A trip to the museum can nourish so many things; from education, to history, to immersing yourself in art and new ways of seeing things. It’s no surprise the museum pairs perfectly with a trip to your favourite store to grab KIND’s latest issue, with so much to see and so much wandering around to do – and these museums across Canada are a must-visit!
Whether you’re a history buff, an art aficionado, or simply seeking inspiration, these iconic institutions are a must-visit on any traveler’s bucket list.
These are Canada’s top museums to check out at least once in your life.
BC
Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
The Museum of Anthropology is a place of world arts and cultures with a special emphasis on the First Nations peoples and other cultural communities of British Columbia, Canada. Right now, The Great Hall of the museum is going through seismic upgrades and a renewal renovation.
Miniature World
Victoria, BC (Vancouver Island)
Miniature World is one of the most popular tourist attractions in downtown Victoria, BC. Stroll through the little people’s Wonderful World of Smallness and see so many different exhibits and areas! This museum has the World’s Largest Doll Houses from the 1880s that contains over 50 rooms beautifully furnished in exquisite detail. You can also see the Great Canadian Railway, the Wonderful World of the Circus, the Grand City Parade, the Big Top, the Wild Beasts and the death-defying High Wire Acts.
ALBERTA
Royal Alberta Museum
Edmonton, Alberta
The Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) is located in the downtown Edmonton’s Arts District and is the largest museum in western Canada. They collect, preserve, research, interpret, and exhibit objects and specimens related to the heritage of Alberta’s people and natural environment.
SASK.
Remai Modern
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Since 2017, Remai Modern has been open as a major collecting museum in Saskatchewan. Remai Modern holds in trust more than 8,000 artworks in a wide variety of media throughout their building to explore. Didn’t have Saskatoon on your travel list before? You may want to reconsider, especially if you’re interested in deep-rooted arts and culture.
MANITOBA
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the first and only museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights.
ONTARIO
Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Ontario
Opened in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America, Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces.
Canadian War Museum
Ottawa, Ontario
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history and one of the world’s most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict. The Museum traces its origins back to 1880, when it consisted primarily of a collection of militia artifacts.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Ottawa, Ontario
As the national natural-history museum for Canada, it is a vibrant, multi-layered, multi-faceted organization composed of world-renowned research scientists, collection specialists, education and multimedia specialists, and innovative museum professionals. The museum is an educational and scientific institution, as well as a popular, downtown-Ottawa tourist attraction—housed in a historic castle-like building.
QUEBEC
The Canadian Museum of History
Gatineau, Quebec
The Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million visitors each year to its celebrated complex in the heart of the National Capital Region, making it the country’s most-visited museum. With roots stretching back to 1856, it is one of Canada’s oldest public institutions and a respected centre of museological excellence, sharing its expertise in history, archaeology, ethnology and cultural studies both within Canada and abroad.
EAST COAST
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is Canada’s sixth national museum. Our mission is to share the ongoing story of immigration to Canada—past to present and coast to coast to coast. The Museum is located in the Pier 21 national historic site at the Halifax seaport where nearly one million immigrants landed in Canada from 1928 to 1971.
Immerse. yourself in culture, and then snack on some SERIOUS munchies across Canada. Have you ever heard of these food challenges?!
