Royal Ontario Museum Tours and Activities

Royal Ontario Museum showing a statue or sculpture and interior views
Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum showing interior views
Royal Ontario Museum


Come and meet the biggest dinosaur in Canada, handle real meteorites and try on costumes from around the world.

Complete with a bat cave, a comprehensive dinosaur collection and art from all over the world, it's hard not to feel enthused at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The museum covers a wide range of subject matter, with the mosaics of global cultures which greet you at the entrance reflecting what you’ll find inside.

The ROM opened in 1912 across a number of sites and focused on world culture and natural history. Nowadays, the artifacts have all been gathered under one roof and split into three sections: the Natural History, World Cultures and the Hands-On areas. Once in the museum you can find free tours of both the permanent collection and special exhibits led by knowledgeable volunteers.

The Natural History section is on the second floor of the museum. This is where you’ll come across the 27.5-metre Barosaurus, the largest dinosaur skeleton in the country, as well as a number of other dinosaurs and animals from the Ice Age. It’s also worth having a peek into the bat cave to see just how many bat species there are in the world!

The World Culture galleries comprise the biggest part of the permanent collection and are spread over three floors. Artifacts from the ancient worlds of Africa, East Asia, Europe and other parts of the globe are presented for perusal at your leisure. Highlights include the stone coffin from 800 BC which belonged to Djedmaatesankh, an Ancient Egyptian woman.

The Hands-On space is a great place for the kids. Here you can dress yourselves up in clothing from a number of different cultures and handle ancient fossils and meteorites.

At any given time there are also temporary exhibitions running, so it’s worth checking the website to see what’s on during your visit.

The ROM is located to the north of Queen’s Park on the University of Toronto campus. The closest stations are St George and Museum. The museum is open daily except for Christmas Day, and is also open to adults on Friday nights in May and June for live concerts. Concessions apply and infants can enter for free – check the website for a detailed price guide and list of events.

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Top Royal Ontario Museum Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

4 out of 5
33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG

Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG

3.5 out of 5
30 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG
The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto

The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto

4 out of 5
220 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

4 out of 5
108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown
Park Hyatt Toronto

Park Hyatt Toronto

5 out of 5
4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON
Park Hyatt Toronto
Town Inn Suites Hotel

Town Inn Suites Hotel

3.5 out of 5
620 Church St, Toronto, ON
Town Inn Suites Hotel
The Hazelton Hotel Toronto

The Hazelton Hotel Toronto

5 out of 5
118 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON
The Hazelton Hotel Toronto
Kimpton Saint George by IHG

Kimpton Saint George by IHG

4.5 out of 5
280 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON
Kimpton Saint George by IHG
Bellair Yorkville

Bellair Yorkville

3.5 out of 5
188 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON
Bellair Yorkville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Royal Ontario Museum

While visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including theatre performances, art exhibitions, and entertainment options. For those keen on shopping, there are nearby shopping malls to explore, offering a delightful mix of retail experiences. This vibrant area provides a perfect blend of culture and leisure, ensuring a memorable visit to one of Canada's premier attractions.

Shopping

The CF Toronto Eaton Centre, located 1.6km from the Royal Ontario Museum, offers a vibrant shopping experience with a mix of business and entertainment. Just 3.2km away, St. Lawrence Market and PATH Underground Shopping Mall provide unique finds in a lively city atmosphere.

Recreation

Rogers Centre, located 3.2km from the Royal Ontario Museum, offers an energetic atmosphere for sports enthusiasts. For a vibrant night out, The Danforth Music Hall, also 3.2km away, showcases live music performances. Scotiabank Arena, a similar distance, hosts thrilling sporting events, perfect for an exciting day out.

Adventure

Explore the Martin Goodman Trail, a scenic hiking trail 1.6km from the Royal Ontario Museum, offering adventure vibes. For skiing, head to Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre, located 9.7km away. For climbing enthusiasts, True North Climbing, 11.3km away, provides thrilling outdoor experiences.

Nightlife

After exploring the Royal Ontario Museum, catch a show at the nearby Massey Hall or Ed Mirvish Theatre for a taste of vibrant culture. For a more relaxed evening, enjoy a film at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, perfect for family and romance vibes.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near Royal Ontario Museum

While visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, explore nearby urban parks, art museums, and modern towers that highlight the city's vibrant culture. Ideal for families and culture enthusiasts, you can find motels close to the museum and discover other attractions within walking distance. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in local experiences just a stone's throw away from this iconic landmark.

  • CN Tower: This iconic modern tower offers breathtaking views of Toronto from its observation deck. Standing at 553 metres, it provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the city's skyline and Lake Ontario. Don't miss the thrilling glass floor experience!
  • Metro Toronto Convention Centre: A hub for conferences and events, this venue buzzes with business energy. It's a great spot to soak in the dynamic atmosphere and witness the vibrant exchange of ideas that define Toronto's professional landscape.
  • University of Toronto - St. George Campus: A beautiful blend of historic architecture and lush green spaces, this campus offers a cultural experience. Explore its galleries and museums, and enjoy the rich academic atmosphere that makes it a celebrated institution.

Best time to go to Royal Ontario Museum

The best time to visit Royal Ontario Museum can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Royal Ontario Museum falls in July, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Royal Ontario Museum falls in January and February. February has average visitor numbers and mostly cloudy weather.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January25.2°F (-3.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
February25.2°F (-3.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
March33.3°F (0.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighAverage
April42.6°F (5.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
May54.3°F (12.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
June64.4°F (18.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
July71.6°F (22.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
August71.2°F (21.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
September65.1°F (18.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
October53.4°F (11.9°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
November41.5°F (5.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
December32.9°F (0.5°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Royal Ontario Museum

For a budget-friendly visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, consider travelling between December and February when accommodation prices are lower. Aim to book your stay for a Sunday, the cheapest day, and use Expedia’s search tool to filter by budget and location. Combining your hotel, flights, and activities in a package deal can result in significant savings. Look out for special offers and best rates for hotels online to maximise your budget while enjoying the rich culture of Toronto.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Royal Ontario Museum are December to February, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June and August to September, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Royal Ontario Museum is Sunday. The most expensive day to stay around Royal Ontario Museum is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Make use of Expedia’s handy search tool to tailor your preferences, such as your budget, desired location, and the type of accommodation you’re looking for. To find the best prices and deals, simply sort the price filter from lowest to highest.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can potentially save some cash by combining your Royal Ontario Museum hotel stay with your flights and activities through an Expedia package deal.