Taking a daily walk has become second nature for many of us over the last few years. It’s a great way to get fresh air, see the outdoors, and for many, to socialize, but if you’re walking the same route consistently, these views can begin to grow stale.

The city is known for its rich history, and arts and culture in Toronto can be found at every turn if you know where to look. Taking a tour through the city is a great way to explore Toronto, learn about its history and culture, and see things in an entirely new light.

The fortunate part is there are many ways to tour Toronto, and themes for almost any interest, whether it be cuisine, art, history, or just natural scenery.

Whether you’re looking for new sights or just want to learn more about the city, here are some of our favourite tours to explore Toronto.

Graffiti Touring

While we’ve previously written about some of the  2022 Toronto art events and exhibitions that the city has to offer, fewer art styles say Toronto quite like street art.

If you’ve taken a stroll virtually anywhere in Toronto, you will no doubt have seen a wall, shopfront, or alleyway adorned with vibrant street art and graffiti.

In 2012, Toronto implemented StreetARToronto (StART), a program that aimed to reduce vandalism graffiti in favour of vibrant and community-driven street art instead. The program has been very successful and has led to endless beautiful creations of outdoor art exhibits throughout the streets of the city.

Graffiti Alley, of course, is Toronto’s most famous place to see these outdoor art exhibits, running just off of Queen Street West and spanning three blocks through the fashion district. This spot has made for popular backdrops for music videos, photoshoots, and television segments, such as the Rick Mercer Report.

While it is easy to explore the alleyway yourselves, guided tours exist as well. One such excursion is the Tour Guys Graffiti Tour, which will delve into the history of the artwork, discuss current topical street artists, and give the background information of the works you see before you.

A Hundred Years of Architecture

A city’s architecture can tell so much about its history. A building’s architecture can provide information about its time period, the materials used back then (and why), as well as the structure’s past and present purpose. This guided Toronto tour through some of the city’s most historic neighbourhoods focuses on some of the many architectural delights that dwell within the region.

Your Toronto tour begins with Eaton’s 7th Floor Auditorium and Round Room, which was first built between 1928-1931, and showcases some of the most authentic examples of the Art Deco style architecture of the time.

After a total of seven stops, including the George Brown House, The Grange, and Osgoode Hall, the tour concludes at The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre.

The theatre, built-in 1911, originally began as a venue for both silent films and vaudeville performances. The venue still operates to this day, hosting all manner of international musical acts, theatrical plays, comedians, and more.

Toronto Craft Beer Tour

Fewer things are more Torontonian than craft beer, and this small-group walking tour will take you through Old Town Toronto to learn just how much history goes into this well-loved libation.

As you embark on your Toronto Craft Beer tour, you will learn about the role that beer has played in the city’s history, through wars, rebellions, and of course, sporting events.

After a stop at St. Lawrence Market to admire the 100+ butchers, bakers, cheesemongers, and other stores which reside there, the tour recommences outside, on a walk throughout the historic Distillery District. As the name implies, your beer tour will take you through several pubs and distilleries for beer tastings, while you learn the rich history behind the Distillery District and the role it plays today as one of the most popular destination spots in the city.

The best part about this tour (besides the beer) is that it is a small-group experience, with a maximum of only 12 people. This ensures your outdoor tour will be a personal and memorable way to tour Toronto.

Canadian Tree Tour

Sometimes all it takes to find our centre is a little bit of nature. But amongst all of the city skyscrapers and droves of concrete, it can sometimes be hard to remember that green space exists right here, throughout the many parks in Toronto.

If you’re looking to find a little more greenery in your day, consider taking a tree tour. There are a few options for you to tour Toronto trees. For when you’re looking to roam by yourself or with friends, Canadian Tree Tours allows you to take numerous self-guided tours throughout the city, whether you explore Toronto Island, Queen’s Park, Trinity Bellwoods, and more. Simply download their guide to your smart device and begin your tour!

If you’re looking for a more personalized face-to-face experience, Your Leaf offers guided nature and tree tours throughout the GTA, spanning roughly 90 minutes, and taking you through Toronto, York Region and Durham Region.

Kensington Market -Toronto’s Neighborhood International Food Tour

The title may be a bit of a mouthful, but so will be the delicious cuisines on this tour throughout one of Toronto’s most culturally diverse neighbourhoods.

This tour, led by Chopsticks + Forks, takes you throughout Kensington Market and allows you to learn about the rich culture and flavours behind the foods that make Kensington one of Toronto’s best food neighbourhoods.

Spanning the course of two and a half hours, this food tour promises to offer cuisines from eight countries and five continents, while being sure to take note of vegetarian and pescatarian options, and avoiding pork on the tasting menus to remain as inclusive as possible.

Come taste the foods of the world within a single neighbourhood, an experience not easily accomplished anywhere else but Toronto.

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