Dinosaur skeleton at the ROM
Visit the ROM’s Dale Chihuly glass exhibit first.
You’ll be thrilled and probably have enough energy left to see at least half the ROM dinosaurs and maybe even the Tattoo exhibit too.
Dale Chihuly, an American sculptor, has mastered the alluring, translucent and transparent qualities of ice, water, glass and neon.
The sculpture below, Float Boat, was inspired by the fishermen’s floats he saw as a child. The boat is full size. So those glass balls are immense!
Chihuly float boat at the ROM
Chihuly’s spectacular exhibit at the ROM invites you to share his own awe of what sand, fire, and human breath can create. These brilliantly coloured works of art produce a magical, sensory experience that I will never forget.
And bring your camera, because to my wife’s surprise and mine, you’re greeted by a sign that invites you take photographs! The Chihuly exhibit is on until January 2, 2017.
Chihuly glass flower room at the ROM
Then again, dinosaurs still rule!
Dinosaur at the ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum – the ROM, is the largest museum of art, culture and natural history in Canada. Its collection of dinosaurs, other archeological material, art and culture draws over a million visitors a year.
Bring your grandchildren, and those old bones will speak to them as they do their own archeological dig.
Digging at the ROM
There’s even an extinct deer skeleton called “The Subway Deer,” because it was discovered during the dig for one of the Bloor Subway’s stations. So far, nobody has found another deer like it anywhere.
The collection is themed and arranged in ways that poke even an old guy like me to wonder about our origins.
The ROM, photo courtesy Google Street view
The Michael Lee Chin Crystal – the ROM, is one of the most recognizable buildings in Toronto
The ROM is at 100 Queen’s Park in Toronto. But you’ll think of it as the southwest corner of Bloor and University Avenue. The entrance is on Bloor.
The ROM sits atop the Yonge-University and the Bloor -Danforth subway lines.
I’d suggest you avoid street parking if you’re driving. It’s hard to find and may limit your visit. There’s a Green P parking lot with its entrance on Bedford Road just north of Bloor. (Varsity Stadium is opposite the intersection of Bedford and Bloor.)
Cumberland Street, running east from Avenue Road, has a number of commercial parking garages and there’s another Green P garage on Yorkville Avenue, just east of Bay Street.
Perfect for seniors – a number of ROM discount deals
Late Friday discounts from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Senior (65+)* General Admission $9
- General Admission plus Tattoos $15
- General Admission plus Chihuly $20
- Total ROM experience $22.50
20% TTC Discount
- Including: General Admission, Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art., CHIHULY and Wildlife Photographer of the Year (opens November 12, 2016).
- To redeem, present your PRESTO Card or ride ticket/day pass upon arrival to the ROM admissions desk.
- For onsite sales only. Cannot be used with other promotions.
Save up to 43% off ROM admission plus four more attractions with CityPASS.
- You’ll skip most ticket lines and have 9 days to use all the tickets beginning the day of your first attraction visit.
- Toronto CityPASS is available for sale at the Royal Ontario Museum, or purchase your booklet or e-ticket now for the same low price at citypass.com.
Senior Family Two membership
Senior Family Two admits the two card-holding senior members and up to four youngsters under age 17 to everything at the ROM – with unlimited free general admission and admission to specially ticketed exhibits! Plus a number of other valuable discounts and benefits. A great deal: just $145 for a full year
ROM Hours
The ROM is open every day except December 25th.
Monday through Thursday and Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.
Discount Late Fridays, from July 1st to September 23rd: 10 a.m. till 8:30, discounts from 4:30 p.m.
Accessibility
The ROM is committed to accessibility for all visitors.
Food and drink
When you want to take a break and chow down, enjoy Druxy’s ROM Cafe.
It’s actually terrific! Druxy’s is probably the best-organized museum cafe I’ve ever been in. There’s an ample selection of good food, from the hot meat sandwiches you’d expect to salads, pizzas, simple sandwiches and daily specials. Prices are reasonable.
Check out the ROM boutique
The Boutique in the ROM is open:
- Saturday to Thursday, 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Friday, 11:00 am – 9 pm.
The Chihuly Exhibition Store (Level 2B) is open:
- Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The online store will give you a better sense of the delights that away you than I can here.
I was particularly captivated by a men’s short-sleeve shirt with a dinosaur pattern all over it. I resisted the temptation, but I really, really like it.
Dinosaurs, Chihuly glass, tattoos and so much more. (Did I mention the Bat Cave?) Revisit the ROM soon.
PS: You may want to take a sweater; the air conditioning is really effective!
