When you’re ready, we’re ready for you.
Our blast doors are open! We look forward to welcoming you back underground.
We strongly recommend wearing a mask while visiting the site. All our staff and volunteers are required to wear masks until further notice.
Read more about how we’re keeping you safe. We thank you for your patience and continued support.
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’.
HOURS
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
*For the best experience, we suggest at least one hour to explore the Diefenbunker. The admissions desk closes 30 minutes before the museum closes. Tickets cannot be purchased after this time.
*We highly recommend buying your tickets online in advance of your visit to the museum to ensure there are still spots available.
Special Hours & Closures
Closed on statutory holidays
Currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
CURRENT PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Doors Open Ottawa | Saturday, June 4, 2022
Join us in celebration of our city’s history, culture, and stunning architecture. Free admission with suggested donation. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
Summer Spy Camp | June 27 to September 2, 2022
Calling young secret agents age 6 to 12! Become a world-class secret agent and complete top-secret missions. Register for Summer Spy Camp.
Virtual & On-Site Educational Programs | Ongoing
Now accepting 2022 bookings. Experience Canadian history from an immersive perpsective unlike any other. Learn more.
ENJOY OUR NEW AUDIO GUIDE
We have an informative free Audio Guide that gives the history of the Diefenbunker, available in eight languages.
You can access audio and visual content (photos, videos) through the online Audio Guide App. To choose your language, select a level of the bunker, then click the globe icon in the top right corner.
You can also download the audio only with the .mp3 files linked below. While there is now free Wi-Fi throughout the Bunker, we encourage you to download the Audio Guide to your preferred device before your visit. Don’t forget your earbuds or headphones!
Virtual Tours
You can view the Diefenbunker from any device, and even with VR goggles if you have them! Click on the images below to open the tour.
Entrance/Blast Tunnel
100/200 Levels
400 Level
Machine Room – Self-guided
300 Level
Machine Room – Narrated
About Canada’s Cold War Museum
The Diefenbunker is a massive four-storey 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.
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!
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Latest News and Stories
PRESS RELEASE – Diefenbunker announces Christos Pantieras as its 2022 Artist-in-Residence (Mar 2022)
Diefenbunker statement in solidarity with Ukraine (Mar 2022)
PRESS RELEASE – Diefenbunker awarded $104,600 in provincial funding to support operations (Nov 2021)
PRESS RELEASE – 2021 Artist-in-Residence exhibition opens at the Diefenbunker (Nov 2021)
PRESS RELEASE – The Diefenbunker announces Mairi Brascoupé as its 2021 Artist-in-Residence (Jun 2021)
Diefenbunker Ready for Visitors – CTV News Ottawa
Diefenbunker to offer virtual tours – CTV News Ottawa
Over $1M in funding going to the Diefenbunker Museum for ‘crucial’ upgrades – CBC News (Dec 2020)
Diefenbunker Museum gets $1.1M for ‘crucial upgrades’ – CBC News (Dec 2020)
Diefenbunker Announcement (Dec 2020)
PRESS RELEASE – $400,000 from the Canadian Experiences Fund to Help Improve Visitor Experience at Canada’s Cold War Museum
Diefenbunker still needs $3M for repairs – CBC Ottawa (Mar 2020)
The Capital’s most famous Cold War relic is getting a high priced upgrade – CTV News (Mar 2020)
Diefenbunker Receives $400,000 Grant – West Carleton Online (subscription) (Mar 2020)
