The AGO houses art collections both excellent and extensive (bring your stamina). Renovations of the facade, designed by the great Frank Gehry and completed in 2008, fail to impress at street level: perhaps because of a drab downtown location. Fortunately, everything changes once you step inside. Highlights of the permanent collection include rare Québecois religious statuary, First Nations and Inuit carvings, stunningly presented works by Canadian greats, the Group of Seven, the Henry Moore sculpture pavilion and a restored Georgian house, The Grange.
There's a surcharge for special exhibits but visits to the permanent collection on Wednesday evenings are free. Half-hour mini-tours leave from Walker Court daily at 11:30am and 2:30pm and on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm.
