Canada Aviation and Space Museum

I really enjoyed my visit to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. I went during the 4–5 pm free admission hour, which is offered daily, and it was the perfect amount of time to explore the highlights without feeling rushed. The museum is spacious, calm, and beautifully maintained, with an impressive mix of historic aircraft and space exhibits — the Canadarm is a standout. Having also visited the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg, I found the two museums complement each other well. Winnipeg excels at telling the story of bush flying and northern aviation, while Ottawa offers a broader national perspective and the added bonus of space exploration. Both are excellent in their own way, but Ottawa’s combination of aviation and space makes it especially memorable. Highly recommended, especially if you can take advantage of the free hour.

We visited during the last free hour at 4-5PM, which was ample time to explore the entirety of the museum. It's outlay is in a large hanger, with man displays of old aircrafts, airplanes, and other flying figures with some kid friendly activities and interactive content. There's also a smaller space section, engine displays on the 2nd floor, and ample space to move around. Parking was easy, although crowded during the last hour due to the free admission and the gift shop is location at the entrance. Overall, the Aviation and Space museum is a great place for plane and space enthusiasts, of all ages!

Very reasonable price and family friendly. Not too big for a visit with little children. Additional hall to visit with a guide available, can be booked while your visit. The crafts program was open and offered a very cute project. Nice play area in the middle of the excebition hall. Lots of interactive exhibits. Cafeteria with cold drinks and sandwiches.

A High-Flying History: Review of the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum The Canadian Space and Aviation Museum is far more than just a hangar of old planes—it is a truly expansive journey through the country's pioneering efforts in the air and beyond. This museum is an essential visit for anyone interested in the history of flight, technology, or Canadian military heritage. Plan to set aside at least several hours to fully absorb the scale and detail of this magnificent collection. World-Class Collections and Unforgettable Sights The core collection is breathtaking, featuring an amazing assembly of aircraft spanning the entire conception of Canadian aviation. From rugged civilian bush planes that tamed the northern territories to powerful military jets and prototypes, the range is remarkably diverse. A standout feature, and one that makes this museum truly world-class, is the exceptional collection of World War One aircraft. This display offers a rare and tangible connection to the earliest days of aerial combat, making it a must-see for history buffs. Beyond the atmosphere, the museum also dedicates significant space to Canada's role in space exploration, providing a fascinating look at the technology and artifacts used in orbit. The Essential Special Tour For those looking to deepen their experience, a strong recommendation is to get a viewing of the special tour of the building located next door. This lesser-known addition offers an unforgettable glimpse behind the scenes, providing context and access that elevates the entire visit. It is well worth the extra time and effort. Practical Details for Your Visit The museum has thoughtfully considered the needs of all its guests. It is fully handicapped accessible, ensuring everyone can navigate the vast exhibit space comfortably. Visitors will also find a pleasant cafeteria on-site for refreshment and a well-stocked gift shop for souvenirs. An important note for service members and their families: Military Personnel and Veterans are granted free admission. This is a wonderful gesture that honors their service and makes this valuable piece of history accessible. Finally, with so many photogenic aircraft and compelling displays, make sure you bring a camera to capture the scope of this incredible aviation assembly.

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum, located in Ottawa, offers an impressive and immersive experience for anyone interested in aviation history and aerospace exploration. The museum’s collection spans the early days of flight to modern aircraft, showcasing military planes, civilian aircraft, and iconic space-related exhibits. Visitors will find the exhibits well-organized, with detailed descriptions, photographs, and informative panels that provide historical context. The museum’s scale is considerable, allowing guests to explore aircraft up close and appreciate their design and engineering intricacies. Key highlights include vintage World War I and II planes, experimental aircraft, and Canadian space artifacts. Interactive displays and simulators engage younger visitors and aviation enthusiasts alike, adding an educational dimension to the visit. The museum’s layout is spacious, making it comfortable to navigate, even with families or groups. Lighting and display arrangements are thoughtfully designed to enhance photography opportunities, which is a particular advantage for Photolator readers who may want to capture detailed shots of aircraft interiors, exteriors, and exhibits. Services such as a café and a gift shop are available, although the focus remains firmly on the exhibits themselves. Accessibility is well-considered, with ramps, elevators, and accessible pathways throughout. Overall, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers a comprehensive and engaging experience. It’s an excellent destination for photographers, history buffs, and families, providing both education and inspiration in the realms of flight and space exploration.

We came here to use our ASTC Passport. The staff was friendly, handed us a map and told us about the demonstrations that they were going to be doing over the next couple hours. This place is really large and they have a lot of planes, helicopters, and a few ground based vehicles. It can get quite loud since everything echoes in this massive warehouse. Most of the displays are static displays that you will pause to read. A lot of really interesting aviation history going back over 100 years. I was a big fan of the display regarding the engines used in planes. Their kid section is pretty small, so it can get crowded and chaotic. They did have a great demonstration for the kids and adults about how to land a plane. Being able to sit in a cockpit really makes you appreciate what fighter pilots go through. Overall it is a really interesting museum with a lot of interesting planes. It's not really a place I would bring a younger child as there isn't much for them to do and interact with. If you have time to walk and read this is a good place to go.

Great collections and great Canadian aviation history! Valuable family time experience. They also offer a paid helicopter ride at this museum. Also got a cafeteria with a snack shop for a quick bite. Plenty of parking.

Lovely day trip out to Ottawa yielded a trip to this place. It was around 20$ CAD Per person, my duration of stay was about 2 hours but it could've easily been three. Lots of cool history here to see, and there's a helicopter ride you can take. Also there's a fighter Simulator but it wasnt open that day for us. Aviation buffs this is a must visit in your life time.

We came here to use our ASTC Passport. The staff was friendly, handed us a map and told us about the demonstrations that they were going to be doing over the next couple hours. This place is really large and they have a lot of planes, helicopters, and a few ground based vehicles. It can get quite loud since everything echoes in this massive warehouse. Most of the displays are static displays that you will pause to read. A lot of really interesting aviation history going back over 100 years. I was a big fan of the display regarding the engines used in planes. Their kid section is pretty small, so it can get crowded and chaotic. They did have a great demonstration for the kids and adults about how to land a plane. Being able to sit in a cockpit really makes you appreciate what fighter pilots go through. Overall it is a really interesting museum with a lot of interesting planes. It's not really a place I would bring a younger child as there isn't much for them to do and interact with. If you have time to walk and read this is a good place to go.

Up, up and away! Canada Aviation and Space Museum is located at the Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport. The museum hangar houses a large collection of aeronautical artifacts highlighting Canada's achievements in the area. Upon entering the building, we noticed an upside down Snowbird overhead. How typically Canadian! The exhibits take you through time, starting from original biplanes, to WWI fighters, WWII bombers, utility aircrafts, modern fighters and helicopters. A highlight is undoubtedly the nose section from the cancelled Avro Arrow. Other unique exhibits include the "Engines: Power to Fly" display, and a 9/11 display with Come From Away. I particularly enjoyed the small but interesting Canadian Space Agency exhibit "Life in Orbit: the International Space Station." It was too bad some interactive displays were closed due to COVID safety. We felt that 1-2 hours was more than sufficient to walk through the museum. There were limited interactive displays including one for kids to fly using their arms as the wingspan. Tickets are reserved ahead & free daily between 4-5pm. Thanks Bill N. for this recommendation!

It's been a long while since I've been to this museum and now with a toddler in tow, it was much more interesting. Of course, the planes, artifacts, and exhibitions themselves were cool to see and read about, but it was much cooler to see our little guy's eyes light up every time something caught his eye. He wasn't walking unsupported then, but now that he's running around, we might go back again soon, as there is quite a bit of space and was fairly quiet and not too packed. We went with my brother- and sister-in-law and 6-year-old nephew. It was great family fun, especially seeing the planes take off in the back. Would love to ride a biplane next time! There are a few photo ops for kids, which we definitely took advantage of, and I've read in other reviews that they do kids' birthday parties. Maybe something to consider in the future. The food in the cafe was pretty pricey for what was being offered (sandwiches, snacks, etc.), so not sure if the parties are priced higher as well.

Great museum if you're into airplanes at all. Not very interactive compared to the Science and Technology Museum- a lot of standing and reading. Not a problem at all unless you have young children. We took our almost 3yo there and he was out of stuff to do after an hour.

I really like this museum. Actually, to be honest, I wasn't a fan at first. I found it kind of boring (sorry). Then the hubby chose this as our wedding venue in 2016 and we ended up getting married here. It grew on me, but I still found it a bit boring. Fast forward, we now have a toddler, and a membership to this museum (part of the ingenium museum ottawa pass which includes Science and Tech, and Agriculture) and I enjoy coming here a lot more, especially during those REALLY cold Winter days. It's a quiet museum, there's not a whole lot for kids. I would describe it as being pretty laid back. They have some toy wooden planes kids can ride, and the new added space exhibit which has some interactive features. They also do kids birthday parties here!!! A couple of notes: -This museum is not easily accessible by public transportaion. -There are strollers and wheelchairs that you can use on site. -There is a cafeteria on site (it's usually not busy, and I've never tried the food, so I can't comment if its good or not) -lots of greenery outside for picnics during the warmer months. -Large parking lot, but its a small distance from the museum. There is drop off spots by the front. -Free entry after 4pm daily (but closes at 5)

Driving here from downtown Ottawa proves the maxim that the journey is as good as the destination. The drive is incredibly scenic and I've actually done the drive back-and-forth a few times over the years but, embarrassingly, this was the first time that I ventured into the museum itself. It was a cold day with snow everywhere so I was one of only two visitors. It gave me time to wander aimlessly through the large hangar complex. The place is packed with planes and it was fun to see some of the monsters that plied the northern reaches of the country. I guess if I were a child I would want more interactive features and displays. Okay, I'll be honest, as an adult I would want them, too.

This is a fantastic asset for the Ottawa community and families in particular who wish to explore history and science with their children. The amazing volunteer Air Force veterans, interactive exhibitions and special exhibits (the night sky dome for example) have been excellent opportunities to learn more about our environment and the people who have contributed to our country.

Wheeeeeee! I love Aviation and Space! I wish I lived on Aviation Pkwy! The museum is part of Ingenium, a federal crown corporation set up by an act of Parliament to oversee the trio of national museums including Agriculture & Food and Science & Technology. A little remote from the downtown area, there is plenty of pay parking if you're driving and definitely worth the trip. The $15 adult admission (US$11) is pretty reasonable. There's even a $38 family package (2 adults & 4 kids) and a $12 group discount (15+ people). Ottawa is similar to Washington DC in that they have all manner of museums, though more spread out and CASM can give the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum a run for their money. As you enter the building, you walk under the inverted CT-114 Tutor jet trainer of the famed Snowbirds aerobatic team. I had seen them perform their precision aerial maneuvers at Jones Beach and was impressed to see one up close from the balcony walkway. The main hall is sectioned off by aviation eras, starting with early wooden biplanes and WWI aircraft like the Sopwith Camel (Snoopy's plane). Moving onto WWII, there are British (Spitfire & Hurricane) and German (Bf-109, Me163 Komet & He-162 Volksjager) planes on display. Towering over them like a mother goose with wings splayed is what I came to see, the Avro Lancaster bomber, one of the few left in existence and with over 400 of them built in Canada. With its four Merlin engines, it dropped millions of pounds of bombs over Berlin, Hamburg & Frankfurt, including the Dambuster and 25,000lb Grand Slam bombs. It was a frightening time in history that should never be repeated and never forgotten. Moving onto the Jet Age, the Cold War and modern times, those eras are represented by innovative designs such as the DeHavilland Vampire carrier based fighter and the Hawker Siddeley Harrier jump jet. One of the last indigenous jet interceptor designs, the CF-105 Avro Arrow is a proud centerpiece for Canada, even though a whole one no longer exists. Only a nose section and wingtips of one of the prototypes survive after it was cancelled in 1959. A design ahead of its time, it suffered from political infighting and never made it into production, which eventually ran Avro out of business and from which the Canadian aerospace industry never fully recovered. This is evident in later years, when Canada resorted to buying military hardware from the USA (displayed here) such as the Bomarc missile, CF-5 Freedom Fighter, CF-101 Voodoo and CF-18 Hornet jet fighters. Multiple times during the day there are special demonstrations such as the ejection seat demo. It lasted for 1/2 hour and was informative, but (spoiler alert) was kind of disappointing. The kids might enjoy it since they can be called upon to participate by putting on pilot gear. For the little kids, there are wheeled wooden biplanes all over the open floor areas that they can ride in mock dogfights. Just keep an eye on them so that they don't run over any toes or into any kneecaps. If you have an extra hour (or maybe two), definitely get the $7 add-on for the private tour of the reserve hangar, where lesser known aircraft are being restored and others are rotated into the main hall for exhibition space. There are some BIG planes in here and are literally packed on top of each other! The docent has lots of stories of some of the more obscure aircraft. One interesting story was how they landed the DC-9 jetliner on the adjacent 3000ft runway meant only for small propeller planes! One of my favorite planes, the "Wooden Wonder of WWII," the DeHavilland Mosquito is also housed here. There's also a Mustang B, a Hawker Sea Fury, a F2H Banshee, a full sized C-130 Hercules and most of the pieces of a Bristol Beaufighter that I hope they will be able to restore to museum quality. Something to look forward to on the next visit!

We went on the bi-plane --- 1939 Waco Bi-plane. Holy effing 5h1tballs. It was scary at times but a lot of fun - this was OPEN 'cockpit' and passenger seats (2). I will never complain about jetliner turbulence ever again!!! It was hilarious ... but Buddy took a few low dips there that made it ... er ... exciting ... Expensive ... $200 for 10 mins. for the 2 of us. Saw the Ottawa River, Paliament Buildings from an aerial view, etc. Well worth it. They outfit you with leather flying cap and ear protectors. You can wear goggles or sunglasses. Wild. Insane. But I lived to tell the tale!!!!!!! Highly recommended. Unforgettable experience!

After paying $8 for car park, we were not allowed inside the museum because their ticket machine was not working.

The museum is very cool. The entry is not that expensive although its a little weird kids 3-4 years old cost money. Usually unless its a children museum kids at these age are free. Also I didnt like the fact the several exhibitions were broken or out of order. But the parking is not that expensive (6$ per day) and it is lots of fun and has a very impressive exhibition. These is one of these places were you need to visit but it will be a while until you re-visit since it is cool but not that cool.

My review is strictly on their catering. I had our work x-mas party there and their food was horrible! The main course was absolutely bland. I asked for salt and I was told "because this is fine dinning we don't have salt." I'm sorry but I've had fine dinning before and that was far from it. It was more like a crockpot beef mess with no seasoning. The bar was horrendous! They didn't know how to make drinks. We literally had to tell them how to make them. They brought out each meal type separately. First vegans, then fish, then beef. Therefore, no one at the table got to eat together. If we waiting for people to get their food the vegan's meals would get cold. It was the worse experience I've had.

You'd want to go here if you really really love planes. But if not, skip this, and you will not miss much. Got here at like 9:45 AM on a Sunday, and they were offering a Star Trek package (also comes with admission for the Space Museum plus 50% off at the Museum of Agriculture) for $18. If you don't want the Star Trek package, admission to the space museum is $13. Having an access to another whole exhibit for an additional $5 was worth it, so we have decided to go for the Star Trek package. After the time I spent there, I ended up liking the Star Trek exhibit more. There was actually lots of activities to do, and in the end you get an e-mail with your Star Fleet Academy certificate and with all the photos and videos of activities you have personally recorded during your stay. You enter in like a student to their Star Fleet academy, and you get to be trained on different activities. It was fun. As for the Space and Aviation museum, I mean, there is lots to learn, and I got bored after a while taking pictures, as the museum has a lack of interactive activities. The gift shops has many interesting finds, which is worth a visit. Review 79 of 100

It's more "aviation" than "space" at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The space section is more or less a hallway dedicated to Canadian astronauts. But the aviation part is really quite good! They've got several aircraft from pretty much every era of modern flight, from WWI Sopwith biplanes, to the jet-age, VTOL-capable Harrier. There's a good mix of airplanes from both commercial and military service, too. The planes were mostly Canadian, but I did spot a few others, like a MiG and a Messerschmitt hidden about. According to the museum map, they've got over 60 planes and helos to peruse. There are also a few "others" scattered around, like a REO, an Oldsmobile, and even a Vespa! I found it interesting to learn that many of the planes here, though foreign-designed, were actually built [under license] in Canada! BONUS TIP: The museum has FREE admission from 4pm to 5pm!! It's just enough time for a walk-through, cause you'd need two or three hours to really soak in the whole place.

In a city full of museums, this is easily my favourite. If you plan on visiting, you MUST take the guided tour. Admittedly, I grew up wishing to be a Boeing 747 pilot. Are you feeling adventurous? Wondering what its like to fly in a vintage aircraft? I was so lucky to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, taking flight in a vintage biplane. My wonderful wife marked my birthday with this unique and memorable birthday gift idea. I was so thankful to share the experience with my younger son. We flew aboard a Waco UPF-7, an open cockpit biplane circa 1939 on the Parliament Hill Tour. It provided us with a beautiful view of the fall colours surrounding Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa from the front seat of the aircraft. Visited in October 2010

If you like planes and anything that flies, this is a place you will enjoy. It is not big, but there are plenty of vintage planes to see, the aerospace aspect of things are a bit thin. Entrance fee is $13 Canadian for one adult, there is a guided tour at 3 pm. There is also a cafe call Saveur which serves salad, drinks and some hot sandwiches. I believe you can rent the place for other function. There is also a library in the venue. If you want to fork out the money, you can get bi-plane ride or helicopter ride here too.

Was in Ottawa and killing time before checking in and i found this place. Had a great time walking around admiring the different air craft and learning about them. It seems pretty kid and family friendly with alot of activities going on. A great stop if your looking for something to do for a few hours or a unique family outing.

Ugh. Maybe it's because I'm not a giant fan of planes, but I didn't like this museum. It's basically a big hangar full of planes with a couple of opportunities to sit in some of them. I didn't see any videos, there was hardly anything that would require any interaction. Keep in mind, I did just visit the war museum which took a subject that I have very little interest in and brought it down to a personal and human level for me. I thought the space section was pretty neat, but it was also really small. I think I'd like to see more info about how things work and their significance in history/society than just "hey guys. Planes!"

A great place for anybody interested in aviation past and present. Lots of cool flying machines in a really great space. Husband was enthralled by the display of planes his Dad used to fly (Banshees and Sea Furies). It is a huge, airy, modern space. The display designers (curators?) do a great job, adding period clothes, cars, motor cycles to put everything in context. The staff is friendly and easygoing (Take your bag in? Sure, no problem.) There are lots of volunteers around - many retired pilots - with an encyclopedic knowledge of aviation history. The early flight stuff was awesome - lots of biplanes, planes that never quite made it, Alexander Graham Bell's Silver Dart, etc. The "life in space" exhibit was a nice diversion. Contained a cool guitar played by astronaut Mark Hatfield in space and the requisite space toilet. Maybe not appropriate for really little kids but lots of interactive gadgets and games for the 6-12 year old group.

Overall excellent museum. Seems quite small at first but I you spend time checking out the info and all the great details on the planes you can spend 2-3 hours here. Quite a few activities spread around for the younger children that I was not expecting. The staff are bilingual but I found the ticket agent struggled its English. (I noticed the tour guide on the other hand struggled at times with speaking French.) We went on the "Vintage Biplane Flight" viewing Parliament Hill offered by "Ottawa Biplane". It was an excellent flight and well worth the $200 including taxes. Of note, you do get free admission to the museum by paying for the flight (saving $26 for two adults). Don't bother waiting in line to pay for entry like we did. The flight is loud and windy and there was some buffeting due to the relatively small size or perhaps the design of the plane. The staff suggested children 6-7 or older are OK on the biplane - no issues with younger kids in the Cescna plane (or the helicopter likely). Parking was $6 for the day. The cafe was a major disappointment. The "tea situation" was every odd indeed. There were three Red Rose tea bags and about twenty camomile tea bags available (from several different brands) - nothing else. When I asked a staff member, she said that's it. I asked if they can re-stock for more choice and the answer was no then walked off like it was odd someone didn't want camomile tea? The Starbucks coffee tasted off - probably not cleaning the thermos containers enough. My receipt said "Bytown Catering", so I would perhaps avoid them if looking for catering in the Ottawa/Gloucester area.

The museum tour just kept coming for us in our nation's capital. Next stop was the aviation museum. The shame about it was we were taking a bus. This left us a long walk across ice covered paths, which I am sure is great in the summer.. but it was a bit of disaster for us. Not so much the museum's fault.. but that was just about the only issue we had with this museum. It's an old hanger just filled to the brim with historical planes, jets and other vehicles too. We had just missed the last guided tour of the day, which was a shame.. but we did have a few staff members help along the way with questions and observations. I was so excited to behold that little bit of the Avro Arrow they have.. and just loved seeing the advancement of our society through the air technology. There is interactive displays for people as well. You can 'fly' a whole gambit of different planes and even get into the cockpit of two different planes. It's a beautiful building that is full of these pieces of our history as a people.

An educational experience with lots of toys is basically what this place is. This museum is full of full size planes dating back before WWI and up to the present. Some of these planes are replicas and others are the actual planes themselves all shined up for display (I've been told the real planes have faux engines in them and are then shined up). Each plane is accompanied with a little bit of info about when the plane was made, where, when it was used and what became of it basically. There is also a flight simulator area as well as a few cockpits in which you can sit it. I unfortunately did not get a chance in the simulator as the kids were all over that stuff. For a large fee, this particular day that I was here, you were able to ride in a small helicopter. It was free to watch though. There is a lot of information to be read here and a lot to learn. That being said, I feel you need an interest in planes or be an engineer or a kid to truly and fully appreciate what all this is. This was a fantastic museum and there are free tours every couple of hours available. That being said, I have no interest in planes and such and I will most likely not be coming here again. This is mostly because planes don't much interest me. Admission for me was $13 so it wasn't bad. I spent about 3 hours there and found myself sleepy from all the walking and reading. Almost a 4/5 as a museum itself goes but as I said, I have no interest in this.

I have two children and am always looking for fun and educational places to take them. They really enjoyed the war museum, so I figured the aviation museum would be a slam dunk as well. The museum is a huge hanger (how appropriate) filled with real, full-size aircraft from all stages of Canada's development - fragile planes from the beginning of flight, WWI bi-planes, WWII fighters, passenger planes.... They also have flight related artifacts and a collection of books and other flight documents. And, not only is it a museum, but it also plays host to flight related events. In October, the Battle of Britain memorial was held at the Aviation Museum with dignitaries from around the world there to celebrate this historic event. They even had a fly past of WWII planes, including the last functioning Lancaster bomber in North America. It is a wild place to explore, but don't expect your kids to get it or enjoy it to the max. The gift shop wowed them more than the museum sadly.

Amazing! ISS exhibit really strong. Star Trek exhibit is not to be missed in 2016.

If you have a free morning or afternoon and are interested in history and airplanes --- visit this museum. It has an amazing collection of restored aircraft from all over the world including two WW2 German jet planes. Take the hanger tour to see some of the planes as they are restored. They have kids programs from 2 - 12 year olds. Their space portion is less of a highlight though we enjoyed the quick lecture of how to do certain things in space. If you don't have a car, you can take bus with a transfer from downtown (or a single bus from some of the busway stops) - or you can take a cab. The bus runs every 20 mins and takes about 30 mins total trip from downtown.

Went here on Labour Day weekend with my family. It was a great day. My kids absolutely loved the museum and we also bought tickets for the Star Wars Identities attraction. The kids had a blast and we would highly recommend this as a must see attraction if you are in the Nation's capital. I would suggest bringing a cooler with lunch though because the cafeteria is quite pricey and the food didn't look very appetizing.

Really, really awesome! It totally worth to spend few hours visiting this museum. I learned so much there. The staff is just awesome and the volunteers my heroes! They were available to all my questions (and I had lots!!!). You can actually sit in some cockpits to feel like a pilot felt (very uncomfortable) in jets during war. Anyways, if you are in Ottawa, visit the museum. It's great!!!

Not a bad museum but not enough is focused on keeping attention of children. I don't believe museums are only for kids or should cater just to them but this one lacks the most of all ottawa museums. The have a great kids room that has tons of toys and activities. But not enough of the actual museum is child friendly or engages them enough.