Visual Arts

Check out the variety of visual arts exhibitions around the city, ranging from classical painting to contemporary media arts.

• National Gallery of Canada
  The largest visual arts museum in Canada with impressive collections of Canadian, Indigenous, European, American and contemporary art. The Gallery has an extensive collection of paintings by the Group of Seven, Rembrandt and many others.
• Ottawa Art Gallery
  Ottawa’s public gallery for contemporary and 20th century art
• Gallery 101
  Non-profit artist-run centre showing solo and group exhibitions of Canadian and international contemporary artists
• SAW Gallery
  Contemporary artist-run centre exhibiting emerging and established artists
• City Hall Art Gallery
  Municipal professional gallery in Ottawa City Hall featuring local, national and international artists
• Karsh-Masson Gallery
  Municipal professional gallery features the works of local, national and international artists located in the heart of the Byward Market

Theatre

Ottawa has a dynamic theatre scene that includes theatre companies and festivals.

• National Arts Centre
  English and French theatre programs, a dance season, and a variety of performances
• Great Canadian Theatre Company
  Specializing in plays by Canadian emerging and established playwrights
• Centrepointe Theatre
  Ottawa’s second largest performing arts space, just 15 minutes from downtown
• Shenkman Arts Centre
  Ottawa's east end creative hub for bilingual multidisciplinary arts
• Arts Court
  Ottawa’s arts centre housing several performing arts groups including LeGroupe Dance Lab, Odyssey Theatre, Salamander Theatre and Third Wall Theatre Company
• La Nouvelle Scène
  French-language theatre centre programming music, literature, poetry, dance and cinema.
• Ottawa Little Theatre
  Professional in style, traditional in tone, Ottawa Little Theatre has been a vital part of the Ottawa Arts Community for almost 100 years, making it the longest running community theatre in Canada.

Music

If you are looking for a musical performance in Ottawa you can pick from popular acts at the Scotiabank Place, to classical music at the National Arts Centre.

• National Arts Centre
  NAC Orchestra performances and special events by local groups such as Opera Lyra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
• Scotiabank Place
  Information about popular national and international acts and performances.
• Centrepointe Theatre
  Ottawa’s second largest performing arts space, just 15 minutes from downtown
• Lansdowne Stadium
  Multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue hosts a variety of musical performances.

Other Points of Interest

• Parliament Hill
  Learn about the Canadian government and the history of the building through guided tours. View Parliament in action, and enjoy public programs and colourful spectacles, such as the Changing the Guard ceremony and the Sound and Light Show.
• Rideau Hall
  Home to the Governor General this magnificent residence on Sussex Drive is situated on over 70 acres. You can come here and take a tour of the house itself, the grounds and the gardens.
• Supreme Court
  Take a tour and learn about the Canadian judicial system and how legal issues of public importance are dealt with by the Supreme Court of Canada
• National monuments
  The monuments and public art found in Canada’s Capital Region reflect the diverse experiences of Canada and Canadians. As you explore the region, you’ll see works primarily by Canadians from across the country, works commemorating our history and our achievements, and monuments honouring Canadian heroes of yesterday and today.
• National Peacekeeping Monument
  Across from the National Gallery. It is the world's only monument to peacekeepers.

Museums and History

National Museums

• Canada Aviation Museum
  The Canada Aviation and Space Museum's mandate is to collect, preserve, depict and display aviation-related objects of all types, and interpret their significance to Canada and the world. See more than 130 different aircraft, old and new or take a ride on vintage biplane.
• Canadian Museum of Civilization
  The museum houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, as well as the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Canadian Postal Museum and an IMAX® Theatre.
• Canadian War Museum
  Presents Canada's military past and how it shaped the country. The exhibitions are divided into four chronological galleries, from earliest times to the most recent military operations, including Canada’s tradition of peacekeeping around the world.
• Canadian Science and Technology Museum
  Highlights achievements in science and technology and includes a collection of steam trains and the famous Crazy Kitchen.
• Canadian Museum of Nature
  Explore this natural history museum and take a peek at dinosaurs, insects, birds and mammals
• Royal Canadian Mint
  Take a tour and discover the sophisticated art of coin production.
• Currency Museum
  Located in the Bank of Canada building and dedicated to the history of money and currency.
• Canadian Agriculture Museum
  Learn about agriculture in Canada at this museum which features a working farm in the heart of the city.
• Library and Archives Canada
  Home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of books, magazines, sound recordings, government documents and electronic publications.
• Laurier House National Historic Site
  Historic house commemorating Rt. Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King and Sir Wilfred Laurier, two Canadian prime ministers who lived in this house.

Local Museums

• Bytown Museum
  The Bytown Museum tells the story of Ottawa's first century beginning in 1826 with the founding of Bytown by Lieutenant-Colonel John By and the workingmen who built the Rideau Canal.
• Deifenbunker
  Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada.
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  Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Costumed interpreters depict rural life in the 1920s and 1930s on this 25-hectare site with 28 buildings
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  Billings Estate Museum The oldest frame building in Ottawa and the estate home of Braddish and Lamira Billings, Ottawa settlers in the 1810s
• Pinhey's Point Historic Site
  This 88-acre historic site and estate located on the scenic shores of the Ottawa River was once the estate home of Hamnett Pinhey, a settler in the 1820s.
• Watson's Mill
  This working grist mill is one of the best-preserved examples of 19th century mill architecture and the only operating industrial heritage site within Ottawa
• Vanier Museopark The only francophone museum in Ottawa, and one of the rare Canadian museums outside of Quebec dedicated to the French-speaking community.

More Attractions