Gardiner Museum
Gardiner Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Discover one of the world's most universal and dynamic art forms. Explore the Gardiner Museum's internationally-renowned collections of pottery from the Ancient Americas, Europe, China, and Japan, as well as contemporary ceramics. Visit the Museum's special exhibitions, sign up for a clay class, take part in weekly family art activities, dine at Clay Restaurant, and find the perfect gift at the Gardiner Shop.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- Museum • 2 min walk
- Bay • 4 min walk
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542 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- emfeAthens_GeorgiaAthens, Georgia236 contributionsIf you like ceramics, visit the Gardiner MuseumWe really enjoyed this small museum whose focus is ceramics. There are over 5000 items from around the world on display from a variety of time periods. If you like clay, ceramics, pottery or porcelain, you will enjoy this small museum. Their cafe, CLAY, is lovey.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 2 July 2023
- StormfloraToronto, Canada34 contributionsA must see along with the ROM and AGO!Easily one of the top three museums in Toronto. Don't let its size delude you. It's packed with tons of amazing artifacts. Would definitely recommend everyone to visit, especially with a free pass on Wednesday or via TPL Maps.Visited July 2023Written 5 July 2023
- MomRoccoChicago, Illinois541 contributionsThe Intrigue and Secrets Stolen Around PorcelainI had no idea that the arcana for making porcelain was so valuable that spies were involved in getting the formulas. I also had no idea that people sunk money in porcelain as a way to show off their wealth. I learned a great deal at this lovely small museum.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
292 reviews
Excellent
147
Very good
99
Average
30
Poor
5
Terrible
11
sgredding
Coventry, England15 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
The Plato to NATO of ceramics and porcelain. The gift shop has a great selection of contemporary Canadian ceramic art. I got a $3 discount for travelling to the museum with Presto, so keep that in mind.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MomRocco
Chicago, IL541 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
I had no idea that the arcana for making porcelain was so valuable that spies were involved in getting the formulas. I also had no idea that people sunk money in porcelain as a way to show off their wealth. I learned a great deal at this lovely small museum.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margatemensch2016
Coconut Creek, FL796 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Last week,I returned to the Gardiner Museum which has an outstanding collection of European Porcelain Creations. I relished its fine array of 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Creations many of them modelled by Johan Kaendler such as;"Monkey Orchestra","Pair of Pug Dogs"(from Royal Palace of Warsaw).I also appreciated "Young Sultan and Sultana Dressed For Masquerade Ball(Hochst),"Cat and Mouse(produced in St. Cloud,France produced in the 18th Century)and "Bottle Vase With Scarab Beetle in Japanese Style(Minton ),and "Andromeda".,among others.
I also saw its tip top collection of Majolica Creations such as "Dish With 2 Lovers",Deruta),"Dish From Story of Tyreus and Polynice,1522",Francisco X. Avelli's"Jug With Anthromorphic Beast",and "Scene With Christ and Doubting Thomas",among others..Most of the works on display were produced by Italian Artisans in the 16th Century Italian Cities such as;Deruta,Faenz,and Urbino.
At this Ceramic Museum,I also liked the Modern Creations of Jun Kaneko("Hizen Dish With Landscape,Japan"),Jean Pierre LaRocque("Horse With Baggage"),and Shary Boyle("Cracked Wheat").There was a plethora information,so that you could understand these splendid ceramic and porcelain creations better.I enjoyed my foray into the study of Ceramic Art.
I also saw its tip top collection of Majolica Creations such as "Dish With 2 Lovers",Deruta),"Dish From Story of Tyreus and Polynice,1522",Francisco X. Avelli's"Jug With Anthromorphic Beast",and "Scene With Christ and Doubting Thomas",among others..Most of the works on display were produced by Italian Artisans in the 16th Century Italian Cities such as;Deruta,Faenz,and Urbino.
At this Ceramic Museum,I also liked the Modern Creations of Jun Kaneko("Hizen Dish With Landscape,Japan"),Jean Pierre LaRocque("Horse With Baggage"),and Shary Boyle("Cracked Wheat").There was a plethora information,so that you could understand these splendid ceramic and porcelain creations better.I enjoyed my foray into the study of Ceramic Art.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stormflora
Toronto, Canada34 contributions
Jul 2023
Easily one of the top three museums in Toronto. Don't let its size delude you. It's packed with tons of amazing artifacts. Would definitely recommend everyone to visit, especially with a free pass on Wednesday or via TPL Maps.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emfeAthens_Georgia
Athens, GA236 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We really enjoyed this small museum whose focus is ceramics. There are over 5000 items from around the world on display from a variety of time periods. If you like clay, ceramics, pottery or porcelain, you will enjoy this small museum. Their cafe, CLAY, is lovey.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oliviaray
Seymour, CT27 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Well laid out and a lot of interesting pieces within the collection. It’s worth checking out if you’re into ceramics. I went during a week day and it was not busy at all. There’s a restaurant on the upper level.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada3,008 contributions
Feb 2023
Having lunched in Clay, with some time to go before our concert in Koerner Hall, we visited the Housewarming exhibition, which consists of a number of constructions by Karine Giboulo. She found her immediate inspiration in Canada's experience during Covid, and she has done an excellent job marking the event and its consequences. Well worth a visit, which can be augmented by going through the permanent collection.
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre T
Toronto, Canada184 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
I went to visit the museum on a Monday afternoon to see Karine Giboulo’s Housewarming. I was intrigued by all those miniatures. Was welcoming at reception by friendly Alejandra who gave me an extra discount for having the Presto card as well as the seniors rate.
Was asked for my receipt upon entering the exhibition hall as told at reception. Madeline and Sarah were the attendants and let me know about the do and don’t in a very professional manner. I was very impressed by the exhibition and spent 90 minutes taking photos and videos. It’s also free entry on Wednesday evenings. More details on the Housewarming exhibition on their website. Across the street is the Kent Monkman exhibition which is next on my list.
Was asked for my receipt upon entering the exhibition hall as told at reception. Madeline and Sarah were the attendants and let me know about the do and don’t in a very professional manner. I was very impressed by the exhibition and spent 90 minutes taking photos and videos. It’s also free entry on Wednesday evenings. More details on the Housewarming exhibition on their website. Across the street is the Kent Monkman exhibition which is next on my list.
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FuzzyBeaver
Montreal, Canada1,263 contributions
Nov 2022
As they say "each to their own" but we did not find the Housewarming special exhibit that compelling. The museum has had much better special exhibits over the years. The other small special exhibit - Replicas and Reunions, was interesting and well presented.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherry C
White Plains, NY143 contributions
Aug 2022
Even if you have only a casual interest in ceramics, you'll be able to while away an hour or so at this specialty museum. That it was free admission the day we visited made it even more enjoyable!
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In the True Nordic exhibition .... A friend on face book pointed out to me my parents lamps and shades.
Would like to see the photos ... more if possible ...thks ??
Geordiegirl_8
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK321 contributions
I'm sorry I don't have these - maybe you could contact the museum itself. It was very well-curated
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Claim your listingGARDINER MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Gardiner Museum
- Gardiner Museum is open:
- Mon - Tue 10:00 - 18:00
- Wed - Wed 10:00 - 21:00
- Thu - Fri 10:00 - 18:00
- Sat - Sun 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Gardiner Museum:
- (0.12 mi) Park Hyatt Toronto
- (0.19 mi) The Hazelton Hotel
- (0.12 mi) Windsor Arms Hotel
- (0.17 mi) The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto
- (0.31 mi) Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
- Restaurants near Gardiner Museum:
- (0.00 mi) Clay Restaurant
- (0.07 mi) Amal
- (0.09 mi) Writers Room Bar
- (0.08 mi) Starbucks
- (0.05 mi) Druxy's Famous Deli