The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is closed to the public and will reopen on January 24, 2021, when safety measures by the Ontario Government are lifted. We look forward to welcoming you back then.
Diefenbunker Canada’s Cold War Museum is delighted to announce it has been awarded the #SafeTravels Stamp.
The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
When you’re ready, we’re ready for you.
To ensure your safety, and that of your family, as well as our staff and volunteers, we’ve put extensive safety measures in place, changed how you purchase your tickets, and introduced some new ways to explore the Bunker.
Watch our Welcome Back Video, keep reading below, and/or read our detailed safety protocols on our We’re Ready page.
HOURS
New reduced hours
Wednesday to Friday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm*
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00pm
Your admission ticket is valid for a two-hour block.
We suggest at least 1 hour to explore the museum. Please plan accordingly and arrive during your specified time.
Time slots are:
10:00 am
11:00 pm
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
We strongly recommend buying tickets in advance to visit the museum.
*The Admissions desk closes at 3:30 pm. Tickets cannot be purchased after this time.
Holiday Hours and Special Closures
Statutory Holidays: CLOSED
December 23, 24, 25, 26, &27 : CLOSED
December 31: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
January 1: CLOSED
See all holiday hours & special closures here.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Bunker Holiday Cheers!
We’re taking our whisky fundraiser online and have created a take-home experience for you and a friend. It’s the perfect gift – you get to stay home, build your bartending skills AND support your favourite local bunker!
Learn more and shop now …
Virtual Vernissage
CONTAINMENT: KNIT YOUR .–.ART
GRETA GRIP, 2020 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE @DIEFENBUNKER
October 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. on Instagram Live
Learn more here …
EXHIBITIONS
CONTAINMENT: KNIT YOUR .–.ART
GRETA GRIP, 2020 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE @DIEFENBUNKER
October 15, 2020, to January 31, 2021
Largely influenced by the realities of this period, Grip’s work reflects on themes of containment, protection, health and safety, public messaging, community, and contribution, which are as evident today as they were during the Cold War.
Read more …
DOWNLOAD OUR NEW AUDIO GUIDE
We have a free and informative new audio guide that gives the history of the Diefenbunker.
Did you know? There was no Wi-Fi in the 1960s and there is still no Wi-Fi in the bunker today. Please download the audio guide to your preferred device before your visit. Please bring your own earbuds/headphones.
Download our Audio Guide MP3 in:
About Canada’s Cold War Museum
The Diefenbunker is a massive four-story underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War, top officials were to take shelter here in the event of a nuclear war. It was active as Canadian Forces Station Carp until 1994.
Today, it operates as a not-for-profit, charitable museum with award-winning tours and programs.
Let’s learn more about the Diefenbunker from home with our collection of online activities and resources. You can explore:
If you have questions, let’s connect on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We will happily answer any of your questions.
About the Cold War
The Cold War is the period between the end of the Second World War in 1945 and ends with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It was a period of tense conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union and each country’s respective allies.
Learn more in this 2-minute video from Historica Canada explaining the Cold War and Canada’s role.
Shop Online
We’re very excited for you to browse through our new online Bunker Boutique! Here’s a peek at our online collection.
Shop anytime from home!
Caution Radioactive Material Toddler Tee
Take Shelter Baseball Shirt
One Nuclear Bomb Tee
Take Shelter Baseball Shirt
The Machine Room Virtual Tour
Did you know?
- The bunker ran on hydroelectric power during its years of operation, much like it is today. In the event of a lockdown situation it was important that the bunker continued to be powered.
- The machine room had 4 diesel generators to power the bunker. Only 2 generators were required to keep the bunker powered in an outage. The first generator would provide power to communications only. The second was to provide power to the rest of the bunker.
Click on the image to learn more about the machine room and all its functions. We also interview one of the employees who worked in the machine room.
Virtual Tours
You can view the Diefenbunker from any device and even with VR goggles if you have them! Click on the image to open the tour.
Machine Room
400 Level
300 Level
200 Level & Vault
Ways to Support
During the unprecedented times, we’ve had many people ask to help. Thank you.
As a private, non-profit museum, we depend on visitors for 75% of our operating revenue. We need your support now more than ever. There are many easy ways that you can best support us so we can continue to teach, inform, and inspire you through lessons learned from the Cold War. See below and click on the blue squares to follow the links!
We miss you all and can’t wait to reopen our blast doors and welcome you underground again.
Follow Us on Instagram...
Latest News and Stories
PRESS RELEASE – Diefenbunker announces Greta Grip as its 2020 Artist-in-Residence
The Capital’s most famous Cold War relic is getting a high priced upgrade – CTV News
Diefenbunker still needs $3M in repairs – CBC Ottawa
Diefenbunker Receives $400,000 Grant – West Carleton Online (subscription)
PRESS RELEASE – $400,000 from the Canadian Experiences Fund to Help Improve Visitor Experience at Canada’s Cold War Museum
