Step into the Canadian Museum of Nature's permanent galleries and be dazzled by worlds rich in discovery. In the Fossil Gallery, walk alongside giants of the past, where impressive dinosaur skeletons take center stage. Dive beneath the waves in the Water Gallery, an immersive space highlighting Canada's aquatic life from source to ocean. In the Mammal Gallery, explore the striking diversity of our wildlife in life-size dioramas that recreate the natural habitats of the country's iconic animals. Each space is designed to spark curiosity and amaze visitors of all ages, fostering a deep respect for the surrounding nature.

Get ready to enter a world teeming with life! In the Live Bug Gallery, get a close look at a colony of leafcutter ants at work, admire camouflaged stick insects and marvel at a host of other tiny creatures, including beetles, cockroaches and a rose-haired tarantula. Here, insects are not just little creatures; they are true engineers of nature. Discover their crucial role in ecosystems and their incredible diversity and enjoy interactive demonstrations that will spark your curiosity. An immersive experience that will pique your curiosity in every sense of the word!  This gallery highlights the often-overlooked world of insects and will make you see these tiny creatures in a whole new light.  

Did you know? Some beetles can produce light through a phenomenon called bioluminescence.  

For bird lovers, the Bird Gallery is a true paradise. With over 500 stuffed bird specimens, visitors can admire the species' diversity and learn to recognize their distinctive songs.  The gallery provides a special chance to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the birds that live in our country. 

Did you know? The great blue heron can grow up to 1.4 meters tall. 

Step into the frozen world of the Arctic! Discover this unique region, its biodiversity and the changes transforming it. Touch real ice and explore the Polar Knowledge Canada Northern Voices Gallery, a space where Northern communities and groups share their stories and perspectives. From polar bears to narwhals, discover the fascinating wildlife of this region and the connections between Northern peoples and their land. This gallery offers total immersion in the life and challenges of this cold, remote region.

Did you know? Polar bears can swim over 100 kilometers in search of food! 

Explore the mysterious depths of the ocean at the Water Gallery. Discover the diversity of aquatic life through fascinating specimens and aquariums featuring live animals. Explore Canada's different aquatic ecosystems and discover the incredible diversity of life they support. You can also admire the spectacular 19-metre blue whale skeleton, the largest animal ever to have lived!

Did you know? More than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored! 

Immerse your hands in the fascinating world of Canada's West Coast at the Pacific Discovery Pool. Located in the heart of the Water Gallery, this touch pool allows you to get a close look at a changing selection of tide-pool creatures, such as sea stars, sea cucumbers, anemones and sea urchins. Touch, explore, and learn: every interaction becomes a gateway to understanding Pacific coastal ecosystems. It's a special moment that will delight children and curious adults alike!  This gallery encourages direct contact with marine life, making learning as captivating as it is lively. 

Did you know? Some starfish can regenerate a lost arm or rebuild their entire body from a single limb.

The Mammal Gallery showcases the diversity of Canada's mammals. Admire the realistic specimens and learn how these animals have adapted to different environments.  The gallery provides a fascinating glimpse into the behaviors and habitats of mammals, as well as their crucial role on the planet.  

Did you know? The beaver, Canada's national animal, can fell a tree in a single night. 

Take a fascinating journey through the origins and diversity of our planet in the Earth Gallery. With over a thousand minerals and rocks in vibrant colors, this gallery offers a true sensory immersion into the geological world. Check out the spectacular displays and take a closer look at an authentic moon rock brought back to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission!  Try your hand at fun activities such as making a miniature volcano, experiencing an earthquake, exploring a limestone cave, or observing minerals growing with the interactive metamorphicator.  This gallery reveals the forces that have shaped our planet and invites visitors to better understand its history. 

Did you know? The Earth is the only place in the universe where tectonic plates are found, a phenomenon that has been continuously shaping the continents and oceans for billions of years. 

Step back in time to the age of the dinosaurs in the Fossil Gallery. This impressive exhibition features more than 30 complete skeletons of prehistoric creatures, including the imposing Daspletosaurus torosus, a close relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, as well as the majestic Triceratops. With fascinating facts and interactive displays, this gallery is sure to captivate young and old alike. More than 80% of the specimens on display are authentic!  

Did you know? The T. rex had the most powerful bite of any land animal ever known. 

Be amazed by the temporary exhibitions that come to life throughout the year at the museum. Check the calendar regularly to stay up to date on the latest discoveries and innovative presentations.

Travel back in time to the Devonian Period and discover how life took its first steps onto land. At the heart of the exhibition, see Tiktaalik, an iconic fossil that helps scientists understand a pivotal stage in evolution: the transition from fins to limbs. A fascinating opportunity to discover how vertebrates began to conquer the land.

Discover a colourful world with Wild Colour, an exhibition that explores the beauty and science of colour in the natural world. Through nearly 200 specimens, audio stories and immersive colour zones, the exhibition reveals how living things use colour to communicate, attract and survive. Fun, interactive activities specially designed for families with children complete the experience and invite visitors to see nature from a whole new perspective.

Discover Qikiqtait, an exhibition presented in the  Polar Knowledge Canada Northern Voices Gallery that celebrates the Inuit knowledge and innovation. Developed byArctic Eider Societythe exhibition explores the work being done to protect the Belcher Islands archipelago and the close connection between Inuit, their land and the wildlife around them.

The Canadian Museum of Nature is more than just a place to learn—it's an amazing adventure for the whole family.  

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For more suggestions, consult the official 2026–2027 Outaouais Tourist Guide. Discover all the activities the region has to offer and plan your itinerary based on the area you want to explore.