Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum Toronto: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Complete Visitor Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is an essential part of Toronto’s cultural and historical identity. Established in 1914 and situated at 100 Queens Park, the ROM is Canada’s largest museum, blending historic architecture with bold modern design—most notably the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal (Royal Ontario Museum Visiting Guide, ArchDaily). Housing over 18 million artifacts and specimens, the ROM offers a comprehensive journey through art, natural history, and world cultures. This guide covers all you need to plan your visit, including hours, ticketing, accessibility, travel tips, architectural highlights, and nearby attractions.

Introduction
Visiting Hours and Tickets
How to Get There
Accessibility Services
Architectural Highlights
Permanent Collections & Special Exhibitions
Visitor Experience: Events, Dining, and Shopping
Travel Tips
Nearby Attractions
FAQs
References and Further Reading

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:
- Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Extended hours: Wednesdays to 8:30 PM
- Closed Mondays (except holidays)
Note: Hours may vary for holidays and special events. Check the official ROM website for updates.
Ticket Prices:
- Adults (18–64): $23 CAD
- Seniors (65+): $18 CAD
- Youth (15–17): $14 CAD
- Children (14 and under): Free
- Discounts and memberships available
Book tickets online for savings and to guarantee entry, especially during peak times and popular exhibitions (ROM Tickets and Visitor Info).
Free Admission: Third Tuesday of each month from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and free student admission every Tuesday (todocanada.ca).

How to Get There

Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
By Public Transit:
- Subway: Museum Station (Line 1) is directly across from the ROM. Note any temporary entrance closures due to TTC construction and check the latest updates (ROM Visitor Information).
- St. George Station (Bedford Road exit) is recommended for elevator access.
From the Airport: UP Express train from Pearson to Union Station, then subway to Museum Station (approx. 35 minutes).
By Car: Parking available at Cumberland Parkade (148 Cumberland Street) and other nearby lots. Public transit is encouraged due to limited and costly parking (CityPASS Guide).

Accessibility Services

The ROM prioritizes accessibility for all visitors:

Wheelchair-accessible entrances and elevators throughout
Accessible washrooms and parking
Sensory guides, quiet spaces, and online resources for neurodiverse visitors (CityPASS Guide)
Assistive listening devices and ASL interpretation available upon request

Full details can be found on the ROM Accessibility Guide.

Architectural Highlights

Original 1914 Building: Italianate neo-Romanesque design by Darling and Pearson.
1933 Rotunda: Art Deco and Byzantine-inspired rotunda with stained-glass windows.
2007 Michael Lee-Chin Crystal: Striking glass and aluminum extension by Daniel Libeskind, now a Toronto landmark (ArchDaily).
OpenROM Project: Current revitalization includes a new bronze-canopied entrance and expanded public spaces, enhancing accessibility and city integration.

Permanent Collections & Special Exhibitions

Natural History

Dinosaur Gallery: Renowned for full skeletons of T. rex and Triceratops, plus the “Dawn of Life” exhibit (toronto2anywhere.ca).
Teck Suite of Galleries: Showcases minerals, gems, and meteorites (citypass.com).
Biodiversity Galleries: Dioramas and displays on Canadian and global wildlife.

World Cultures

Indigenous Galleries: Deep exploration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis art and history (whichmuseum.com).
Ancient Civilizations: Egyptian mummies, Greek and Roman artifacts, Middle Eastern ceramics, and East Asian temple art.
Ajmera Gallery: Focus on the cultures of Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific (citypass.com).

Art and Design

European Decorative Arts: Ceramics, furniture, and textiles from the Renaissance onward.
Contemporary Installations: Rotating exhibitions on global and Canadian themes, e.g., “Being and Belonging” (citypass.com).

Special Exhibitions (2025)

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. (Jan 10 – Sep 1, 2025): Major international Holocaust exhibition (ROM Exhibition).
Nature in Brilliant Colour (Dec 14, 2024 – Aug 17, 2025): Exploring color in the natural world.
Cloudscape (Oct 1, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025): The science and beauty of clouds.
ROM Immortal (Feb 14 – Aug 31, 2025): Concepts of immortality across cultures (whichmuseum.com).

Visitor Experience: Events, Dining, and Shopping

Events & Tours

Guided Tours: Daily, with themes on architecture, collections, and special exhibitions. Check schedules online.
Family Programs: Interactive zones, discovery areas, and special children’s programming (torontoforyou.com).
Photography: Permitted without flash or tripods. Iconic photo spots include the Crystal and rotunda.

Dining

Druxy’s ROM Café: Sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and exhibition-inspired menus. Coffee bar and comfortable seating available.

Shopping

ROM Boutique: Local and international gifts, museum-inspired products. Open daily and online (ROM Visitor Information).

Travel Tips

Best Times: Weekday mornings or late afternoons are least crowded. Extended hours on Wednesdays and free admission on the third Tuesday evening each month.
Duration: Allocate at least 2–3 hours; a thorough visit may take half a day (toronto2anywhere.ca).
Payment: Major credit cards, WeChat Pay, Alipay, and Union Pay accepted.
Amenities: Lockers, free Wi-Fi, stroller access, and family washrooms.
Code of Conduct: Respect museum policies for a safe, welcoming experience (ROM Visitor Information).

Nearby Attractions

University of Toronto campus (adjacent)
Queen’s Park and Ontario Legislative Building
Bata Shoe Museum
Gardiner Museum
Yorkville shopping and dining district

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the ROM’s opening hours?
A: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–5:30 PM; Wednesdays until 8:30 PM; closed Mondays.

Q: How much are tickets, and are there discounts?
A: Adults $23 CAD, seniors $18, youth $14, children 14 and under free. Discounts for PRESTO, GO Transit, military, and regular free evenings.

Q: Is the museum accessible?
A: Yes, with elevators, ramps, sensory guides, and staff assistance.

Q: Can I take photos?
A: Yes, in most galleries, but no flash or tripods.

Q: Are there dining and shopping options?
A: Onsite café and boutique are available for all visitors.

References and Further Reading

For the best experience, include high-quality images with alt text such as “Royal Ontario Museum exterior,” “Michael Lee-Chin Crystal architecture,” and “Dinosaur Gallery at Royal Ontario Museum.” Interactive maps and virtual tours are also recommended.