Royal Ontario Museum
Quick answer
Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada — the Royal Ontario Museum opened in 1914 and now holds more than 13 million objects across 40 galleries. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Admission: C$26 standard adult admission. Allow 2–4 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Royal Ontario Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | C$26 standard adult admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings or third Monday evening (free admission). |
| Getting there | Metro: Line 1 to Museum station — direct underground connection to the ROM |
| Address | 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada |
| Official website | rom.on.ca |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Royal Ontario Museum known for?
The Royal Ontario Museum opened in 1914 and now holds more than 13 million objects across 40 galleries. Its 2007 Michael Lee-Chin Crystal — five interlocking glass and aluminium prisms — has become a Toronto landmark.
Collections range from dinosaurs and mineralogy to Chinese architecture, Egyptian mummies, and a major First Peoples gallery covering Indigenous cultures across Canada.
The museum sits at the intersection of Bloor Street and Queen's Park, beside the University of Toronto. The Crystal addition by Daniel Libeskind dramatically transformed the museum's street presence.
A focused highlights visit takes 2–3 hours; the ROM rewards full-day exploration for families and natural history enthusiasts.
Best for: Families · History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Royal Ontario Museum?
Allow 2–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Royal Ontario Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Gordo the Barosaurus
📍 James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs
A towering sauropod skeleton — one of the tallest dinosaur mounts in Canada — greeting visitors in the dramatic glass atrium of the Crystal entrance.
- 2
Ming Tomb
📍 Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art
A complete Ming dynasty tomb chamber with painted wooden architecture, reassembled inside the museum.
- 3
The Bat Cave
📍 Life in Crisis gallery
An immersive walk-through recreation of a bat habitat with live specimens and interactive displays — a favourite with children and one of the ROM's most popular permanent exhibits.
- 4
Totem Poles
📍 Daphne Cockwell Gallery of Canada
Monumental carved cedar totem poles from the Pacific Northwest, displayed in a gallery dedicated to First Peoples art and culture across Canada.
What are the must-see works at Royal Ontario Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Gordo the Barosaurus, Ming Tomb, The Bat Cave and more.
Gordo the Barosaurus
Natural history · Late Jurassic
📍 James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs
A towering sauropod skeleton — one of the tallest dinosaur mounts in Canada — greeting visitors in the dramatic glass atrium of the Crystal entrance.
Ming Tomb
Chinese craftsmen · c. 1650
📍 Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art
A complete Ming dynasty tomb chamber with painted wooden architecture, reassembled inside the museum. One of the largest Chinese architectural installations in North America.
The Bat Cave
Natural history exhibit
📍 Life in Crisis gallery
An immersive walk-through recreation of a bat habitat with live specimens and interactive displays — a favourite with children and one of the ROM's most popular permanent exhibits.
Totem Poles
Haida and Nuxalk carvers · 19th century
📍 Daphne Cockwell Gallery of Canada
Monumental carved cedar totem poles from the Pacific Northwest, displayed in a gallery dedicated to First Peoples art and culture across Canada.
Collections and highlights
- • Dinosaur and paleontology galleries
- • Chinese temple art and architecture
- • Egyptian mummies and Nubian collection
- • First Peoples of Canada gallery
- • Gems and minerals — including the Light of the Desert
- • Biodiversity and natural history
Tips for visiting Royal Ontario Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings or third Monday evening (free admission). Weekends are busiest with families.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Very busy on weekends and school holidays. Dinosaur gallery and bat cave are most crowded.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
C$26 standard adult; free third Monday evenings with advance tickets. Book at rom.on.ca.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Food Studio café inside the museum; restaurants on Bloor Street and in Yorkville.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible. Crystal entrance is step-free. Wheelchairs and strollers available.
How do you get to Royal Ontario Museum?
- metro Line 1 to Museum station — direct underground connection to the ROM
- bus Multiple TTC routes along Bloor Street and Queen's Park
- walk 15 minutes from Yonge-Bloor through the Annex neighbourhood
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada
Royal Ontario Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the Crystal the main entrance?
Yes — the Bloor Street entrance through the Crystal is the museum's main public entrance.
Are there free admission times?
ROM offers free general admission on the third Monday evening of each month; advance tickets are required.
How long should I spend at Royal Ontario Museum?
Plan 2–4 hours for the highlights of Royal Ontario Museum. Our 4-stop route — Gordo the Barosaurus, Ming Tomb, The Bat Cave and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Royal Ontario Museum best known for?
The Royal Ontario Museum opened in 1914 and now holds more than 13 million objects across 40 galleries. Its 2007 Michael Lee-Chin Crystal — five interlocking aluminum and glass prisms — has become a Toronto landmark. Key highlights include James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs, Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, Daphne Cockwell Gallery of Jamaican Taíno and Indigenous art.
How do I get tickets for Royal Ontario Museum?
Admission: C$26 standard adult admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.rom.on.ca/
Is the ROM good for children?
Excellent — the dinosaur gallery, bat cave, and hands-on discovery galleries are designed for families. Allow extra time for interactive exhibits.
Is Royal Ontario Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Royal Ontario Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Royal Ontario Museum's opening hours?
Royal Ontario Museum is open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
