National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (must see)

National Gallery of Canada is much more than just a building, it鈥檚 a vibrant hub of art, culture, and Canadian identity right on the banks of the Ottawa River. Designed by the visionary Moshe Safdie and completed in 1988, its bold, glass-and-granite architecture instantly catches your eye. That iconic giant spider sculpture, named Maman, standing guard at the entrance, is hard to miss 鈥� a perfect icebreaker and a popular photo spot for visitors.

Inside, the gallery boasts one of the most impressive art collections in the country, showcasing everything from Indigenous arts to contemporary Canadian works, alongside celebrated European masterpieces. Did you know it holds one of the largest collections of Tom Thomson and Group of Seven paintings? These artists famously captured Canada鈥檚 wild landscapes in vibrant colors and brushstrokes that practically make the wilderness come alive on canvas.

Beyond Canadian art, you鈥檒l find stunning works by international masters like Monet, Renoir, and Matisse. The gallery also hosts rotating exhibitions, keeping things fresh and exciting for repeat visitors.

For those who want to take a break, the gallery鈥檚 caf茅 offers delicious food and drinks with spectacular views of the Ottawa River, ideal for soaking in the city鈥檚 vibe while reflecting on what you鈥檝e seen.

Pro tips: visit on Thursday evenings after 5 pm for free admission, so you can enjoy world-class art without reaching for your wallet. Don鈥檛 miss the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Parliament Hill and beyond, a perfect spot for photos and a little art-inspired daydreaming.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ottawa. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: National Gallery of Canada
Sight Location: Ottawa, Canada (See walking tours in Ottawa)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Ottawa Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Ottawa, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Ottawa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Ottawa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Ottawa's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The city of Ottawa has a number of notable religious sites fit to spark interest in both ardent believers and those keen on ecclesiastical architecture. With most of the churches located in the downtown area or nearby, one can visit these locations without trouble.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a splendid Gothic Revival masterpiece, is a centerpiece of Ottawa's spiritual landscape.... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

The architecture of Ottawa 鈥� formalistic and functional, for the most part 鈥� is marked by the city's role as the national capital of Canada. As such, it represents a mix of styles, varying considerably based on the era of construction of any particular object, and reflects the nation's heritage and political significance.

Centermost among these structures is the Parliament... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Ottawa Introduction Walking Tour

Perched on the banks of the Ottawa River, the Canadian capital has story that began long before Parliament鈥檚 iconic Gothic towers pierced the skyline. For thousands of years, this land was home to the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, whose traditional territory stretched along the river鈥檚 length. The word 鈥淥ttawa鈥� itself comes from adawe, meaning 鈥渢o trade,鈥� a nod to the waterway鈥檚... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Statues and Sculptures Walk

As a cultural city, Ottawa abounds in monuments and statues of various sorts. In fact, there are so many of them that the locals, accustomed to their presence, jokingly claim they hardly notice them at all. Still, these artistic creations serve as visual storytellers, sharing tales of courage, peacekeeping, and commemoration.

The Maman Statue, a prominent sculpture located outside the National... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

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