Meet farm animals and learn about the history of agriculture in Canada at this fully functional farm right in the centre of Ottawa. It’s easy to forget you’re in a national capital at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, which celebrates the history of farming life as much as it does the science and technology that made farming what it is today.
With alpacas, goats, pigs, sheep and rabbits running around, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is like one big petting zoo. Admire the assortment of larger animals, like the Canadian horses, Clydesdales and the Hereford bull. Let a horse give you a tour of the grounds on a wagon ride. A herd of cows grazes in a museum pasture as well, and if you time your visit correctly, you can watch them get milked at one of two daily showings.
Learn about farming practices and Canadian agricultural history at the Learning Centre. Here, interactive displays teach skills you can put to use in your own backyard, like tending rabbits and keeping bees. Browse the temporary and permanent exhibitions to learn about topics ranging from the history of harvesting technology to the lives of women in early Canada. Head over to the Energy Park to see how the “green city” of Ottawa uses renewable energy.
The women of Canada’s farming industry have developed a rich culinary tradition, which is on display at the museum. Learn how to make your own pumpkin muffins, apple cake and maple syrup bread.
Bring food to enjoy a meal in the outdoor picnic area. Other than vending machines, there are no food services within the museum. Let the kids enjoy the museum’s indoor playground as well.
Located near Dows Lake, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum can be easily accessed by public transportation. Park in the paid parking lot, which features bike racks for cyclists. You must pay a fee to enter the museum, but children under 3 can enter free of charge. Except for Mondays, the museum is open daily.
