Canadian Automotive Museum: Hours, Tickets and What to See

The Canadian Automotive Museum stands at 99 Simcoe Street South in downtown Oshawa, across from Memorial Park. Its building has automotive history of its own: it served as an Ontario Motor Sales showroom and service centre from 1924 to 1931, and an automobile dealership was recorded at the address as early as 1921. From this two-star hotel in Whitby, the drive to the museum takes about 13 minutes.

The museum opened to the public in September 1963, following its establishment as a community project of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce in 1962. It became a charitable, not-for-profit institution in October 1964.

If your plans also include time in Whitby, a neighbourhood guide for first-time visitors can help you plan that part of your trip.

The museum has three gallery spaces on two floors. Its main gallery features British and American cars, while the upstairs galleries explore Canada’s automotive story. The permanent collection includes “Masterpieces from the McDougald Collection” on the main floor and “Cars Built in Canada - 1903-1999” on the second floor.

“Canada’s Car Stories” looks at building, repairing, driving and displaying cars, and considers how cars shaped Canadian life. On the main floor, you can also find a full-scale model of Lightning McQueen.

For another angle on the subject, the museum’s online exhibit “Wires to Wheels” follows electric vehicles from early experiments and pre-First World War electric cars through gasoline cars’ dominance in the 1940s and 1950s, then the alternative-energy revival of the 1970s.

It has no regular hours outside March 1 and September 30. The museum closes on Ontario public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, Christmas and Boxing Day. It is open on Family Day.

Opening hours

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00–16:00
• Monday and Sunday: closed

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

Admission costs $16 for adults, $14 for students with ID, $14 for seniors aged 65 and over, and $8 for youth aged 6–17. Children aged 5 and under and museum members enter free. You can buy tickets online in advance or at the front reception desk.

Payment options include most major credit cards and Interac direct debit; the museum also accepts US dollars at a 1:1 exchange rate with Canadian dollars. Check the official site before you go, since hours, holiday closures and prices can change.

By car, follow the museum’s directions from Highway 401 to the Simcoe Street exit, then head north on Simcoe Street. The museum is on the right, across from Memorial Park, past the John Street traffic light.

Complimentary visitor parking is available in the lot beside the museum, and you can also use the gravel lot behind it. Oshawa street parking is free after 6:00 p.m. daily and all day on weekends and public holidays. Avoid spaces marked “RESERVED PARKING,” which are rented by local businesses.

If you are coming from Toronto by train, the museum’s directions describe taking the Lakeshore East GO train to Oshawa GO/VIA Rail station, transferring to the 90 GO bus to King and Simcoe, then walking three blocks south on Simcoe Street.

The complete trip takes approximately 1.5 hours. The museum is also a short walk from the Oshawa Bus Terminal, served by GO Transit and Greyhound.

The museum has three gallery spaces spread over two floors, with collection displays and exhibits covering different parts of Canada’s automotive story. Plan your time around the galleries you want to see, including the Canadian-built cars upstairs and the main-floor collection. The museum offers group tours for groups of all ages; contact the museum for details.

Personal photography is permitted, but food and drink are not allowed inside, and visitors are asked not to touch artifacts. Only the main floor is wheelchair accessible, and its washroom is not accessible. Visitors who cannot access the second floor can receive free admission.

The Ontario Regiment Museum, Oshawa Community Museum and Robert McLaughlin Gallery are other local attractions, so you can pair the visit with another stop in the area. The Ontario Regiment Museum visitor information covers one of those nearby options.