LOCATION
The Museum is located alongside the set of eight locks on the Rideau Canal between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier – See map

PARKING
Please note that only mobility-impaired parking is available onsite. Please call 613 234-4570 to make parking arrangements. The closest parking lot to the Bytown Museum is at the National Arts Centre.

ACCESS

Pedestrian Access

There are two main routes to access the Bytown Museum by foot:

The first route is on Wellington Street by the iron gate at the southeast corner of the Parliament Hill grounds (near the statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier). The gate is on the west side of the Rideau Canal. At this gate there is a set of stairs going down to the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal. At the bottom of the stairs turn north (left) and walk approximately 250 metres along the locks to the Museum – a three-storey stone building. – See map

The second pedestrian route is via the west bank Rideau Canal pathway and the National Arts Centre (NAC). There is a pedestrian ramp from Elgin Street near the NAC for easier pedestrian access than by stairs. The Rideau Canal pathway is accessible at several points along the Canal. From the NAC follow the canal pathway north approximately 500 metres along the locks to the Museum – a three-storey stone building. – See map

Cyclists

Please note that the closest bicycle rack is approximately 200 metres south of the museum at the bottom of the stairs from Wellington Street. – See map

Bus Routes

The Bytown Museum is close to several major bus routes and is a ten-minute walk from the transit hub at the Rideau Centre. For full details including fares, times and routes please visit the OC Transpo web site.

From the Rideau Centre walk west towards Parliament Hill along Rideau/Wellington streets. You should be able to see the Museum from the bridge you will cross if you are on the Parliament Hill side (north side) of the street. Cross the bridge and follow the directions listed above under Pedestrian Access.