Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's national natural history museum, located on McLeod Street in downtown Ottawa. It occupies the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, a large stone structure completed in the early twentieth century in a castle-like style, with towers, turrets and carved details. The museum sits on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe, and its collections and research focus on the natural history of Canada, with a special strength in Arctic work.

The building is itself a draw. Its heavy stonework and Gothic-revival lines were designed for the Geological Survey of Canada, and a major renovation added a glass lantern tower over the entrance, letting light into the main stair hall. The contrast between old stone and new glass is part of the pleasure of arriving. Inside, the galleries are arranged around themes of Earth and life.

The Fossils gallery is among the most popular, with dinosaur skeletons and other prehistoric animals shown in lifelike poses, and it appeals strongly to children. The mineral and gem collections show crystals and rocks from around the world, including sparkling displays under dramatic lighting. Other galleries cover mammals, birds, water ecosystems and the Arctic, with dioramas of wildlife and habitats that give a sense of the variety of the country's landscapes. Taxidermy displays and interactive exhibits make the science approachable, and temporary exhibitions rotate through spaces on the upper floors.

Beyond the displays, the museum is an active research institution, with scientists who study species, including plants, insects and birds, and a large collection kept in storage that is used by researchers worldwide. Special events include evening programs for adults, such as Nature Nocturne, when drinks, music and after-hours access change the feel of the galleries. Family programs run during school breaks.

Visitors can reach the museum easily from the centre of Ottawa, and it is a reasonable walk from Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada and the Rideau Canal. A visit takes two to three hours, longer for those who like to read the panels. Mornings on weekdays are quietest, and weekends and school holidays are busier. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and a cafe and shop offer a break during a visit. It suits families, school groups, students and anyone interested in fossils, rocks and wildlife.