Just like Washington, D.C., Canada’s capital hosts a ton of museums showcasing the country’s prized possessions. The government hosts seven national museums, but several private ones have popped up across the city as well.
I’ve broken this into two lists: ones I want to visit and museums that I would visit. Trust me, there’s a huge differentiation in my head.
The Museums I Want to Visit
Canadian War Museum
A nation’s historical portrait can be painted through its conflict, specifically how it rebounds from said conflict. I’m American and the lessons we learned in school were very United States-centric. In looking over the exhibits, Canada was involved in wars I was entirely unaware of. I think it would be fascinating to learn about the history of the country’s conflicts and how they influenced where it’s at today. I also would love to learn about wars both Canada and America were in and the differences in how they are presented.
Canadian Museum of History
I enjoy a good history museum, so it only makes send that I too would want to visit Canada’s most visited museum. In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the exhibits in this museum chronicle the historical story of Canada. From exhibits on the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Groups to the rest of the millennia of Canadian history, this expertly designed museum is a stunner.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Natural History Museums are my kryptonite. As a 24-year-old, it’s kind of embarrassing how gravitated to them I am. In this vein, the Canadian Museum of Nature is a must see for me. The museum showcases dinosaurs, arctic wildlife, animal dioramas and it’s all in a gigantic, historical castle?! I’m sold.
National Gallery of Canada
The cool thing about this art museum is it’s focus on Indigenous Art. It’s admirable that every museum’s website has a land acknowledgment, but a step further to actually show artwork from the indigenous people who lived on the land before. It also holds one of the world’s largest collections of photography, which is usually a highlight for me at art museums. The museum itself is in a pretty glass building on the banks of the Ottawa River.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
I’m not going to pretend like I have any interest in the hyper-specific subject discussed, however, this museum sounds so strange I can’t help but love it! From what I could gather, this museum is split between an interior and exterior section. It teaches about food, chronicling how a seed becomes a plate of food. There are also four animal barns. Literally, what’s not to love?!
Diefenbunker
Canada’s Cold War museum is housed in a 1959-era nuclear shelter. Back in the day, it was designed to host about 40 members of the Canadian Parliament for 30 days should the country see a nuclear attack. Now, it teaches visitors about Canada’s role in the Cold War.
The Museums I Would Like to Visit
Canada Museum of Science and Technology
I’m not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think science museums pose a significant difference around the world. If you’ve never been to a science museum, I think it’d be worth a visit but I’d give it a pass.
Canada Aviation Museum
Similarly to the science museum above, I feel like most aviation museums are the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love planes as much as the next guy, but this one doesn’t offer anything that makes up for the $17 price tag. I live in D.C. and have two world class free aviation museums down the street from my house.
The Canadian Mint
Again, not at the top of my bucket list, but the Mint would be an interesting thing to see. It’s housed in what looks to be a castle, hosting the mint since 1908. I can’t say the $12 admission fee is pushing me any closer into visiting though.
Turquoise Skies 