Old Town Toronto History Tour

Old City Hall

Our meeting point for this tour. Old City Hall was built to reflect both the needs of the city for a larger administration building but also Toronto's aspirations as a growing Victorian metropolis in the late 19th century. Learn about the architect and his conflict with city councillors and how he had the last word. We won't be entering this building as it is an active courthouse and requires security screening, but the exterior is stunning and Instagram-worthy!

Duration: 10 minutes

Church of the Holy Trinity

Completed in 1847 (it's 20 years older than Canada!) this church was built to serve the poor residents of St John's Ward, a slum that the city of Toronto grew around, and was later demolished piece by piece over the next century. Here you will learn about the church and its unique beginnings, and how the city grew up around it. If the church is open to the public, a peek inside may be possible.

Duration: 10 minutes

Yonge-Dundas Square

The "Times Square" of Toronto, this is the commercial heart of the city with giant LED screens and billboards galore. This is also a hotspot for buskers, believers peddling their faith, and all manner of hawkers, gawkers, and walkers moving between shops. The modern lights and sounds leave little trace of the old Toronto to be seen, which is why we don't linger long here, but move through the square to our next stop.

Mackenzie House

The home of our first mayor - and some believe he haunts it! This is one of the oldest standing houses in the area and although it has seen many different uses, it's best remembered (and preserved today) as the former residence of William Lyon Mackenzie, a newspaperman turned mayor in 1834, turned rebel and wanted for treason just 3 years later. His story is a doozy, and you'll hear it here. Toronto's history museums are open to the public most days and guests are encouraged to return to spend an hour or two here on their own if they wish to see inside the house and learn more about Mackenzie!

Duration: 10 minutes

Old Town

The bulk of this tour takes place in Old Town Toronto and your guide has a number of stories and sites to share with you. Toronto's history as a small military town established to support a nearby fort (Fort York - in the west end of downtown) and growth into a bustling city will be explained over the course of your time here.

St James Anglican Cathedral

Learn about the centre of spiritual life for the rich and powerful in Toronto 100+ years ago at this Anglican cathedral. The fifth to stand here, the present building was completed in 1853, after a massive fire wiped out the centre of Toronto in 1849 in our first "Great Fire". It was the church of the first British colonists and stood as a symbol of power for the ruling class through much of the city's history. If the church is open to the public we will take a peek inside!

Duration: 10 minutes

St. Lawrence Market

National Geographic Traveller Magazine declared this the "best market in the world" several years ago and it's a must-visit for everyone exploring Old Town Toronto. Closed on Mondays (and civic holidays) this is a place you should schedule some time to visit more thoroughly after your guide gives you an overview of its history and significance to not only the early Town of York, but the modern Toronto that town became. Not only a popular tourist attraction, the St Lawrence Market draws locals in search of specialty and locally-produced items like gourmet mustards, Ontario wines and cheeses, and the famous peameal bacon sandwich. if you worked up an appetite on this tour, and the market is open, you should do your stomach a favour and take your guide's advice on what to seek out here!

Duration: 10 minutes