Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum (usually just called the ROM), is one of the finest museums in the city and should be on every tourists' list of places to see while in Toronto.
The building itself has become an attraction with the addition of a new futuristic glass and steel wing, and seems a little out of place attached to the stately stone museum. The new section is called the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, named after the investor who paid for it. It was actually designed by Daniel Libeskind, and it opened in June 2007.
It's a fairly typical museum, filled with collections and displays that focus on world culture and natural history. Some areas that are featured include the Middle East, South Asia, Egypt, Europe and ancient Greece and Cyprus. Natural history galleries showcase some amazing dinosaur skeletons, insect collections and a new bat cave.
There are also some hands-on displays that are great for younger visitors who like to touch everything.
Currently on display (until January 2011), is the Warrior Emperor and China's First Army exhibit, where you can see 10 of the famed terracotta warrior statues of Emperor Ying Zheng.
The museum is open 7 days a week (except for Christmas day), opening at 10am every day. It closes at 5:30pm every day except for Fridays when it stays open later until 9:30pm.
Ticket are $24 for adults, $21 for seniors and students, and $16 for children (under 3 is free). Friday nights are half-price. There is often an extra ticket price for some special exhibits, such as the terracotta statues exhibit mentioned above.
The ROM is part of the CityPass program, and you can get a discounted entry ticket if you have a Pass.
The museum is at 100 Queen's Park, and you can get there by public transit. The St. George subway stop on the Bloor-Danforth line is the closest subway stop. All nearby parking requires payment.
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