Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa

Having one of the most outstanding collections of aircraft in the world, the National Aviation Museum has over 115 actual civilian and military planes and replicas depicting the history of Canadian aviation from the very beginnings up to the present day. The Canadian Aviation Museum was formed in 1964 at RCAF Station Rockcliffe as the National Aeronautical Collection from the amalgamation of three separate existing collections. These included the National Aviation Museum at Uplands, which concentrated on early aviation and bush flying; the Canadian War Museum collection, which concentrated on military aircraft, and which included many war trophies, some dating back to World War One, and the RCAF Museum which focused on those aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In 1982 the collection was renamed the National Aviation Museum and in 1988 the collection was moved to a new experimental type triangular hangar from the Second World War-era wooden hangars it had been residing in. In 2006 an additional hangar was opened, which allows all of the collection's aircraft to be stored indoors.

With its noteworthy collection of bush-planes, interactive activities on the art of flight, films and guided tours, it engages visitors to the wonder of flight. It will definitely entertain you for the whole day.

Why You Should Visit:
Both children and adults are well catered for at the museum – especially teenagers. You can get very close to most of the aircraft and in several instances, climb inside mock-up cockpits.

Tip:
There are additional opportunities for helicopter and open-air biplane rides over the city (in the summer, for additional cost), various levels of flight simulators (some for additional cost), and some free/included tours and demonstrations (such as ejection seat demos).