Museums & Heritage Sites

From the beautiful to the bizarre and everything in between, Ontario’s engaging museums, science centres and historic sites delve into the mysteries of earth and space. They explore our past, question our present and challenge future possibilities.

Historic Parks, Castles & Forts

Explore Historic Parks, Castles & Forts

Museums

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Get Inspired

Planning your trip in Ontario? Get inspired by our articles related to museums and heritage sites.

3 Inspiring Road Trips

Uncover stories of people who risked their reputations, livelihoods and ultimately their lives in the name of freedom, progress and expression.

Read more3 Inspiring Road Trips

The Photographer's Guide to Ontario's Castles and Forts

Get started at these striking heritage homes and historic strongholds in picturesque settings, with tips on how to make your architecture...

Read moreThe Photographer's Guide to Ontario's Castles and Forts

Unique Art Galleries & Museums in Toronto

Dive into technology, media, storytelling, art and craft at these new, notable and not-as-well-known cultural gems.

Read moreUnique Art Galleries & Museums in Toronto

11 Unique Museums in Ontario

Here are some one-of-a-kind museums that will spark your curiosity.

Read more11 Unique Museums in Ontario

Kid-Friendly Museums in Ontario

Whether your child is a train enthusiast, history buff, or of a fan of magic tricks, you’ll want to visit these Ontario museums with your kids.

Read moreKid-Friendly Museums in Ontario

Look Up! 8 Ontario Architectural Wonders You Must See for Yourself

A new perspective can transform a familiar place into something brand new. From museums, to historic buildings, to downtown streetscapes, looking...

Read moreLook Up! 8 Ontario Architectural Wonders You Must See for Yourself

Black History in Grey and Simcoe Counties

The story of the Underground Railroad and its legacy in Ontario is one of the most important chapters in Canadian history. Black settlements and...

Read moreBlack History in Grey and Simcoe Counties

Must-Visit Museums in Ontario

If you are a cultural enthusiast, here is a selection of ‘must see’ museums to add to your list.

Read moreMust-Visit Museums in Ontario

Ontario’s Behind-The-Scenes Tours

Get a sneak peek behind the curtains and closed doors at theatres, historic spaces and galleries that engage, inspire and entertain. Meet actors...

Read moreOntario’s Behind-The-Scenes Tours

The History Lover’s Guide to Ontario's Forts

Though home to Indigenous people for thousands of years, the earnest wave of European exploration in North America began in the 15th century...

Read moreThe History Lover’s Guide to Ontario's Forts

Kid-Friendly Castles, Forts & Historical Jails in Ontario

Each of these sites has something unique to discover about Canada’s past, and a chance for interactive learning that goes beyond the pages of a...

Read moreKid-Friendly Castles, Forts & Historical Jails in Ontario

Ontario’s Barn Quilt Tales & Trails

Many rural communities have gone a step further by proudly displaying their quilt designs like a crest or coat of arms. These quilts are artwork...

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Ontario Art and History Trips That Will Spark Your Imagination

Travel to places where history lives on outside of books, and art extends far beyond gallery walls with these four escapes in Ontario.

Read moreOntario Art and History Trips That Will Spark Your Imagination

Rediscover Black History in Ontario

During the 19th century thousands of enslaved and free Black Americans risked the dangerous journey to Upper Canada (now Ontario) to escape the...

Read moreRediscover Black History in Ontario

Adventure by Bike to Seven Northern Ontario Historic Places

Cycling provides a sense of adventure and opens your eyes to the undiscovered world in your own backyard. Can you think of a more intimate way to...

Read moreAdventure by Bike to Seven Northern Ontario Historic Places

Specific Spots

Ready to dive into a specific spot known for museums and heritage sites? Here are some related things to do.

THEMUSEUM

Welcome to THEMUSEUM, a cultural destination for fresh and inspired ideas located in the city of Kitchener. It has five floors of interactive...

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Brockville Railway Tunnel

Discover Canada’s first and oldest train tunnel, the unique Brockville Railway Tunnel, which stretches underneath historic Brockville’s downtown...

Read more Brockville Railway Tunnel

The Muse

The Muse is the umbrella name for the museum (the Lake of the Woods Museum) and art centre (Douglas Family Art Centre) in Kenora that proudly...

Read more The Muse

Simcoe County Museum

Simcoe County Museum tells the county’s fascinating and storied past, with carefully recreated key historical moments and engaging interactive...

Read more Simcoe County Museum

Markham Museum

The past and present converge at Markham Museum. Situated on 10 hectares, this open-air museum has something for everyone to enjoy. Take a walk...

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Canadian Automotive Museum

The Canadian Automotive Museum is a dazzling picture of the cars that made Ontario — the colourful buggies of the early 1900s, the iconic family...

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Niagara Parks Power Station

Welcome to Niagara Park’s newest attraction:the historic Canadian Niagara Power Generating Station. The decommissioned facility on the Niagara...

Read more Niagara Parks Power Station

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Travel back in time to the 1860s, when horse drawn carriages bumbled down cobblestone roads and tradespeople sold their works in makeshift shops...

Read more Black Creek Pioneer Village

Last updated: May 27, 2022

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