National Gallery of Canada

You can't miss the National Gallery of Canada, from almost every vantage point in downtown Ottawa, the distinctive glass domes can be seen, just one of the many striking architectural features of Canada's premier art institution. Make sure you schedule an entire morning or afternoon for the National Gallery, and wear comfortable shoes. It's a massive building, with very long impressive corridors, full of art from many periods. There's also a charming cafe, under the glass domes, where you can stop for a pot of tea. As you walk through the Canadian wing, you will see the art change from a European influenced style to a very distinctive Canadian look in the early 20th century. This is when the Group of Seven and their colleagues appeared on the scene, and many of their masterpieces―like Tom Thomson's The Jack Pine―are housed here.