This post is a valuable resource for both visitors to Toronto and residents alike. The wonderful Natalia Dankovtseva has curated a collection of tours that will help you discover the city’s hidden gems and rich history. With a variety of tours to suit every interest, you’re sure to find the perfect way to explore Toronto.
Natasha herself conducts wonderful walks around Toronto and endears the city to its residents. With her, you can learn about both the old city and the affluent suburbs of Toronto, and even the medical history of Toronto.
At the moment, she offers 18 fascinating walks. You can find more details about them on the website 416walks.ca.
Natasha believes that there are no competitors, only colleagues, and below you will find her overview of the best Toronto tours.
So, who else organizes tours around Toronto and its surroundings?
Alex Sein
Many already know Alex, he works in Russian and in English. If you’re not familiar – this Saturday, Alex is conducting his famous tour of Graffiti Alley, and he’s also participating in the Jane’s Walk festival.
Website: facebook.com/oleksandr.sein
Ивритурс
Tours in Russian language about Toronto, Canada, and the USA. The only tour company I currently collaborate with. They have a professional approach to their partners, and they take care of tourists impeccably. It’s the perfect option if you have summer guests visiting you; you can confidently send parents who don’t speak English and are afraid to go out on their own.
Website: facebook.com/Ivritours
Toronto Goldfinch Tours
I know them as a “tourist”. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to go anywhere for a long time either. They also offer tours around Toronto, Canada, and the USA.
Эллина Савицкая
I know she conducts tours of museums in Toronto (AGO and ROM), but she rarely advertises these tours on her Facebook page. Perhaps there’s another way to find out about her tours.
Website: facebook.com/ellina.savitsky
Two companies that used to offer tours in Russian, but I haven’t heard anything about them for a long time, are Felix Tour and Irina International.
In English, there’s a wider selection available.
ROMwalks
In the distant year of 1980, the museum was closed for renovations, and that’s when the project of free city tours, led by museum staff, was born.
Once the renovations were completed, the tradition continued: from May to October, city tours were offered, and now they are conducted by volunteers. Most of the walks are free and do not require prior registration. There are also tours exclusively for those who have purchased an annual museum pass, as well as a few paid routes.
Pros: reliable and well-verified information. Cons: large groups, sometimes it’s hard to hear the guide (they work without a microphone).
Website: rom.on.ca/en/whats-on/romwalks
Heritage Toronto
Since 1994, this organization has been conducting city tours during the “summer” season from June to October.
Each season, they offer a wide variety of routes in terms of both theme and geography (this season they have 23).
Most of their tours are conducted with personal headphones, which is very convenient. The walks typically last from 60 to 90 minutes.
This year, most tours require advance registration and payment (around $10), and donations to the organization’s fund are encouraged and welcomed.
Website: heritagetoronto.org
TSA tours
TSA = Toronto Society of Architects.
Their tours are not as well-known as the previous two options, but they deserve more recognition. The tours are conducted by volunteers, so let’s say the “style” of each tour is individual, but the routes and information are interesting.
Tours focusing on buildings can be even more interesting and unique. Since it’s a project of the Society of Architects, they are focused on architecture, particularly modern architecture. Tours of buildings are often related to their renovation, restoration, construction, and design. These tours are paid, around $15, and they run from June to October. Currently, there’s no information on the website for this season, but hopefully it will be available soon.
Website: htorontosocietyofarchitects.ca/
Tour Guys
Perhaps this is one of the most “touristy” options, but it’s also suitable for locals. In Toronto this year, they offer nine routes: from the traditional Old City tour to a musical-historical tour along Yonge Street. Registration for the tour is $6, plus tips for the guide.
Alex Sein could provide more detailed information about this organization.
Website: tourguys.ca
Toronto Crime Tours
Two retired detectives conduct tours along five different routes. It’s easy to guess what they talk about during their walks: criminal investigations, drug dealers, prostitutes, stolen bicycles, and underground bars.
The cost ranges from $25 to $40 depending on the tour.
Website: torontocrimetours.com
Toronto Cemetery Tours
I occasionally get asked about tours of cemeteries; I don’t offer them (at least not yet, and I don’t plan to start for the next 3-4 years as I have too many plans to develop other routes). However, Toronto Cemetery Tours specializes in exactly these kinds of excursions.
Website: torontocemeterytours.com
Adam Bunch
The author of two books about Toronto: “The Toronto Book of the Dead” and “The Toronto Book of Love,” and the creator of the documentary historical series “Canadiana.”
Adam occasionally conducts online author courses dedicated to the history of Toronto, and sometimes he also leads tours. In early May, Adam hosts “The Festival of Bizarre Toronto History,” which includes lectures and tours.
Website: adambunch.com
Richard Fiennes-Clinton
I met him on a tour he led at one of the city museums. Now Richard continues collaborate with them. Later, we met on a tour for Heritage Toronto. He’s the author of a book from which you can learn about the first 40 years of Toronto’s history – “Muddy York: A History of Toronto Until 1834.”
Over the years of studying the city’s history, Richard has accumulated a large collection of author-led tours.
There’s a website where you can find a list of tours and a link to Facebook.
Website: muddyyorktours.com
Bruce Bell
He’s the official historian of St. Lawrence Hall and St. Lawrence Market, King Edward Hotel, the Hockey Hall of Fame Heritage Building, and Fairmont Royal York Hotel. He’s also the author of two books: “Amazing Tales of St. Lawrence Neighbourhood” and “TORONTO: A Pictorial Celebration.” Additionally, in the old city, you can find memorial plaques that were installed at the initiative of Bruce.
As a former actor, he has a talent for capturing attention, including that of children, and he often works with school groups.
Website: brucebelltours.ca
Marta O’Brien
I’ve been on her tours several times when I was taking courses in architectural history at the University of Toronto (School of Continuing Studies). Thanks to her, I was able to understand the architectural styles of Toronto. Martha has been involved in architectural history for over 25 years. Upon request, she conducts private lectures or tours for groups of 6 or more people.
Webslte: citywalks.ca
Harley Karulis
He has a vast number of routes around Toronto. He conducts tours practically every day, all year round. Currently, Harley has even expanded his tours to the suburbs of Toronto. Just keep in mind that he also writes horror movie scripts, so not a single tour goes without a story about a tragic aspect of Toronto’s history: murder, natural disasters, rat bites, and so on.
The best way to find Harley Karulis is on the Meetup website.
Webslte: meetup.com/the-history-of-parkdale
Toronto Jewish Walking Tour
Another company that I haven’t had the chance to engage with yet, but I hope to change that soon, is the Toronto Jewish Walking Tour.
Webslte: torontojewishwalkingtours.com
Toronto Film And Tv Tours
This organization specializes in movie tours, where they share information about where various films were shot in Toronto.
Website: instagram.com/torontofilmandtvtours
Step By Step
An independent tour guide whom I currently only know online through Instagram.
Website: instagram.com/stepbystep.tours
Urban Adventures
Another company (which I personally don’t know), if anyone has experienced their tours, please share your impressions.
Website: urbanadventures.com
