Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum traces its origins to 1880, when it was mainly a collection of militia artifacts, and it opened in its current building on LeBreton Flats on May 8, 2005. The building was designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in a joint venture with Griffiths Rankin Cook Architects, and Rough Guides calls it a striking modern building. It sits on the shore of the Ottawa River.

The collection holds more than 3 million artifacts, works of art, documents and recordings, including rare vehicles, artillery, uniforms and medals. The Canadian Experience Galleries follow the country's military history in chronological order. Memorial Hall holds a single artifact, the headstone of Canada's Unknown Soldier, and at 11 am on Remembrance Day sunlight through one window frames it. Regeneration Hall, designed by Raymond Moriyama, is meant to symbolize renewal after war. Adult admission is $23 plus tax.