Discover Toronto with ROMwalks 2007

Free, guided walking tours of Toronto’s history and architecture

Discover Toronto’s unique architecture and rich history through ROMwalk, a series of free, guided walking tours of the city. From May to September each year, tour leaders from the Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) Department of Museum Volunteers will lead the public through some of Toronto’s most distinctive landmarks and neighbourhoods. Last year ROMwalk took over 2,800 guests on free walks. The 27th series kicks off on Wednesday, May 2 at 6 pm when the public has the chance to encounter the ROM and its Neighbours. Highlighting the Royal Ontario Museum, this walk will also impart to guests the rich histories of the Church of the Redeemer, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Gardiner Museum and the fascinating story of Taddle Creek.

This summer, ROM and its Neighbours is also offered as a Special Tour where guests can be among the first to see the new Michael Lee-Chin Crystal extension, designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. Special tours of the Lee-Chin Crystal’s exterior and neighbouring sites take place at 1:00 pm on Saturdays and 6:00 pm on Fridays during the months of June, July and August 2007. You can also enjoy tours of the Lee-Chin Crystal’s interior with the ROM’s Museum Guides.

In 1980, when the ROM was closed for renovations, an exciting new concept was born: ROMwalk. On June 24, 1980 ROMwalk was officially opened by Mayor of Toronto John Sewell with the ROM’s Director, Dr. Jim Cruise. The very first walk given, called City Core, continues to this day as Heart of Toronto. Today there are 18 walks (with up to 14 different walks given per season) along with two ROMwalk Plus walks. And the repertoire continues to expand.

Walks take place on most Sundays at 2:00 pm and Wednesdays at 6:00 pm and last from one and one half to two hours. Look for the blue ROM umbrella at the starting point of every ROMwalk. A complete schedule of ROMwalk, with meeting points and highlights is provided below. The tours are free to the public, with the exception of private group walks and ROMwalk Plus walks. Please call 416.586.8097 for additional information.

For more information and full ROMwalk and ROMwalk Plus schedules please visit the ROM's Programs page.