This eclectic museum offers much to see. Along with engaging traveling exhibits such as “Riff,” about African music (through March 13, 2011), the facility’s permanent galleries showcase aspects of Canadian culture. The Territories exhibit highlights the different geographical and cultural aspects of Canada’s regions. We spent the most time at Encounter with the First Nations, admiring the huge birch bark canoe, cradleboards and woven baskets, as well as watching the film clips on nearby computers.

Take young children to “Once Upon a Time” (“Il Etait Une Fois”), a two-room, hands-on play area geared to ages 3 through 10. In the mirrored first room kids try on costumes of elves, wolves, witches, bad guys and party princesses (Cinderella at the ball). In the next room, kids can walk on musical footsteps to a castle with spiral stairs or mount a “horse.” Access to the room is by free, timed ticket obtained at the main information desk.