Accessibility

Statement of Commitment

The Manitoba Museum is dedicated to ensuring equal access and participation for all. We advocate for inclusion and strive to treat every individual in a manner that upholds their dignity and independence. Our commitment extends to addressing the accessibility challenges faced by various individuals. We pledge to identify, eliminate, and prevent barriers, aligning with the stipulations of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA).

While we are dedicated to removing barriers, we acknowledge that our current museum setup may not cater to all needs. If you have specific requirements, please contact our team directly at 204-956-2830 ext. 0, or by email at Info@ManitobaMuseum.ca.

If you require any assistance or accommodations during your visit please let our Visitor Experience Team know or speak with the nearest security guard or staff member and we would be happy to provide you the support you require.

Disclaimer: The Manitoba Museum opened its doors in 1970 and understands that many parts of the Museum are due for renewal. We appreciate your patience as the Museum continues to address outdated infrastructure.

Have a question or comment? We value your feedback. Please get in touch with us by phone at 204-956-2830 ext. 0, or by email at Info@ManitobaMuseum.ca.

Entrances

Rupert Avenue (Entrance CLOSED) – This main entrance to the Manitoba Museum is being renovated, including an updated a ramp and stairs to the Museum lobby. Click here for full construction details.

Main Street (Entrance Open) – Secondary entrance with stairs. Temporary ramps have been set up allowing full access through this entrance during Rupert Avenue construction. Click here to view the current entrance map. Get ready for your next visit by watching our video with directions to the Main Street entrance. Click here to view.

Lily Street (Entrance Open) – Secondary entrance with a fully accessible entrance including a series of ramps and a small lift to get you to the Planetarium and Science Gallery level (Concourse Hallway). The main floor galleries can then be accessed using the tower elevator.

Photograph looking at the Manitoba Museum Rupert entrance from the parking lot. The Museum's Rupert entrance is closed and under construction. Four handicapped parking spots are designated by painted symbols in a newly paved parking lot.

Parking

Rupert Avenue Lot
There are four accessible parking spots located directly across from the main entrance of the Manitoba Museum on Rupert Avenue. Please be aware that the Museum does not own or operate this lot, parking availability may vary.

 

Loading Zone
During construction, while the primary Rupert Avenue entrance is closed, the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall loop can be used as a loading zone. Visitors can use this area for drop-off or pick-up. Ramps are set up allowing access to the Main Street entrance from this area.

Elevators

The main floor and lower Concourse level are connected by an elevator in the Museum lobby. A small lift connects the Lily Street entrance to the Concourse level. An elevator in the Hudson’s Bay Company Gallery brings visitors up to the Nautical Balcony for a unique view of the Nonsuch.

Wheelchairs & Strollers

The Manitoba Museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible. There are temporary exterior ramps set up along the Main Street entrance, and permanent ramps at the Lily Street secondary entrance, with an elevator connecting the Galleries on the main floor to the Science Gallery and Planetarium on the Concourse level. 

Wheelchairs are available to borrow from our Box Office on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID or credit card is required. Strollers are available in the Museum Foyer on a first-come-first-served basis. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own stroller or wheelchair.

Washrooms

There are gender-neutral washrooms in the Museum Foyer and in the Museum Galleries near the Nonsuch Gallery, each with a large, accessible, barrier‐free stall. There is a single-room Family washroom in the Concourse Cloakroom. All of our public washrooms include baby change tables.

Support Persons

The Manitoba Museum offers free admission to people accompanying a person with a disability (up to two support persons per visitor). This applies to general admission for Museum Galleries, Planetarium and/or Science Gallery. Please notify Box Office staff upon your arrival if you are a support person, as an admission ticket is required.

A hand holding a cellphone out in front of the iconic bison diorama in the Manitoba Museum Welcome Gallery. The phone screen is in focus with the Aira app open and text above a telephone symbol reading, "Call Aira for free with Manitoba Museum and Affiliate Cultural Institutions".

Visual Interpreting with Aira Explorer App

We are thrilled to announce we are now an Aira Access Partner! This means that anyone visiting the Manitoba Museum can open the Aira app on their phone and connect free of charge with a professional Visual Interpreter. The Visual Interpreter will access the caller’s phone camera and describe, narrate, navigate, and read aloud to assist. Aira is available 24/7/365, and no advance reservations are required.

 

Here’s How It Works

  1. Download Aira Explorer in the iOS App Store, on Google Play, or use the web app.
  2. Tap a button and your phone’s camera will stream a live video to one of Aira’s professional Visual Interpreters.
  3. The Visual Interpreter can describe in detail callers’ surroundings, narrate, navigate, or read aloud.
  4. Use the AccessAI feature to upload or take photos and receive instant AI descriptions, and even verify with a human Visual Interpreter.

Please note: At this time, Aira Explorer is not available for use in the Planetarium.

Learn more on our Aira Explorer FAQ webpage

Aira logo.

Sensory Sundays

A relaxed and sensory friendly morning! 

Sensory Sunday is a welcoming and safe space for everyone! Join us the first Sunday morning of every month for a Sensory Sunday  – a quieter, sensory friendly experience in our Museum Galleries. From 10 am to 12 pm, sounds will be turned down or off, lighting will be adjusted, and our Quiet Room will be available for any sensory breaks you might need.

Did you know that we have Sensory Kits available by request at our Box Office? The kit includes noise reducing ear covers (to help manage noise) and sensory toys. They are available during our regular hours of operation, on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Upcoming Sensory Sundays

June 7, 2026
July 5, 2026
August 2, 2026
September 7, 2026
October 4, 2026
November 1, 2026
December 6, 2026
January 3, 2027
February 7, 2027
March 7, 2027

 

For information about this initiative, please contact Corinne at CAntoniuk@ManitobaMuseum.ca or 204-988-0671.

Quiet Room

We are happy to share that we now have a designated Quiet Room, open to visitors for use as a quiet and relaxing space, for decompression and regulation during your visit. This space is located at the entrance to the Prairies Gallery, right before the Pronghorn Diorama.

There is a sensory kit in the space for visitors to use, as well as books. In addition to a couch, beanbag chairs, and fan, the space contains a number of lamps providing some softer light options.

This room is monitored by Museum Security via security camera.

A hallway in the Museum Galleries with a frosted door leading to the Quiet Room on the left side, and the sign for the entrance to the Prairies Gallery on the right side.

A softly lit room with two red beanbag chairs and a beige two-seat couch next to a lamp and a low table with a blue tablecloth.

A softly lit room with a standing fan, a fake plant, and a low table covered by a blue table cloth. On the table is a basket with books and a container with fidget toys and sound cancelling headphones.

Gallery Accessibility Videos

In the Nonsuch Gallery and the Winnipeg 1920 Cityscape, there are spaces that require use of stairs to explore. These galleries were recreated to show what life was like in the 17th century and in 1920, a time when public spaces were not made to be accessible for everyone. Because of this, some parts of the gallery may be hard to reach for some visitors. 

To help make learning easier for everyone, we’ve created video tours led by our curators. They share the stories, objects, and history found in the difficult-to-reach areas so that all visitors can enjoy them, even if they can’t visit the space.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep our exhibits true to history and open to everyone. We’re always looking for ways to improve, so we welcome your feedback. 

Explore the buildings of Deptford and go aboard the Nonsuch.

Watch the videos here

Explore the shops and storefronts upstairs in the Winnipeg 1920 Cityscape.

Watch the videos here