Canada · MUSEUMS

The 15 Best Museum Visits in Canada

39 tours  ·  from $10 a head

On a wet Pacific afternoon or a January day in Ottawa, a museum is the plan rather than the fallback. The 15 below cover entry prices, which tickets skip the queue and how long each one really takes.

Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum Admission Ticket - Start with the dinosaur galleries and Gordo
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum Admission Ticket

1.Royal Ontario Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,237 reviews · 1 day · from $19Our pick

Spend a day exploring the Royal Ontario Museum’s four floors of natural history, world cultures, and art. See Canada’s largest dinosaur display, the Barosaurus Gordo, a Ming Dynasty tomb, First Peoples galleries, Egyptian artifacts, and rare fossils. General admission costs $19, with special exhibits available through selected ticket options.

“I have been to a lot of museums but this one was by far the best I have visited. There is so much interesting information in this museum. We spent a few hours here but it would take a full day to see everything. The special exhibit was worth the extra money. This is a must see.”

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Royal Ontario Museum Admission - The first galleries: choose your route wisely
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum Admission

2.Royal Ontario Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 411 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $19

Use your mobile ticket to explore the Royal Ontario Museum at your own pace. Set aside 3 to 4 hours for more than 30 galleries covering dinosaurs, mummies, Indigenous objects, Chinese architecture, meteorites, jewels, and world cultures. General admission covers the permanent galleries, while temporary exhibitions cost extra.

“The earth experience was my favorite!! Also the bakery in there has some nice treats. 3 floors of captivating art 10/10”

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Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario General Admission Ticket - Start with the building and Gehry’s spiral staircase
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario General Admission Ticket

3.Art Gallery of Ontario General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 251 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Spend a day at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario with general admission to more than 120,000 works, including Canadian, Indigenous, European, contemporary, and maritime art. See The Marchesa Casati, Frank Gehry’s spiral staircase, and the Thomson Collection of Ship Models. Special exhibitions cost extra, and two to three hours is the minimum visit.

“It’s a beautiful art gallery with a fabulous collection. Also had a pretty spectacular lunch in the café.”

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Britannia Mine Museum General Admission - BOOM! inside Mill No. 3
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Squamish

Britannia Mine Museum General Admission

4.Britannia Mine Museum General Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $32Top rated

Set aside two to three hours for Britannia Mine Museum, where a 45-minute guided tour takes you by train into a historic tunnel and through Mill No. 3. Add hands-on exhibits, gold panning, panoramic views, and BOOM!, a live-action show about copper processing. Guides such as Anna, Chris, Spencer, Max, Glen, and Tess have made the tour lively and clear.

“was fun and boom show was better than expected. the underground tour was very informative and our host was very friendly.”

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Ottawa: Canadian War Museum Admission - Four chronological galleries that make Canada’s story easier to follow
Museums, Museums in Ottawa, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ottawa

Ottawa: Canadian War Museum Admission

5.Canadian War Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 232 reviews · 1 day · from $18

Spend a full day exploring Canada’s national military museum at 1 Vimy Place in Ottawa. Follow the country’s wartime story through four chronological galleries, personal accounts, art, vehicles, tanks, and temporary exhibitions. Admission includes permanent and special exhibitions, a multilingual guide, and a self-serve coat check. Plan at least two hours, and six to eight if you read closely.

“It was well worth the money and very interesting and well displayed.”

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Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission - Follow 15,000 years in the Canadian History Hall
Historical Tours, Museums, Museums in Ottawa, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ottawa

Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission

6.Gatineau: Canadian Museum of History Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 230 reviews · 1 day · from $20

Spend a full day at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, across the river from Ottawa. Explore four floors of permanent and special exhibitions, see the world’s largest indoor collection of monumental poles, visit the Canadian Children’s Museum, and watch films at Ciné+. The $20 admission includes all listed galleries and museum facilities.

“j’avais deux heures devant moi, ce qui m’a permis de voir l’exposition sur l’histoire du Canada.”

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Ottawa: Canadian Museum of Nature Admission - Four floors that turn science into a walking route
Museums, Museums in Ottawa, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ottawa

Ottawa: Canadian Museum of Nature Admission

7.Canadian Museum of Nature Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 226 reviews · 1 day · from $19

Spend a full day exploring four floors at Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature. See dinosaurs, Canadian mammals, gems, birds, live insects, Pacific tide pool creatures, and a complete blue whale skeleton. Admission covers permanent galleries and special exhibits, though limited-capacity tickets, including Butterflies in Flight, must be requested on arrival.

“We took our adult children and grandchildren to the museum and we all had a fantastic time. The exhibits are highly interactive and problem or issue-based. Not just a bunch of items in a glass case. Each section is easy to navigate along a rough path rather than a huge room where we'd loose our grandkids. There were games and activities as well as "talking" exhibits is you don't like reading. The exhibit signs were large enough to actually read (I'm retired....) and placed in logical positions to avoid confusion. Loved it and would visit Ottawa just to go back again.”

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Museum of Illusions Admission in Toronto - The tilted room, infinity room, and upside-down photos
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Museum of Illusions Admission in Toronto

8.Museum of Illusions Admission in Toronto

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 214 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $26

Spend about an hour exploring Museum of Illusions Toronto at 132 Front St E. Test your balance in the tilted room, pose in upside-down and infinity rooms, tackle wooden puzzles, and learn how perception tricks the eye. Staff members, including Pragya, may help explain displays and take photos. This self-guided visit suits families, couples, and groups.

“It was a fun experience. If you enjoy using your imagination for the mind bending experience. The host should let you know to read the signs in order to obtain the directions on each exhibit.”

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Canadian War Museum Admission - A practical three-hour route through the museum
Museums, Museums in Ottawa, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ottawa

Canadian War Museum Admission

9.Canadian War Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 213 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $18

Set your own pace at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum with admission to permanent galleries and special exhibits. Allow about three hours for tanks, aircraft, uniforms, weapons, personal stories, photographs, and interactive displays. Guided tours cost extra, and a mobile ticket makes entry simple, though printing ahead can save time.

“I feel peace ☮️ during my visit — my first time at this museum in Ottawa — that’s why I took the membership…”

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Calgary: 3.5-Hour Bus City Tour with Gasoline Alley Museum - Starting beneath the Calgary Tower
City Tours, City Tours in Calgary, Museums, Museums in Calgary, Tour Reviews, Tours in Calgary

Calgary: 3.5-Hour Bus City Tour with Gasoline Alley Museum

10.3.5-Hour Bus City Tour with Gasoline Alley Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 205 reviews · 3h 30m · from $55

Ride from the Calgary Tower through East Village, Inglewood, the Beltline, Heritage Park, and Canada Olympic Park. Stop at Scotsman’s Hill and another city viewpoint, then explore Gasoline Alley Museum. English-speaking guides such as Adelaide and Amanda add local stories, while a comfortable bus covers a lot of ground in one afternoon.

“Absolutely Amazing! The guides were really knowledgeable about every corner of the town, totally recommended!”

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Toronto: Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket - Entering the shoebox-shaped museum
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Toronto: Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket

11.Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 133 reviews · 1 day · from $11

Visit Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum for a self-guided look at 4,500 years of footwear, from ancient examples to modern fashion. You’ll see Sonja Bata’s global collection across four galleries with rotating displays, a striking shoebox-shaped building, free WiFi, and wheelchair access. Allow about one to two hours for a thoughtful visit.

“Awesome. Very interesting and informative. Great history of footwear.”

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Museum of Illusions Montreal - 70+ Illusions to Explore - How long should you allow?
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Montreal

Museum of Illusions Montreal – 70+ Illusions to Explore

12.Museum of Illusions Montreal – 70+ Illusions to Explore

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 103 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $26

At the Museum of Illusions Montréal, you’ll explore more than 70 hands-on exhibits built around perception, balance, perspective, and visual tricks. Plan on 45 to 75 minutes, bring a camera, and visit with at least one companion so you can take part in the photo-based displays. The museum is at 44 Rue Saint-Antoine O.

“The neighborhood is gritty and the building is rough on the outside, but don't let that deter you. It was clean and fun on the inside.”

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Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour - Follow Canada’s immigration story through personal accounts
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Halifax

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour

13.Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 95 reviews · 1 day · from $13

Visit Halifax’s Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 for a guided English or French tour of the Pier 21 Story Exhibition. See the 20-minute film *In Canada*, explore permanent and temporary displays, and use the Family History Centre to trace relatives who came through the port.

“Our guide for the 30 minute guided tour was excellent. The museum is very interesting and informative. The video of different Canadians who have gone to Canada for a better life is also worth checking out”

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Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum Special Exhibits Voucher - Entering through the Weston Queen’s Park Entrance
Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Toronto

Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum Special Exhibits Voucher

14.Royal Ontario Museum Special Exhibits Voucher

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 65 reviews · from $25

Use this one-day voucher to enter Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum, including general admission and access to one or more special exhibitions. Explore dinosaurs, gemstones, mummies, the bat cave, global cultures, and Buddha sculptures at your own pace. Free WiFi, museum maps, bilingual kiosks, and daily tours help you plan your visit.

“It hand multi cultural herirtage for example Ming Dynasty ; African heritage , Geology ; History of Dinassaurs , All very interesting over 3 floors.It had plenty of seating washrooms and a lovely cafe .It was family friendly and had plenty of things for younger children to see.Im so glad i visited the ROM an iconic museum something for everyone .Well worth a visit whilst in Toronto .Its calm relaxed atmosphere friendly staff and its beautiful architecture .”

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Quebec City: MNBAQ National Fine Arts Museum Entry Ticket - Starting at the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Quebec City

Quebec City: MNBAQ National Fine Arts Museum Entry Ticket

15.MNBAQ National Fine Arts Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 63 reviews · 1 day · from $10Best value

Spend a full day at Quebec City’s MNBAQ, the museum devoted entirely to Quebec art. See Inuit, contemporary, decorative, and design collections, plus Jean Paul Riopelle’s huge Rosa Luxemburg fresco and scheduled special exhibitions. Enter through the glass Pierre Lassonde Pavilion on Grande Allée, with free cloakroom service and audio guides available.

“It was an immersive and beautiful experience. Thank you!”

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New in Museums

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★ 4.0Halifax Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel + Maritime MuseumFrom $8113 reviews
★ 4.5Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & TourFrom $148 reviews
★ 4.5Drumheller: Royal Tyrrell Museum, Hoodoos and Horseshoe CanyonFrom $11815 reviews
★ 4.5Badlands Tour: Drumheller with Museum, Hoodoos & DinosaursFrom $1268 reviews
★ 4.3Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria: Full-Day Admission TicketFrom $2217 reviews
★ 4.7National Gallery of Canada AdmissionFrom $189 reviews
★ 5.0Oshawa: Canadian Tank Museum AdmissionFrom $105 reviews
★ 4.5Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum EntryFrom $2411 reviews
★ 4.3Art Center and Museum Audio Guided TourFrom $1218 reviews
★ 4.4Ghosts of the Bytown MuseumFrom $249 reviews
★ 4.8Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & MuseumFrom $9416 reviews
★ 4.2Exporail, the Canadian Railway MuseumFrom $175 reviews
★ 4.8Drumheller: Bad Land & Dinosaur Museum Tour from CalgaryFrom $10518 reviews

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