Main Menu

Plan Your Visit

Group Visits

Today's Hours

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

See All Hours
Buy Tickets

Visitor Code of Conduct

The Canadian War Museum is a national Museum open to everyone. Respectful sharing of spaces and resources ensures an enriching experience for all visitors. Appropriate personal behaviour, decorum and conduct are required from visitors at all times. This ensures that the entire visiting public is treated with respect, and that every visitor has an equal opportunity to enjoy a meaningful experience. Activities and/or actions inconsistent with Museum values will not be tolerated.

We ask that all visitors follow the guidelines described below.

Visitor Behaviour

  • All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an individual 16 years of age or older.
  • Visitors are required to wear proper attire while on Museum property. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Strollers are permitted in all galleries, unless otherwise noted.
  • Eating and drinking are not permitted in any of the Museum galleries. Food services and seating are available on the main level in the cafeteria.
  • Visitors are to refrain from shouting, running, and other disruptive behaviour. Individuals exhibiting any offensive, abusive or threatening language or behaviour, and individuals suspected of being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, will be asked to leave the Museum.
  • Visitors are not permitted to engage in the following activities: leafleting, protests, rallies, third-party sales, or any activity that has the effect, intent, or propensity to draw attention.
  • Pets are not permitted in the Museum. Service animals are permitted with presentation of official certification at the Information Desk upon arrival.
  • Smoking, vaping and the use of cannabis are not permitted on Museum grounds, inside the building and in all parking lots.
  • The use of all smoke-related products including e-cigarettes, cigars, vaporizers, tobacco and its derivatives and cannabis and its derivatives are prohibited.
  • The following items are not permitted in the Museum at any time:
    • Bicycles, scooters, tricycles, skateboards, roller/in-line skates;
    • Drugs or alcohol;
    • Weapons of any kind, and any other item deemed dangerous by the Museum; and
    • Any other item prohibited under Canada’s Criminal Code.

Safety and Security

  • To preserve the artifacts on display, visitors are not to touch or lean on any of the exhibits or displays.
  • Photography is permitted for personal use only, with hand-held equipment. Please exercise due care when taking close-up photographs of any exhibit or display. The use of tripods, monopods, etc. is not permitted unless pre-approval has been requested and given. To make such a request, please visit the Information Desk. In some special exhibitions, photography may not be permitted. Signs will be posted wherever such restrictions apply.
  • Any actions that support or commemorate current or historical hate groups (including propaganda or display of sensitive symbols) are not permitted inside the Museum or on its grounds. Individuals exhibiting any such actions or activities that are inconsistent with Museum values, are harmful to visitors, or are not in the spirit of the Museum will be asked to leave Museum premises.
  • The Museum does not allow items that promote, support or glorify hatred towards people based upon race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation (collectively considered “protected groups”), nor does it permit items or content that promote organizations or people with such views. Items or displays that contain racial slurs or derogatory language about protected groups are strictly prohibited.
  • Trespassing, entering, or remaining in or upon Museum premises when the Museum is not open to the public, except with the express consent of Museum staff, is strictly prohibited. Any access onto or within any adjacent areas under construction or closed to the general public is also prohibited.
  • Obstructing the use of public areas such as entrances, foyers, lobbies, corridors, concourses, offices, elevators, escalators, stairways, roadways, driveways, or walkways is not permitted.
  • Tampering with fire- and life-safety devices, such as fire extinguishers or alarm pull stations, is not permitted.
  • Violating the order of, or preventing the execution of duties by Museum staff to maintain order and control public access and movement is prohibited. Threatening, resisting, intimidating, or intentionally interfering with Museum staff engaged in their official duties is prohibited.

To send us an email or see other ways to contact us:

Contact Us