every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm, when the museum stays open until 7 pm; reserve a free timed ticket. Other days it is open 9 am to 5 pm.

A major national museum with the Canadian History Hall, the First Peoples Hall and the Canadian Children's Museum, right across the river from Parliament Hill. General admission is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm; everyone needs a free timed ticket, and special presentations are excluded. The building is fully wheelchair accessible.