Bank of Canada Museum
Museum Museum in Ottawa about Canada's currency history
Ottawa’s Bank of Canada Museum on Wellington Street explains Canadian currency, monetary policy and financial history through interactive exhibits and historic banknotes; a concise stop for families and finance buffs.
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Bank of Canada Museum is a public museum in Ottawa, Ontario, housed in the Bank of Canada building in downtown Ottawa. The museum reopened in its current form in 2017 following a redevelopment.
Exhibits cover Canadian banknotes and coins, the design and production of money, and central bank functions such as monetary policy. The display combines historical banknotes from the Bank’s collection with interactive exhibits that explain how money is made and how the Bank operates.
Hands-on areas let visitors examine banknote security features and explore interactive demonstrations aimed at both adults and children. Admission is free for general visitors.
The museum is located in the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa, close to the Parliamentary precinct.
- Admission: No admission fee is charged for general visits.
- Recommended time: Allocate about 1 to 2 hours to see permanent exhibits and try interactive displays.
What to See #
- Banknote Gallery: Shows historical and modern Canadian banknotes, their design evolution and security features, using original examples from the Bank of Canada's collection.
- Interactive Gallery: Hands-on exhibits and interactive displays explain money production, counterfeit detection and basic monetary concepts aimed at families and school groups.
How to Get to Bank of Canada Museum #
Located in downtown Ottawa near Parliament Hill. From Parliament Buildings it’s a 10-15 minute walk (roughly 800 m). Accessible by OC Transpo buses and O-Train stops; nearest station: Parliament or Lyon / Rideau area depending on the route.
Tips for Visiting Bank of Canada Museum #
- Allow 60-90 minutes to experience the interactive exhibits rather than a quick walk-through.
- The museum sits inside the Bank of Canada head office building - photo policies may be strict in some areas.
- Check for rotating exhibits or special talks on the museum's events page before visiting.
Best Time to Visit Bank of Canada Museum #
The Bank of Canada Museum is an indoor attraction best visited year-round; aim for weekday mornings to avoid school groups and weekend crowds.
Weather & Climate near Bank of Canada Museum #
Bank of Canada Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (929 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
