Free Museums in Gatineau

"The National Gallery is a work of art in itself: its striking ensemble of pink granite and glass spires echoes the ornate copper-topped towers of nearby Parliament. Inside, vaulted galleries exhibit predominantly Canadian art, classic and contemporary, including an impressive collection of work by Inuit and other indigenous artists. It's the world's largest Canadian collection, although additional galleries of European and American treasures include several recognizable names and masterpieces. Interpretive panels guide visitors through the nation's history and cultural development."

"The National Gallery of Canada houses our nation's most comprehensive collection of Canadian art, including artwork by Emily Carr, Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, and the Group of Seven. The museum's permanent collection includes over 93,000 works from European, American, Asian, Canadian, and indigenous Canadian artists. The deal: Admission is $16 for adults."

"The National Gallery of Canada* is much more than just an art museum in Ottawa. This Canadian national gallery is home to the country’s best collection of art, especially Canadian and indigenous art. Exhibitions of exquisite artistic expression in this gallery reveal the past, present, and future of art, as well as celebrating its accessibility to the public."

"The Canadian War Museum was built in 1880 and houses a colossal collection of over 50,0000 items that portray all the aspects of the history Canadian Military. The permanent collection includes the stories of the wars fought on Canadian land, the Cold War, the Second World War, the South African War and other operations. The collection of jet aircrafts, motorcycles, tanks and naval weapons are ...Read more"

"Tanks, jet fighters, artillery and art are just some of the impressive items that represent Canada’s war history at the Canadian War Museum. The building’s architecture is based on the theme of regeneration, with energy-efficient features like a green roof, and symbolism like the morse code windows that spell out “Lest We Forget”. In November, the museum hosts special Remembrance events and activities."

"When you think "kids," you may not think the war museum - but the little ones still get a kick out of looking at all the exhibits. And if you have older children, you may all get lost in there reading and exploring!"

"Boasting one of the best natural history collections in the world is the Canadian Museum of Nature which remarkably houses more than fifteen million specimens. Set just a short stroll to the south of the center, its interesting artifacts and exhibits explore over four billion years of the Earth’s history. Originally founded in 1856 in Montreal, the massive museum now occupies a fine Tudor-Gothic Revival-style building which itself is a National Historic Site."

"This is an excellent museum to visit if you’re interested in the natural world and visiting this museum should be high on your list of things to do in Ottawa with kids. The handsome heritage building has wings on four floors packed with museum exhibits like dinosaurs, polar bears, birds and other creatures. If you’ve seen the movie “Night At The Museum”, this is the closest museum in Ottawa to the one in the movie."

"240 McLeod street (at Metcalfe) Ottawa, ON 613-566-4700 TF: 1-800-263-4433 •  TTY: 613-566-4770nature.ca. Canada is all about nature and no trip to Ottawa is complete without a visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature. You will discover all of Canada’s diverse nature under one roof!"

"The Canada Science and Technology Museum examines technology and science from a distinctly Canadian lens—from medical developments to wearable technology. The museum also plays home to a children’s innovation zone with various kid-friendly activities as well as practical resources for parents (like a bottle-warming station and diaper-changing area)."

"The recently refurbished Canada Science and Technology Museum is a favourite for children to visit. It’s a popular spot during the summer months due to all the school groups, and the train ride outside is a particular favourite. The Crazy Kitchen is another favourite, and is one of the original experiences from when the museum first opened in 1967."

"Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like a kid again and be filled with wonder as you visit the impressive exhibits that explore topics like sound, wearable technology, and medicine."

"Canada's Cold War Museum is located outside of Ottawa in a large underground facility that was constructed in the early 1960s to protect important functions of the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear war. This was one of several self-sufficient, shock-resistant, radiation-proof underground shelters built across Canada during the Cold War, as part of Project EASE (Experimental Army Signals Establishments). Political critics coined the nickname "Diefenbunker" in reference to Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who promoted their construction."

"Visit Canada’s Cold War Museum –Diefenbunker. Built between 1959 and 1961, the 100,000 square foot underground bunker,was intended to house 535 Canadian government officials and military officers in the event of a nuclear war. During evenings, this museum transforms into #1 rated escape room in Ottawa. Imagine being locked inside a themed room with only 45 minutes to find clues and solves puzzles in an attempt to find the key before the clock hits zero."

"Why You Need To Go: For a one-of-a-kind experience, you can go underground and explore a gigantic Cold War bunker. The Diefenbunker will have one-way walking paths throughout the museum and reduced capacity, but all the exhibits will be open."

"Bytown Museum has an intriguing collection of eclectic items, such as a plaster-cast death hand of murdered Father of Confederation, Thomas D’Arcy McGee. Housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the museum takes you on a deep delve of Bytown (Ottawa’s first name), which was a rowdy place where Irish, French, Scots and English engaged in brawls."

"After tea, head over to the Bytown Museum. Housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building located between the Fairmont and Parliament Hill, this quaint, local museum tells the stories of Ottawa’s lumbering past. Here, you can also learn how the Rideau Canal was built (much of it was dug out by hand through the Canadian wilderness)!"

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"There aren’t many picnic tables in Commissioners Park on the edge of Dows Lake, so you may have to be quick to nab one, but you can always bring a picnic blanket to spread on the grass. If you come in May during the Canadian Tulip Festival (above), even grass may be at a premium!. Show up before 11am for the best selection of spots during the tulip festival."

"Commissioners Park is known for its colourful tulip gardens with over 250,000 tulips, and scenic views of Dows Lake. It was built in the 1920s – 1950s on the site of a former lumberyard.Address: Queen Elizabeth Dr & Preston Street, OttawaWebsite"

"This park is in front of Dow’s Lake on the opposite side of the Arboretum. It’s well known for being the main spot during the renowned Tulip Festival, with thousands of tulips on display. It’s always busy on weekends."