National Gallery of Canada Reviews

Just visited for the "Gaugin" exhibit. I was shocked at the entrance fee of $27 !

The National Gallery has some of the most impressive architecture of the city. Located on Nepean Point which over looks the Ottawa river, it's home to some of the most breath taking views.

Being the National Gallery, the museum attempt to set the artistic trends for Canada. For artists or those of the artistic mind set, this is fantastic, but for the rest of us, it can be difficult to fully comprehend. I suggest going to the website ahead of time to see which exhibits are on display so that you can read up on the artist or subject matter ahead of time. This will go a long way to help your appreciation of the exhibits, there is also the option to arrange for a guided tour ahead of time.

As a museum, your visit will hinge on whether or not the art speaks to you. As a special events venue however, there is no better place to host. It is a remarkably beautiful place to hold an event for any occasion.

Underground parking is available.

The museum alone is worth the visit.
Permanent Expo rich in works
Temporary Expo varies depending on the artist.

It's soooooo big. Depends on your mood sometimes it's too much

The architecture of the place is very well achieved, very large spaces, it is very worth visiting the Canadian artists section if you do not have much time to see museums as it expresses a lot about the life and moments of this nation

I can't say that I saw a lot the last time I went. I was only there to watch the OWE play. Did enjoy some of the activities that have for kids. Really fun.

I loved this Gallery, I just wished i had more Time and maybe 3 days to spend here, at least two days. There is a lot to see if you like Art, and i like to immerse myself in looking at it. To see it all in one day felt rushed and i was not prepared for that. Great Gallery. I would Highly Recommend to anyone visiting Ottawa, also i would Highly Recommend giving yourself a lot of time to do this one, as I did not.

I'm going to see an exhibition of Van Gogh, it was allucinant. Place to visit.

Very beautiful museum. Well located. Good meal. Impeccable. To visit absolutely.

Of course the amazing exhibits and well informed staff. Always a great way to spend the day

Permanent collection very diversified. Beautiful well-appointed museum.

Expect to spend hours here lol 2.5 hours and didn't get to see everything.
Also, Thursdays from 5 pm onward free admittance!

Great indigenous art on display right now. Can't wait to go back!

Love the place, wish it was. larger and on the list for the huge international shows

This museum has awesome collection of arts and is presented very well. It's just opened after Covid19 closure. The safety measures are good. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. I loved this place and spent about 5 hours here.

Great place to wander on a cold afternoon. Large lines during the first/last day of exhibitions, but otherwise is so cavernous it feels like you're alone. Set aside time for the Canadian exhibit, particularly the group of seven, and remember that the flow runs counterclockwise.

Very tall, very beautiful, full of good works to discover

It's a huge mausoleum of a building but geez do we ever have good art here!

Gorgeous building, fantastic collection and great staff

This is a great experience, especially with a family.

Not exactly my cup of tea bit lots to see for those that enjoy art. Lots of exhibits and very knowlegable staff. Can be a bit of a maze so be sure to bring the map because it is easy to get lost in here.

Nice gallery but the Canadian artists section was closed and being updated

Canadian and indigenous art was by far the best exhibit. Contemporary and European left a bit to be desired. Worth the price of admission and one of the most beautiful buildings around.

Excellent architecture and art collection, the best in Canada and one of the world's best

Plan on spending a few hours here! We saw the impressionists exhibit in addition to the rest of the museum. Well worth the extra few dollars. If you're a student, bring your ID for a discount. There was so much to see and read about the sculptures, paintings, photographs, etc. When we went Wednesday morning, it was essentially empty (though the underground parking was pretty full - the museum lets anyone park there for a fee). Make sure you get a floor plan so you don't miss out on anything!

Good place for art lovers.Gallery has 3 levels. I loved the paintings, photos and inuit's artifacts. Rideau Chapel inside the gallery closed early(at 5 pm! Don't remember the time) so I couldn't visit it.

Exhibition Gauvin a little disappointing but this building is beautiful.

Great exhibition of many works of Gaugin while we were there. A fine place. There's a fantastic spider sculpture outside.

Very interesting each picture/art is describing in detail of the picture clearly. Felt like I am in it that time. Awesome.
Love it

Beautiful museum that seems to be taking COVID-19 restrictions very seriously. The gift shop is a great place to shop for gifts too!

Fantastic! Always something for everyone to see! My favourite of the day an owl!

Due to COVID-19, we thought the museum would be closed. But to our surprise it was open! There were only a couple other people visiting the museum ag that time so it was pretty empty and gave us more time to explore the place in peace.
The museum is breathtaking! The exterior is beautiful ( I am attaching pictures ) the inside has many exhibits such as contemporary, canadian and indigenous, European and american etc.
All the exhibits are beautiful!
If you are there, dont forget to check out the Rideau Chapel in Canadian and Indigenous exhibit!
We also took pictures with the Spider outside!

They have a very large gallery and works from around the world

Beautiful Museum. Gorgeous to walk around in and with a lot of great pieces of art.

Spent the day here exploring. Found a hidden QR code on a price of art that sent me to a story. Very unexpected and welcome.

Well organized and inexpensive. The galleries are not overly crowded and most exhibits are photo friendly.

Amazing place, feels like brain food all through out. The layout is a little unfortunate as a lot of doubling back is required to see everything but overall this was an amazing experience. On my 3rd trip a concert band even performed in the lobby by the cafe which was astounding.

Need more than one day to explore one of our national capital treasures.

Fantastic architecture. Wonderful exhibit halls. Great photography Installations. Fasntastic light play throughout.

From a distance this is an amazing Museum. But their collection of late 19 to mid 20th century is very well done. Lucked out and saw the Gauguin exhibit this summer till September 08, 2019.

Very nice, plan on 5 hours to cover the entire collection

I have no sense of art and do not know what's going on with the stuff inside. But for 16 dollars and you do see some interesting arts and have some walk

Magnificent, unmissable, we were lucky to see the tempral exhibition of Impressionist Treasures..Cost entrance sep 2018 adult 20 CAD senecto 18 CAD

The building alone is worth seeing in person, free Thursday evenings are great and there is a decent variety of art as well

It's an Ottawa treasure! So many exhibits, so wonderful! The true jewel is the permanent display on the Group of Seven!

Great adventure!!! Lots of interesting artworks!! Worth to spend the whole day in there!

There is diversity in their always nice exhibition to go to Ottawa

Permanent exhibition on native artists very interesting.

Super interesting building with a nice architecture. The rotating collections were nice as well.

You need a complete day to see all of it, but it worth it.

Always pleasant with good control of the sanitary measures of July 2020.

Nice museum and some great pieces although my heart still belong to Musee d'Orsay. Nice outlet selling coffee, pastries, alcohol and tapas but cafetaria closes early. Been told free entrance Thursday night 5-8pm...

Great experience , walking through well designed areas in whole building. Fully recommended for Ottawa visitors and amazing chance to see Japanese photographer's works this time

Beautiful! Exhibits with lots of room to see the pieces, helpful staff and excellent food: tapas were amazing

Excellent. My 10 year-old granddaughter also had a very good time. She enjoyed the scavenger hunt.