The Canadian Museum of History, which sits on the banks of the Ottawa River, is the perfect addition to any trip to Ottawa if not all of Canada. Located a 10-minute drive from Parliament Hill or a beautiful walk across the Alexandra Bridge, the museum is home to huge collections of Canadian and First Peoples artifacts including a stunning collection of totem poles. Where the museum really shines for families is the Canadian Children’s Museum, which is nestled inside the larger Canadian Museum of History. Here, kids not only learn about Canada, but other countries as they are handed passports and invited to play in, touch and explore a pyramid, a Market Bazaar and more.

Older kids and teens will love checking out the rest of the building, which houses various traveling exhibits and a dedicated First Peoples Hall, as well as Canada’s complete stamp collection from the very first stamp issued up to the most recent.

The museum is open daily (except December 25), June 24 to September 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m., and September 6 to March 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. The museum is closed from January 9 through January 13 for annual maintenance.