Fascinating displays twist through the labyrinthine interior of this sculpture-like, modern museum, tracing Canada's military history with the nation's most comprehensive collection of war-related artifacts. Many of the touching and thought-provoking exhibits are larger than life, including a replica of a WWI trench. Take a look at the facade in the evening, if you can: flickering lights pulse on and off spelling 'Lest We Forget' and 'CWM' in both English and French Morse code.
Getty Images/First Light
Canadian War Museum
Top choice in Ottawa
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
National Gallery of Canada
1.2 MILES
The National Gallery is a work of art in itself: its striking ensemble of pink granite and glass spires echoes the ornate copper-topped towers of the…
Canadian Museum of History
0.88 MILES
Allow plenty of time to experience this high-tech, must-see museum across the river, in Hull, Québec. Documenting the history of Canada through a range of…
Parliament Hill
0.93 MILES
Vast, yawning archways, copper-topped turrets and Gothic-Revival gargoyles dominate the facade of the stunning lime-and-sandstone parliament buildings…
Canadian Museum of Nature
1.35 MILES
This imposing baronial building houses one of the world's best natural history collections, which the vast museum brings to life with modern and…
Nearby Ottawa attractions
1. Library & National Archives of Canada
0.4 MILES
The mandate of this monstrous concrete institution is to collect and preserve the documentation of Canada. Behind the tiny checkered windows lies a vast…
2. Supreme Court of Canada
0.58 MILES
This intimidating structure strikes an intriguing architectural balance between its modern concrete shell and its traditional copper roof. Visitors can…
3. Canadian Museum of History
0.88 MILES
Allow plenty of time to experience this high-tech, must-see museum across the river, in Hull, Québec. Documenting the history of Canada through a range of…
4. Parliament Hill
0.93 MILES
Vast, yawning archways, copper-topped turrets and Gothic-Revival gargoyles dominate the facade of the stunning lime-and-sandstone parliament buildings…
5. Bytown Museum
1.05 MILES
Descend the stairs alongside the Ottawa Locks on Wellington St to find the Bytown Museum, sitting at the last lock before the artificial canal plunges…
6. Ottawa Locks
1.07 MILES
The series of steep, step-like locks between the Château Laurier and Parliament Hill marks the north end of the 200km Rideau Canal, which flows all the…
7. Senate of Canada
1.17 MILES
As part of the ongoing renovations on Parliament Hill, the Senate has permanently moved across the street into Ottawa's old train station. Tours last…
8. National Gallery of Canada
1.2 MILES
The National Gallery is a work of art in itself: its striking ensemble of pink granite and glass spires echoes the ornate copper-topped towers of the…