Summer is finally here, and we are thrilled to be able to spend gorgeous sunny days at venues like the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum! Lately my littlest, Hudson, has been especially intrigued by farms and “moo cows” as he calls them, so when I asked him if he wanted to go to the farm, it was a big YES!!
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Review
While this museum is actually open all year round, we prefer to visit on the warmer, summer days. Some might call us wimps but we like to stick to the Ingenium Canada’s indoor museum offerings to keep warm during the winter months.
1. Convenience of the 3-in-1 museum membership with parking
There is plenty of parking on site and so handy when you have the membership that includes parking. Not only does it save you money if you are frequent visitors of all three museums (Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum and Canada Science and Technology Museum) but it also saves you the step of having to wait at the ticket machine.
Our day began with checking out the various barns to say hello to all the animals. The first stop was outside the horse and cattle barn to admire a horse enjoying the beautiful day! Right next to her roaming around were the moo-cows feasting on hay. The Small Animals Barn has the cutest little goats and sheep all snug in their pens. When we completed these two barns we checked out the chickens, roosters and bunnies right across from the park and play structure.
2. Did someone say baby animals!?
Shockingly they wanted to leave the play structure after only 20 minutes so we headed back to visit the animals around the sheep field. That’s where we fell in love with the sweetest baby donkey, Florence. Only 8 months old she was so happy to let the visitors pet her and we spent quite a bit of time petting and admiring her.
Snacks were hiding in the Learning Centre cafeteria so we headed over for some refreshing drinks to hydrate and granola bars to re-fuel. You can pack your lunch if you’re planning to stay and there are plenty of seats in the cafeteria as well as picnic tables outside. We left to explore the Learning Centre with some hands-on activities like a big play kitchen and more. This was a nice air-conditioned break!
3. Fun at the Dairy Barn
Next stop – Dairy Barn! So many cows! Hudson was frightened after first because you get so close to them and they are so huge (especially to a little guy but he warmed up quickly and started giggling)! It looks worrisome at first glance but they make sure to point out that these cows are free to roam the pastures at night time so they are treated very well.
We could have stayed longer but we were all hot, so we called it a day! That is until Jax begged to go see miss Florence one more time to say goodbye. Of course, I obliged.
4. Fun filled events throughout the year
The museum has some great events throughout the year like the upcoming Ice Cream Festival. My personal favourite is the Barnyard Halloween! At these events there are tons of activities happening and a full schedule of crafts and demonstrations. I highly recommend them and with the museum membership you don’t pay the extra event costs. All in all we give the museum an A+ and plan to spend many more days there this year!
Would you like to visit this awesome museum this summer? You can find more information on their website! You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!
To view more Ottawa Museums reviews, click HERE!
Disclaimer: I received a museum membership to write this review. The views I share are my own.
I would like to visit the animals with my boys.
Is this the same as the Experimental Farm? We used to go there all the time with my son, there and the Science and Technology Museum were our favourite places along with Hogs back.
Yes, it is!
Oh I miss Ottawa so much!
This would be so cool to do when we are up that way for a wedding. The live animals up close would be so exciting for my kids! Thanks for the chance!
love the goats, lambs and pigs! the ice cream festival is always a good time !