Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

The ROM is Canada's largest museum, displaying everything from preserved Egyptian mummies to live Madagascar cockroaches.

The ROM is Canada's largest museum, displaying everything from preserved Egyptian mummies to live Madagascar cockroaches. It's must-see for anyone with an interest in cultural or natural history, and a terrific place to wander through. The first floor's East Asian Exhibit is particularly beautiful. The original building was built in 1910, and is a handsome romanesque revival, with many carvings of people and events. The newer addition is a large deconstructivist crystal, made of steel and glass. Thousands of artifacts and specimens are featured in over 20 exhibits; including dinosaurs, Ancient China, native Canadians, Canadian furniture, medieval Europe, art deco, ancient Egypt, textiles, middle east, India and Pacific islanders. The world's largest totem pole, which is over 100 years old, is also housed in a place of honour.