List of museums in Ottawa


The City of Ottawa and the surrounding National Capital Region have an abundance of museums and galleries. Museums range from large national museum with international notoriety, to small galleries and living museums.

National Museums

Other Museums & Galleries

MuseumImageLocationTypeNotesRef
Atrium GalleryCentrepointeArtWorks of local and regional artists, owned and operated by the City of Ottawa
Bank of Canada MuseumCentretownCurrencyNational Currency Collection
Billings Estate MuseumAlta VistaHistoryHistoric house from 1828 home of early settler, costumed guides discuss city and region's history
Bytown MuseumCentretownHistoryCity's early history and building of the Rideau Canal
Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa MuseumCentretownMilitaryRegimental history and artefacts, located in Cartier Square Drill Hall
Canada Council for the ArtsCentretownArtA Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government
Canadian Photography InstituteLower TownArtPart of the National Gallery
Carleton County GaolCentretownPrisonSite of the last state execution in Canada. Jail tours and hostel
Carleton University Art GalleryOld SouthArtGallery at Carleton University
Centrepointe Theatre GalleryCentrepointeArtWorks of local and regional artists, operated by the City of Ottawa
City of Ottawa Art GalleriesCentretownArtArt galleries owned and operated by the City of Ottawa
Cube GalleyWellington WestArtArt Gallery featuring local artists
Cumberland Heritage Village MuseumCumberlandLiving1920-1930s rural village
Diefenbunker MuseumCarpMilitaryCold War bunker for the Canadian government
Dominion ArboretumExperimental FarmNatureBegun in 1889, the Arboretum covers about 26 hectares of land
Fairfields Heritage HouseRichmondHistoryAn impressive 19th century Gothic Revival farm house
Foyer GalleryTanglewoodArtArtist-run gallery for regional art, located in the Nepean Sportsplex
Gallery 101CentretownArtArtist-run contemporary art centre
Goulbourn MuseumStittsvilleHistory19th and 20th century rural township life
Governor General's Foot Guards Regimental MuseumCentretownMilitaryHistory of the regiment
Kanata Civic Art GalleryKanataArtThe gallery exhibits and promotes original works of art
Karsh-Masson GalleryCentretownArtOne of the City Hall art galleries
L. A. Pai GalleryCentretownArtSculptural arts and contemporary jewelry
Laurier House National Historic SiteCentretownHistoryHome of two prime ministers
Lee Matasi GalleryByWard MarketArtAn Ottawa School of Art Gallery
Library and Archives CanadaCentretownHistoryExhibits from its collections
Mackenzie King EstateKingsmereHistoryInteractive exhibits and guided tours of faithfully restored artifacts, are open to visitors
Museum of Classical AntiquitiesSandy HillHistoryMuseum at Department of Classics and Religious Studies of the University of Ottawa
Nepean Fine Arts League GalleryNepeanArtArtist-run gallery
Nepean MuseumCity ViewHistoryMakes accessible and communicates the former municipality of Nepean's history
Osgoode Township MuseumVernonHistoryArchival material and artifacts reflect the history of the Township of Osgoode
Orange Art GalleryCentretown WestArtContemporary art
Ottawa Art GalleryCentretownArtContemporary and 20th-century art
Ottawa Jewish ArchivesHighland ParkHistoryA collective memory of the Jewish community of Ottawa and National Capital Region
Ottawa RoomCentretownHistoryOttawa’s written heritage for researchers and for residents with a passion for local history
Ottawa School of Art GalleriesByWard MarketArtA wide variety of contemporary art as well as openings, artist talks, and events
Ottawa Sport Hall of FameKanataSportsLocated in the Canadian Tire Centre
Parliament of CanadaCentretownHistoryTours, displays, exhibits
Pinhey's Point Historic SiteDunrobinHistory19th century estate home, park, and living museum
Rideau HallRockcliffe ParkHistoryTours of the official residence of the Governor General of Canada
Royal Canadian MintLower TownCurrencyInteractive guided tours of the Mint's headquarters, founded in 1908
SAW GalleryCentretownArtArtist-run gallery
Shenkman Arts CentreOrleansArtWorks of local and regional artists, the Dust Evans Gallery of the Gloucester Pottery School, and the Ottawa School of Art Orléans Campus Gallery
Swords and Ploughshares MuseumKarsMilitaryFocus is the Citizen Soldier at peace and at war, features many military trucks and vehicles
Symmes National Historic Site of CanadaAylmerHistoryThe Symmes Inn Museum is a catalyst for promoting local and regional history
Vanier MuseoparkVanierHistoryHistory of Vanier and the Francophone heritage of Ottawa
Watson's MillManotickHistory19th century flour grist mill
Workers' History MuseumCentretownHistoryWorkers’ history and heritage, in the National Capital Region and Ottawa Valley

Defunct Museums