• Our gathering spot for the journey is the Old City Hall, a building crafted to accommodate the growing administrative needs while demonstrating Toronto’s rising grandeur as a flourishing Victorian city in the later parts of the 19th century. Discover the designer’s fallout with the city’s leaders and his final triumphant act. We won’t be touring indoors as the building is a currently operating court, requiring security checks. However, the outer aesthetics are brilliant and perfect for an Instagram snapshot!

• Established in 1847 (which makes it 20 years Canada’s senior), this church was constructed to cater to the destitute dwellers of St John’s Ward, a slum that later became the growth nucleus for the city of Toronto, only to be dismantled progressively over the subsequent century. Gain insights into the church’s fascinating history and track Toronto’s growth around it. Should the church be open, we might manage a quick sneak-peek.

• Toronto’s equivalent of ‘Times Square,’ this spot represents the city’s commercial hub, with immense LED screens and a multitude of billboards. A hotspot for entertainers, faith-propagators, different vendors, and innumerable people traversing hither and thither through the stores. The modern dazzle overshadows much of Toronto’s old-world charm, hence we only skim through here on our way to our next destination.

• The abode of Toronto’s inaugural mayor – who some claim still haunts it! One of the oldest surviving structures in this region, it has been used differently over its lifespan but is primarily commemorated (and conserved presently) as the ex-dwelling of William Lyon Mackenzie, a journalist who turned into a mayor in 1834, to later become a rebel and treason convict within as little as 3 years. His tale is every bit as riveting as it sounds, and you’ll get the full rundown here.

Toronto’s history museums remain open for the public most days, with visitors urged to revisit to spend a couple of hours exploring these sites more intricately at their convenience if they wish for a deeper dive into Mackenzie’s life.

• A significant section of this tour occurs in Old Town Toronto, encompassing a series of exciting narratives and locations that your guide will unfold for you. Learn about Toronto’s evolution from a modest military settlement setup to supplement a neighboring fort (Fort York - situated at downtown’s western end) to its current status as a thriving metropolis through the duration of this journey.

• Explore the Anglican cathedral, the previous hub of spiritual activities for Toronto’s affluent and influential, over a century ago. Built as the fifth in its series after a devastating fire razed central Toronto in our foremost ‘Great Fire’ of 1849. Initially serving as the colonist Brits’ church, it later came to represent the authority symbol for the dominant class through the majority of Toronto’s historical timeline.

Provided the church is open for public viewing, we will step inside for a short tour!

• As per National Geographic Traveler Magazine, this has been announced as the ‘world’s best market’ in past years and is a must-visit when exploring Old Town Toronto. Closed on Mondays (and civic holidays), you might want to set aside sufficient time to explore this marketplace after your guide offers you a brief overview of its past and importance, not just to the erstwhile Town of York, but also to the modern Toronto that it evolved to be. In addition to being a prominent tourist attraction, the St Lawrence Market attracts locals with its specialty and locally manufactured goods, including gourmet mustards, Ontario wines and cheeses, and the celebrated peameal bacon sandwich.

If this tour has piqued your hunger, and the market is open, treat your taste buds by tasting your guide’s suggested delicacies!

• English-speaking Tour Guide

• Gratuities