Welcome to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada’s largest museum and a world-renowned center of culture, art, and natural history. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to discover new exhibitions, the ROM has something for everyone. This guide will take you through its iconic galleries, halls, and architectural highlights, providing all the information you need for a memorable visit.
Introduction to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Founded in 1914, the ROM is located at 100 Queen’s Park, in the heart of downtown Toronto. The museum’s blend of old and new is reflected in its architecture. The original Neo-Romanesque building, designed by architects Frank Darling and John A. Pearson, is a stunning example of early 20th-century design. In 2007, the ROM underwent a radical transformation with the addition of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, an angular, glass-and-steel structure designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind. The Crystal’s bold, modern design symbolizes the museum’s forward-thinking mission and offers visitors a striking first impression.
The ROM spans multiple floors and houses over 13 million artifacts across 40 galleries. Let’s explore some of the key sections of the museum, their locations inside the building, and what you can expect to see.
1. Fossils and Evolution: The James and Louise Temerty Galleries
Location: Royal Ontario Museum Second Floor, West Wing
Gallery Number: 205
The James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs are a must-visit for anyone fascinated by prehistoric life. This expansive hall houses one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur fossils, including full-sized skeletons of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex and the three-horned Triceratops.
What’s Unique:
Tyrannosaurus Rex: The ROM’s T. rex skeleton is a jaw-dropping centerpiece, standing at 40 feet long. Learn about its role as a dominant predator of the Late Cretaceous period.
The Dawn of Mammals: This section also explores the period following the dinosaurs, showcasing how mammals began to rise after the mass extinction event.
Interesting Fact: Some of the fossils on display are more than 65 million years old, and many were discovered during Canadian expeditions.
2. The Egyptian Collection: Gallery of Egypt
Location: Royal Ontario Museum Third Floor, East Wing
Gallery Number: 310
The Gallery of Egypt is a journey into the mysterious world of one of the greatest civilizations in human history. The ROM’s Egyptian collection is one of the finest in North America, featuring over 2,000 artifacts from daily life, religion, and burial customs.
What’s Unique:
Mummies and Sarcophagi: The gallery contains real Egyptian mummies, beautifully decorated coffins, and sarcophagi from the New Kingdom period.
The Book of the Dead: One of the key highlights is a rare Book of the Dead, an ancient Egyptian manuscript containing spells to help the deceased navigate the afterlife.
Building Design Insight: The gallery is housed in the museum’s older heritage section, where the high ceilings and arched windows create a contemplative, cathedral-like atmosphere, enhancing the sense of ancient mystique.
3. Biodiversity and Natural History: The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
Location: Royal Ontario Museum First Floor, West Wing
Gallery Number: 107
The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity offers an immersive look into the diversity of life on Earth, focusing on species from every continent. The gallery’s interactive displays encourage visitors to learn about the importance of conservation and how climate change is affecting ecosystems worldwide.
What’s Unique:
Endangered Species Exhibit: The gallery features life-sized models of endangered species, including the polar bear and the Bengal tiger.
Interactive Displays: You can interact with the “ecosystem table” to learn how different species are connected.
Fun Fact: The Schad Gallery displays over 2,500 specimens, but that’s just a fraction of the museum’s entire natural history collection, which totals more than 6 million items.
4. Indigenous Canadian Cultures: The Daphne Cockwell Gallery
Location: Royal Ontario Museum First Floor, East Wing
Gallery Number: 110
The Daphne Cockwell Gallery celebrates the rich heritage and contemporary life of Canada’s First Peoples. This space is dedicated to the art, culture, and history of Indigenous communities from coast to coast.
What’s Unique:
Canoes and Totem Poles: Marvel at a Pacific Northwest Coast totem pole, along with traditional birchbark canoes used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
Inuit Art: The gallery also includes a stunning collection of Inuit sculptures and soapstone carvings, portraying stories of everyday life and spiritual beliefs.
Building Design Insight: The gallery’s open, airy layout invites visitors to reflect on the ongoing legacy of Indigenous cultures in Canada, while its contemporary design helps bridge ancient traditions with modern identities.
5. East Asian Art: The Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art
Location: Third Floor, West Wing
Gallery Number: 320
The Bishop White Gallery is dedicated to the art of ancient China, with a particular focus on Buddhist temple art and monumental sculpture.
What’s Unique:
Ming Dynasty Tomb: One of the most fascinating exhibits is a fully reconstructed tomb from the Ming Dynasty, complete with detailed carvings and artifacts found inside.
Buddhist Sculptures: The gallery is also home to an impressive collection of Buddhist temple statues, many of which date back more than 1,000 years.
Building Design Insight: The gallery’s serene ambiance, combined with low lighting and minimalist displays, evokes the tranquility of a temple, encouraging visitors to experience a deep sense of peace.
6. The Bat Cave Experience
Location: Royal Ontario Museum First Floor, South Wing
Gallery Number: 103
A family favorite, the Bat Cave simulates life inside a real bat cave, complete with stalactites, echoing sounds, and hundreds of life-sized models of different bat species.
What’s Unique:
Live Bat Demonstrations: Special events occasionally feature live bat shows, where experts explain the important role bats play in the ecosystem.
Educational Displays: Learn how bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt for prey.
Fun Fact: The exhibit is designed to feel like you’re walking into a cave, with its winding path and lifelike rock formations making it one of the most immersive exhibits in the museum.
7. The Canadian Collection: Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery
Location: Royal Ontario Museum First Floor, North Wing
Gallery Number: 114
This gallery tells the story of Canada’s early settlers, focusing on the country’s history from the early European exploration to the Confederation.
What’s Unique:
Fur Trade Artifacts: Explore items from Canada’s fur trade era, including tools and garments used by French and English settlers.
Military Relics: The gallery also displays military uniforms, weapons, and medals from Canada’s involvement in major global conflicts.
Fun Fact: Many of the gallery’s objects were donated by early Canadian families, giving visitors an intimate look at Canada’s colonial past.
8. Textiles and Fashion: Patricia Harris Gallery
Location: Royal Ontario Museum Fourth Floor, West Wing
Gallery Number: 403
Fashion lovers will enjoy the Patricia Harris Gallery, which showcases over 200 years of fashion history from around the world. From Parisian haute couture to traditional African textiles, this gallery highlights the global impact of fashion.
What’s Unique:
Royal Garments: The gallery features royal garments, including gowns worn by European aristocracy during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Haute Couture: The fashion collection also includes pieces from Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen.
Fun Fact: Some of the oldest pieces in the gallery date back to the 16th century, offering a glimpse into how fashion has evolved through the centuries.
9. Earth and Space: Teck Suite of Galleries
Location: Third Floor, North Wing
Gallery Number: 305
The Teck Suite of Galleries focuses on the wonders of the Earth and beyond. This section is home to one of the most extensive collections of meteorites, minerals, and precious gems.
What’s Unique:
The ROM Diamond Collection: View the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, a rare and famous blue diamond weighing 31.06 carats.
Meteorite Samples: Touch pieces of space rock that are over 4.5 billion years old, and learn how meteorites have shaped the Earth’s history.
Fun Fact: The ROM’s gem and mineral collection is one of the largest in the world, featuring specimens from over 60 countries.
Visitor Information: Hours, Admission, and How to Get There
Royal Ontario Museum Location:
100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada
Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday Extended Hours: Open until 10:00 PM
Admission:
- Adults: $23 CAD
- Seniors (65+): $18 CAD
- Youth (15-19): $18 CAD
- Children (4-14): $14 CAD
- Free Admission for children under 4.
- Royal Ontario Museum official website
Pro Tip: Visit on Friday evenings after 4:30 PM for discounted tickets!
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