Art Gallery of Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario
4.5
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
With a collection of more than 90,000 works of art, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is among the largest and most distinguished art museums in North America. An international landmark, the AGO is also one of Canada’s most innovative cultural destinations. Highlights of the Gallery’s world-class collection include iconic Canadian and Inuit works, along with European and contemporary art – all on view in a spectacular building transformed by renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry. After spending time with the AGO’s vast collection, be sure to enjoy a meal or glass of wine at the Gallery’s award-winning restaurant FRANK. Visit shopAGO for a unique collection of artful gifts, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and beautiful art books.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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from C$30.00
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- St. Patrick • 5 min walk
- Osgoode • 7 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,312 reviews
Excellent
2,703
Very good
1,204
Average
302
Poor
72
Terrible
31
TERRAvelista
London, UK17,422 contributions
May 2023
I keep returning to this place as I like visiting the art museums in whatever city I am in the world as not only they represent the local culture but simply you do not 'know what you will find' as I discovered here:
- my other half got my ticket online in advance and I think he paid 30 Canadian dollars, thus skipping the long queue and simply showing the page with the bar code to the security entry guy
- I got a map as I am always keen on the European/Renaissance art plus local artists
- I wanted to see once again the paintings by the well known Canadian artists, absolutely un-known in Europe: I really love their humorous take on life 150 years ago
- there are also some great painting and sculptures by well known European artists
- luckily it was rather quiet except in the modern art section, clearly enough for me to see that a guy kept following me around and coming 5 times near me. I mentioned this to a security guy as I was seating on a bench in the atrium area, only to later on hear all the security guys talking about me - this really put me off and left the place. I wanted privacy and simply 'to be left alone' admiring the art
- there is also a restaurant there with decent prices however due to what happened I decided to leave the place
- this place is on a rather 'tight' street, which you could easily miss, assuming that such a museums would not have the entrance there - it is safe and round the corner there is a Police station. Not far there are many Chinese restaurants, if you are left hungry after 3 hours visiting in the museum.
- the staff seems to be nice and smiling, even in the shop area - not like other 'security guys' in other museums in the world who shout at you 'do not go close to that exhibit' as if your bag is going to knock the exhibit off the wall!!!!
Most surely I will be back
- my other half got my ticket online in advance and I think he paid 30 Canadian dollars, thus skipping the long queue and simply showing the page with the bar code to the security entry guy
- I got a map as I am always keen on the European/Renaissance art plus local artists
- I wanted to see once again the paintings by the well known Canadian artists, absolutely un-known in Europe: I really love their humorous take on life 150 years ago
- there are also some great painting and sculptures by well known European artists
- luckily it was rather quiet except in the modern art section, clearly enough for me to see that a guy kept following me around and coming 5 times near me. I mentioned this to a security guy as I was seating on a bench in the atrium area, only to later on hear all the security guys talking about me - this really put me off and left the place. I wanted privacy and simply 'to be left alone' admiring the art
- there is also a restaurant there with decent prices however due to what happened I decided to leave the place
- this place is on a rather 'tight' street, which you could easily miss, assuming that such a museums would not have the entrance there - it is safe and round the corner there is a Police station. Not far there are many Chinese restaurants, if you are left hungry after 3 hours visiting in the museum.
- the staff seems to be nice and smiling, even in the shop area - not like other 'security guys' in other museums in the world who shout at you 'do not go close to that exhibit' as if your bag is going to knock the exhibit off the wall!!!!
Most surely I will be back
Written May 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea D
Dallas, TX234 contributions
The AGO was our first stop after arriving in Toronto. I'd researched in advance and jumped on the opportunity for free entry on Wednesday after 6pm. Worked perfectly with our arrival time and drive into the city.
There was parking at a garage just a block down, only $6 for <2hrs. We walked in and saw a decent crowd of younger people signing up for the Under 25 annual pass. We walked up to the desk and signed in for our free, printed tickets and a paper map.
Much of the gallery is dominanted by the floor-to-ceiling wooden spiral staircase. We took it up to the fourth floor, later, but started on floor 2 to see indigenous art. Some great landscape pieces, some for sale in the gift shop as prints.
There was a bit more contemporary art than we liked, and one audio display room that sent a girl out of the room in distress. So we avoided that.
The lowest level has a large collection of cool ship models, tons of detail and the first floor has a decent European collection. Also really comfy couch-benches in there.
There was parking at a garage just a block down, only $6 for <2hrs. We walked in and saw a decent crowd of younger people signing up for the Under 25 annual pass. We walked up to the desk and signed in for our free, printed tickets and a paper map.
Much of the gallery is dominanted by the floor-to-ceiling wooden spiral staircase. We took it up to the fourth floor, later, but started on floor 2 to see indigenous art. Some great landscape pieces, some for sale in the gift shop as prints.
There was a bit more contemporary art than we liked, and one audio display room that sent a girl out of the room in distress. So we avoided that.
The lowest level has a large collection of cool ship models, tons of detail and the first floor has a decent European collection. Also really comfy couch-benches in there.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
darknarble
Hamilton, Canada24 contributions
Feb. 2023
Group of us went on family day and were able to get a wheelchair for my mother. We all really enjoyed the exhibits and will go again. So much to see and well laid out.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingmar53
Palm Springs, CA309 contributions
Jan. 2023
I went to see the wonderful Leonard Cohen exhibition, but stayed to see the excellent permanent exhibits, especially the Indigenous art collection.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nasim H
Boston, MA8 contributions
Jan. 2023
Final destination for all art lovers! What a destination for those who love art! You can find the artistic brilliance and some awfulness too. It's a must!
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoForN
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
Jun. 2022
Every visit, every exhibition since I was a child, to now, an old lady, the AGO has been an amazing, provocative visual place for me. It is a must see for locals and tourists. I hope the AGO will continue to always have support and aid to remain a vital part of Toronto.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david n
Manchester, UK4,461 contributions
Jan. 2023
The quality of some exhibits is outstanding and we happily spent nearly two hours on the first floor and the lower ship exhibition. The entry process was simple and staff all friendly. Well-recommended,
Written January 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic6,172 contributions
Dec. 2022
In this gallery you can find an amazing collection of art across the centuries. Canadian fine art is represented here by the extensive Group of Seven collection. You can see the works of Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas or Peter Paul Rubens here, which is absolutely amazing.
The exhibition of historical ship models is also worth to visit.
The exhibition of historical ship models is also worth to visit.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yehaaw
Nashville, TN157 contributions
Nov. 2022
This place is fantastic; the exhibits are always compelling and it is a nice place to be. Regular admission costs $25 but an annual pass is $35. Every time I'm in Toronto, I get the annual pass and come and go as I please. In November 2022, I was in Toronto for 5 days and I was able to enjoy the city and when I had down time, take a quick trip to the AGO. One visit was 3 hours... another was 30 minutes... the annual pass gives you so much flexibility!
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FuzzyBeaver
Montreal, Canada1,195 contributions
Nov. 2022
We visit mostly to see the special exhibits. Our favourite exhibit was "What Matters Most: Photographs of Black Life". It was such an interesting perspective of life in the that era. Be sure to watch the video projection of the slides. The large size allows you to see more detail and it also contains many additional photos. The "Ed Pien: Present: Past/Future" was fascinating especially the video interviews. The "Her Flesh" exhibit is tiny but quite interesting. The Denyse Thomasos exhibit really did not work for us. The OAG is great for not only the permanent exhibits but the wealth of ongoing special exhibits.
Written November 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whiterose_US
Centerville, OH39 contributions
Are there rental lockers at the museum please?
Barry-of-Toronto
Toronto, Canada1,031 contributions
Not sure about actual rental lockers. There is a coat check service which will take larger items like a back-pack or shopping bags.
Jon_Ju1234
Reykjavik, Iceland373 contributions
Is it recommended to order tickets in advance? How big can the lines get if you do not?
AConferenceAttendee
London, Canada377 contributions
Always order in advance if you know the window of time you wish to visit the exhibit. It is a timed entry for the special exhibitions.
0 seconds ago
melaniejade2018
Toronto, Canada
how long does it take to go through?
AlyM671
Toronto, Canada123 contributions
It depends on what interests you and if you take one of the guided tours. I would say the minimum would be 2 hours, yet it would be very easy to spend 3+ hours there.
Holger H
Madalena, Azores, Portugal41 contributions
Are the 3 free h enough time to see all what you could see ?
Or do they offer Media Passes for Journalists? (yeah I will search their Webpage too)
kuhhrysten
Wilmington, NC40 contributions
Are cameras allowed?
BequiaNess
London, Canada65 contributions
No. They are especially strict when they have a really popular exhibit.
Lexi M
Fredericksburg, TX
How long do people generally spend here?
DelicateIllusion
Toronto, Canada34 contributions
You could def spend a few hours there. It is really beautiful.
Camilla L
Palmas, TO116 contributions
Hi!! when is the attraction free?
HelioEudoro
Toronto, Ontario, Canada34 contributions
O AGO tem a entrada gratuita todas as quartas das 6pm às 9pm.
Soy artista..uruguaya..hay posivilidad de q alguien vea mis obras y las evalue..gracias
Glaretas
Lomita, CA
I have 10 hours layover in Toronto airport. How do I get to AGO using public transportation from the airport? I see the bus fare is rather steep ($50+ per person for a return trip). Maybe it is worth renting a car for the day for two people. What is the cost for parking on a Sunday near the museum?
ugh-lomi
Dundas, Canada194 contributions
Get the 192 TTC bus ("Airport Rocket") from either of the two terminals at YYZ to Kipling subway station. Ask any official at the terminal where the Rocket stop is. The Rocket runs frequently in both directions day and night. From Kipling take the subway eastwards in the direction of Kennedy as far as St George, then change to the southbound Union subway line, getting off at St Patrick. It's all one fee (you pay the Rocket the exact $3 change) and you don't get a ticket or even need a transfer: you just go straight from the bus to the subway at Kipling. From St Patrick it's a 2-minute walk west along Dundas St W to the AGO. The end-to-end trip will take about an hour at the most including wait times. Just do the reverse to get back to YYZ, making sure you get off the Rocket at the right terminal at YYZ. Though it may take a bit longer than other methods (cab, the new YYZ-Union Station express), at $3 per person each way it's much, much cheaper. You can easily make this trip and spend time at the AGO during a 10-hour layover.
ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (Toronto) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Art Gallery of Ontario
- Art Gallery of Ontario is open:
- Tue - Tue 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Wed - Wed 10:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Thu - Thu 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Fri - Fri 10:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Sat - Sun 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Art Gallery of Ontario admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost C$30.57, while a popular guided tour starts around C$6.75 per person. See all 9 Art Gallery of Ontario tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Art Gallery of Ontario can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 9 Art Gallery of Ontario tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Art Gallery of Ontario:
- Art Gallery of Ontario Admission (From C$30.57)
- Kensington Market, Chinatown and the Art Gallery of Ontario: A Self-Guided Tour (From C$8.09)
- Downtown Toronto Bike Tour (From C$97.87)
- Small-Group Toronto Kensington Market and Chinatown Walking Tour (From C$36.58)
- Private Toronto Kensington Market and Chinatown Walking Tour in English (From C$73.15)
- Hotels near Art Gallery of Ontario:
- (0.29 km) Baldwin Village Inn
- (0.32 km) Sonder The Elm
- (0.70 km) Shangri-La Toronto
- (0.91 km) Bisha Hotel Toronto
- (0.47 km) The Rex Hotel
- Restaurants near Art Gallery of Ontario:
- (0.05 km) Cafe AGO
- (0.06 km) Ago Bistro
- (0.11 km) Village Idiot Pub & Grill
- (0.14 km) Karine's
- (0.14 km) Sin & Redemption