Thank you to everyone who came down to explore Ottawa’s history with us this summer, and to help us kick-off our first season in two years!

We’re switching gears a little for the month of October. We are now open by appointment only, please visit the Group Visits and Tours page to book a tour for your group.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum through the month of October.

For a complete list of our online offerings, check out What’s Happening.

ADMISSION 

Purchase at the Museum ticket counter.

Adult $8
Seniors/Students $5
Children under 12 $2 (under 2 free)
Family $18 (includes 2 adults plus children under 18)

Taxes are included in all admission

Check our Free Admission Days on our What’s Happening page

HOURS

Strictly by Appointment

MEMBER ADMISSION 

Admission is free to all BYTOWN MUSEUM Members. Do you want to become a Member? Find out more here

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

The Bytown Museum puts the health, safety, and well-being of our community first. We’re dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for your Museum experience, and have introduced new measures recommended by trusted officials from Ottawa Public Health, the Province of Ontario, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

What we’re doing

• Enhanced cleaning in all spaces, with frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas such as tables and chairs, handrails, doors, elevators and interactives.
• We’ve stationed hand-sanitizing dispensers throughout the Museum.
• Our staff and volunteers self-screen and stay home if we’re experiencing symptoms.
• We’ve identified smaller spaces in the Museum – like the Community Gallery and our Vault – and limited capacity in those areas to facilitate social distancing.

What you can do

• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if you are sick or at risk of an infection.
• Leave a little extra space – please practice social distancing during your visit.
• Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• We encourage you to download our 6-language audio guide in advance for a contactless experience.

Masks are highly recommended for visitors aged 2 and older, especially in some of our smaller spaces where distancing is more difficult.

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS 

There are two main routes to access the BYTOWN MUSEUM on foot:

VIA Wellington Street by the iron gate at the southeast corner of the Parliament Hill grounds (near the statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier). The gate is on the west side of the Rideau Canal. At this gate there is a set of stairs going down to the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal. At the bottom of the stairs turn north (left) and walk approximately 250 metres along the locks to the Museum.   

VIA the west bank of the Rideau Canal pathway and the National Arts Centre (NAC). There is a pedestrian ramp from Elgin Street near the NAC for easier pedestrian access than by stairs. The Rideau Canal pathway is accessible at several points along the Canal. From the NAC follow the canal pathway north approximately 500 metres along the locks to the Museum.

PARKING

The closest parking to the BYTOWN MUSEUM is paid parking at the National Arts Centre.

CYCLIST

A bike rack is conveniently located next to the Museum entrance.

BUS ROUTES 

The BYTOWN MUSEUM is close to several major bus routes and is a ten-minute walk from the transit hub at the Rideau Centre. For full details including fares, times and routes please visit the OC Transpo web site. From the Rideau Centre walk west towards Parliament Hill along Rideau/Wellington streets. You should be able to see the Museum from the bridge you will cross if you are on the Parliament Hill side (north side) of the street. Cross the bridge and follow the directions listed above under Pedestrian Access.

AQUA TAXI 

Continuous shuttles between Ottawa and Gatineau. Tickets are available for purchase inside the Bytown Museum. May 10 – June 29 Daily, 9:30 am-6:00 pm (Thursdays, until 8:00 pm) June 30 – September 3 Daily, 9:30 am – 7:00 pm (Thursdays, until 8:00 pm) September 4 – October 14 Daily, 9:30 am – 6:00 pm (Thursdays, until 7:30 pm)

For more information, visit their website here 

MORE INFORMATION

Need help planning your visit? Contact Us