Reviews of Bytown Museum (Museum)

Marine

Museum is very small but the park is really great visit.

Dr. Ashok Pandey

One must visit this museum

Christopher Matthew

An amazing place. The museum is very beautiful. The place is very clean. There is so much history kept in there to read. A nice place to go if you are visiting Ottawa. Don't miss the chance, It's cheap too.

Christian Malbeuf

Great stop for short trip to the past, and nice souvenir shop.

Phyllis Goldwin

Such a lovely spot to be on a summers day.

Katherine Montgomery

Great local museum

Martin Hung

Museums are boring

Nick Paquin

Go for a visit when they reopen, but in the meantime, I've been really enjoying the piles of online content that they have been producing for Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. A great staff, beautiful setting, and hopefully a shining beacon for what museums can be going forward!

Karen Miller

We really enjoyed this small museum and the canal locks it is next to. Good use of time.

kpl karthic

This is the best place to visit

Doug Bailey

Learned so much about Ottawa! I am definitely going to recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Ottawa's history!

Koojoh

Meh should have more tbh but suits the area fine.

Saikat Choudhury

small but interesting

Akshay Savaliya

It’s beside the rideau canal. Close in winters.

Nathalie Dessureault

(Translated) Very interesting. A museum that presents history well (Original) Très intéressant. Un musée qui présente bien l'histoire

Ofra Perl

Great little museum for a great price! Lots of information, staff is really friendly and helpful. Scenery is beautiful!

Sean Kelly

Small museum tucked away beside the start of the Rideau canal. The museum showcases the early history of Ottawa. Not very engaging for children, but a nice, well done museum.

Alheis22

Best $2 museum known to man....

Martin Jirgenson

Too much restoration. ????????

Steve Rodrigue

(Translated) An interesting little story, to visit with the locks. It's not a big museum, but its cost is very affordable. (Original) Un petit d'histoire intéressant, à visiter avec les écluses. Ce n'est pas un grand musée, mais son coût est très abordable.

Dan Mc

Nice location and place to elax

norm johnson

Okay

Sri Julio

Exhibition offered a rich history of Ottawa/Bytown. My kid had a fun and educational time filling in their quiz while learning a little bit of local history. The stone house Is located at the lower locks of the Rideau canal with a beautiful backdrop of the Ottawa river. There is a charming cafe located inside the museum if you want a quick bite before or after your visit.

John Chik

It is not a very big museum. I don't know if it would be worth the price of admission. However, in the summer, it is free on Thursdays after 5pm. At that price it was worth it and it is by the locks which is always fun to watch.

Maxim Aubrey-Robillard

(Translated) The Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada are nearby, but they can not get to the Bytown Museum. A passionate team, an impressive collection and a scenic location, you can not visit Ottawa without taking a look at this little jewel! (Original) Le musée Canadien de l'Histoire et le musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada sont à proximité, mais ils n'arrivent pas à la cheville du musée Bytown. Une équipe passionnée, une collection impressionante et une location scénique, vous ne pouvez pas visiter Ottawa sans faire un tour à ce petit bijoux!

Nikhil Kardale

Well laid out and beautifully maintained. The audio guide is highly recommended to understand a detailed historical account of old Bytown and it's transformation into modern Ottawa.

Alexis Bilodeau

(Translated) The visit is short but the content is very interesting, and it is located directly next to the magnificent locks. (Original) La visite est courte mais le contenu est très intéressant, et c'est situé directement à côté des magnifiques écluses.

Ana Maria El-Komos

Great Museum. Loved the kids activity, the information is great. Nice views. Not a big museum, so it isa great option for a family outing. After the museum you van check out the canal and walk to the park. Great time.

Virginie Borzellino

(Translated) Nice bike ride to do! (Original) Belle ballade à vélo à faire!

Kieran Lacroix

Looks small from the outside, but one can easily spend four hours here. It is underrated because of its outside appearance but by taking a closer look, one sees that it tells many stories about the early days of Bytown (old name of Ottawa), the construction of the Rideau Canal, the life of Col. By, and the often overlooked stories of children, women, and immigrants in Ottawa. I recommend that before visiting the Byward Market, tourists should stop here to learn about its foundation.

Jairo Levi

Small little museum about the Rideau Canal. Maybe too small. Don't come exclusively to this museum or you will be disappointed. If you are around please stop visit, just don't come expecting an astonishing museum, its tiny.

Jonathon Lintott

A great little museum. Gave a good history of the area that I didn't know about (I'm just visiting Canada). The exhibit on the parliament fires is really interesting too. Well worth a visit. Entry is cheap and it takes about an hour or two to get around.

Jessica Erhardt

A cheap quiet and cute museum. It has a lot of different things to look at and learn. It is said to be haunted. It did feel creepy in certain spots so if you are into that kind of thing then you will want to check it out. They have a little store where you can buy little trinkets and ice-cream. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They will help you with anything you need and answer all your questions to the best of their ability.

Maggie B

Great little museum. Entrance fee is low and there's a lot of info packed in for it's size.

Marge Simpson

Everyone one is very knowledgeable & quick to answer questions. A great museum for the whole family.

Baktash Sana

I will go again

Dana P

Great little place, and FREE TO ENTER! It was awesome to warm up with the hot chocolate -- hot chocolate was too sweet for me, but I'm sure many would enjoy.

Emily Labelle

Fabulous historical site, good for education. Very cheap snacks like 2$ bagels :) boutique available as well

Guy Souliere

Great old maps of Ottawa

MILO MCBRIDE

I like the snacks, but there are no alligators

clo reek

(Translated) Great ! We learn a lot of things there (Original) Super ! On y apprend beaucoup de choses

Anders Rawlins

Provides a great history of Ottawa. The location is fun to get to, you need to walk down by the locks. The kids enjoyed it more than I expected, especially the top floor where they got to see how a child lived back then.

Simone Samuels

I love the BBQ cauliflower!

Eko Bachtiar

small nice museum that you won't find unless you are willing to walk the stairs down from parliament hill (a bigger temptation) ... the history of ottawa was started here and this is where you should start your ottawa journey ...

Suvendu Das

After “considerable talk among the ladies of the city” about the preservation of Ottawa’s rich cultural heritage, the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa was formed in June of 1898. With the motto of “Love Thou Thy Land” their goal was “to encourage the collection and preservation of Canadian historical records and relics and to foster Canadian loyalty and patriotism.” The WCHSO laid the foundation for what would later become the BYTOWN MUSEUM. The early years of the WCHSO consisted of the writing historical papers, regular meetings and “Loan Exhibitions” – displays that brought together artefacts from the private collections of the members and local history enthusiasts. By 1917 the burgeoning WCHSO was in dire need of a permanent home. After years of wandering, the former City Registry Office, located at 70 Nicholas Street, was acquired and renamed the Bytown Historical Museum. The Museum was opened on October 25, 1917 by Mayor Harold Fisher as “a museum for relics and souvenirs;” celebrating the occasion with its most comprehensive loans exhibition yet. Many of the items loaned would become some of the first permanent accessions into the collection, allowing the WCHSO to finally begin to fulfill its original mandate to collect and preserve. After years of collecting, with a boom in the 1930s, the WCHSO was once again on the lookout for a larger more suitable home. In 1948 the Commissariat at the Ottawa Locks was proposed. Significant funds were raised to make urgent repairs to the dilapidated building and the WCHSO took possession of the building in September of 1951. Despite being described as “encrusted with century-old dust and grime” with deteriorated plaster, a leaking roof and an inadequate electrical system, the Building Committee report described the Commissariat as the “perfect setting for the BYTOWN MUSEUM.” After much needed renovations, the BYTOWN MUSEUM opened its doors in the Commissariat (our present location) on June 27, 1952. The Society opened its membership to men and changed its name to the Historical Society of Ottawa in 1956. unescoThe 1980s was an era of exciting growth for the HSO; first with the inaugural publication of the Bytown Pamphlet Series and later, under the leadership of their new landlord, Parks Canada, the complete renovation and restoration of the Commissariat between 1982 and 1984. When the Museum reopened in 1985 BYTOWN MUSEUM Treasures highlighted key artefacts and recent acquisitions including some of our most iconic pieces.

Lorie Erhardt

You can take a tour or you can shop.

sen zheng

Arrived at 3:50, have 10 minutes to view the museum. Small but unique.

Tara-Lynn Black

Very interesting

Jayesh Sonawane

Fabulous! Must visit.

Bill Cheung

Good museum for the history of Ottawa's beginning.

James Milks

A cozy museum at the heart of Ottawa's history nestled along the locks at the confluence of the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River.

zheng jason

(Translated) Okay (Original) 还行

Sean Solarte

Nice museum

Aman Kaur

Loved it , great experience

Jo Anne Kebernik

Fabulous! A very interesting part of Canada's history!

Jorge Martinez

Great historical museum on the foundation of ottawa

Deepak Mishra

This small gem of a place can tell you everything you need to know about Ottawa's in an hour. We almost didn't realize what it was until our walking tour guide, Phillip (huge thanks!), suggested we go this place. It is situated right alongside Rideau Canal and it costs $2 for the paid exhibit upstairs. Audio guides are also included in the ticket. The staff at the place were very helpful.

Jaya Gupta

Its avery small museum near parliament but its location is very nice. You can finish the museum tour in 20 to 30 minutes. Also, in front of museum is Ottawa locks for entry or exit of boats, which is very cool to see. A little treasure hunt is there too, if you find it you will get a prize, which is fun for kids to get them excited.

Vanessa Liew

Small museum with great views by the locks and river.

Kelvin T

Very tiny place, good for kids.

Joowa kerjan

I really like it. The ticket for adults is $8 CAD Be ware of closing month for whole January. Make a phone call before you go.

Jamie Rice

Visited this museum during haunted tour. Lots of great stories.

Kizito Ikeri

Have great knowledge about the history of ottawa and all its landmarks

Mircea Dan Bob-Bocșan

(Translated) The birthplace of the city. A well-organized museum where you can find out a lot. (Original) Locul de naștere al orașului. Un muzeu bine organizat și unde afli multe.

erika holbrough

Highly recommend this museum. Great information about early Ottawa and Bytown.

Kirk Hovell

Neat historical site at the head of the Rideau Canal that sells small snacks and drinks. Be sure to watch a boat travel through the locks if you stop by!

Jean-Francois LeBlanc

(Translated) Very interesting to learn about this time of our history. Simple indications, friendly and passionate employees. The visit is short but full of history. Bravo! (Original) Très intéressant d'apprendre sur cette époque de notre histoire. Indications simples, employés sympathiques et passionnés. La visite est courte mais remplie d'histoire. Bravo!

Christiane Proulx

(Translated) A beautiful little museum that tells us a piece of history of the region. (Original) Un beau petit musée qui nous relate un pan d'histoire de la région.

Sean Wilson

The staff were so kind! Really put a smile on my face! Thank you so much for all your help to the staff on duty at 2:30pm June 19th. -Skateboarder

Ronan Marguerite

(Translated) A nice little museum that traces the history of the construction of the Rideau Canal and its constraints along the way. ps. there is even a miniature model for children who want to reproduce the locks and the passage of boats. ps bis. employees passionate about their job at all times. (Original) Un petit musée agréable qui retrace l'histoire de la construction du canal Rideau et de ses contraintes tout le long. ps. il y a même une maquette miniature pour les enfants qui veulent reproduire les écluses et le passage des bateaux. ps bis. employées passionnées en tout temps par leur métier.

Glenn Jones

Excellent museum that contains the history of the city of Ottawa. And it is located next to the locks on the canal

ishak kokoc

Very nice place second time i come this place love it

felo melo

(Translated) Museum that explains all aspects related to the construction of the rideau canal. Very cheap ticket ($) (Original) Museo que explica todos los aspectos relacionados a la construcción del canal rideau. Entrada muy barata ($)

Carlos Barrera

Nice little museum to learn about the origins of Ottawa, By town. The locks of the Rideau Canal and the other places around are a must.

Bob J

Nice & Simple atmosphere. Reasonable prices. Great sandwiches with good assortment of ice cream & freshly quizzed summer lemonade.

Michael Leduc

Learn all about Ottawa's beginnings and be close to everything downtown for a great day

Jessica Helps

My favorite little museum in Ottawa. Beautiful location at UNESCO world heritage site.

Richard Rehder

Interesting stuff here

Scott Coates

Small by neat place to visit along the Rideau Canal.

Christy Ashlene

It’s a very small and beautiful museum.

Ankit Curchorcar

pretty small museum which actually packs a lot of punch, there's a few floors to this pretty building and it's located along the path of the rideau canal :D

Bobby SHARKS

There might be ghosts here. Location is amazing . A fun family experience. A pivitol part of ottawas history . U could almost say this is where it all began . The only reason Ottawa exists as a capital and major city is because Cornel John bi decided this was the best place to defend Ontario if the Americans had fully invaded Ontario . Toronto and Kingston would of been a total right off and Ottawa would of been the place to defend and fight back.

Diego Ramirez

nah, its an ok spot

Stefan Vence.

Very intresting museum with friendly staff and good prices. Highly suggest to visit if you have nothing to do in ottawa. Its abit of a walk to the small musuem but the walk is well deserved as the view is beautiful as its right on the Ridue Cannal. Overall good visit.

Moist Urizer

Some unique items in here

Beth Visser

We loved poking around this place with audio to guide us. Lots of interesting information about Colonel By and Ottawa.

Lidia Mihail

A must do when you visit Downtown Ottawa.

Mark Ebden

Great exhibitions, v informative about the city and not just the neighbourhood or canal. Receptionists average but curator was quick to reply over email.

Tony Ciarla

In the shadow of the Parlement Hill a larger complex is in order there? Leaving the existing building original.. Sky is the limit for Ottawa's history?

Cheryl Powless

Very quaint museum full of facts about the area and Rideau Canal creation. Worth the fee to see all 3 floors.

Niġel Klemenčič-Puglisevich

Such a wonderful museum. I walked in and was greeted right away by a staff member that I had briefly worked with a few months back! So, my experience kicked off with a good start. Admission is super cheap for students and there's so much information inside. I came almost solely to see the small exhibit on Croatia and it paid off. My only complaint is unrelated to the museum itself and not fixable but as a word of advise, it's in a confusing location to drive to and I admittedly did get lost twice trying to find it as I thought the road looked a little too much like a sidewalk to drive on but that could just be me being nervous in an unfamiliar city. Otherwise, I loved every aspect of it :)

yuliia m

Very interesting place and good coffee.

Sylvie B

Lovely little museum near the Ottawa locks.

Steven G

Delicious lemonade stand

Nic Jackson

????

John Berichon

Ottawa has an amazing history that most take for granted.

Ryan Vande Vooren

Great historical info and learning.

Kevin Damen

It's a nice museam to stop it while on a walk around the hill

Jared Friesen

Need more concession options for hot days

Michael Grover

A nice little museum in a beautiful location. We came in to escape the heat, but were pleasantly surprised by the museum, especially the building itself. I wouldn't make the trip just for the museum, but if you are on the canal, it is worth popping in.

Manthan Makwana

This museum narrates the history of bytown area. It explains how the area which was once regarded as of the most notorious places in Canada got transformed into a major tourist spot. The entry fee is very reasonable at $2/person.

Lou Yi

Historical site and antiques

Jimena Canavesi

Although it was said to be a haunted place , i made it out unharmed. It is very quiet place. The museum has many contents. I liked it.

Pablo Listingart

It is a nice small museum. I'm giving it "just" 3 stars because it is really small. However, I learnt a lot of Ottawa's history, and to be honest, it's just next to the cool locks, which are amazing. So, overall, if you're there to see the locks, and you want to learn some history, this place is a must

Jimmy Cela (Jimmy)

It is an amazing place to be visited.

ARISH OJASWI

A small place with a truckload of information. Nice, but not a must-visit.

Christian Nikodemus

Nice museum to stop by in, very close to the docks so it's easy to walk outside and get a great view of the sunset

Harry Bekkema

Fantastic little museum. Full of interesting history.

Francois Dube

(Translated) Very nice place to see on the beginning of the history of ottawa (Original) Tres bel endroit a voir sur le debut de l'histoire de ottawa

Pietro Giampa

Nice place, good historic visit

Daniel Matijašević

Best place to go to learn more about Canadian culture

Rachel Collishaw

Went to see the exhibit on 100 years of youth in Ottawa that my daughter helped out together while she was on the Bytown Museum Youth Council. Some great photos of Ottawa youth being awesome over the last century!

Serge St-Arneault

(Translated) Lets understand the harsh living conditions of the early 19th century in Canada and, mainly, in the present-day region of Ottawa. (Original) Permet de comprendre les rudes conditions de vie du début du 19e siècle au Canada et, principalement, dans la région actuelle d'Ottawa.

Richard Kiefl

Great spot, but it's closed due to Clovis 19

Harry Bekkema

Fantastic little museum. Full of interesting history.

Stephen LaGuardia

Small museum at the origin of the Rideau canal, that describes the origins of Ottawa. Worth a stop in if your already visiting the canal and it's open. Supposedly haunted as well.

Gerardo Mendoza Rosas

(Translated) The building is charming and the museum is small but complete and pleasant. It explains with precision and detail the stages of local history, as well as the construction of the Rideau Canal and the founding and evolution of Ottawa. It has a small cafeteria on the ground floor where you can also get good souvenirs at a good price. (Original) El edificio es encantador y el museo es pequeño pero completo y agradable. Explica con precisión y detalle las etapas de la historia local, así como la construcción del canal Rideau y la fundación y evolución de Ottawa. Cuenta con una cafetería pequeña en la planta baja dónde también se pueden conseguir buenos souvenirs y a buen precio.

Wendi Lin

(Translated) Walking by the river, the wind is very comfortable, but take care of sun protection measures. (Original) 河边散步，风吹的很舒服，但是注意做好防晒措施。

Rony Sikder

This the oldest stone house in ottawa is supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in the capital region. While taking a tour, some spooky unexplained things happened. Enter at your own risk ????

Alexander Preiss

The Bytown Museum is a very nice accompaniment to the Rideau Canal. While definitely not a must-see, for a very small price you can get an in-depth history of the Canal and Ottawa. It's easy to spend at least an hour here with many well-preserved artifacts and interesting videos, despite the small building. As a tourist, it was great to learn more about the capital of Canada during my trip.

Stefan Domaradzki

Fun little museum to explore Ottawa's past

Phil Kidd

Make sure you budget at least 10 min to see all the exhibits.

Alex zzZ

Bless

Mike Hanson

A wonderful view into the history of Ottawa and the Rideau canal. A must see.

Mathew Liam Sousa

Great monument. Though, it's not much of a museum really...

Paul W

Small museum telling the history, staff are very nice

Erik Osinga

Really nice museum for only 2 canadian. With a free audio tour that's informative about Ottawa's history and a lot of fun

Chenhan Xu

Must try the lemon water

Chenhan Xu

Must try the lemon water

Greasy Strangler

Went in, paid my $2, and took the "virtual tour" (audio player with headphones). Thought it would be lame, but was pleasantly surprised; absolutely worth $2, and I'm sure even moreso if you go when a human guide is available.

Stuart Chilmaid

Very nice small museum well laid out and people very welcoming

Stephanie Lamy

Interesting to see how was life in Ottawa at the beginning of the city

Anton Hou

Small but packed with history!

Stephen Shurgold

Beautifully organized and displayed museum. The audio tour is fantastic

T W

special place!

X Boss

Great place.

Gary Hagan

Good collections and historical explanations of the city and region

TorontoCity Canada

Classy

TorontoCity Canada

Classy

HS OK

(Translated) It's small, but it's a free museum, and you can buy tickets for the Aqua Taxi here. If you go down the river, you can ride, but cross the river and get off in front of the History Museum. I paid $ 10 for a round-trip capital tour time, but I think it would be nice to cross the Alexandra Bridge when I get there. (Original) 크기는 작지만 무료 박물관이고 여기에서 아쿠아택시 티켓을 살 수 있어요. 강쪽으로 내려가면 탈 수 있는데 강 건너 역사 박물관 앞에서 내립니다. 저는 캐피탈투어 시간 맞추느라 10달러 주고 왕복 이용했지만 거기서 올 때는 알렉산드라 다리로 건너오는 것도 좋을 것 같아요.

Ashley Sweetapple

Went for chile fire work show. The show was great which wasnt a direct reflection of the museum. But nice little museum. Entry was not organized well at all. No clear instructions either. Beutiful view on regular night as well.

Melissa

I always visit when I'm exploring downtown. Great place to get a quick yummy snack with a great historical feel.

Ray

The info says, built by British in 1827 and the oldest stone building in the city. Humm,,, There's a little unknown church in London where I live is 800 years old and I've never been there even once. No relevance, just something this little museum reminded me of.

Kaitlyn Pilloud

Took advantage of the audio-tour-SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE. Definitely a hidden gem of a museum in Ottawa!

Rita Geeves

Very nice museum!!!!. Very helpfull staff

Ryan Gravis

Visiting during ghost walk, will return during the day for a review

Bernard Proulx

(Translated) Well. Gives a good overview of the evolution of the City of Ottawa. (Original) Bien. Donne un bon aperçu de l'évolution de la ville d'Ottawa.

Debbie Curnock

Very nice! Lots of info Clean washrooms

Karen Barclay

Very interesting and kind friendly

Jonathan Poirier

(Translated) Very interesting, smiling and welcoming staff, great network of bike path, super beautiful environment (Original) Très intéressant, personnel souriant et accueillant , grand réseau de piste cyclable , super belle environnememt

JacK LaChance

(Translated) Superb (Original) Superbe

Marc LAMOUREUX

Bad seating for the fireworks better to go over to the museum in Gatineau

Gioswald Inciarte

Excelente place. To visit and know more of ottawa... The has a big knowledge about every corner of the city... And he was very pacient with us.. Great place to visit.

Jean-Philippe Boucher

(Translated) To have (Original) A voir

Alain Mercier

Nice attraction

Frédéric Bastien

(Translated) Very good, but short. (Original) Très bien, mais court.

Abhishekh Devendar

Lots of history to be read! Surprised so much to know from such a small museum! Very well maintained!

glen mcdonald

Nice museum

glen mcdonald

Nice museum

Justin Carr

You have to be interested in the history of a place to enjoy the exposition. The building has a rich history is is an integral part of the construction of Bytown/Ottawa.The artifacts are stern a bit haphazardly without a chronological order that can make the visitor going back and forth in time a bit too quickly. I found not enough was said about Lieutenant Colonel John By, the founder of Ottawa, originally Bytown for his name. In all it is an amazing, pictoresque place to visit with the locks and the parliament not far. Difficult access for wheelchair and a long steep walk down to the river and back up for mobility empaired also the third floor is not accessible by elevator. Motorized access should be made available for people needing it or visitor tired after long walk to get to the site.

Yoann Lussier

Being the capital of the country for more than a century, Ottawa has a lot to tell and this Museum really has the right way of feeding it to us. The tour is a tad too short for history buffs but just ideal for visitors in the need of local history on the go. Book your visit, it's worth every penny.

伟丘克罗曼

(Translated) A modest small exposition, a lot of just old things, a little multimedia and interactivity. (Original) Скромная маленькая экспозиция, много просто старых вещей, мало мультимедиа и интерактива.

Anne Goodall

Nice museum. Alot of little tidbits I would have never known about Ottawa. Plus the location is beautiful!

Mireille Desmarais

The Bytowne Museum is not accessible for people who use walkers + wheelchairs. Washrooms are on the second floor.

Laura Reynolds

Great display of canal history

Jean Roy

Do not miss this little gem!

Chris Oliveira

A fun little learning experience of the Ottawa valley's origins.

Andrew Terhes

Was very cool

John Neven

So much history here and so many stories to tell

Valeria Dìaz

Good experience, they know what are they talking about.

Jan Kurman

Great place to visit to learn about the amazing history of Ottawa.

Le Reynolds

Was there to see the Girl Guide display re History of Camp Woolsey.

Paul Montague

I would have given them 5 stars for being such a nice little 'local' museum, if it wasn't for the fact that they forgot to tell us that the audio guides were available. We spent 20 minutes reading signs before another visitor suggested the audio guide to us. We started over again. This guide was excellent at explaining the exhibits. It's a nice little museum (45 - 60 minutes) if you want to learn about Ottawa's interesting past.

brie

Lots of fun

Summa Lai

small but great

Dev Das Gupta

Give yourself about 1 hour to properly read and take in the displayed history of the place.

Ryan Jones

Nice addition to the canal experience. 2$