Canadian Museum of History

Please visit this place even if you only have a couple of hours in Ottawa — it’s truly a gem. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, and I couldn’t believe the one-hour in-person guided tour was only $5. This is honestly one of the best museums I’ve visited. I learned a lot here.

Enjoyable open space for Toddlers. Fun Children's and creative playroom. 👍🏻 The IMax is also an interesting entertainment venue ... and a possible nap break too 😴😀 for toddlers 💕 Unfortunately, there was no cafeteria open to serve lunch or a snack. 😔

The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau is a very nice place to visit. The museum is beautiful and has many amazing paintings and artworks. The exhibits are interesting and easy to explore. It’s a great place to learn about history and enjoy beautiful art. Highly recommended.

As expected, fantastic museum with great exhibits. Spent 3-4 hours on a cold morning. Children area is a lot of fun for younger kids, 5-8 years old. Underground parking is about 6' 3" so access with larger vehicles is very difficult.

What a great museum! I learned so much about Canadian history, with loads of surprises (and fun interactive features) throughout. I loved the layout, where on one side you wind through the history of Canada from ancient First Peoples to modern times. I loved learning about early French Canada and seeing Rocket Richard’s jersey. The other part of the museum was a massive First Peoples exhibit with buildings, totems and modern artwork. Super impressive. This museum was a great visit and would be perfect for families too.

A quiet walk through memory and meaning. Totem poles rise like sentinels of story, and the longhouses feel alive with ancestral presence. This museum doesn’t just display history — it surrounds you with it. My connection to this place goes back to 1996, when it was still the Canadian Museum of Civilization. That first visit shaped how I understood Canada. It offered an honest, thoughtful picture of the country — its cultures, its people, its values. I didn’t realize it then, but that experience became the foundation of my relationship with Canada. Looking back, that trip was never just a vacation. It was the quiet beginning of a journey that eventually led me to make Canada my home. From my first IMAX film here… to Toronto’s energy during my training years… to the peaceful trails of Gatineau Park… to the clear water of Pink Lake… to my first ski run at Camp Fortune… Every moment built on the feeling that started inside this museum. I’ve traveled widely since — Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, the UK, France — but no place called to me the way Canada did. This museum was the first voice in that calling. A meaningful, beautifully curated place that continues to inspire reflection every time I return.

Really well planned museum. Every section is well maintained with friendly staff around. If we had time, we would have visited the kids' section but we were out of time but definitrly worth a visit. And nice view when you walk outside. Sufficient parking spots. Very nice souvenir shop as well.

Such a great day with children. Great enthusiast staff. Will be a yearly winter trip. Covered parking! Phillipe in the craft room was really helpful and kind.

We came here to learn more about the indigenous cultures of Canada and for the children's museum. They have a great set up here, we were able to go to the children's museum right after getting our tickets to wear out our daughter a bit before going to the main museum. The children's museum is really interesting, much more than we had expected. It is really great that they have so many interactive and educational displays about different cultures around the world. Following the path from Asia, to Egypt to Mexico was a lot of fun. They have the room to rent marbles and other things to build as well. Definitely a must stop if you have kids. After she got a bit of her energy out we went upstairs to see the main exhibits. The long hallway with the mirrors telling the stories of places around the country was really interesting, a bit tricky to read, but very unique. The layout to walk through is fantastic. Walking through history from the indigenous communities, to the invasion from the French and British, to the modern day is so well laid out. Not too many interactive displays to keep our daughter entertained, but just enough. It was absolutely fascinating to basically walk through the history of Canada. Going downstairs to the great room/hall was incredible, the totem poles are enormous. Getting to see them in person and read about how the people carve them out was really impressive. I'm really glad we made the trip here.

Lots to see and learn - indigenous, history, political, music, art! There's group of 7, old stereotypes, historical facts in Canada

I'm not a huge fan of museums, but I really enjoyed visiting the Canadian Museum of History. We started our visit with the totems and then continued to the indigenous peoples statues; this part was one of the most interesting part in my opinion; I really enjoyed reading about them and what each symbol represents. We then continued to explore the galleries where each one was telling stories about Canada's history and culture. The galleries were very impressive and interesting. It's definitely worth the visit.

This was one of our must-see museums during our visit to the area & we were not disappointed! We started off with the temporary exhibit - First Royals of Europe which was very interesting & well-presented. We also enjoyed browsing thru the First Peoples Hall & totems in the Grand Hall. We found ourselves pressed for time by the time we found ourselves in the Canadian History Hall & had to move faster thru the exhibits than we would've liked (we had 2.5 hours & wished we had another hour). The museum itself is very nice - well laid out with great lighting/facilities. We had a few minutes before closing to make a quick visit to the gift shop which was stocked with nice wearables, books, etc. Great experience - I would suggest allowing yourself at least 3 hours to have adequate time to 'take it all in' ;)

This is a fantastic museum with some really interesting exhibits. I really learnt a lot about the history of Canada

We were pretty excited about the Canadian Museum of History mostly because of its Children's Museum. And indeed, that did turn out to be very cool. The place is laid out in a way where you essentially go from country to country and look at (and play with) different items (e.g. you "make" sushi in Japan and climb aboard a rickshaw in India). The highlight for us was a big room with all kinds of foam objects. The room happened to be empty at the time, which afforded us complete freedom onto play with things and crawl around. It was fun. After the Children's Museum, we decided to grab some lunch at the Panorama Cafe downstairs. One of their options was a Steamie, the Montreal hot-dog variant. I'd had authentic ones several years ago so I was pretty stoked. It turned out just to be a regular hot dog that had been topped with coleslaw. It was tasty enough but definitely not a Steamie. (We also got the poutine and that was legitimately delicious.) After that, we made our way into the Museum of History part, and it was genuinely very impressive. I especially enjoyed how it was laid out in chronological history, and the various accompanying exhibits fleshed out the story of our country perfectly. We had to make a quick exit after dozens of rowdy teenagers made a noisy arrival but otherwise the experience was interesting and informative.

on a tour, so a limited amount of time. the place was massive. wish we had more time. the museum was well laid out for a time travel trip through history. the most interesting thing was to read about us, as americans, through the eyes of people that wrote a differnt version of history. basically, as world travel has taught us, he who wins, writes the history that shines the best light...it was healthy to get a different perspective, although a bit embarrassing... rlw

The recent exhibit that The History museum had on recently was AMAZING! The Television of our childhoods exhibit should remain a staple. Everything from polka dot shorts to paw patrol, they had it all. The displays were set up so nicely. Very "artsy" and awesome for photos. I just loved it. It was a fresh welcome to the museum and they make a permanent spot for it. Other than that, I have walked through this museum more than I can count, and I do find that not much has changed over the years. Some displays were down on the main floor which was a bummer. I did come here specifically for the children's museum for my kids, and they had a blast. I on the other hand could not wait to get out. IT WAS BUSY BUSY BUSY! Too much going on for me, but nonetheless it was fun for the kids. There is a second cup on site where you can grab coffees, sandwiches and pastries. Elevators are slow. Bring a water bottle. They have a water bottle refill station by the coat check. Lots of greenery in the Summer time for outdoor photos and picnics.

An unplanned visit to Gatineau and the Canadian Museum of History. What a fantastic building (unfortunately under repair) with very interesting architecture. The inside did not disappoint either, from the cavernous grand Hall, to the towering totems. The dizzying art ceiling and the dazzling main hall. On a Tuesday afternoon, it was not busy at all, and the grounds afford some of the best views of Parliament.

What a great museum!! If you're an American like me, you earned very little about Canadian history. It's all here. Everything is well displaced and the museum-ology (if that's a word) is excellent. The challenge for a museum like this that covers the history from the first humans in what is now Canada till today is what to include and what to exclude. The museum covers the sweep of Canadian history with specific incidents or focuses to make it more relatable. I learned a huge amount about: -- relations between the First Nations and the French and then the English -- the French colonists -- Confederation and the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee -- The Metis and white Canada's efforts to suppress them -- The settlement of he west and the construction of the railroad\ -- Canada in WW1 and WW2 I would have learned moe had I stayed longer. And that's a problem, In any case if you are history buff like me and you take time to read ll the labels, you'll need plenty of time. I was there for six hours and still feel like I rushed through. And we all know that your attention starts to wander after two hours in any museum anywhere in the world. Hey, Museum Directors, I have a suggestion: why is the ticket good for only one day? The day I was there, the visitors were either school groups or visitors for out of town. What would you lose if you let someone used the same ticket for several days?

Beautiful museum filled with artifacts to tell the story of Canada's indigenous people. Perfect for families with various areas geared for all ages. It would be easy to spend an entire day here. The location of several of Ottawa's museums being within close proximity of Parliament Hill is quite convenient.

To me, the Canadian Museum of History (Musée Canadien de l'Histoire) does for Canada what the Smithsonian does for the U.S. It's not just a museum, but a journey, taking visitors through the centuries: From the early Neanderthals of this plot of land; through the centuries of the First Peoples and Indigenous Nations; through the early French and British settlers (and their all the different religions that came here); through the growing independence from Britain, their participation in the World Wars; as well as the oddly late development of their own flag (the red Maple Leaf flag only came into being in 1965!) and contemporary history and politics. And, of course, you'll find a good amount on hockey. And curling! The Grand Hall -- its tribute to the First Peoples of Canada's Pacific Coast -- is a must, must, must see. The totem poles and other carvings are colorful, intricate, in many cases HUGE, and impressive in every way. Frankly, I could have spent the whole day just in the Grand Hall. One of the overall highlights for me is the St. Onuphrius Ukrainian Catholic Church of Smoky Lake, Alberta, built originally in 1915. It's incredible that they MOVED IT HERE for everyone to see and experience. This isn't just the shell, people! Every intricate inch transports you to another time and place. For modern history, I was impressed the honesty and transparency that they cover Quebec's strained relationship (and votes for secession) with the rest of Canada. The ups, the downs, the agreements, the good times and the bad. The museum is IN Quebec, but a sturdy 10-minute stroll from the capital (in the very un-French-Canadian province of Ontario). But the portal is honest, well-balanced, and lacks any sort of propagandizing one way or the other. Or maybe propagandizing both sides! Fascinating stuff. Okay, a guitar from Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive is pushing it a bit. But Imma let that one go. There's so much I could talk about when it comes to the INCREDIBLE Canadian Museum of History. Why don't you go see for yourself?

This museum advertises free museum night on Thursday only to presell all the tickets. Some fancy gala takes all the tickets and none are left for mere people who travel thousands of miles to be here. None of this is explained in any of the literature. Extremely disappointing

I've been many times to Ottawa and never took the time to visit the Musée Canadien de l'Histoire, well now it's done! Pros: If like me you've always wanted to know more about the historical background of Canada then you definitely have to visit this museum, I enjoyed all the exhibitions about the First Nations tribes, the collection is very extensive and there are beautiful pieces. While I was visiting the museum there was also the horses and hockey exhibits, but the highlight of our visit was definitely the Children's Museum, I had planned to stay approximately 3 hours and we ended up staying 5 hours, the kids loved it! Now the cons: As it is a museum about the history of Canada I was expecting a bit more about other aspects of the pre and post-colonization era or even about Canada during both World wars.

History is very broad and can cover a lot of topics. To have a museum in Canada dedicated to this is amazing, however between this and the war museum, I definitely preferred the war museum. To start, as I mentioned, history is very broad and can cover a lot of topics. While the museum covers as many topics that resemble Canadian history, you can only do so much given the space of the museum...and this museum isn't that big. Unfortunately this means a lot of topics weren't covered in detail, whether it's the wars, conflicts, fur trade, exploration, etc. You'll undoubtedly learn about important dates, events, and a brief synopsis of what happened, but don't expect analytical details; you need a more specific venue for that such as the war museum. The best thing about the museum is the location; the view of the Ottawa River and Ottawa is quite amazing from the museum waterfront. Definitely snap some photos once you're done viewing the museum, you won't regret it.

This museum puts the ROM, and any other Toronto museums, to shame. The amount of history and quality of the collections here is quite impressive. The Grand Hall had some very nice pieces from the First Peoples of Canada including huge totem poles. The highlight for me was the kids area. It was built as a world tour, featuring everything from an Indian bus, to a Pyramid, to a ship complete with loading crane. The little ones obviously loved it, but what's surprising is that the adults had just as much, if not more, fun. There was even a passport that could be stamped at each area. The food options were also nice. The restaurant overlooks the river and has a nice patio so you can enjoy the sites. This is really a special Museum and has something for everyone in the family. It's not only worth going to, it's even worth the drive from Toronto.

3.5 +++ The highlight for me were the Haida and Pacific Northwest displays. The huge canoe was enormous. I found the entire exhibit to be well done and in-depth. The chronological history of Canada would be great for visitors, and for school kids as part of a curriculum. I did find the building to be accessible... mostly ramps leading up to the 3rd floor. But it did not blow me away like the National Gallery. Tried my first poutine ever ... it isn't my thing, personally, but seemed to be very popular, especially if you're not on a diet. Fried, fried and more fried with cheese curds and mayo. The cafeteria was terrible - smelled like hospital food - Hubby had a soup to tide him over before lunch ... pretty grim... Gift store is overpriced and ... touristy stuff.

The museum is HUGE! You could easily spend a full day here and probably not even see everything. Thursday nights from 5-8pm the museum is free, including the special exhibit. We came on the free night and barely had enough time to see everything. My favorite was the stamp collection. That was very neat. The totem pole collection is the largest in the world! Pretty neat also. Parking underground is $2.75 per HALF HOUR! Yikes! And that seems to be the only option.

Not particularly impressed. The history treatment is shallow, the tours - in particular - skip too much "first order important stuff" even when the specific goals of the visiting group are laid out extremely clearly in advance of the visit. I run an international program at McGill that involves an Ottawa visit and made the mistake of including this site as part of that program in year 1 (this summer). Won't make that mistake again. The museum may be better suited for younger people looking for surface level info or folks who want to see a nice museum building for its solid and moderately unique architectural features. Neither is my use case alas.

Great museum to understand Canadian history and how the country has evolved into what it is today. We normally do not venture into museums when traveling but being a newcomer to this country and wanting to understand it better we went for it - and I'm glad we did that. Quite spacious - even on the long weekend with tonnes of visitors, it had a good breathing space. One day might not be enough if you want to check out the entire museum since there are many details covered inside it from across the regions - especially in the NorthWest. One gets to know about various communities that have and are living in the remotest part of Canada, their lifestyle, their language and their contributions to build Canada. The exhibitions are quite amazing. There is a theatre as well which is great. We went to see "Wonders of the Arctic". While it was a great knowledge experience, it was also an amazing cinematic experience. Definitely watch one of the shows. And if you want something to munch or drink, there is a cafe right opposite the theatre entrance from where you can grab something. We were only able to see a part of the museum since we were there for only a day. However, I can't wait to explore the rest of the museum. There is a cafe on two of the floors which are very good. The view of Ottawa river from the first-floor cafe is quite amazing. There is an Aqua Taxi service as well that runs from there which takes you to the other side of the river - Ottawa Locks Jetty near Parliament Hill and then Richmond Landing. The staff was good. They used to start off in French by default but switched to English once they know that you are English-speaking. Overall, a great place to be if you are in Ottawa - and especially if you have kids.

Compared to other capitols it's probably the worst. To add insult to injury you'll pay big money for a place that may only consume an hour of your time. It probably would have been a considerably better value for families if the original cost included the children's museum, but that's an add on that'll double the cost of your visit to this attraction. Much like the city of Ottawa the museum is very underwhelming for this family.

I came by for the Japon exhibit as posters are all over Ottawa buses. I forgot how cool the architecture of this building was! It has a very dated look but cool either way. The area that it's on is beautiful and you could probably hang out around the museum for a good portion of the day without going in. They have awesome IMAX theatres that have some great films through the year. - First floor has cool totem poles and sculptures. There are a lot of native exhibits but there are a ton in all of Canada's museums so it's nothing special here. - The second floor had the Japon exhibit and an Artic Expedition exhibit. I liked Japon but it was a small snippet from each generation and I was hoping there would be a lot more. The artic expedition was poor and some of the speakers were broken if you were to "follow an explorer" that someone recommends. The Post Office exhibit sucks and I wish we could strike the museum until they took it out. - The third floor is my favourite as it's a walk through of Canada over the generations. It's so well done and a lot of fun! This is the money exhibit and floor. - The fourth floor...I think I went into a coma going through this level. I'm not sure if they ran out of money creating this or if it was really meant to be this boring! Definite fun place to visit once in a blue moon but wouldn't come back often.

This museum, like the war museum is A LOT. But so worth it. Covering the history of Canada from the arrival of the first indigenous people's, well into the 2000's, this museum covers it all. Prepare to spend a good chunk of your day here, and have to come back again to see everything you might have missed. Even if you have just a general interest in Canada's history, this is an incredible experience.

The original name of the museum, when built was The Museum of Man. Feminists were upset because of the word "man". The word "MAN" was used in the broad sense of the word, as in "Mankind". So it was changed to the Museum of Civilization. A good name. Then Stephen Harper took office as PM and changed it again to the Museum of History. Politically, both disagreements were and are miopic points of view. With all due respect, the name Museum of Man should have remained. (but were always trying to please everyone......can't)

Most of the exhibits in this museum were on the ground floor. There was a small exhibit featuring different Canadian stamps from the very first one featuring the beaver to present day stamps. There was another small exhibit exhibiting colorful yarn "paintings" by an Huichol Indian Shaman. An exhibit on the First Peoples featured different ways indigenous peoples lived off the lands grouping them into arctic whalers, maritime people, communal hunters, longhouse people. There were artifacts and objects relating to the lives and cultures of the First Peoples and how those lives were changed by contact with European settlers. I liked the Grand Hall with it's outer facade of six Native Houses. The long canoe, various totem poles, and house poles were neat to look at. There was an area with reproductions of archaeological excavations done of the Tsimshian people. I liked the plaster pattern of the "Spirit of Haida Gwaii." The museum had some cool exhibits but wasn't as extensive as I thought it would be. There also weren't as many reproduced scenes of indigeneous peoples' lives. I thought the museum did a very respectful and informative job in how and what they taught about Natives' lives. The Canadian Children's Museum is also located inside this museum on the second floor.

The Museum of Civilization is a good museum, but it just didn't really pique my interest. I am sure that this would be great for kids and field trips. It's a very large museum (it better be, for $13+ per person!) and can take most of the day to go through. However, it just didn't feel like it made my visit to Ottawa any more spectacular. The First Peoples and Canada Hall are where you'll want to spend most of your time. The exhibits really try to give you a glimpse of what things were like in the colonial days and earlier. Plenty of parking is available in the garage underneath the museum. Prices were not outrageous. HOT TIP: Rather than spending all day staring at some old exhibits, take a walk around the well-manicured grounds outside of the museum. It's FREE, and you can get some fantastic photos along the Ottawa River and of Parliament Hill. Quick summary: - 1st Floor - First Peoples exhibit - very cool - 2nd Floor - "Japon" - not bad "Expedition: Arctic" - ok Postal Museum - boring! - 3rd Floor - Canada Hall - pretty good! - 4th Floor - Canadian personalities - really disappointing

My girlfriend wasn't a huge fan of the idea of going here. She was worried it would be as boring as the tour at Rideau Hall was. "Here's the room where stuff happens sometimes. I'm not allowed to tell you what or let you explore. Just understand that it's awesome." Thankfully I can say that wasn't our experience here. Though the bottom floor felt a lot like Grade 10 history class about the first peoples, things got better with each trip up the escalator. The second floor starts off with an old Postal jeep and signs from all across Canada. I'm sure there's a city you're familiar with up there. (Closest to me was Barrie, Ontario). Their collection of stamps through the decades was really impressive. So many stamps, it's hard to look at them all. They had sleds, uniforms and anything else that was even semi-related to the post office. Most interesting was a bottle of booze hidden inside a loaf of bread and sent through the Post. The third floor was where things got really interesting. You walk through life-sized towns, each representing a new era in the history of Canada. Such detail in each room, you almost feel like you're taking part in a mass break & enter. So many hidden details, you could spend days in one section alone, but there's a lot to see. What was disappointing afterward was the fourth and final floor. After the fun and wonder that was the third floor, the fourth feels like it was just thrown together. Made up of mostly cardboard cutouts and paragraphs of information. We walked into the kids section as well. Being without children ourselves, we did get a funny look walking in. That didn't stop us, but it should have. The entire area smelled like sweaty children. I guess I should have known better, but I found out myself anyway. The third floor is what makes the trip valuable. The other floors were alright, but taking a stroll through Upper Canada was tons of fun. I really enjoyed it. You will too.

WOW this was a huge positive surprise. We were in the area and said why not go see this place since we had some time before returning to Montreal. The place is amazing it is perfect for kids and adults. I will start with the kids: They have an entire universe for them. It is a trip around the world were you stemp your passport (they get it there) in every country. Each location is a micro presentation of the real thing including an original bus from India, some cool exhalation from the middle east. We spent more then 2 hours at the kids section alone. My son loved it so much we returned again just for that (all the way from Montreal) For grownups: Amazing first nation exhibit, you walk inside the reconstruction of their lives. Everything is presented in a unique and pleasant way. and the up stairs has a cool Terry Fox (marathon for life) exhibit. You really feel you are getting your money worth for this one. Just 2 more tips: A. look at the outside of the building, the bricks are made from a unique quarry, they contain fossils inside B. the View toward Ottawa is breathtaking

Quite possibly tied for the best museum in Ottawa with the War Museum. The civilization museum is so full of life. The coolest part of the museum has got to be the the walk through of the eras. The little towns they have set up are very neat and the people they have working there make it all the better! You get a really good feel for what life looked like a long time ago. The school house part of the exhibit was so interesting for kids. The children's museum is also very awesome if you have kids! It doesn't really have a lot to do with Canada, but your kids will love it! Then the Canadian Hall of Fame, or whatever it is called, is also very interesting. It's a lot of information to take in at once, though, and can get bit tedious to read.

What I enjoyed most about this museum was the new perspectives and viewpoints it offered. As a Non-Canadian I never bothered to inform myself about this country's history, knowing only very roughly about its past and the still existent problems First Nation People face. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the Grand Hall in his normal glory due to prepararions for the Beer Fest (which also limited the exibition rooms), but the general impressive atmosphere of the Hall wirh its Totems was still present. I especially enjoyed the Tsimshian Prehistory exhibition including the replicas of aecheological excavation sites. The very short Special Exhibition about the Suffragist Movement in 19th century Manitoba had me very excited and offered an interactive ending, which I always enjoy. At the end of the First People's Hall and generally on the First Floor I got kind of lost, the museum is very large and wide-spread and it tool me multiple attempts to actually get to see everything there was to see.

I really, really enjoy the Museum of Civilization. The thing is, I don't feel like it's changed very much in the last few years, and that's actually a good thing! They've kept all of the really popular displays and permanent exhibitions while adding more. That way, there are some that you've loved as a child, and others that are new and fun to see. The Grand Hall has been there for years, so has the Canada Hall, which had always been my favorite. There's also an IMAX theatre that plays both big-picture movies and educational films. There's even a children's museum that has their own exhibitions, school and family programs, community events, day camps, sleepovers, and party hosting. The cafeteria offers snacks, breakfast, and lunch, with dishes like hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, pasta, chicken, fries and onion rings, souvlaki, and sometimes Asian noodles. There are a couple of cafes as well, where you can buy coffee and tea, sandwiches, desserts, and other light fare. The boutiques also have all kinds of souvenirs. They do offer their facilities for rent for banquets, performances, meetings, and even weddings. In my last year at Carleton, the annual Charity Ball was held here in the winter and it was a really fantastic venue. If you don't have any plans for Canada Day, try coming to the museum. The view of the fireworks from here is phenomenal!

This museum has fun exhibits and a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of Canada - from the times of the indigenous peoples all the way to today. It's one of the more expensive museums in Ottawa, but if you like history and you have the time to spend (2+ hours to see it all), it's a good investment. The lower floor is all about the culture of the First Nations. Learn about their history and their way of life. Explore replica architecture and see real-life totem poles. Trace their existence from thousands of years ago all the way to today, to see how they've changed and evolved - primarily in response to the arrival of Europeans from the east. The second floor is a special rotating exhibit. I didn't find it very interesting, but your mileage may vary. Plus it might be a different exhibit when you come. Lastly, the third floor is an extensive and in-depth timeline of Canada as a nation. It begins with a bit about the First Nations (but more history-focused vs. culture-focused). Then it moves to the arrival of the Europeans. Then on to the evolution of Canada as a territory and eventually into a nation. And finally it looks at the political and cultural history of Canada since independence. In my opinion this is the highlight of the museum, so either do it first or save enough time (about 1 hour) at the end to do it thoroughly. Overall it was a fun and informative experience. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the history (both pre- and post-colonization) of the land now known as "Canada."

I really enjoyed the first floor of this museum. The totem poles were gorgeous and fascinating to look at. If you ever read Joseph Campbell, or received condensed notes on his teachings, he helps you understand symbolism in concise way that can be applied to totem poles. So I walked throughout the first floor in awe. The second floor had horses and Canadian fur trade. My experience of the second floor can be described with one word: Eh. It was interesting but the information was not new to me. It did not captivate my imagination or expand my mind. I have to say, the best part of this Museum was the first floor. I also enjoyed that there are two museums next to another and the imax theatre is also in the same building.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization was a on my must-do list while I was in Ottawa. Unfortunately on my first trip I was able to get to the museum, but I ended up back in Ottawa a few weeks laters decided to check this museum out. First let's make sure we all understand this museum actually isn't in Ottawa. It's in Gatineau. If you're like me and trying to find the museum in Ottawa (on my first trip) you'll likely be lost and frustrated. Don't be stubborn like me, use a smartphone or ask for directions. As a Canadian I often feel like I know more about US history than I do of my own country (wasn't it Trudeau who said living next to the US is like living next to an elephant?). The Canadian Museum of Civilization does a great job at presenting Canadian history for visitors. Quite often I found myself learning about someone or some event I had no idea existed. I really appreciated that the museum focuses on history from Canada, it's not just events that happened in one or two places. Some of the exhibits are available to check out online, which is neat, especially if you can't get to the Gatineau. The museum itself is very cool looking, and the building is hard mistake. Inside the Grand Hall is quite spectacular and shows some really cool totem poles. Outside on the grounds you can get some really nice views of the Ottawa river, as well as Ottawa and The Parliament Building. I think regular admission price is $13 for adults, which is a really great deal considering the size and scope of this museum and its exhibits. I went on Thursday night, so admission is free from 4pm to 8pm. It was nice having free admission, but next time I wouldn't hesitate to got back and pay full price to be able to spend more time looking through this museum as well.

Went here for the Canadian Children's Museum. We got the family ticket for $50 (2 adults and 4 children, but we are just a family of 4). Really enjoyed the 22min short documentary short film that was about Antarctica. Also love the that the Children's museum has a theme of many countries that the kid's can visit and explore. They even have a small theatre that the Children can act or produce a show using a real sound system device. The best part is that the kid's gets a passport to get stamps for each place they visit. Note, it takes around 2hrs to explore the whole Children's museum.

we went for a particular exhibit a few years ago on the Empress of Ireland. I must say they do their specialty exhibits very well. Going through the exhibit, I felt like I was there and I was almost able to feel the fear of the passengers. it was very moving. I looked at nautical travel differently after that. I travel on ships quite often; many passengers complain about the use of foghorns and how loud they are. they save lives and this exhibit would have cured people of complaining about it. i'm looking forward to exploring more exhibits there!

As a first-timer in Ottawa I was pretty excited to visit Canadian Museum of History (name changed as of Dec, 2013), however, the museum offered very little history of Canada. I was able to see everything under just one hour. Sooooo, I shall give all my stars go to the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM! Even though we didn't have any kids along (accidental creepers much?!), we had a blast strolling through all the different countries, as well as played with the awesome make-believe theater sound/light equipment!! Apparently the museum will be fully upgraded in 2017. Maybe next time it will live up the hype!

Worth to spend the whole day here, many areas of interests, great for kids and the whole family. Coat check is free of charge. Cafe had a good selection of foods.

This is a fantastic museum. I would say it is one of the best museums I have visited in the world, let alone Ottawa. It is the best I have visited in Canada, hands down. The museum is BEAUTIFUL. The architecture and layout of this museum is phenomenal in just about every aspect. Well lit, excellent exhibits, easy to get around, well placed washrooms, amazing scenery outside and some of the finest Canadian story telling I have ever seen. I cannot think of another museum in the billion that I have visited that actually makes you feel like you are in the story. This museum does that very, very well. I came in my most recent visit for the Japanese exhibit that they had and it just blew me away. I was amazed at how well they set up the exhibit as to funnel you through the timeline of Japanese design. It was mind blowing how well they did that. My only gripe was the exhibit was too short!!

3.5 My partner and I went specifically to see the Aboriginal section and spent a good 3 hours there. We easily could have spent more time there! The building architecture itself is very beautiful. I wish I could have spent more time looking at it. There were a lot of interesting pieces in the Pacific North West longhouse area. We are from this area so were very happy to see items from there. The Archaeology-focused section was a different experience. It looked like an outdated exhibit and was set up in a way that I didn't care for. Many of the artifacts were in near darkness and there was video playing that looked like it was filmed in the 80s. This section felt a bit tacky overall. The main part of hall contained a few large totem poles and replica longhouses. I found some of the poles especially gorgeous. Each pole had a map of BC beside it to display where the pole came from. I found this very useful means of explaining the origin of the poles. Some of the totem poles had replica mortuary boxes placed at the top of them for effect but the plaque did not mention anything about a mortuary box when describing those poles. In the Nunavut and Northern section they featured some famous Aboriginal people. We'll be back for another few hours this winter, I'm sure!

This is a review of the cafeteria, not the museum. The museum is a first class institution both in terms of its architecture and its collection. Alas, the same cannot be said for its cafeteria food. Last spring, we visited several museums in Stockholm and I was most impressed by the quality of the food served in their cafeterias. It was so good that people who weren't even visiting the museum would go there for lunch. I mentioned in those reviews that we did not enjoy e same quality in Canada, but I had forgotten how bad ours are. We had taken our grandson to visit the excellent children's museum. As it was lunchtime and he was still keen to visit more, we decided to have a bite in the cafeteria. We shared a chicken pizza and a chicken wrap with fries. The pizza was already cooked, sitting under a heat lamp, but it gets tossed into a fake pizza oven for a few minutes to reheat, more or less. What came out was a stiff cardboard crust with indelible desiccated chicken bits on top. The wrap was at least edible, but the fries had been fried long ago and were limp and soggy. There is a second cup coffee bar there as well where you can't buy a cappuccino - only plain brewed coffee. The service was slow and surly. It was obvious that the guy behind the counter hated his job. This is the first time I've handed out one star. For me, that means a place to avoid, and I'm generally pretty tolerant. For a museum of such quality, the food in the cafeteria is a disgrace. One can only hope that the food services contract expires soon and that someone better gets the next contract.

Went there for the first time expecting to bask in some Canadian history! Turns out that the Hall of History (the entire point of the museum!) is closed....until 2017. Didn't stop them from charging me full price for entry. Total ripoff.

I walked over from the other side of the river, and had a little bit of a tough time finding the entrance. But once I did and got inside, the massive museum and hall beckoned. There was a lot to look through here and unfortunately I didn't have much time so had to rush through. But I read relatively quickly and had my camera, so was able to learn some more about Canada's history, including the Native People, early settlers, etc. I think the museum itself and the displays were great, but the material wasn't as interesting to me. So, that's why it doesn't get another star. Maybe another trip with more time here can alter my opinion.

I don't get what the hype is about this place. This has got to be the most boring museum in the city. I was happy when I saw on CPAC that they're trying to change the name to the Canadian History Museum or something, because that's what it is: History. There is no civilization in there. It is just boring 1800s Birtish-Canadian History. It's like I'm back in 5th grade History, which I'm pretty sure I slept through. I understand we're in Canada, so we want it to be Canadian, but it needs focus more on Native American tribes then, not 150 years of boring British conquerors. Civilization implies it to be more of an anthropological place, which it is not.

I confess that below a high threshold of art museums, my favorite genre of museum are the nerdy historical, scientific, or civic museums. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is all three at once. You get the IMAX movies. You get the natural resource exhibits. You get the summarized history of Canada, anthropological, political, and commercial. Dioramas! Giant carvings! A salute to the Canadian Postal Service! All of this packaged in beautiful and modern architecture and sitting on the banks of the Ottawa river, just across from one of the prettiest national capitals. I was pressed for time and forewent the IMAX; rushing through in about three hours. You could easily spend twice that here. When in Ottawa, this museum should be on your must-see list.

I had really had high hopes for this museum, but it was over-priced and many of the exhibits were falsely advertised. One of the things I wanted to see was the Klondike exhibit. I simply could not find it. When I asked one of the employees about it I was told we had missed it and it was no longer on display. I was confused as it was still advertised on the website to be around until the end of the year. I checked the website again and it was still being advertised with colorful photos of a frontier town. I went to the information desk to enquire, and subsequently learnt we had actually passed it. I was surprised. Yes indeed, The Klondike exhibit was 4 small window panes easily missed. I had saw them earlier, but thought it was a teaser for something bigger. Boy was I mistaken. Very deceitful advertising. Next, and the main highlight for me, as a passionate Philatelist, was the Canadian Stamp collection of over 3,000 stamps. The stamp collection while beatiful, lacks any of the stories behind the stamps -- as was advertised by the museum. There were no magnifying glasses to really see the stamps even though there was a box for them and photos on the website showing people using them. The lighting was so dim that it was near impossible to see the details of the stamps. I know this is to preserve them, but it was not obvious to anyone as the plaque explaining this was awkwardly placed. I think a stamp guide or pamphlet at the entrance would have been a great addition to explain this and some of the stories behind the stamps. In short, unless you are into Philately the exhibit does not give you any insights into the history of the stamps and will be a bit of a let down for most people. It would do little to intrigue or attract new collectors and it really lacks the love it should be getting from Canada Post or Museum executives. I was sad as I could see this easily with some TLC becoming one of the gems of the museum. The only reason I did not give this place one star is the aboriginal exhibit had some really beautiful pieces. However, once again as the so-advertised "most popular cultural institution" in Canada, I felt there needs to be more engagement by the staff or an upgrade in technology to provide more context to why things are being displayed. Overall I would never go back again. You can see everything you want in 20-45 minutes, and it was really not worth the money or time. I felt cheated out of the $34,50 and my family left very disappointed. The leadership of the museum should spend some time at The Smithsonian or the Museum's of New York to see how to do things better. At the very least the marketing department should get 5 stars for their misleading advertising of exhibits. The problem with slick advertising, that over promises, though, is once you've fooled me, you've lost me as a returning visitor.

I got into the museum for free the man to the 4pm-8pm Thursday night promotion. I was happy that I didn't pay for the museum because it wasn't worth it. I've been here before and liked it but this time there wasn't much new except for a Viking exhibit. The third floor was being renovated and won't be done until 2017 so there were basically only 3 exhibits. I will definitely not be coming back for a while.

The Maya exhibition was hands down OUTSTANDING. I've been fortunate enough to have seen numerous Maya "cities" and museums; this collection exhibited actual pieces, not photos or copies. Amazingly, I know for a fact that a few of the pieces were extremely heavy, think limestone lintels. As for the permanent collection, a number of interesting pieces related to the First Peoples knocked my socks off. You be the judge from a few of my photos.

I would have to say that this is my favourite museum in the Ottawa area right now. I love the architecture, and the Imax, and the presentations are really great. However, my review today is based on their facility rentals. My most recent visit was because our office is looking for a place to hold an event for about 100 people. To do that, you speak to the same people who handle space rentals at the Canadian War Museum. The Canadian War Museum is slightly less expensive than the Museum of Civilization. We could rent two "atteliers" at the War Museum for $1,000 vs a recently renovated upstairs space at the Museum of Civilization, which would have cost $1,200, Then catering the event is a price on top of that. Both museums use the same caterer, which I'm afraid to say is not cheap. But then, catering any event is not cheap these days! And given the occasion, you wouldn't really want to skimp. The space they were proposing for our event is nice and bright, "U" shaped and recently renovated. It used to be a restaurant, but was less easy to get to than the cafeteria they are using now. It would have been sufficient, but we decided not to go with them, even though they are relatively close to work. This was mostly because of the cost., but also this room us so curved that half the people in the room would not be able to see the other half of the people. On the other hand, the view of the city is spectacular! It would be an amazing site to use for a smaller group. I could certainly imagine holding a wedding here; there is ample space to take photographs right on site. And it would be an intimate location, very cozy; the location is full of ambiance. I just wish it were a bit more open on the inside. Right now there's a sort of "hub" in the middle, which holds a kitchen. The lady who showed us around indicated they might be addressing this issue, but that if and when they do, it will not be very soon. So stay tuned - maybe at some future date! Because this museum holds a comfortable cozy place in my heart, I will bear the location in mind if we ever need a space for a smaller group rental. The location was gorgeous, stellar even; but because of that "bubble" in the middle that obstructs the view of the rest of the room knocks off one star. Oh, and be prepared to spend money on the food. The hot lunch being offered was $28, plus gratuities and taxes. I leave it to you to do the math. :-)