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Best of Ottawa 2018: Museums

July 31, 2018
Ottawa Life Magazine

After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this weekly summer series, we’ll share our picks with you – our top hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more. Check, share and discuss #OLMBest every week!

Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

This museum is a must visit for history buffs. The Diefenbunker – named after the Prime Minister Diefenbaker – was made to withstand a nuclear blast during the Cold War. It was converted into a historical site seven years after the Soviet Union collapse. The Diefenbunker is very well preserved and is home to the world’s largest escape room!  Take part in their one or two hour tours, or explore by yourself.

Canadian Museum of Nature 

The Canadian Museum of Nature is 4 stories tall and has lots of interesting collections to explore. Here you will gain a better understanding and deeper respect for nature as you learn more about mammals, birds, fossils and rocks and geodes. The dinosaur and giant blue whale skeleton exhibits are a must see. Aside from their permanent galleries, the museum feature a handful of traveling exhibits. Make your way there now and you can explore the complexity of the brain or botanical art featuring plants from across Canada. There’s always something to see at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Canadian Aviation and Space Museum

The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum is great for all ages. There are many activities to partake in including a flight simulator, an interactive space section and plane rides outside. You can explore the open cockpits and planes of varying sizes from the Silver Dart to the Avro Arrow. Learn about all sorts of aerospace technology such as rovers, space suits and more. If you enjoy the thrill of flying this museum is for you!

Bytown Museum

The Bytown Museum may be small but it is a landmark site situated on the edge of the Rideau Canal. They have a comprehensive audio tour that will walk you through everything you need to know about how our city evolved, from its first inhabitants and the early days as Bytown to present day Ottawa. The artifacts are well preserved and there are toys from the 1800’s that kids can still play with. The Bytown museum is a perfect way to start your visit in Ottawa.

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