Visitor Information
Welcome to The Rooms!
This is Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest public cultural space. Here, history, heritage and artistic expression come together. Our staff and volunteers are ready to make your visit rewarding and enriching as you explore all The Rooms has to offer.
Start at Visitor Services on Level 1 near the main entrance, where friendly and knowledgeable personnel will welcome you and answer your questions.
Immerse yourself in the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Rooms is a portal to the many stories this province and its people have to tell. Here, you'll find collections, exhibits and programs that tell our stories and interpret our natural world through art, artifacts, archaeology, architecture and archival records.
About the Building
A remarkable feature of the skyline of historic St. John's, The Rooms unique design mirrors the fishing rooms where families came together to process their catch. This building, like the collections and exhibitions it houses, represents a tribute to our people and a place in which to preserve our history and culture for generations to come. To learn more about this remarkable building and site, see About Us.
Enjoy your visit—and please visit again!
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Hours of Operation
The Rooms Exhibitions, Galleries, Gift Shop and Public Spaces:
Fall/Winter Hours: October 14, 2024 - April 28, 2025
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 9 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 9 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday Noon - 5 pm (Archives closed)
The Rooms Spring/Summer Hours: April 29, 2025 - October 12, 2025
Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 9 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 9 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday Noon - 5 pm (Archives closed)
The Rooms Café:
Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 8 pm
Thursday 10 am - 4 pm
Friday 10 am - 8 pm
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 11 am - 4 pm
Reference Room:
Monday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
The Rooms Café on Level 4 maintains the same hours as listed above, with the following exceptions: closes at 4 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and closed at 8 pm on Wednesday and Friday. Sundays doors are open at 11am to allow access to the Café
Holidays
The Rooms is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Good Friday, and Victoria Day.
Open other statutory and government holidays from 12 pm to 5 pm, with the exception of the Regatta Day Holiday which will be regular business hours, and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Tickets & Fees
Admission Fees - Includes The Rooms Galleries, Exhibitions and Tours. Click here to purchase admission.
| Canadian | |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | $12.00 |
| Seniors (60+) | $ 7.80 |
| Children (5 and under) | Free |
| Youth (ages 6-17) | $ 6.00 |
| Students (with valid student ID) | $ 7.80 |
| Canadian Military (with Military ID or Veteran ID) | $7.80 |
| Household (2 adults and 2 youths) | $31.20 |
HST is not included. Fees are in Canadian dollars.
For information on Rooms Memberships please click here.
Free Student Friday
Admission to all exhibition galleries is free all day Fridays for post-secondary students with a valid student ID.
Please Note:
Admission to all exhibition galleries is free between 6 - 9 pm on the first Wednesday evening of the month. There may be a charge for some Wednesday evening programs and events.
General admission fees do not apply to the Archives. First-time users of the Archives pay a one-time $10.00 fee (plus HST) to obtain a permanent Researcher Registration number.
Access to Red Oak Café on Level 4 does not require admission.
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Location & Parking
Location
The Rooms is located at 9 Bonaventure Avenue in the heart of St John’s. Click the map to find us.
Public Transit
The Rooms is accessible by public transit via Metrobus routes 2, 10 and 15. Click here to plan your route to The Rooms with Metrobus' route planner.
Parking
Parking fees are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a fee of two dollars an hour. Visitor parking can be accessed from Bonaventure Avenue and from Fort Townshend via Harvey Road. Enter the main parking lot via Bonaventure Avenue. Additional parking is available via Harvey Road. Parking is free for members of The Rooms. Members parking must be validated upon entry at the Visitor Services desk. Parking payment terminals are located inside The Rooms lobby, If you are using debit or cash you must use the payment terminal located in The Rooms. Payment by Visa or Mastercard is accepted at both parking lot terminals.
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Maps & Tours
Floor Maps
These maps can familiarize you with the layout of The Rooms. Click on a floor map to enlarge it.
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Visitor Services & Policies
Visitor Services
Our Visitor Services team—located at the desk near the entrance on Level 1—is ready to welcome you to The Rooms and to help make your visit enjoyable and enriching.
Accessibility
The Rooms is accessible. Wheelchairs and umbrella strollers are available to visitors on a first come, first serve basis. You can view The Rooms Accessbility Plan by clicking here.
To ensure everyone has a comfortable experience, we offer noise-reducing headphones for visitors with sensory sensitivities. You can borrow a pair at the front desk anytime during your visit. Please return them after use.
ASL/English Interpreting Services are provided at no charge for both Engaging Evenings, and Coffee and Culture, programs through NLAD (Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf) by request only to ASLservices@therooms.ca or 709-757-8090. We will do our best to accommodate requests made within two weeks of the scheduled event.
The Rooms is equipped with a hearing assistance system in our Level 2 Theatre and our Level 4 Boardroom. If you’d like a receiver, please ask at the front desk when you arrive.
The Rooms in ASL
All Gender Washrooms
The Rooms offers an all-gender inclusive and accessible washroom on our main level adjacent to our Visitor Services desk. Gender inclusive washrooms are safe spaces where anyone, regardless of gender identity or presentation, can use the toilet, wash their hands and check the mirror. They decrease anxiety and fear for trans and gender diverse people while using the facilities as there is less chance of physical or verbal harassment or assault—a real and ongoing risk in gender segregated spaces. Inclusive signage is located on the washroom on Level I as an important part in making sure our visitors feel welcome and safe during their visit.
Anti-Skid Spikes
Please remove anti-skid spikes on footwear, tires and walking sticks before entering The Rooms. We thank you for helping us maintain and protect our floors during your visit.
Lost & Found
Lost & Found is located at Visitor Services on Level 1. If you realize after your visit that you have misplaced something, call (709) 757-8090.
Wi-Fi
The Rooms offers free wireless internet. Please note: this is an unsecured network—information sent or received may be accessible to third parties. Users are responsible for protecting their own devices and The Rooms is not responsible for the security of data transmitted.
Water Filling Station
The Rooms has a Water Filling Station available to visitors on Level 2, outside the entrance to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery.
Practices and Policies: What We Ask Of You
Please help us protect our visitors, staff, volunteers and valuable collections by following these practices while visiting The Rooms.
Scent Free
The use of scented products at The Rooms is to be avoided, in order to provide employees and visitors with a healthy and safe environment. The use of scented products has the potential to create an unsafe environment for our employees and to visitors due to the associated serious health risks.
Bags, Backpack and Bulky Items Policy
When worn, large bags and backpacks extend your personal space, making accidents more likely. For the safety of our visitors and security of our exhibitions the following items are not allowed in the galleries or the archives reference room and must be left at home, in your vehicle, or in our coat check on level 1.
All items larger than 40 x 12 x 12 cm (16”x 12”x 5”);
backpacks, large bags, umbrellas and other bulky items; personal items such as banners, flags, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, skateboards, foldable bikes, large backpack-style child carriers, trekking poles, adult scooters and children’s wagons;
A limited number of free-to-use lockers are available on a first-come first-served basis in the coat room on level 1 and the archives reference room on level 3. Please check with the Admission Desk for more information.
Baby strollers and bags containing baby care are permitted as long as the bag can be stored within the stroller, otherwise, they will need to be stored in the coat check.
Visitors are permitted to wear smaller bags on their person and are asked to wear or carry these at the front of the body.
Use of a backpack or bag for medical reasons is permitted, please check in at the Admission Desk before proceeding to galleries.
Do not leave your bag unattended at any point during your visit.
Notes:
Special exhibitions may have additional restrictions.
We reserve the right to check bags.
The coat check on level 1 is not monitored. Items left there are at your own risk.
Eating & Drinking
Food and beverages are permitted in the public spaces only, not inside the galleries or the Archives. This is enforced to protect our collections and items on display.
No Smoking
The Rooms is a smoke free building.
No Flowers
To protect our collections, flowers or plants cannot be brought into The Rooms. This includes bouquets, corsages and flowers worn in the hair.
Admire – But Don’t Touch (in most cases)
Please do not touch the artifacts or artwork on display, except where clearly permitted.
Children
Children are welcome at The Rooms. For their safety and to protect the items on display, we ask that children under 12 be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
Closing Time
An announcement is made 30 minutes before closing. All visitors must be prepared to leave The Rooms at closing time.
Conduct at The Rooms
Please refrain from shouting, running and rowdy behaviour that might interfere with other visitors’ experiences or result in injury.
Fire/Emergency Alarms
In the event of an alarm, please prepare to exit, following any instructions provided by security. If you require assistance, please ask the nearest security person.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism
The Rooms is commited to a providing a respectful, diverse, safe and welcoming environment for visitors, clients and employees. Verbal abuse will not be tolerated. The Rooms expects everyone to be treated with respect and integrity.
Photography
Unless an exhibition states otherwise, visitors are welcome to use non-flash photography in the galleries and exhibitions.
Photoshoots
Photoshoots will continue to be required to be booked ahead of time and they will remain free.
A credit card number must be provided to hold the time slot. A no-show fee of $50 will be applied to the credit card on file, only in the event that you do not show, and you do not cancel with visitor services a least 24 hours prior to the agreed-upon booking time.
All photography sessions both amateur and professional must book an appointment through Rentals, at 709-757-8099 or email rentals@therooms.ca. Individuals and groups are required to check-in with Visitor Services to identify themselves and receive an authorization pass. Please limit your arrival to 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Those who have not booked ahead of time will not be accommodated. Photos must be taken during public hours and must be concluded within the given timeframe. All groups MUST follow the directions of Security and Visitor Services staff or they will be asked to leave the premises.
These rules and requirements pertain to all photography sessions:
- Maximum ½ hour session. It is important that you arrive a little early to check in with the Visitor Services Staff and sign the agreement. In the event that a party arrives late for an appointment please note that the time will be reduced and will not be extended, as there may be other bookings immediately following.
- To protect our collections, flowers of any kind are not permitted in The Rooms; this includes bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, or flowers in ladies’ hair (these must be removed prior to entering the building).
- Upon arrival, the photographer AND member of the booking party must sign in at the Visitor Services desk.
- Individuals and groups cannot be staged on the stairs.
- Fire Code Regulations prohibit photographers from placing blankets, bags, or props of any kind on the floors or on the stairs.
- Photographers are not permitted to use tripods/unipods or any additional setup. Hand held cameras only.
- Furniture cannot be moved or rearranged in any capacity. Standing on the furniture is not permitted.
- The public cannot be asked to move to accommodate any kind of photography.
- During the holiday seasons, the removal of ornaments, etc., from the tree is not permitted.
- Restrictions are placed on peak season and peak times (see below for restrictions).
- No alcohol permitted on the premises.
- For the comfort of all The Rooms visitors, noise and disruptions should be kept to a minimum.
- Photographers are not permitted to conduct sittings, take appointments or use The Rooms as a studio space.
- Photographers can be asked to leave at any time without notice.
Peak Season Restrictions: Due to increased visitation during the holiday season, photography visits will not be permitted from:
- December 10th – January 10th in any year.
Rainbow Registry
At The Rooms, we recognize the importance of creating an equitable and inclusive experience for all. We are proud to be a Rainbow Registered Organization -- a program that works to identify and address unconscious biases in policies, training, leadership, and culture.
Click here to learn more about this program.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited on The Rooms property including buildings, grounds, and parking lots.
For more information call (709) 757-8090. Email information@therooms.ca.
Prices may change without notice. Proceeds from General Admission help us to create enriched visitor experiences that interpret the art, heritage and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Website Terms and Conditions PDF File
Website Privacy Policy PDF File
Service Animal Policy PDF File