The Art Gallery of Ontario has joined the Toronto CityPASS program, expanding visitor access to one of Canada's preeminent cultural institutions. CityPASS, the first bundled attraction ticketing program in North America, offers significant savings on combined admission to top attractions across 17 major cities in the United States and Canada. This partnership represents a strategic expansion of cultural offerings within the popular tourism program.
The AGO, originally founded in 1900, is one of North America's largest art museums with a collection of more than 120,000 works spanning cutting-edge contemporary art, significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists, and European masterpieces. The museum presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. Highlights include the world's largest public collection of Henry Moore sculptures, Peter Paul Rubens' The Massacre of the Innocents, Pablo Picasso's La misereuse accroupie from his Blue Period, and Yayoi Kusama's immersive installation INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM - LET'S SURVIVE FOREVER.
This addition matters because it makes high-quality cultural experiences more financially accessible to travelers and local residents alike. The Toronto CityPASS program saves travelers up to 38% on prepaid admission to five of the city's top attractions in one mobile ticket. With the AGO now included, visitors can choose between cultural institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum, entertainment options like City Cruises Toronto, and historic sites like Casa Loma. The program's affordability could increase museum attendance and expose more people to important artistic works.
The timing coincides with the AGO's seventh expansion since its founding. When completed in 2027, the new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will increase exhibition space for the museum's growing modern and contemporary collection. This expansion, combined with the CityPASS partnership, positions the AGO for increased visibility and visitor engagement during a period of institutional growth.
Beyond the permanent collection, the AGO offers programming for all ages and interests, from live performances to talks, and is open late every Wednesday and Friday until 9 p.m. The museum features family-friendly spaces like the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre and mobile Art Carts that bring themed art-making activities into the gallery every weekend. These diverse offerings make the institution appealing to a broad range of visitors who might now access it through the CityPASS program.
"The Art Gallery of Ontario is an essential cultural destination, and we're pleased to welcome it to the Toronto CityPASS program," said Megan Allen, president and CEO of City Pass, Inc. "This partnership reinforces our mission to make world-class experiences more affordable, accessible and convenient for travelers." The inclusion of a major cultural institution like the AGO strengthens CityPASS's value proposition beyond entertainment-focused attractions.
Toronto CityPASS tickets cost $134.96 CAD for adults and $99.96 CAD for children ages 4-12, excluding tax, and are valid for nine consecutive days. Mobile tickets are available at citypass.com. The program's expansion to include the AGO reflects growing consumer demand for bundled cultural experiences and could influence similar partnerships in other cities where CityPASS operates.
