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Royal Ontario Museum

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Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)

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The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto is Canada's largest museum dedicated to world culture and natural history. Founded in 1912, it now houses an extraordinary collection of over six million items, ranging from towering dinosaur skeletons to ancient artifacts from China and Egypt. A major architectural transformation occurred in 2007 with the opening of the 'Michael Lee-Chin Crystal', a deconstructivist addition made of glass and aluminum designed by Daniel Libeskind. This bold extension creates a sharp contrast with the museum's original neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic facades, making the ROM a modern landmark of Toronto. Beyond its status as a top tourist attraction, the museum is a premier international research center, well-regarded for its scientific contributions and curatorial expertise. Its diverse galleries provide a comprehensive look at the intersection of natural diversity and human cultural history across millennia.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

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📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Royal Ontario Museum is fully open to the public, allowing visitors to explore all interior galleries and the exterior grounds. The striking modern crystal addition is a highlight of the architecture and can be viewed from outside.
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Typical hours
Museums in Toronto typically open around 10:00 AM and close by 5:30 PM, with extended hours on select Fridays. Exact timings should always be confirmed on the official website before your visit.
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Photography
Photography without flash is allowed in most galleries to protect the exhibits. Special exhibitions may have restrictions, so always check the signage before taking photos.
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Time needed
Most visitors spend around three hours exploring the permanent collections. A thorough visit including special exhibitions can take half a day.
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Combine with
Combine your visit with the nearby Bloor-Yorkville shopping district. The University of Toronto campus and Queen's Park are also within walking distance.
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Getting there
The museum is easily reached by subway at Museum station. Several bus routes stop nearby, and paid parking is available under the building.
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Insider tip
Arrive early on weekdays to avoid school groups and crowds. Book your tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the counter.

Geography

Coordinates
43.66770, -79.39480

Facts

  • The museum officially opened to the public on March 14, 1914.
  • The 'Crystal' extension is composed of 25% glass and 75% aluminum.
  • The museum holds one of the world's finest collections of Chinese art.
  • The dinosaur gallery features a massive 24-metre-long Barosaurus skeleton.
  • The ROM conducts over 30 international field research projects annually.
  • Annual attendance at the museum frequently exceeds one million visitors.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Rogers CentreRogers Centre<1 km · NWExplore →
Fort YorkFort York1 km · SWExplore →
Gooderham BuildingGooderham Building3 km · NExplore →
Prince Edward ViaductPrince Edward Viaduct4 km · NExplore →
Richmond HillRichmond Hill7 km · SEExplore →
Ontario Science CentreOntario Science Centre7 km · NExplore →
NewmarketNewmarket11 km · SEExplore →
Canada's WonderlandCanada's Wonderland12 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Royal Ontario Museum (13)

Justina M. Barnicke Gallery🏛 museum

University of Toronto art museum in Ontario Museum.

🕒 Mo-Fr 12:00-17:00

Royal Ontario Museum🏛 museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is a major museum in Toronto with collections in natural history and world cultures.

🕒 Sa-Th 10:00-17:30; Fr 10:00-18:30♿💶

Trinity-St. Paul's United Church⛪ religious

Trinity-St. Paul's United Church is a historic United Church with a distinctive red brick facade.

First Narayever Congregation⛪ religious

First Narayever Congregation is a synagogue in Toronto, originally founded by Hungarian Jewish immigrants.

Barbara Hall Park🌳 park

Barbara Hall Park in Toronto is named after former mayor Barbara Hall.

Queen's Park🌳 park

Park housing the Ontario Legislative Building in Ontario Museum.

Taddle Creek Park🌳 park

Taddle Creek Park in Toronto is named after the buried Taddle Creek.

Notre Place🏺 historical

Notre Place is a historic square with a central fountain.

Randolph Theatre🎭 culture

Randolph Theatre is a former movie palace now hosting live performances.

MacMillan Theatre🎭 culture

MacMillan Theatre is a theatre in Toronto, part of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the 'Michael Lee-Chin Crystal'?
It is the museum's striking, crystal-shaped modern extension.
How much time should you plan for a visit?
You should plan for at least 3 to 4 hours to see the main highlights.
Are there dinosaurs at the ROM?
Yes, the museum is famous for its extensive dinosaur gallery.
Where is the museum located?
It is located in Toronto at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road.
Is the museum kid-friendly?
Yes, there are many interactive exhibits specifically for children.
Royal Ontario Museum: where is it located?
Royal Ontario Museum is located in Canada.
Royal Ontario Museum: what is there to see?
Highlights include Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, Gardiner Museum, Royal Ontario Museum.
Royal Ontario Museum: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Royal Ontario Museum: why is it worth visiting?
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto is Canada's largest museum dedicated to world culture and natural history.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Mississauga — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Mississauga
A large suburban city in the Greater Toronto Area on Lake Ontario.
Brampton — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Brampton
A diverse city in the Greater Toronto Area, known as the 'Flower City of Canada'.
Hamilton — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Hamilton
A port city on the western tip of Lake Ontario, known for its industrial heritage.
London — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
London
A city in southwestern Ontario, known for its university and its nickname 'The Forest City'.
Markham — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Markham
A high-tech city in the Greater Toronto Area with a large Asian population.
Vaughan — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Vaughan
A fast-growing city north of Toronto, home to Canada's Wonderland amusement park.
Kitchener — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Kitchener
A city with a strong German heritage, part of the Tri-Cities region.
Windsor — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Windsor
Canada's southernmost city, located directly across from Detroit, USA.
Oakville — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Oakville
An affluent suburban town west of Toronto on Lake Ontario.
Richmond Hill — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Richmond Hill
An affluent town north of Toronto with many parks.
Burlington — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Burlington
A city between Hamilton and Toronto, often ranked as one of Canada's best places to live.
Oshawa — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Oshawa
A city east of Toronto, historically known for its automotive industry.
Greater Sudbury — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Greater Sudbury
A city in Northern Ontario famous for its nickel mining industry.
Barrie — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Barrie
A city on Kempenfelt Bay of Lake Simcoe, north of Toronto.
Guelph — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Guelph
Known for its high quality of life and the University of Guelph.

History & landmarks

Stratford — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Stratford
Stratford is renowned for its annual classical theatre festival and well-preserved Victorian architecture along the Avon River.
Toronto City Hall — Royal Ontario Museum (Canada)
Toronto City Hall
A distinctive modernist building located at Nathan Phillips Square.