Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa ON is a world-class natural history museum housed in a stunning castle, one of Canada’s most significant heritage sites. Magnificent galleries present the natural diversity of Canada across four floors. Marvel at the complete skeleton of a 19-metre blue whale in the Water Gallery or gaze at dazzling minerals and rocks in the Earth Gallery. You can return to our home page.
The Museum’s History
Situated in a handsome stone “castle” in Centretown Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) is home to world-class permanent galleries and special exhibitions. The CMN is also known for its exciting fossil hall, which features multiple scientifically important fossils and immersive models and displays.
Explore the fascinating science related to mammals, birds, minerals, plate tectonics, and Arctic discovery in this incredible museum that is one of Canada’s most significant heritage buildings. The building itself was originally constructed in the 19th century.
The building underwent a significant revitalization project that involved the entire building, from the front lobby to the roof. As a result, the Museum now offers full accessibility throughout its facilities. Visitors can experience a new vision for the CMN, including improved visitor flow and reimagined spaces to better connect past and present. In addition, the revitalization project eliminated a concrete moat of parking that was encircling the Museum and increased its landscaped area.
The Museum’s Collections
Guests can explore four floors of awe-inspiring galleries featuring majestic dinosaur skeletons, captivating Canadian mammals, and dazzling minerals. There are also stunning natural history dioramas and the largest collection of bird species in the world.
The museum’s vast collections are also digitized to create a searchable database. The digitized records are then shared with a global network of cooperating museums, universities, and government agencies.
Whether you’re interested in the museum’s National Herbarium, which houses plants including some collected by Sir John Franklin on his doomed Arctic expeditions, or its DNA Cryobank that preserves samples of living creatures at -170C for future study, there is something for everyone here. And don’t miss the chance to visit the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, Canada’s first purpose-built museum that was opened in 1912. It’s a sight to behold! Visit another area in town here.
The Museum’s Exhibits
The Museum of Nature showcases Canada’s incredible biodiversity through exhibits that take visitors on a journey through the country’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. From the majestic dinosaur skeletons in the Fossil Gallery to the stunning rocks and minerals in the Earth Gallery, guests are sure to be blown away by the museum’s impressive collection.
The new Wolf exhibition sheds light on one of the most elusive large mammals in the world, exploring their history and evolution through scientific research, specimens, cultural stories, and stunning images by the award-winning photographer Michelle Valberg. The exhibit also examines why humans fear wolves, an attitude that began in early agricultural societies when wolves were perceived as a threat to domestic livestock.
In the Rainforest Gallery, a variety of creatures can be found including snakes, caimans, frogs, and two-toed sloths. The exhibits also explore the role of rainforest animals in ecosystems. In addition, the Owls Rendez-Vous outdoor exhibition showcases live owls and a Bald Eagle as well as recent artworks by Indigenous artists from Nunavik alongside Early Inuit archaeological objects.
The Museum’s Events
Located in Canada’s capital city, the Museum of Nature brings 4 billion years of natural history to life. Explore fossils, mammals, birds, plate tectonics, and Arctic discovery in world-class galleries minutes from Parliament Hill.
In the Fossil Gallery, gaze at a nearly complete Edmontosaurus skeleton. In the Bird Gallery, listen to woodland songs and try to identify bird species. In the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery, touch a multimedia sculpture with real ice and learn about polar bears, Indigenous traditions, tundra wildflowers, and more. Touch dazzling minerals in the Earth Gallery.
The colossal sculpture of Planet Earth called Gaia by British artist Luke Jerram greets visitors as they enter the museum. This is just one of many exhibits designed to inspire a deeper connection with nature. The museum is accessible to people needing full accessibility and offers timed online tickets, mandatory masks, physical distancing, directional signage, and more. 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Paid parking is available on site and multiple OC Transpo bus routes stop nearby. Refer to This Web Page.
Driving directions from Ottawa House Painter to Canadian Museum of Nature
Driving directions from Canadian Museum of Nature to Rideau Canal National Historic Site