A Guide to the ROM: Top Royal Ontario Museum Exhibits You Need to See (2025)

The Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM, is a landmark of culture and history in downtown Toronto. With its striking modern entrance fused to a historic building, it stands out at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road. Inside, its collections cover everything from natural history to world cultures.

Navigating such a large museum can be a challenge. This guide will help you focus on the key Royal Ontario Museum exhibits and make the most of your time there.

What to Know Before You Go

• Location: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario.
• Hours: The ROM is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays.
• Tickets: You can buy tickets at the door, but booking online in advance is recommended. It saves time waiting in line, especially on weekends.
• Plan Your Time: The museum is huge. Don’t try to see it all in one go. Aim for 3-4 hours and pick two or three main galleries to focus on. And wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

The Permanent Collection: Core Exhibits

These are the foundational galleries that are available year-round. We’ve grouped them by interest to help you decide where to start.

For Natural History Fans

James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs

Location: Level 2 A favourite for all ages, this is where you’ll find the giants. The gallery is filled with impressive fossil displays, including a massive Barosaurus and a fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex.

Earth’s Treasures

Location: Level 2 This gallery showcases a stunning collection of gems, minerals, meteorites, and rocks. It’s a colourful look at our planet’s geology and the materials we pull from the ground.

The Bat Cave

Location: Level 2 A long-time favourite, the Bat Cave is an immersive recreation of the St. Clair Cave in Jamaica. It uses over 800 models to show what a bat colony looks and sounds like.

For World Culture Explorers

Gallery of Ancient Egypt

Location: Level 3 Journey back in time with the ROM’s extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts. The gallery features mummies, statues, and nearly 2,000 other items that tell the story of life and religion in Ancient Egypt.

Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art

Location: Level 1 Home to one of the world’s most important collections of Chinese temple art, this gallery is dominated by three massive murals from the 13th and 14th centuries. The large sculptures are also a major highlight.

Ancient Greece and Rome Collection

Location: Level 3 With over 1,500 objects, this gallery covers daily life, politics, and culture in ancient Greece. The collection also includes more than 500 Roman artifacts that show the influence of the Roman Empire.

For Canadian History Buffs

Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples Art & Culture

Location: Level 1 This gallery presents the art and heritage of Indigenous peoples across Canada. With over 1,000 objects, it explores cultural traditions and contemporary art, with updates guided by Indigenous professionals to ensure accurate representation.

Special Exhibitions: What’s On Now

Special exhibitions change regularly, so it’s always smart to check the ROM’s official website for the most current schedule.

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

Date: January 10, 2025, to September 1, 2025 This is the last chance to see this powerful exhibition. It features over 500 original artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, alongside survivor testimonies and historical documents. The exhibit examines the camp’s history and its continuing lessons on tolerance. Due to its subject matter, this exhibition is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Food and Souvenirs

If you need a break, the ROM Café offers snacks and meals. Before you leave, you can stop by the ROM Boutique to find books, gifts, and souvenirs related to the collections.

What’s your favourite exhibit at the ROM? Did we miss anything on our list? Let us know in the comments!