Art Gallery of Ontario

Art Gallery of Ontario

Art Gallery of Ontario
4.5
10:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
Closed
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Admission tickets
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
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Stefan Overton
    Colchester, United Kingdom229 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What’s better than FREE?!
    Free on Wednesday Nights. This is a great gallery from ancient art to modern art. There are not just painting/pictures there are installations where you can take Instagram pictures with. Also there are some VERY famous artists housed in here. If you go, can you spot them? Wednesday night was really busy and mostly filled with students which was great to see. There is a trans art installation which is great to view from anyone art of the LBGTQIA+ community. Gift shop at the end was big and has some great items for sale.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written February 29, 2024
  • RonL40
    Utica, New York3,708 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    World class museum. Superb.
    Tremendous collection. Very strong in First Nations art and Canadian modernists. We stayed for a full day of art. Very easy to navigate through the collections that specialize in Canadian artists but are buttressed by strong groupings of European and American art.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written May 12, 2024
  • qwuirk
    183 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive collection
    We stopped here on a whim as we saw the signs for the Kaws exhibit. The exhibit was amazing and fun to look at, especially with the pop culture references. Other than Kaws, we also really liked the artwork of First Nations, indigenous, and Canadian artists on the first and second floors. There’s so much to explore here, and the collection is truly beautiful and impressive. I personally think the fourth and fifth floors were skippable unless you really like contemporary art and need to see that Rothko painting.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written July 8, 2024
  • Marion M
    Watford, United Kingdom7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fabulous visit for art lovers
    Such a great range of Canadian Art - as well as world wide (but Canadian was my focus). As well as my beloved Group of Seven there was a wide range of art and I learned a lot. Nice cafe bars and spacious shop.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 22, 2024
  • DEP3
    Binghamton, New York319 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Art Gallery of Ontario is wonderful!
    AGO is a wonderful museum -- chock full of exceptional art work covering early to modern. Our guided tour focused on its Renaissance collection, and one of the highlights were the golf- sized boxwood carved prayer beads which open up to reveal intricately carved Biblical scenes -- absolutely amazing, and we were told the Art Gallery of Ontario has the largest collection of these. If you were at the Cloisters branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC a number of years ago, there was an exhibit of some of these prayer beads, and apparently, it was a traveling exhibit of these items from AGO ! The museum has a large gift shop, as well as a restaurant -- definitely worth your visit
    Visited November 2024
    Travelled on business
    Written November 15, 2024
  • MidwestKathM
    Detroit, Michigan1,127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    World-class museum with a terrific collection of Canadian art not to be missed!
    Visiting the AGO to see the Thomson Collection of Canadian Art was the reason for this weekend getaway to Toronto. In the past, we've made the 4-hour drive trip to Toronto to see specific art exhibitions (Georgia O'Keeffe, the Kusama Infinity Room, Impressionism in the Age of Industry, Mystical Landscapes) and to see this beautiful Frank Gehry-designed addition from within! It is very special and it never disappoints!! On this visit, we spent time enjoying the Group of Seven galleries and the adjacent Canadian Artists galleries. Having learned more about the Group of Seven since our earlier visits, we found the works of Lawren Harris, Tom Thomson, and the other artists even more enchanting and beautiful. We enjoyed the current Modernism exhibition as well as the Pacita Abad exhibition...her story is inspiring! The AGO is a world-class art museum not to be missed!! Spend the day and take a break in the Bistro.
    Visited November 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 18, 2024
  • Michael.ohanlon100665@hotmail.co.uk
    Glasgow, United Kingdom126 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to visit on a Wednesday evening.
    We had dinner last night in the Bistro of the Art Gallery of Ontario and it was very pleasant. There was a 50% discount on our bottle of wine which bought it down to 29$. I had the two course fixed price menu at 39$ and for this I had fresh Tomato and coriander Soup followed by Sirlion Steak with a peppercorn sauce and fries. Both were very tasty and pleasant. My friend had the Salmon Niscoise which she rated very highly. The bistro was a pleasant place to eat and very comfortable. I would definitely recommend a visit here especially on a Wednesday evening.
    Visited November 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written November 28, 2024
  • 2TravelersMn
    Stillwater, Minnesota578 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    An Art Lovers Treat...
    The beautiful Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is hard to miss. The monumental glass and titanium facade was designed by Toronto native, Frank Gehry. Be sure to take a pause in the light and airy Walker Court to admire Gehry's baroque-inspired spiral staircase. The Canadian Collection includes works by the Group of Seven, a group of early-20th-century landscapers painters. The AGO also includes works by Rembrandt, Warhol, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Degas, Matisse and many others.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written December 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles4,368 reviews
Excellent
2,738
Very good
1,217
Average
304
Poor
75
Terrible
34

Alvin C
Canada1,327 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Yes, AGO is encouraging young people ages 25 and under to visit for FREE every day of the week.

Adult is $25 per admission or $35 for an annual pass.

This is a very unique building. The architecture is so neatly designed. You must see it to believe it.

The exhibits are really cool, especially the Infinity Room by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. When you get there, the staff will have you scan a code to go online to book a time to enter Kusama's room. This room is so unique with many orbs. This room is a must see.

Also the gallery's atrium is open for rental for weddings or private functions.

Hope you have fun during your visit.
Written September 23, 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.

NicolaOrl
Canton of Geneva, Switzerland110 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Mixed feeling about this museum. A very nice exhibition with the potential to be great. Pretty much one floor per style. I visited the three floors: classical and photos, indigenous, digital and social media. The floor I liked the most was the one pertinent to digital and social media, nicely setup and up to speed with the evolving discussed topics in contemporary western society. The classical art exhibition was somewhat underwhelming and felt slightly out of scope. The museum shop was very nicely stoked and all items were reasonably priced.
Written July 3, 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.

michr
New Brunswick143 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
We spent a few hours here on a rainy afternoon. There was so much beautiful artwork to view. We preferred the areas that had traditional displays (with a writeup beside the art) as opposed to the ones where we had to log on and get information. There was a huge variety of artwork here and we enjoyed the changing exhibitions from when we had last been here (two years ago). Admission is free for 24 and under. Adult admission was $25 . For an extra $10 you can buy a full year membership.
Written May 6, 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.

Mike B
Brookline, MA316 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We've traveled quite a bit over the years and always take in the art gallery. I thought this one was small for a city the size of Toronto, and its collection undistinguished. There was, however, one painting which I absolutely loved: it depicted a couple who were mad at each other after an argument. It is called "Tiff".
Written June 5, 2024
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.

Sharon P
Edmonton, Canada16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Solo
I’ve been to the AGO many times; I visit each time I travel to Toronto. They have a huge range of art genres and art from all over the world. Their Canadian, European and contemporary collections are amazing and the building is beautiful. Well worth an afternoon of cultural enlightenment! By the way, their annual membership is only $10.00 more than their daily visitor’s rate. I went for the annual membership and plan to go again this week before I leave Toronto. There were many pieces that I wanted to spend more time contemplating; so this is a great deal!
Written April 26, 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.

ArtsyGalBaltimore
Maryland896 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Solo
Took advantage of the annual pass $35.00 and visited twice during a short stay in Toronto. Gehry's artistry transforms a visit into an architectual experience. Focused on Canadian artists but alo took in the Cassett and McMillian exhibit. Museum uses pocket cards very effectively. Abundance of interesting galleries to appeal to a myriad of interest. Fabulous gift shop. Hope to see Canadian art exhibits in the states soon.
Written October 8, 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.

Denis M
Toronto, Canada26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Once past the rather grubby concrete and glass frontage, the inside is clean and inviting. Staff members appeared to be friendly and eager to help new visitors. On the last day of the Rubens exhibition, the place was packed with a huge line-up filling the entrance lobby and spilling out to the sidewalk. The display itself was fascinating and much larger than I expected and nicely spaced to reduce congestion somewhat for the large attendance. Other displays of media cartoons and Moore sculptures were most enjoyable because of the fewer visitors and the interesting items on display. Near the lower level cafe is an intriguing collection of beautifully built ships: commercial. passenger and military, all displayed in in glass cases in a low lit gallery.
The busy cafe has a reasonable number of options for a light meal although the prices seem rather high for a family oriented eating area.
My first visit in years left me with a much more positive opinion of the AGO even the gift shop impressed despite the overwhelming number of "Canadian" items manufactured in Asia.
Written January 26, 2020
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.

abmilw
Milwaukee, WI728 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
if you know art, then likely a place to go, otherwise for the casual rainy day fan, worth stroll. Buy tickets on line, line for tickets excessively long - their system/staff painfully slow. Think 25 and under get in free.
Written November 14, 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.

Roch65
Ottawa, Canada141 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I spent about 3 hours at the AGO. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the European and Canadian artwork. The museum has an impressive collection of art from the Group of Seven. I'm not a huge fan of Rubens but since the special exhinition was included in the admission price I did take a quick walk through it. I'm glad to have seen Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room. Both of these special exhibitions require a timed reservation which you can make at your arrival. I loved the spiral wooden staircases which offered beautiful views of the city.
Written January 3, 2020
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.

Chris Stephens
Norwich, UK110 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Must-see museum with tons of different pieces from around the world. Truly astounding the immense collection here, and the amount of special exhibitions showcasing famous artists! The amazing Galleria Italia, designed by Frank Gehry, juts out for the entire length of the building, is completely made out of wood, and is a nice place to sit to watch the world go by down below. The 2008 renovation also added some beautiful warm wooden staircases throughout the building. The staff here are very friendly and professional, and tickets are reasonably priced (book ahead!). There's a gift shop and bistro near the entrance, and a little cafe in Galleria Italia. Recently rebuilt park "The Grange" right behind, which kids will love. 505 Dundas streetcar stops right outside, and a short walk away from St. Patrick subway station. Highly highly recommend to anyone visiting Toronto!
Written August 10, 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.

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ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (2025) - All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)

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