Family Time at the ROM

From dinosaurs to Dior, you’ll find it all at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) this winter.

Pre-child, I loved visiting museums. I loved strolling through the various galleries, taking my time reading the interpretive displays and learning about the different artifacts and cultures they represent. Natural history is my happy place, so getting lost amongst the many animal artifacts was where you could usually find me.

Those days may be long gone now that there is a toddler in the picture, but that doesn’t mean that I still don’t enjoy visiting museums. It just means that I now get to see them in a whole different way, through the eyes of my daughter. She is able to draw attention to the little things that I may have missed in the past.

Hands-on Biodiversity Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum

The ROM, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is one of those museums that I could visit over and over again with little miss Morley and not get bored.

The museum consists of over 6 million objects and 40 galleries, and is one of the world’s leading museums of art, natural history and world cultures. It truly has something for everyone - from a walking, talking nearly two-year-old, to her thirty-something year old mama.

From taking a trip back in time to visit the dinosaurs, to exploring the animals of current day, when we visit the ROM, most of our time is spent on Level 2.

Here are Morley’s ROM Must-sees on Level 2:

Dig for dinosaurs in the CIBC Discovery Gallery.
Become a creature of the night in The Bat Cave.
Touch a shark jaw, beaver pelt and snake skin in the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-on Biodiversity.
Take a selfie with the T-Rex in the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs.
See eye to eye with a polar bear in the Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity.
Become part of the flock in the Gallery of Birds.

There is so much to see and do at the ROM, that you really can’t explore all of it in one day. It keeps drawing you back in. A ROM Family Membership is the best way to take advantage of everything the ROM has to offer.

Polar bear and seal at the Royal Ontario Museum

This winter, a ROM membership is the best value for visitors to explore the museum’s surcharged exhibitions - VIKINGS: The Exhibition, Christian Dior and Wildlife Photographer of the Year. It is not only the most cost-effective way to see the entire museum, but members can come back for free and unlimited visits year-round! That means you can come back as often as you’d like to make sure that you say hello to every single animal, touch every single interactive and cover every square foot of public space.

Unlimited admission to ROM galleries and exhibitions aside*, there are many other perks that come with a Membership, including:

Previews of selected exhibitions and gallery openings
Free coat check
Subscription to ROM magazine
Discounts on select programs, lectures and special events
Advance booking opportunities for select programs and events*
Discounts at ROM Boutique and Druxy’s ROM Cafe*
Discounts on select Gift Membership Levels*
Special member-only discounts at local cultural institutions
Free general admission at select Canadian Museums*
Monthly eNewsletters to keep you up-to-date
Travel opportunities to destinations around the world*

*Some restrictions apply. See here for pricing information and membership levels.

Hands-On Biodiversity at the Royal Ontario Museum

Tips for Visiting with Your Little One:

Diaper bags are allowed. However, they are subject to inspection upon entrance.
The museum is stroller-friendly with elevator access. However, there are some exceptions. Please take note of designated stroller parking areas for galleries that do not permit strollers.
Oversized strollers may not be allowed on very busy days for safety of visitors.
For only $2, you can rent a stroller at coat-check (subject to availability).
You are welcome to bring your own food to enjoy in a designated eating area. Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries.
Bring your own reusable water bottle and refill at the many water bottle filling stations.
Druxy’s ROM Cafe, located on the lower level, has a great selection of family-friendly food options, and plenty of high chairs available.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for guests.

Digging for Dinosaurs at the Royal Ontario Museum

Where to Find the ROM:

100 Queens Park

Toronto, ON M5S 2C6

416-586-8000

Hours: Open Sunday to Saturday, 10:00-5:30pm (closed Christmas Day)

Social: @ROMtoronto

Getting There:

Driving: If you are driving, there are plenty of road signs to lead you directly to the ROM. However, remember it is downtown Toronto and paid parking is limited and can be expensive. The Green P surface lot along Bedford Ave (approximately a block north of the ROM) cost approximately $14 for the day.

Public Transit: Your best option is to take the TTC. Get off at Museum Station on the Yonge-University Line 1. This will take you to the corner of Queens Park and Bloor Street W, steps from the ROM entrance.