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Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum, Carp

4.6
#5 of 25 in Museums in Ottawa
#Specialty Museum, #Museum, #Must See
Enter Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum, a museum located in a secret underground base. Built at the height of the Cold War as protection in case of nuclear warfare, the underground bunker has four floors, 300 rooms, and an area of 9,300 sq m (100,000 sq ft). It could withstand a nuclear blast of up to 5 megatons from 1.8 km (1.1 mi) away. Designed to ensure the continuation of government in the event of nuclear war, the site includes conference rooms, a bank vault, and an emergency broadcast studio. Take a tour of the refurbished facility, learning the history of the Continuity of Government plan and seeing a range of Cold War artifacts in situ across the large subterranean site. Take a look at our Ottawa online road trip planner to schedule your visit to Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum and learn about what else to see and do during your holiday.
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Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
995 reviews
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4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Jack F On February 2, 2018
    This perhaps a lesser known museum in the National Capital region, certainly off the beaten track, a ways from downtown Ottawa, but well worth the visit. The museum is the real deal; the actual facili...  more »
  • By kikiroule On January 30, 2018
    We loved our visit. We opted for a free visit and we were able to "Snoop" on our own. Very interesting!
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  • By Philiph S On January 28, 2018
    Not to be missed. The most interesting attraction in Ottawa area. 30-45 mins drive outside Ottowa. 50 $ Uber fare. 4 floors underground, very large complex, takes 2 hours to visit.  more »
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  • By Renee G. On March 12, 2018
    This is a very interesting museum and certainly worth a visit. I would recommend going as part of a tour, if possible, because the explanations and stories were the best part of the visit. I am old enough to remember the Cold War and the museum refreshed a lot of memories for me. I believe it's an important reminder for the next generations. The museum is suitably claustrophobic. It's not a typical museum because it wasn't originally built as one - the building itself is the exhibit.
  • By Tom Brown On February 7, 2018
    I wasn’t aware this place existed until we went for a visit. It’s a really neat museum that has been kept nearly entirely intact from the Cold War era. Would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in that time period. We had a guided tour with Lourne that was incredibly informative. Definitely check it out!
  • By Joanne Montgomery On January 21, 2018
    We did the escape room at the Bunker - our group was challenged and entertained trying to solve this mystery in such a historically unique building. Enjoyed that we were able to explore the "war room" and the "prime minister's quarters" complete with rotary phones and other relics dating back to the 1950s. This is great value, the hour flew by.
  • By Chris Elphick On February 12, 2018
    A really interesting place to visit. Definitely worth the detour out of Ottawa to see this place. So much history from really not that long ago.
  • By Ryan Singh On February 25, 2018
    Great museum, definitely worth the drive. The exhibits are pristine, it's like stepping back into 1962. The staff is super knowledgeable.
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