Exploring the Aviation Museum in Ottawa: What to See and Do on Your First Visit
American aviator Charles Lindbergh once said that flying feels too god-like to be attained by man. Over a century since the first plane took flight, air travel is now commonplace, making far-off destinations within reach (at least if you can afford it).
If you’re fascinated by aviation and space tech, just like me, and curious about how these big chunks of metal can fly, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is a great place to get your answers.
Here’s a quick guide to the Aviation Museum in Ottawa to help you plan a trip.
About the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa
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Housed in a former military base, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum should be on everyone’s travel itinerary to Ottawa. With 130+ planes and artifacts, and plenty of fun activities, you can spend an unforgettable day here.
You can even take your passion for aviation up a notch and see Ottawa from the skies—that is if you’re brave enough. No, you can’t actually pilot a plane, but the stunning views from the passenger seat will make the experience worth it.
If you feel safer admiring the planes from the ground, don’t worry because they’ve got a ton of exhibits for you, too.
Things to Do at the Ottawa Aviation Museum
1. Explore the permanent exhibits.
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There’s no better place to geek out on aviation and aerospace technologies. At the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, you’ll see the history of human flight and space travel, from the early days of aviation to daily life aboard the International Space Station.
What we like the most about their exhibits is that they appeal to guests of all ages. Even if you aren’t an avid aviation enthusiast, you’ll find something to love here.
2. Visit the Reserve Hangar.
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At some point, there were too many planes at the museum that they ran out of space. They had to store a bunch of aircraft and artifacts at the Reserve Hangar, which you can only explore if you go on a guided tour.
This isn’t covered by your admission fee. You’ll have to purchase separate tickets to go on the guided tour, which takes place twice a day at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
For safety reasons, they only have limited slots per tour. They also have a first-come, first-serve policy, so the best way to get those tickets is to arrive early at the museum.
3. Go on a helicopter ride.
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From May through October, you can go on a helicopter ride in a Robinson R44. It’s a great idea if you’re celebrating something special or you want to gift someone a memorable experience.
A 10-minute flight will cost $129 per person and will require a minimum of 2 passengers. But if you want a more affordable option, you can pay $79 per person for a 6-minute tour around the airport.
4. Ride a vintage airplane.
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Aside from helicopter rides, you can fly in a Waco UPF-7 with an open cockpit like it’s 1939. Although not cheap, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you love vintage airplanes.
You have 4 tours to choose from, but if you can spend $199 for an unforgettable experience, you might as well take the Eco Tour. You’ll go around Ottawa, seeing aerial views of its most popular attractions and eastern Ontario’s farmlands for 30 minutes.
5. Play with the interactive exhibits.
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Are you traveling with little ones? If your kids are too young to appreciate the history behind the cool planes, you can go to the interactive exhibits, where they can climb into the cockpit of a jet and play pretend.
They also have small plane-shaped bikes. Since they only come in toddler sizes, you can watch your kids glide around the museum grounds and have the time of their lives.
What planes are in the Ottawa Aviation Museum?
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa is known for its vast collection of vintage bush planes from the 1920s to the 1940s. It also has other civilian and military aircraft, ranging from the pioneer era to the present day.
Here’s a preview of the coolest aircraft you’ll find at the museum.
Avro Arrow
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One of the most iconic planes at the museum is the Avro Arrow, and you’ll find it (what’s left of it anyway) at the Jet Age Exhibition. Built to counter the Soviets’ jet-powered bombers during the war, it continues to captivate aviation buffs everywhere.
Both of the plane’s wings were moved from the Reserve Hangar to the museum, joining other surviving parts such as the nose section. Now, you won’t have to pay extra to see it so don’t just walk past this legendary aircraft.
Silver Dart
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Made of bamboo, rubberized fabric, friction tape, and wire, the Silver Dart at the Pioneer Era Exhibit is a personal favorite. This was Canada’s first successful passenger plane—even though it had no brakes!
In 1909, it must have been quite a sight when it took off from Baddeck Bay, flying for a kilometer and a half. Unfortunately, the actual plane only lasted four flights and was destroyed after a bad landing, so what you see at the museum is only a replica.
De Havilland Canada Beaver
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Another plane that aviation enthusiasts love to visit is the De Havilland Canada Beaver (CF-FHB), a classic Canadian bush plane. Over a thousand planes were made between 1947 and 1968, and believe it or not, some are still in use to this day.
Well, the museum’s plane isn’t exactly going anywhere, which is great news for aviation buffs. You can find it at the Bush Flying Exhibition and take photos to your heart’s content.
Cessna Crane
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Housed in the museum’s Reserve Hangar, the Cessna Crane also known as the Bobcat is hard to miss because of its bright yellow color. This small transport plane was used back in World War II for training pilots.
The only way to see the plane is to go on a guided tour of the Reserve Hangar, which will cost an extra $5. If you aren’t traveling with kids, we highly recommend it as you can admire a variety of aviation icons up close, but you can’t hop in the cockpit.
De Havilland Mosquito
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Whether you’re a history buff or not, the De Havilland Mosquito from the Second World War will make your trip to the Reserve Hangar worth it. Dubbed the Wooden Wonder, it was built primarily out of wood while most planes were made of aluminum.
Not only that but it was also fitted with Rolls-Royce engines, which made it the fastest in the sky—at least until the Germans built rocket-powered aircraft. You can no longer see this plane fly, but you can still see it up close at the Reserve Hangar.
Rules to Know Before Visiting the Canada Aviation Museum
1. Photography should only be for personal use.
Everyone wants cool photos with the planes! Luckily, you can take as many photos and videos as you want with the aircraft and artifacts at the museum as long as it’s for personal use.
Only hand-held devices are permitted. If you’re bringing video cameras on tripods, you need pre-approval from Public Affairs to enter.
2. Don’t step over the barriers.
Many of the planes are old and easily damaged so you must exercise caution when you’re taking photographs or simply admiring your favorite aircraft. The barriers are there for a reason, so you must respect them!
The good news is that the museum has interactive exhibits where you can actually hop inside the plane and take photos.
3. No eating and drinking in the exhibits.
You can’t bring food and drinks to any of the exhibits. They will allow water bottles, which you can refill at the fountains scattered throughout the museum grounds.
If you want to grab a quick bite or a full meal, go to The Collective, which is an on-site cafe. They serve everything from freshly baked pastries, wraps, and sandwiches to protein bowls.
When the weather is nice and sunny, you can enjoy your meals outside at the picnic tables near the museum.
4. No pets allowed.
Your furry travel buddies must sit this one out as pets aren’t allowed on the museum grounds—unless they’re service animals. Make sure to bring the necessary certifications so they can enter along with you.
5. Dress and behave appropriately.
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum has a dress code, but they’re not asking for much: just a shirt and shoes! Although it sounds like a no-brainer, you must keep them on at all times while you’re on the museum grounds.
Aside from dressing appropriately, you must be mindful of your behavior so you won’t disrupt other guests trying to enjoy the experience. If you fail to follow this rule, the staff will ask you to leave the premises.
Where to Stay Near the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa
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Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yowcnhx-hampton-ottawa/
Location: 100 Coventry Road
Phone: +1 6137 412 300
Check-in and check-out time:
- Check-in time: 3:00 PM
- Check-out time: 11:00 AM
Just a 10-minute drive from the Aviation Museum, you’ll find the Hampton Inn by Hilton, which offers affordable luxury. It’s a great stop for guests on a road trip because of its free underground parking, convenient location, and reasonable price.
Even though it’s not the fanciest Hilton hotel out there, they always provide clean, spacious accommodations and exceptional customer service. We also appreciate their 24/7 coffee and dizzying breakfast options.
Holiday Inn Ottawa East
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Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/ottawa/
Location: 1199 Joseph Cyr Street
Phone: +1 613 744 1060
Check-in and check-out time:
- Check-in time: 3:00 PM
- Check-out time: 12:00 PM
Holiday Inn offers great value for families, helping you cut back on costs while on vacation. Here, up to 2 kids can stay for free if they share a room with two adults and up to 4 kids per family can have free meals at their restaurant.
The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the St. Laurent Shopping Mall, which is six minutes away on foot. If you want to venture out to Downtown Ottawa, easy access to public transportation makes that a breeze.
The Century House Bed and Breakfast
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Website: http://www.thecenturyhousebnbottawa.com/
Location: 62 Stewart Street
Phone: + 1 613 853 0102
Check-in and check-out time:
- Check-in time: 3:00 PM
- Check-out time: 11:00 AM
Located in a laid-back college district along the Rideau Canal, The Century House Bed and Breakfast is perfect for travelers looking for a cozy and quiet getaway. The host is also very friendly and accommodating.
Their rooms are small but always clean and comfortable, while the homemade breakfast never disappoints. What we like the most about this place is its location, which is within walking distance from the city center and its many popular attractions.