★★★★★ 4.5(470 reviews)10.8 km from hotel~22 min drive
Museum on the the Rideau Canal featuring exhibits & an audio tour on Ottawa's history.
Bytown Museum offers visitors a window into Ottawa's vibrant arts and culture scene. Located 10.8 km from Adam's Airport Inn (22 minutes by car), it's worth the slightly longer drive for culture enthusiasts.
A helpful tip: most national museums in Ottawa offer free admission on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 PM — a great way to experience the collection without the weekend crowds.
Quick Info
Duration1–2 hours
CostAdults $10 · Students/Seniors $7 · Family $23 · Under 4 free
Best TimeSummer: daily 10 AM–5 PM. Winter: Tue–Sun 11 AM–4 PM. Colonel By Day offers free admission.
Getting There from Adam’s Airport Inn
22 min
From Adam's Airport Inn, take the Airport Parkway to Highway 417 — it's about 22 minutes by car.
Why Guests Love This
Guests with a layover or a free afternoon discover that the Bytown Museum tells a story most capital-city museums skip — how Ottawa grew from a rough canal-building camp into the national capital. Housed in Ottawa's oldest stone building (1827), steps from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal locks, it's compact enough to visit in an hour but fascinating enough to stay for two. The 10-language audio guide is included with admission.
How do I get to Bytown Museum from Ottawa Airport?
Bytown Museum is 11.7 km from Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Stay at Adam's Airport Inn (7 minutes from the terminal) and drive 22 minutes via the Airport Parkway to Highway 417. No public parking at the museum — use nearby garages at the National Arts Centre, City Hall, or Rideau Centre.
How much does Bytown Museum cost?
Adults $10, Students and Seniors $7, Family pass $23, Children (5–12) $3, and children under 4 are free. Admission includes a multilingual audio guide available in 10 languages, including two Indigenous languages. Free admission on Colonel By Day.
What can I see at the Bytown Museum?
The permanent exhibition “Where Ottawa Begins” spans three floors. The first floor covers Rideau Canal construction with original British military artifacts. The second floor traces European settlement to 1855. The third floor follows Ottawa's development into the capital, including Victorian-era clothing, the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, and the Parliament fire.
Is the Bytown Museum good for families?
Yes. The third floor has “A Day in My Life,” an interactive children's area. The audio guide makes the exhibits accessible for older children, and the compact size (3 floors) keeps visits manageable. Combine it with a walk along the nearby Rideau Canal locks.
When is the Bytown Museum open?
Summer (May–October): daily 10 AM to 5 PM. Winter (November–April): Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM (closed Mondays). During winter, tickets must be purchased online before visiting.
Staying in Ottawa?
Adam’s Airport Inn is just 22 minutes from Bytown Museum. Complimentary breakfast and up to 14 days of free parking included with every stay.
