Ever wonder what’s it like to be an Olympic athlete? Families will have a blast finding out with the cool, hands-on exhibits at the only Olympic museum in Canada—the Richmond Olympic Experience, or the “ROX”.
The ROX opened in 2015 and is one of the world’s most interactive sport museums. Jump right in and start exploring, because museums have never been this fun. Here are some of the awesome things for kids (and grown-ups!) to do at the ROX.
Watch an inspiring film
Your journey begins in the ROX theatre, with a screening of Pursuit of a Dream. This short, nine-minute film profiles Canadian athletes striving to reach their Olympic goals. It’s a wonderful film about dreaming big, working hard, and believing in oneself, and it sets the tone for the rest of your visit.
Experience sport through the eyes of an Olympian
Climb aboard the ROX’s state-of-the-art sport simulators to experience the energy and exhilaration of the athletes as they compete. You’ll get a sense of the risks they take and the limits they push in order to reach the podium. It gives a new appreciation of what athletes do.
There are five simulators to try:
Bobsleigh – Careen down the bobsleigh track in Whistler and compete against actual run times to see where you would place.
Kayak – Paddle through the raging waters of the Chilliwack River, dodging through gates at competition speeds.
Ski jump – Soar off an Olympic ski jump and attempt to fly the distance of two city blocks.
Sit-ski – Carve the perfect line on the National Paralympic team’s training course in Alberta.
Race car – Drive a precision-tuned Formula One race car at high speeds. Can you hit maximum speed while keeping your car on the track?
Minimum height requirements are 45 inches for the bobsleigh, sit-ski and kayak simulators, and 60 inches for the race car.
See how your skills measure up!
Now that you’ve seen what the world’s best athletes can do, it’s time to test your own skills! How do you measure up against family, friends, and Olympic records? Shoot a hockey puck or a soccer ball on a mini-net to test your accuracy. Compare your long jump with the world record. See how much air you can get with your vertical jump, and try to beat a friend in a reaction-time agility test. You can even step into a broadcast booth to learn how to commentate on a sports event, and then watch your efforts on the big screen.
Explore Olympic history
As one of only two museums in North America that are part of the Olympic Museums Network, the ROX has an impressive collection of artifacts. Browse through medals and torches dating back to the early 1900s, discover the mascots that represented different Olympics, and explore memorabilia donated by Olympic athletes. There are also educational touch screens to explore, and a fun wheel featuring all of the flags of participating countries.
The staff are especially knowledgeable and helpful, so be sure to ask questions during your visit!
Good to Know
The ROX is located inside the Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road, Richmond, B.C.
Phone: (778) 296-1400
Your entrance fee to the ROX includes access to the facilities at the Richmond Olympic Oval, so wear running shoes and explore this beautiful multi-sport venue.
The museum is open Thursday to Sunday, and holiday Mondays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Hours may be extended during holidays and school breaks. Tickets are available online or in person.
Tagged under: family activities,Vancouver,Richmond,Richmond BC,Richmond Olympic Experience
Category: attractions
