In Kensington Market, over a coffee or tea at a local cafe, you’ll learn how the neighbourhood has evolved from a working-class Jewish market into a working-class bohemian market. Several waves of immigrant settlement over the past century have splashed colours, sounds, and flavours from the four corners of the earth throughout Kensington Market, and yet there is not a McDonald's or Starbucks to be seen. Large multinational corporations are decidedly unwelcome, and unlikely to migrate their way in anytime soon. One of the many highlights of this tour is a visit to a local food vendor to awaken your taste buds to Kensington Market’s international flavour.Aside from its aversion to corporations, the neighbourhood is known for its festivals (Pedestrian Sunday is a favourite), vintage shops, cafes, bakeries, hole-in-the-wall bars, and the many, many bare brick walls that have long been covered with graffiti murals (often at the request of the buildings’ owners). These murals are nearly all stunning, and have become one of the iconic features of the neighbourhood. Your local guide will be happy to elaborate on any element of the neighbourhood you find particularly interesting on this Kensington Market tour in Toronto – we all love this area a lot!
As we said, right next door to Kensington Market is Chinatown, one of Canada's largest Chinese communities, and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. One of the busiest areas in the city, there’s always something happening, and always tales to tell. On this part of your Toronto tour, your guide will enlighten you with some favourite local stories and intriguing history surrounding Toronto’s Chinatown. Along the way, you’ll also likely get restaurant recommendations, which can really come in handy for after your Toronto Chinatown tour – trust us, there are a lot of places to eat around here.
Walking Tour Of Toronto's Kensington Market And Chinatown
Tour Information
Key Details
- Mobile Voucher Accepted
- Hotel pickup Available
- Instant Confirmation
- Lowest Price Guaranteed
- Duration: 3 Hrs
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Language:
English
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Departure Time :
10:00 AM
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Return Details :
Dress Code Summers can be hot and humid, spring/autumn can be cool, and winters downright frigid with snow. Dress according to weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Review us How did we do? Yo.. read more
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Cancellation Policy : This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.
Overview
Discover two of Toronto's most colorful and multicultural neighborhoods on this small-group walking tour of Kensington market and Chinatown. On this 2-hour tour, immerse yourself in both local and international culture as you wander the often bustling streets lined with unique vendors and specialty stores. Learn from your guide about the history of these areas and discover the best places to shop and eat.
Know More about this tour
Itinerary:
In Kensington Market, over a coffee or tea at a local cafe, you’ll learn how the neighbourhood has evolved from a working-class Jewish market into a working-class bohemian market. Several waves of immigrant settlement over the past century have splashed colours, sounds, and flavours from the four corners of the earth throughout Kensington Market, and yet there is not a McDonald's or Starbucks to be seen. Large multinational corporations are decidedly unwelcome, and unlikely to migrate their way in anytime soon. One of the many highlights of this tour is a visit to a local food vendor to awaken your taste buds to Kensington Market’s international flavour. Aside from its aversion to corporations, the neighbourhood is known for its festivals (Pedestrian Sunday is a favourite), vintage shops, cafes, bakeries, hole-in-the-wall bars, and the many, many bare brick walls that have long been covered with graffiti murals (often at the request of the buildings’ owners). These murals are nearly all stunning, and have become one of the iconic features of the neighbourhood. Your local guide will be happy to elaborate on any element of the neighbourhood you find particularly interesting on this Kensington Market tour in Toronto – we all love this area a lot!
As we said, right next door to Kensington Market is Chinatown, one of Canada's largest Chinese communities, and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. One of the busiest areas in the city, there’s always something happening, and always tales to tell. On this part of your Toronto tour, your guide will enlighten you with some favourite local stories and intriguing history surrounding Toronto’s Chinatown. Along the way, you’ll also likely get restaurant recommendations, which can really come in handy for after your Toronto Chinatown tour – trust us, there are a lot of places to eat around here.
Inclusions
- Local English-speaking guide
- Walk the hidden lanes and alleys to discover amazing graffiti art
- Explore the unique, bohemian atmosphere of Kensington Market
- Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Torontos legendary Chinatown
- Stop for a coffee or tea in one of the local cafes
- Sample a snack at a local food vendor
Exclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Additional snacks and beverages
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a child-friendly tour. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us if youll be bringing a child under the age of 6.
Tour involves a good amount of walking; comfortable shoes are recommended
Traveler Reviews
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We took this tour on a cold November day and our experience was just fantastic. Jason our guide and a true local is very knowledgeable about the Kensington market neighborhood history and current make up. In addition to inviting us to Chinese pastry and coffee, he pointed out the most interesting food spots and took us to great shopping. An all around great experience that was the highlight of our 3 days stay in Toronto.
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Fantastic tour with Alex. Exceptional knowledge and he kept us wanting more! Fantastic historical knowledge and great background of Toronto, Chinatown, and Kensington Market! We will tour with them again!
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A fantastic day with Jason-sharing his wealth of knowledge about the area with us! I I have always lived in the Toronto suburbs but learned so much I never knew. The stops for a neighbourhood treat and a drink was a great way to add to the experience.
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Jason was a great guide. So much history and specific knowledge of the neighborhood. Tour was nicely paced with yummy food stops along the way.
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Alex was amazing! Loved all the stops and SO. MUCH. HISTORY. Would recommend 100% this Kensington and China Town tour!
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Enjoyed the great stories about the neighborhood and the hidden treasure. Our group was invited in to an old synagogue as a special, random treat. Our guide (Roiden- sp?)created a really fun, social experience with our other travelers.
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Delightful easy walking tour; amazing outdoor art and murals; tastings were delicious. Guide was very knowledgeable and personable. I highly recommend this tour for a side of Toronto that most people will miss.
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The guide is informative and fun. The pace was good for us older folks and there was a coffee break at the halfway mark. Toronto Chinatown is not as good as Vancouver or San Francisco but we still enjoyed it. You could tell the guide enjoyed talking about his city.
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We did a day trip to Toronto from Niagara on the Lake and didn’t want to just wander around aimlessly and this tour was such a great choice! Max took us through 2 neighborhoods that we likely otherwise wouldn’t have found on our own. He also gave us some suggestions for lunch after. Max was awesome! Highly recommend.
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Tour guide was great. As we were the only people on the tour he really tailored it to what we found most interesting. Great way to get to know a very interesting and historic part of the city.