From craft beer to donuts, graffiti to ghosts, there’s sure to be a Toronto city walking tour perfect for you.
While strolling past the eclectic restaurants and boutiques of Queen Street West, I’ve often noticed the graffiti: spanning networks of murals and illustrations, bricked and bubbly letters—and so much more.
I had never ventured beyond simple glances until I took the Toronto Graffiti Tour. After experiencing our guide’s knowledge and visual storytelling, I have a newfound appreciation for the contributions that street art lends to Toronto’s vibrant culture.
Our guide shared insights into the ever-evolving art and tags of downtown Toronto, and the slang, stories and artists behind them. Why take a tour? Online information only gets you so far: let a local take you deeper.
Here are 10 guided tours for every taste, with accessibility notes to help you plan ahead.
Toronto Graffiti Tour
From small, monochromatic tags to gigantic, sprawling murals, this guided tour from Tour Guys along Queen West and Graffiti Alley offers much to see.
An important recent addition to the trove of street art in Graffiti Alley, the Truth Phone is a mixed media sculpture commenting on the uncovering of mass burials at former Indigenous residential school sites across Canada.
The piece includes a model phone booth with the four colours of the Medicine Wheel: black, white, yellow and red.
The knowledgeable guides of the Toronto Graffiti Tour can provide insights into this and other works that you’ll admire over the course of your 90-minute exploration.
Accessibility tip: While some parts of Graffiti Alley are bumpy, there are no stairs or steps on this tour.
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto walking tour
Delve into the rich history of Tkaronto on the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) walking tour.
On this free tour, you will view the largest collection of Indigenous artwork in the city of Toronto, learn about major historical events and landmarks, and even try a few phrases from the traditional languages used in the Tkaronto area.
Accessibility tip: This guided tour is fully wheelchair accessible, and the Native Centre building has accessible washrooms on each floor.
From choosing your group size to having the option to describe any accessibility needs or inquiries you may have, the NCCT ensures all visitors will have a comfortable and inclusive experience.
Underground Donut Tour
Toronto's Kensington Market Donut Tour is curated for the carb lovers among us.
Take a stroll down some of The 6ix’s most interesting streets to enjoy a curated selection of delicious donuts from four different shops, including cult-fave Cops Doughnuts and Bloomer’s, plus two surprise stops in boho paradise Kensington Market.
Do-nut miss out on these tasty treats, accompanied by travel tips and interesting local history from your guide!
Accessibility tip: This tour takes place entirely on flat city streets and is accessible for strollers and mobility aids.
Distillery District Breakfast Tour
Take your morning coffee with a slice of history on the Distillery District Breakfast walking tour with Go Tours Canada. This tour will take you through the Distillery Historic District’s iconic (and authentic!) Victorian-era cobblestone streets, hopping between some of the best cafés and restaurants the city has to offer.
As you savour a beverage, sandwich and biscuits at three secret spots on your tour, your guide will share facts and information about the cultural and architectural history of the area, which dates back to 1832, although its resurgence as a cultural hotspot traces back to just the early 2000s.
Accessibility tip: This tour cannot accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions.
PATH, the underground city tour
Thunder in the forecast? Swap that scenic garden tour for a subterranean foodie adventure with the PATH: Toronto’s Underground City tour with Buzz Tours, where you can explore a vast labyrinth of pathways, restaurants and shops that lie just beneath Toronto’s streets.
Located in and around the Financial District and South Core, PATH is the world’s largest underground shopping complex, with 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) of pathways housing 1,200 shops, restaurants and services.
The fully indoor attraction connects six subway stations and landmarks like the Hockey Hall of Fame, Roy Thomson Hall and Scotiabank Arena.
Did you know that even Torontonians get lost in the PATH? Once you’re done this tour, you’ll be ready to show your local friends around!
Accessibility tip: With its small group sizes and indoor setting, this tour offers a more sensory-friendly experience. However, note that the PATH is not fully wheelchair accessible.
Kensington Market Food Tour
Be sure to bring your appetite to the original Kensington Market Food Tour with Tasty Tours Toronto. From mouthwatering Tibetan dumplings to savoury Jamaican patties, this delicious walking tour strolls the culinary road to paradise, with plenty of stops for global food faves.
The OG melting pot for New Canadians, Kensington Market features multicultural mom-and-pop food shops, cool cafés and eclectic restaurants—all of which your tour guides will share with you, along with nibbles like Jewish-style boureka, Japanese street food-style takoyaki and more.
Accessibility tip: The tour organizers can accommodate various food restrictions, including vegetarian and gluten-free diets. Other food restrictions are considered on a case-by-case basis so contact Tasty Tours ahead of time for more info.
Toronto Brewery Tour
Get an exclusive look behind the curtains of some of the city’s most famous breweries on the Toronto Brewery Tour with Canadian Craft Tours.
As you learn about the brewing process and beer’s fascinating history, you can sample a tasteful selection of Toronto’s best brews on a curated beer flight featuring selections from four secret craft brewers. This is an excursion beer lovers won’t want to miss!
Accessibility tip: Do you rely on public transit or need a designated driver? Craft Tours offers transportation to and from Keele Subway Station for a seamless tour experience.
Bruce Bell’s St. Lawrence Market Tour
From local artisans to farm fresh goods, 200-year-old St. Lawrence Market serves up a thick slice of Toronto’s foodie history worthy of exploration.
Follow esteemed local historian Bruce Bell on his St. Lawrence Market/Old Town Tour. He will take you through the market and its historic neighbourhood, including the architecturally stunning St. Lawrence Hall.
Accessibility tip: St. Lawrence Market is wheelchair accessible.
Toronto Society of Architects’ Art and the Grange tour
Once the front lawn of a colonial estate, now a public park and epicentre for contemporary design, Grange Park is waiting for you to discover its hidden charm and history.
The Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) Art and the Grange tour immerses walkers in the art and architecture of the public park and its surrounding streets, which are home to the Art Gallery of Ontario, OCAD University and other landmarks.
Accessibility tip: Tour guides are equipped with a microphone and speakers so you can hear them clearly. The TSA’s booking site offers customizable accessibility features, including a dyslexic font, adjustable text size and an enlarged cursor.
Hidden Toronto City Tour
Want to learn about weird Toronto? From raccoon funerals to clown riots, the Hidden Toronto City Tour shows you the city’s weirdest and wackiest history.
Locals and visitors alike can embark on this family-friendly and sometimes comedic adventure and come out having learned a wealth of arcane things about Toronto. This same company (Haunted Walk of Toronto) also offers ghost tours for those looking for something scarier.
Accessibility tip: Are you an Access 2 cardholder? Great! Your support person receives a discounted admission. Just be sure to mention your Access 2 card during the booking process and bring the card with you when you arrive to the tour.
