Royal Ontario Museum

Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum, also known as the ROM, is a must-see attraction when visiting the city.  As one of the world’s leading museums, it combines a collection of natural history and world cultures through a large array of collections, exhibitions, and programs.  The ROM is the fifth largest museum in North America, and holds over six million objects in its collection spread across over 40 galleries.  It is also known to have the world’s largest collection of Burgess Shale specimens, a total of over 150,000. 
 

The museum has undergone several expansions over the years, including the major renovation and expansion project known as Renaissance ROM which has included the installation of new exhibits and modifications to existing galleries and buildings.  One of the most notable projects was the opening of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.  Opened in the summer of 2007, it was inspired by the museum’s gem and mineral collection.  Distinct for its crystalline shape, its modern design sits against the ROM’s historic architecture, flawlessly combing a world of both new and old.  It has definitely become one of the city’s landmarks. 
 

The ROM boasts 2 different restaurants, an exclusive and impressive store with a wide selection of merchandise, and a kids store complete with natural history toys, games, books and interactive activities.  With 750,000 to over a million visitors each year, the ROM is at the top of the list of places to explore when visiting Toronto.
 

HelloToronto Tip:  The ROM offers free general admission every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 PM and half-price general admission on Friday’s from 4:30-9:30 PM (This excludes admission to specially ticketed exhibitions)

 

- by Rosanna Bonura, Toronto Reporter for HelloMetro, Toronto Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Rosanna Bonura, Toronto Reporter for HelloMetro

Rosanna Bonura is a freelance writer from Toronto and a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. She's a contributing writer for Suite 101. She interned at CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, where she wrote scripts for a national morning newsmagazine. Rosanna graduated with a Degree in Communications and English from York University and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from Seneca College in Toronto.