Art Gallery of Ontario

Full disclosure I have actually seen very little of the actual museum. This review is for the kids centre in the basement.

For $25 (a yearly membership) you can visit the kids activity centre most days of the week. It is filled with art supplies, books, toys, and activities catered to the season or exhibits. My two year old loves coming here. As do I. It's a calm and easy environment to let her explore in for a few hours especially on days where the weather isn't so great.

After playing for a while we tend to wander over to the ship exhibit viewable from the couches around the corner and have a snack. I am so incredibly grateful the museum has such a wonderful place to bring kids. I hope as she gets older I can start introducing her to the museum itself and create a love for art.

The AGO is a great place to spend a day or half-day in Toronto if you like art. It's a huge space with many galleries, and even with a map I let myself get lost a little bit. There's everything here ranging from Indigenous art, to European classes and modern Canadian pieces. There is a lot of natural light and places to sit, and I loved moving from gallery to gallery while also stopping to rest and read my map. Even though I was there on a packed weekend day, there's enough space that I never felt crowded in a gallery.

There's a large gift shop with neat local gifts and items like custom AGO tea you can take home. There are also two places to eat, a bistro and an espresso bar. I was a little disappointed there wasn't a cafe however. The espresso bar is located on an upper level with incredible floor to ceiling windows, but only serves beverages. The bistro was a full sit down restaurant, and had a line of people waiting for a table. I was visiting solo and waiting for a table wasn't appealing, so I left the gallery when I my hunger got the best of me. I would definitely return on another visit to Toronto, but if want something quick to eat I'd recommend grabbing a bit before coming to the AGO.

One of the most well done art museums!

Beautiful interior everywhere you go, nicely lit, love the woodworking. Really enjoyed the group of seven items they had and emphasis on Canadian art. I thought their indigenous art section was really well curated and tastefully presented. Spent hours here and didn't feel tired, definitely recommend.

Cost of admission was $30 for an adult single day (no annual pass). We just walked over here so I can't tell you about the parking situation. They do offer complimentary coat/bag check, meaning you can't bring in backpacks and souvenir bags. I believe there are 5 floors total but we could only see 4 of them. The Keith Haring exhibit cost extra (We went last month). We received a map but I just wandered around and made sure I saw everything. Don't forget to visit the first floor with all of the ship models. The KAWS exhibit was one of my favorite ones. I recommend taking your time looking at Canadian art, European, Modern, Contemporary, Arts of Global Africa, Prints and drawings, and rare books. There is a cafe on the main floor (second) towards the back. For floors 4 and 5, you'll need to take an elevator. You can't get up there by stairs. Stop by the gift shop for some unique souvenirs.

A great spot for art lovers/people who can appreciate art - they have paintings and art pieces made from many different types of materials. You could honestly spend a couple hours here - great date spot, place to explore with friends/family.

I went in to check out their KAWS family exhibit which was very enjoyable. The KAWS family exhibit has a bunch of fun, colourful, and vibrant pieces which makes me understand why it's so popular around the world.

Dropped by AGO today as my only museum visit on my first trip to Toronto. Enjoyed the KAWS exhibit most (as it seems most people did), which not only had some fabulous pieces, but my first experience with a virtual artwork, which was pretty cool. You download an app to your phone and look at a certain area to see a floating 3D figure. Kind of like Pokémon GO, but better.

Of the other exhibits, I tended to be more intrigued by the classic European artists. They do have some works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Holbein, and Pissaro.

And they have an amazing wooden staircase that rises up, swirling from the second floor. $30 is a little pricey, but they set it up so that you get a membership for $5 more. Clearly targeted at the locals.

Gayle and I recently visited the AGO and specifically to see and admire the following exhibit: Casatt-McNicoll: Impressionists Between Worlds. It was a very impressive exhibit and learning experience.

Unfortunately, we arrived about an hour before closing time, as we had already enjoyed a busy day in Toronto. That means that we only scratched the surface of the other exhibits withing this impressive art collection. That explains this review of 4 Stars, rather than 5.

The naturally lit upper floor interior front was impressive as we hurried through post-Casatt offerings as were the sculpture area (with a few Rodins) and of course the split level gift shop. If we're ever back in Toronto, we need to give AGO the full attention that it deserves.

Fabulous museum! I came to Toronto just to visit this musuem because KAWS has a exhibit here. It did not disappoint. Also an additional treat was that they also were showing a Keith Haring exhibit!

First time having brunch at AGO for their Christmas special

Headed to the AGO Bistro for their Bistro Brunch Prix Fixe at $33/person! You get an appetizer, a Main & either coffee/tea

We got the fruit parfait to start, I had their brewed coffee from Pilot Coffee Roasters

For the mains, we decided to choose a sweet & savoury dish

Cinnamon Toast Pancakes - comes with whipped butter, cinnamon sugar, roasted apples & butter tart sauce

AGO Burger - the beef patty was juicy but the fries could be crunchier.

We got to sit by the window so it was nice to enjoy our brunch with a view!

The best thing about the AGO is that it's free for ages 25 and younger! Unfortunately it is not cheap for memberships for ages 26+, and I probably wouldn't visit if it were paid.

There are some good exhibits, my favourite one has to be the model ships downstairs. I'm not a huge art fan but they do have temporarily exhibits such as KAWs. Overall it's a clean art gallery, well organized with coat check (free for prohibited items like bags). I recommend you buy tickets online to avoid the lineup. There is a gift shop and a Bistro inside. I wish it had longer hours on weekdays.