Plan a visit to the OPP Museum!
The OPP Museum is located right inside Ontario Provincial Police General Headquarters (GHQ). As this is a secure police facility, please bear in mind the following policies are in place:
- All visitors to OPP GHQ must check in with security personnel upon arrival. You may be required to present photo Identification. This includes bus tours or other large groups, so please ensure that you plan enough time to sign in upon arrival (see below for important Q&A information for large groups).
- Children aged 17 and under do not require identification but must be accompanied by an adult with appropriate identification.
- If photo identification is requested, acceptable identification includes one of the following:
- driver's licence,
- Ontario photo card (or other provincial issue equivalent), or
- passport (Canadian or international)
- Individuals who do not possess one of these "normally accepted" forms of identification may still be granted access under certain circumstances. Please check with the security officer on duty when you arrive.
- Please note that security reserves the right to refuse entry to OPP GHQ to any persons. If you would like further clarification on building access, please call OPP General Headquarters Security directly at 705 329-6111 during regular business hours or by email to opp.ghq.detachment@opp.ca
When you arrive, you can pick up a guide to General Headquarters and a Museum Exhibit Guide, free of charge.
In addition to exploring the museum, visitors are welcome to stroll along "Public Street", the long corridor at the front of GHQ where you will find vintage vehicle displays, information exhibits on the OPP Auxiliary program, OPP Awards, and the OPP Veterans' Association. You are also welcome to visit The OPP Shop (705) 329-6280, where you will find a wide variety of OPP branded clothing and merchandise for sale. You may also wish to pause for refreshments at The Steak-Out Cafeteria (705) 329-6523. Major exhibits are featured in the museum's main gallery that include interactive games, and provides a learning experience for people of all ages. Community Safety Officers, teachers and group leaders are encouraged to use the museum as a learning resource.
Visit www.oppmuseumfriends.ca to download a copy of our Educators' Resource Guide for more ideas on how you can make the most of your visit to The OPP Museum.
Hours & Admission
Admission to The OPP Museum is always free! The Museum is open year-round, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.
Parking
Free visitor parking is located at the front of GHQ in the large circular drive, including accessible permit parking spaces near the entrance doors.
There is no bus parking available at GHQ, however, bus drivers can drop/off and pick-up visitors at the front doors to GHQ. An Orillia city bus stop is also located on Memorial Avenue in front of GHQ.
Important Q&A for large groups and bus tour visitors
Do I have to call ahead if I want to bring a large group (i.e. 15 or more people) to the Museum?
As space is limited in our museum, we encourage groups of 15 or more to contact us in advance of a visit. Our Friends of The OPP Museum volunteer group coordinates all large group visits to the Museum. Please contact them well in advance of your visit at volunteers@oppmuseumfriends.ca to discuss whether or not you should pre-register and to determine if a volunteer large group host/tour guide is available for your group.
Important: Please submit the Large Group Visitor Booking Form in advance of your visit by email to: volunteers@oppmuseumfriends.ca.Can our group get a guided tour of the non-secure areas of GHQ including the Museum and Public Street?
Adult or senior tour groups: Yes. A volunteer host/tour leader may be available to greet adult tour groups and answer questions. As availability of these volunteer retired OPP officers is limited, we recommend you contact Friends of The OPP Museum well in advance of your visit to discuss availability. To book, please contact Friends of The OPP Museum by email at volunteers@oppmuseumfriends.ca.
Public, high school or homeschool groups: No. Curriculum based school programming is not available. School groups are welcome to visit the Museum and GHQ Public Street on a self-guided basis. Teacher supervision is required. Educators are encouraged to use the Museum as a valuable educational resource space. To make the most of your visit, download our Educator’s Resource Guide that can be found online at www.oppmuseumfriends.ca. A Guide to GHQ and a Guide to the Museum Exhibit are also available upon arrival, or in advance by request.
Daycare or youth groups: Yes. A volunteer host/tour leader may be available to greet your youth group (note: no formal curriculum based programming is available). As availability of these volunteer retired OPP officers is limited, we recommend you contact Friends of The OPP Museum well in advance of your visit to discuss availability. To book, please contact Friends of The OPP Museum by email at volunteers@oppmuseumfriends.ca.
Is there a charge for a guided tour?
All visits are free of charge, however Friends of The OPP Museum is a non-profit charitable organization who would gratefully accept a donation in support of its ongoing efforts.
Do I have to do anything prior to our visit (with or without a tour guide)?
Yes. Please complete the Large Group Visitor Booking Form and submit it directly to Friends of The OPP Museum by email to volunteers@oppmuseumfriends.ca well in advance of your visit.
Can we book a visit at the last minute, or what if we don’t know until our departure date who is coming with us?
Groups who cannot provide advance notice of a visit are still welcome to attend, but may face delays in checking in at Security.
Can our group get a “behind the scenes” tour of General Headquarters (i.e. see the Garage or the Heliport)?
No. Tours of the secure areas of GHQ are not permitted.
What kind of ID do we need to provide for school groups?
Children aged 17 and under do not require identification but must be accompanied by an adult with appropriate identification. Teachers, parent volunteers and bus drivers must present appropriate identification when asked.
Can our group eat lunch at the GHQ Steakout Cafeteria?
Yes, but pre-booking is advised. Please contact the manager directly at 705 329-6523.
Location and directions
777 Memorial Avenue
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
L3V 7V3
(705) 329-6889
opp.museum@opp.ca