- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
100 Laurier StGatineau, QC K1A 0M8
(819) 776-7000
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Thu 9 am - 8 pm
Sat-Sun 9:30 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for Canadian Museum of Civilization
Review Highlights
-
"The totem poles were gorgeous and fascinating to look at." In 4 reviews -
"...fantastic photos along the Ottawa River and of Parliament..." In 3 reviews -
"You walk through Canadian history in a very well produced..." In 5 reviews
Loading...
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Jeff S.
Ottawa, ON
1/26/2012
In a city full of museums, this is easily the best destination for families with children. If you plan on visiting, plan for the bulk of the visit taking place in the Canadian Children's Museum. It has always been a huge hit with our kids, as well as our friends' & family's little ones.
Hence, my review focuses on the youngster experience. The Canadian Children's Museum is housed within the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
The Canadian Children's Museum succeeds in impressive fashion by connecting fun & interactive displays to the exhibits. The Children's Museum was developed around the theme of "The Great Adventure". The experience takes kids around the world. I love the attention paid to the little details. The trip encompasses the whole enchilada - the kids get their own passports.
The exhibit spaces effectively nurture intercultural understanding. The museum is bolstered by a copious medley of gear including props, costumes and relics.
From their website:
"The Canadian Children's Museum focuses on documenting the activities of children from around the world through the acquisition of contemporary and historical elements of children's material culture. The collection includes toys, games, clothing, art, photographs, books and other objects, reflecting the rituals and realities of children's lives. Objects related to play are a collection priority. The collection also includes artifacts representative of cultures around the world."
From a numbers perspective, the Museum boasts: "The Canadian Children's Museum has a permanent collection of 15,650 artifacts, props and interpretive objects for use in its exhibitions and programs."
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is located on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. It is located on choice real estate, with a five star view of the Parliament Buildings on the other side of the river.
It is close to the Byward Market, well within walking distance of downtown Ottawa. This Museum is easy to access by car (with paid indoor parking available) or public transit.
In general, the museum does a superior job in providing insight in Canadian history.
Museum lovers take note: the Canadian Museum of Civilization has FREE GENERAL ADMISSION every Thursday, from 4 to 8 pm, although the museum warns that the Children's Museum may close earlier.
All day free admission days for 2012 include: Friday July 1rst (Canada Day) and Sunday November 11th (Remembrance Day).
Admission is free for the attendant accompanying a person with a disability. -
Review from Chris Y.
8/22/2011 4 photos
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 disappointingListed in: Canadia! - The Experience
-
Review from Martin W.
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
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!! -
Review from Coy W.
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. -
Review from Courtney W.
Kingston, NS
4/10/2011 1 photo
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. -
Review from Amanda B.
Ottawa, ON
1/7/2011 4 photos
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!Listed in: The Nation's Capital, Playtime!
-
Review from Doreen L.
11/13/2010
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. -
Review from Aisha L.
2/25/2011
Pretty cool exhibits that seem to change every so often. They had one exhibit of Ottawa in the 1800's and it was all life like a mini town to walk through. Very cool.
I was with my niece when we went and they had a children's museum exhibit that was far out. She loved it!
Reasonable prices for a museum, and lots of wings, we only did 3 exhibits and there were many more that we missed. -
Review from Adriano A.
Toronto, ON
5/29/2010 1 photo
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. -
Review from Darren M.
Ottawa, ON
12/5/2010
This is and always has been my favourite museum in the capital region even with the creation of the war museum and the re-opening of the nature museum.
The Museum of Civilization is extremely interactive. You walk through Canadian history in a very well produced layout. Kids will love this place and adults will be fascinated.
It's the only museum I've never been able to really do in one day. You're in for a good amount of walking and standing but you should find lots of space as the facility is quite large.
This is also an amazing venue for special events. If you can afford it, the main floor is a wonderful setting for a wedding. But I'm sure it's hard to book and worth a pretty penny.
My favourite part of the museum itself is the old town they built. I also love the Imax. It's a huge domed theatre with great Imax shows which change every couple of months. Sometimes the shows use 3D glasses but other times it's just standard (but spectacular) Imax images. -
Review from Kenny B.
7/14/2009
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. -
Review from Josh M.
8/23/2009
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. -
Review from Sarah D.
7/7/2011
This has got to be one of my favorite museums in the world. I love the exhibit that takes you through time and place all through Canada. It is set up so you feel that you are in that place - not a museum. It's almost like time travel. It has been some years since I have been, but it is a place I always wish were closer. I hope I have a chance to go back someday. My favorite Ottawa area stop for sure!
-
Review from Azim A.
Ottawa, ON
10/8/2008
Perhaps the country's most popular museum and cultural institution, and definitely among its largest, the Canadian Museum of Civilization is in the heart of the National Capital Region, across the river from Ottawa in Hull, Quebec.
The first thing that struck me as a visitor was the sheer magnitude and brilliance of its architecture. It's just flat-out beautiful! Not to mention the picturesque riverfront site it sits, overlooking the Ottawa River and the city of Ottawa, which only adds to it aura.
Once inside you will have a bevy of options to explore. From the majestic Grand Hall, which has the world's oldest collection of totem poles; the wing dedicated to the history of Canada's aboriginal peoples, which I found particularly facscinating. The IMAX theatre does a great of blending old with new, and features some very impressive and informative films on Canada's history.
My personal favourite however is probably the Canada Hall, which takes you through a cross-Canada journey through 1,000 years of history. Very cool, indeed.
You will need most of a day to see everything in here, or make a second visit, there's that much to see! -
Review from John F.
North York, ON
10/19/2008
The architecture is truly magnificent - worth a visit for that in itself!
As far as it goes as a museum, the aboriginal collections are beautiful and informative, and they have some nice special exhibits (a good one on pianist Glenn Gould was running during our visit).
Upper floors suffer from "dumbed down" exhibits with too many photo reproductions and building mockups and not enough substance. -
Review from Aaron B.
Wilberforce, ON
4/12/2010
The best part of the Museum of Civilization is the 3rd floor. With a detailed model town under a simulated sunset, you can step back in time to see what life was like when technology was steam and coal.
Canada's aboriginal culture is given a thorough and immersive treatment on the lower floor of the museum where towering totem poles seem to touch the sky.
The Canadian Postal Museum is worth writing home about. *rimshot*
The special exhibit on our visit was Afghanistan, which highlighted treasures found in northern Afghanistan, and the influence of Greek culture on their history. -
Review from David L.
12/13/2009
Staff at this museum aren't helpful or friendly. They're stuck up and snobby and it's sad because it's a tourist attraction and it's not a school. I believe if you speak French, you'll get better service at this museum. This is your typical Canadian museum with lots aboriginal displays. Very similar to the museum of Anthropology at UBC except it's bigger.
-
Review from Eric B.
Ottawa, ON
4/6/2010
Our favourite museum in Ottawa, this attraction has something for everyone. The Children's Museum will keep children under 7 busy for a few hours, while the other parts (particularly the Canada Hall) are a fascinating look into Canada's past. Additionally, the special attractions floor has had fascinating exhibits from Israel (Dead Sea Scrolls) and Afghanistan, and they've had these exhibits months or years before any other Canadian museum. Highly recommended for a visitor or local!
-
Review from Kris L.
6/24/2009 3 photos
The architecture of the building is really cool. We only stopped by for about an hour and a half and I wish we had more time to really go through all the exhibits. The Grand Hall was being set up for some fancy event so there were tables and chairs set up everywhere and lots of spiffily dressed people. The Grand Hall actually looks like a great place to have an event. I really liked the Canada Hall. It goes through the history of the people of Canada. I didn't stop much to read everything, but I really liked the exhibit. They also had a special exhibit on Mythical Creatures which was so cool! They had a mythical dragon in the front before you enter the exhibit and the first thing you see when you go in is the Kraken! Yes, they have a Kraken! That was probably my favorite exhibit, but I do think mythical creatures are pretty cool. The Children's Museum is also really neat. I wish I had more time to hang around there. Lots of hands-on stuff and kids (or adults) get to travel through the entire world in this museum. I'd definitely go back and go through the museum at a leisurely pace.
Read more reviews for this business:
French (1)
