Explore the Central Experimental Farm

The Central Experimental Farm is open year-round for the public. Enjoy the gardens and learn about Canadian agriculture.

Visit attractions on the farm:

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

The museum is a highly interactive, family-friendly experience. Explore barns, take part in hands-on cooking demonstrations, learn about soil science and experience our engaging exhibitions. The museum makes it fun to see how food makes its way from farm to plate.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (ingenium)
901 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Admission: Buy tickets

Dominion arboretum

The Arboretum is a large area of rolling land between Prince of Wales Drive and the Rideau Canal. It displays a wide range of well-established trees and shrubs, various soil types and moisture levels.

Hours: Open everyday
Admission: Free

Sign up for Arboretum Tree Tours run by volunteers from Friends of the Farm.

Ornamental gardens

This outdoor garden is home to historic and new varieties of flowers and shrubs. It's a popular destination for wedding parties and photographers since they opened in 1880.

Hours: Open everyday
Admission: Free

Sign up for Ornamental garden tours run by volunteers from Friends of the Farm.

Explore a variety of garden areas, including:

  • perennial collection
  • rock garden
  • rose garden
  • annual garden
  • Macoun sunken garden
  • Macoun Memorial Garden
  • hedge collections
 

Wildlife garden

The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is a long-term project of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club. Volunteers work to restore and enhance these areas to provide a wide range of potential homes for local wildlife.

Fletcher Wildlife Garden

Near 865, Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON
Hours: Open everyday
Admission: Free

Tropical greenhouse

The greenhouse was built in 1928 and houses the Central Experimental Farm's tropical plant exhibition.

Hours:

  • Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Monday to Friday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Saturday: Closed

Admission: Free

Research fields

Over 100,000 field plots are devoted to the Ottawa Research Centre's plant breeding and agronomy studies. Since 1970, Central Experimental Farm crop scientists have developed and released over 90 new varieties of oats, wheat, barley and soybeans to Canadian and world markets.

Hours: Not open to public
Admission: N/A

Historical buildings

The Central Experimental Farm is home to many designated federal heritage buildings. Learn more about the history, heritage and architectural value of these buildings.

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