I’m writing this list to help remember that there are more museums in Ottawa than the 2 or 3 we go to most often. And, of course, to help anyone who is looking for a museum to visit in Ottawa and since it’s day 4 of spring break, there may be more people than usual looking for a diversion. I have [1] written about many of these museums previously.

1. [2] Canadian Children’[3] s Museum - this museum is part of the Museum of Civilization but it is specifically designed for children and their families, as the name indicates
2. [4] Canada Aviation Museum - Ken and Reid like this museum, I am not so keen on it but they look at me like I’m crazy when I say I’d rather stay home
3. [5] Science and Technology Museum - Reid calls this the “train museum” for the locomotive room but there is so much more to see and do
4. [6] Canada Agricultural Museum - spring is a great time to visit “the Farm”, as Reid calls it, to see the baby animals
5. [7] National Gallery of Canada - this is another museum that we haven’t been to since Reid was tiny but it deserves a visit
6. [8] Canadian Museum of Nature - Reid likes the dinosaur room and the area where the kids pretend to be in the bird sanctuary
7. [9] Canadian Museum of Civilization - I’d thought Reid was too young at 3.5 to go into the main part of the Museum of Civilization but we went in January with an older cousin and she hadenjoyed a number of the displays
8. [10] Canadian War Museum - Kids seem to be interested in the military vehicles and uniforms and the museum has activities especially for kids
9. [11] Canada Postal Museum - this museum is also lodged at the Museum of Civilization. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the special activities they have, like the [12] dog sled during Winterlude
10. [13] Bytown Museum – season starts April 5^th - we haven’t been to the Bytown since Reid was born. It is on my list for this summer.
11. [14] Cumberland Heritage Village – season starts May 20^th - there is usually a special theme for each Sunday during the summer. Our favourite last year was the Firefighter and Protective Services Day in July.
12. [15] Pinhey’s Point Historic Site – season starts May 20^th - we’ve never been to Pinhey’s Point but I noticed it had interesting special events last summer and will try to get there this summer
13. [16] Billingsbridge National Historic Site – season starts May 11^th - it’s been far too long since I was last at the Billingsbridge Estate. I hope that they’ll still be offering the “tea and tours” this summer. I think Reid will be able to handle both this year.

There are others with lists of 13 things you might find interesting as part of [17] Thursday Thirteen.