Rainy Day Activities in Ottawa
A guide to the best indoor activities in Ottawa for rainy days, from world-class museums and a free art gallery to a Cold War bunker and indoor markets. No weather required.
Ottawa gets its share of grey days — spring rain, November drizzle, the occasional summer downpour. The good news is that the city has more indoor attractions per capita than almost anywhere in Canada, and many of them are free or have free admission windows.
Here are the best things to do in Ottawa when the weather doesn't cooperate.
World-Class Museums
Canadian Museum of History
The Canadian Museum of History is Canada's most-visited museum and easily a full rainy afternoon. The Grand Hall alone — with floor-to-ceiling windows, totem poles, and reconstructed Indigenous houses — is worth the trip. The Canadian History Hall spans 15,000 years, and the Canadian Children's Museum keeps younger kids occupied for hours.
- Cost: 24 (children 17 and under free). Free Thursday 5–7 PM
- Location: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau (15-minute walk from Parliament Hill)
- Time needed: 2–4 hours
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is a good rainy day choice even if you're not an art enthusiast. The building itself — Moshe Safdie's glass and granite design — is striking, and the collection ranges from Group of Seven landscapes to contemporary installations. Don't miss the reconstructed Rideau Street Convent Chapel.
Thursday evenings (5–8 PM) are free and often include live music and themed tours.
- Cost: 20. Free Thursday 5–8 PM. Always free for Indigenous Peoples
- Location: 380 Sussex Drive
- Time needed: 1.5–3 hours
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum works well on rainy days because of the LeBreton Gallery — a massive open hall filled with tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, and a fighter jet suspended from the ceiling. Even if military history isn't your thing, the scale of the collection is impressive.
- Cost: 22. Free Thursday 5–7 PM
- Location: 1 Vimy Place
- Time needed: 1.5–3 hours
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature is housed in a heritage sandstone building that feels like a castle. Dinosaur skeletons, a blue whale suspended from the ceiling, and an Arctic gallery make it engaging for all ages. Free for ages 0–17 year-round.
- Cost: Free for ages 0–17. Adults 24. Free Thursday 5–8 PM
- Location: 240 McLeod Street
- Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
Hands-On and Interactive
Canada Science and Technology Museum
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is built for interaction — exhibits are designed to be touched, tested, and experimented with. The Crazy Kitchen, Zoom innovation zone, and vintage locomotive collection make it one of the best rainy day picks for families.
- Cost: 19. Free daily 4–5 PM
- Location: 1867 St Laurent Blvd
- Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum houses over 130 aircraft in a large hangar-style building. The open layout means you can see a lot in a short time — from early biplanes to modern jets, plus the original Canadarm and Avro Arrow nose section.
- Cost: 19. Free daily 4–5 PM
- Location: 11 Aviation Parkway, Rockcliffe
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Diefenbunker
The Diefenbunker is a four-storey underground bunker built in 1959 as Canada's nuclear emergency headquarters. It's 75 feet below ground — rain is literally irrelevant. Explore the War Cabinet Room, CBC studio, Bank of Canada vault, and decontamination showers. The bunker also runs an escape room inside the actual Cold War facility.
- Cost: 19.50 (self-guided). Escape room available
- Location: 3929 Carp Road, Kanata (30 min west of downtown — driving recommended)
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Always Free
Ottawa Art Gallery
The Ottawa Art Gallery is always free and open late (until 9 PM Wednesday through Saturday). The 2018 expansion tripled its exhibition space, and rotating shows mean there's often something new. The Jackson Café on the main level is a good spot to wait out the rain.
- Cost: Always free
- Location: 50 Mackenzie King Bridge (next to Rideau Centre)
- Time needed: 45 min–1.5 hours
Bank of Canada Museum
The Bank of Canada Museum is always free and far more engaging than a museum about money sounds. Interactive exhibits cover economics, inflation, and the financial system. Kids can design their own banknotes. Small enough to see in an hour.
- Cost: Always free
- Location: 30 Bank Street (at Wellington)
- Time needed: 45 min–1 hour
Indoor Markets and Shopping
ByWard Market
The ByWard Market Building is open year-round with food vendors, shops, and restaurants. On a rainy day, browse the indoor market, grab a BeaverTail, and explore the surrounding side streets. The market neighbourhood has dozens of restaurants and cafés for settling in.
Lansdowne
Lansdowne has shops, restaurants, and the historic Aberdeen Pavilion. On Saturday mornings (November–April), the Ottawa Farmers' Market runs indoors at Aberdeen Pavilion. Even without the market, the restaurants and shops make it a solid rainy day destination in The Glebe.
Rainy Day Strategy
- Best single museum — The Museum of History gives you the most for your time: the Grand Hall, History Hall, and Children's Museum in one admission
- Best free afternoon — Ottawa Art Gallery (always free) + Bank of Canada Museum (always free) + ByWard Market browsing. All within walking distance downtown
- Best for families — Museum of Nature (free for kids) or Science & Technology Museum (free daily 4–5 PM)
- Thursday evening — Four major museums are free. Pick one or try to hit two. See our guide to free things to do → for the best combos
- Driving required — The Diefenbunker is 30 minutes outside the city but worth the trip for a truly unique experience
Featured Places
Canadian Museum of History
Canada's national museum of human history, located across the river in Gatineau with sweeping views of Parliament Hill. Features the Canadian History Hall, an immersive Canadian Children's Museum, and the Grand Hall with the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. Free Thursday evenings 5-7 PM.
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's national art museum featuring the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadian art, plus impressive international works.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
Canadian War Museum
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Canada's national science and technology museum, part of the Ingenium network. Features interactive galleries, a children's innovation zone, transportation exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations. Free daily admission 4-5 PM.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Canada's largest aviation collection with over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm from Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the largest surviving piece of the Avro Arrow. Free admission daily from 4-5 PM.
Ottawa Art Gallery
Ottawa's municipal art gallery, always free to visit. Features rotating exhibitions of Canadian, local, and international contemporary art. Open late Wednesday through Saturday until 9 PM. Located downtown near the Rideau Centre.
Bank of Canada Museum
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
A four-storey underground bunker built in 1959 as Canada's emergency government headquarters during the Cold War. Now a National Historic Site, it offers self-guided tours, guided tours, and an escape room experience 75 feet below ground.
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
Lansdowne
A mixed-use urban park in The Glebe featuring the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, TD Place stadium and arena, the Ottawa Farmers' Market, shops, restaurants, and public green spaces along the Rideau Canal.