This family-friendly museum features fascinating artefacts from the four corners of the globe.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the largest museum in Canada, visited by over a million people each year. The origins of its vast and varied collection date back to 1912, when it was housed across several different sites. These days, more than six million items are gathered together under one roof.The displays are grouped into three sections: Natural History, World Cultures and the ever-popular Hands-On area. Free guided tours are offered to give first-time visitors an overview of the general layout of the museum and the breadth of the subject matter covered. Before you start to explore in depth, take a moment to admire the impressive mosaics in the entrance hall, which depict the many different cultures of the world.On the Natural History floor you can see dinosaur skeletons, including the huge Barosaurus which stands over 27 metres in height. Hundreds of different bat species are on view in the Bat Cave, while nearby you can meet some of the animals that roamed the planet during the Ice Age.The extensive World Cultures gallery covers three floors and the four corners of the planet, with artefacts from Ancient Rome, Africa and Asia, among others. See the coffin of an Egyptian mummy dating back to 800 BC, and trace seven centuries of Chinese history and art.The interactive Hands-On area is especially popular with curious youngsters, who will love trying on different costumes from around the world, touching a meteorite, watching how paper is made or taking a virtual flight in a giant steel bird.The Royal Ontario Museum is on the north side of Queen’s Park on the University of Toronto campus. There is a good bus service from the city centre, or take the metro to St George or Museum stations. The museum is open every day except Christmas Day. Check the website for details of opening times and prices there are various concessionary discounts available. The website also has information about the changing programme of temporary exhibitions, so it’s easy to find out what’s on before you plan your visit.
