From May to September each year, the Royal Ontario Museum’s ROMwalk program celebrates Toronto’s unique architecture and rich history. Tour leaders from the ROM’s department of museum volunteers lead the public on a series of free walking tours, taking in some of the city’s most distinctive landmarks and neighbourhoods; in 2006, ROMwalk welcomed over 2,800 guests. Among the highlights of this year’s program are Citadels of Wealth; Whiskey, Wharf & Windmill; and Hidden Treasures: Sculptures in the City. Neighbourhoods include Yorkville: A Tollgate Village, along with Rosedale, Parkdale and Cabbagetown. Walks take place Sundays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
This summer, a special tour called ROM and its Neighbours is also offered; guests will be among the first to see the museum’s 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 will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 p.m. on Fridays during the months of June, July and August. Visitors can also enjoy tours of the Lee-Chin Crystal’s interior with the ROM’s museum guides.