New requirements for visiting: 

  • Everyone aged two and older must wear a face mask and respect social distancing 
  • Tickets must be purchased online, in advance and for a specified entry time 
  • Do not arrive at the museum entrance more than 10 minutes before your entry time 
  • Find out more.

View of the front doors.

New Hours

Timed entry
Entry times: Every 15 minutes 

Schedule

  • Wednesdays: 10 am – 4 pm
  • Thursdays: 10 am – 7 pm
  • Friday – Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm
  • Thursday and Sunday: 10 am – 11 am reserved for members 
  • Monday – Tuesday: Closed.

​All exceptions.

A museum staff member at the reception desk.

Admission

Buy online

Tickets are required in advance.

Adult $16
Senior $14
Tiny Tot Free
Child $12
Student (18+) $14
Student (13+) $14
Member Free

Tax is not included.

Free admission to the permanent galleries:

  • Thursdays: 4 pm – 7 pm
  • July 1 (Canada Day)
  • September 30 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation).
An illustration that represents tickets.

Buy Tickets in Advance

Tickets are limited and for a specified entry time, and they must be purchased in advance. Buy tickets.

Illustrations that represent opening hours, admission prices, face masks and sanitation.

What to Expect

Before Your Visit

In order to make the most of your visit, read our Welcome Back about what to expect at the museum as we try to help keep all of us healthy.

A map.

Getting Here

240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario
At the corner of McLeod and Metcalfe.

On foot: About 20 minutes (1.4 km) directly south of Parliament Hill.

GPS coordinates: 45° 24.780'N, 75° 41.330'W.

More directions.

Parking.

Life-sized models of the dinosaurs Daspletosaurus torosus and Vagaceratops irvinensis in our fossil gallery.

Our Exhibitions

Windows on the natural world:

  • Special temporary exhibitions 
  • Fossils 
  • Arctic 
  • Water 
  • Earth 
  • Nature Live 
  • Mammals 
  • Birds.
A deer stag calling in a field during rutting season. 

What's That Sound?

Scavenger Hunt

Discover intriguing nature sounds and test your skills at reproducing them by taking part in our scavenger hunt.

Composite: The footprint of the building with icons from the floor plan.

Floor Plan

Mobile-Friendly PDF

Find out what to see and how to move through the museum.

A little girl in a museum stroller.

Services for Visitors

A helpful list of things at the museum to help visitors with their visit.

Detail from a merchandise display case.

Nature Boutique

Shop at the Museum

Dinosaurs, fossils, minerals and more! Discover an exciting selection of souvenirs at the Nature Boutique.

Life-sized models of the dinosaur Vagaceratops irvinensis surround visitors in our fossil gallery.

Groups

  • 15 or more people
  • Tourism professionals
  • School visits

Information about group visits.

A screen shot from 3D 360° Self-Guided Tour.

3D 360° Self-Guided Tour

Interesting Tidbits

Take yourself on a virtual tour of the museum through a stunning 3D model with 360-degree views of the interior.