Canada · MUSEUMS
This is the shortlist to send a friend: 15 museum visits worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Explore Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum, from dinosaur skeletons to Ming tomb art, with flexible admission and enough exhibits for a full day.
“Our experience was good, however exhibit rooms could flow better. Too much back tracking. But other than that the museum is beautiful. My family enjoyed themselves. Thank you”
Explore Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum with mobile admission, from dinosaur fossils and mummies to Indigenous art, jewels, and world cultures.
“As someone love near NYC with Chinese background, I think this is by far the best museum visit we have ever visited in North America! I traveled with my 64 year old mother, my wife and my 2 year old kid, stayed about 2 hours there on our last day in Toronto and all had fun. My kid was fascinated with the buddhas, my mom didn't get bored because she did see quite some valuable Chinese antiques which she already had some background knowledge about, and my wife had fun seeing the big Ming dynasty style Zu Dashou tomb, I also saw a lot. I think everyone had fun, and…”
Review the AGO in Toronto, with tips on its art, Frank Gehry staircase, Canadian collections, price, food, access, and planning.
“A wonderful museum filled with treasures and a stunning array of Canadian masterworks. Highly recommend!”
Explore Britannia Mine Museum near Squamish with an underground train, BOOM! mill show, gold panning, and hands-on mining history.
“This was such a fun excursion on our way up to Whistler. Learning the history of the mine from inside the tunnels was fascinating, and the multimedia show at the end was very impressive.”
Explore Canada’s military story at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum, with powerful exhibits, tanks, Memorial Hall, and a striking building for $18.
“It was a fun and very appreciated. It was a warm historical moment by listening, watching and reading all those fights to give us freedom. Thank you again you are all heroes!”
Explore 15,000 years of Canadian history, Indigenous cultures, totem poles, family galleries, and special exhibitions in Gatineau.
“j’avais deux heures devant moi, ce qui m’a permis de voir l’exposition sur l’histoire du Canada.”
Review of Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature, with dinosaur fossils, Arctic displays, live animals, butterflies, prices, and practical tips.
“I usually like hands on activities in the museum...”
See Calgary’s skyline, neighborhoods, Olympic sites, and Gasoline Alley Museum on a practical 3.5-hour guided bus tour.
“I really enjoyed the tour. There were just enough stops and times for pictures. The guide Adelaide gave lots of information and Joanne our driver was very capable. They were both lovely people. It was a comfortable tour with just right number of people.”
Explore 70+ interactive illusions at Montreal’s Museum of Illusions, with hands-on exhibits, clever photos, and fun for all ages.
“My girls and I had an awesome time. Pics are the best memories. Wish there were more stuff to watch!”
Explore Halifax’s Pier 21, hear immigrant stories, watch a moving film, and trace Canadian family journeys for $13.
“Very much enjoyed the tour and video that was shown. Was able to get information of my grandfather whom immigrated to Canada from Scotland.”
Review Blackwood Tours’ Cape Breton day trip from Sydney, with Highland Village, Baddeck, Bell Museum, ferry views, pricing, and tips.
“This tour covered such a variety of experiences without feeling rushed. Our guide and driver Bob was very knowledgeable and willing to accommodate the wishes of our small group of 3 couples. Since we were all interested in seeing more and not spending as much time eating at sit down restaurants, we were able to pick up food to eat and spend more time visiting the historical village and Bell museum. This tour was my best tour on my two week cruise although I did not book it with the cruiseline.”
Explore Quebec art at MNBAQ for $10, with Inuit, contemporary, decorative art, Riopelle’s fresco, and changing major exhibitions.
“It was an immersive and beautiful experience. Thank you!”
Review of Calgary’s Drumheller Badlands tour with Horseshoe Canyon, hoodoos, Royal Tyrrell Museum, dinosaurs, and Wayne’s Last Chance Saloon.
“It was a small-group tour and overall very satisfying. However, the coal mine train activity time had been changed, so we couldn’t ride it, and the bridge was also closed. I knew that was not the guide’s fault but it was disappointing. Instead, we stopped by the Last Chance Saloon, but we only had a quick look inside and finished in about ten minutes. I wanted to explore the Dinosaur Museum more, so I wish the time originally allocated for the train and bridge could have been used for the museum visit instead. Also, since lunch ended up being a quick stop to buy fast food, it would have been…”
Explore Calgary’s Gasoline Alley Museum, home to rare cars, antique pumps, historic signs, and family-friendly automobile stories.
“Extrodinary collection of gasoline pumps. Some of the rarest cars and truck’s beautifully displayed. The volunteers were very knowledgeable.”
Review of the private Calgary to Drumheller tour, with Badlands views, hoodoos, Atlas Coal Mine, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
“I love dinosaurs so I have always wanted to visit the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller! I happened to be in Calgary on my way home from a big trip so I decided to see if it was reasonable to fit in a visit to Drumheller while I was there. Thanks to Abest Transport & Tour, it was! Our driver was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area, sorry I didn't have better cold-weather clothing to get out and explore more! My main goal was to the see the Royal Tyrell and it was excellent. There are so many cool specimens there, including a surprising number of intact and mostly…”
Every kind of Canadian day out, and the best of each.
