Discover Toronto's Old and Downtown centres.

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Kieran
Registered on May 13, 2023

Hi, there. I'm a tour guide in Toronto. I love the city, as well as meeting new people. A role model of mine was Anthony Bourdain, as I loved what he was trying to accomplish by bringing people together, regardless of background, to illustrate the human desire for connection we all have. I aspire to give my guests the same genuine passion. In my spare time, I enjoy eating too much chocolate, making music, and writing, the latter two being my side jobs and passions. (If only I was paid to eat chocolate.) I've traveled to over 10 countries, I have lived in four of them, and have spent years residing in different states within the U.S, from California to Pennsylvania. One of my favorite places on earth is Ireland, and a place I want to travel to is Japan. I offer a few tours in Toronto and would love to show you around the city. Lastly, because I majored in Japanese in college, I retain much of the language, and could, upon request, speak Japanese while on the tour if any potential guests are from Japan. (Though I can't promise fluency.) Just thought I'd mention it. NOTE: please message me if you see a booking is full and we can talk about adding you on the schedule. I also offer private tours upon request. Please message me if interested.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

Come discover Toronto's historic blend of old and downtown centres, all while we dodge traffic and j - walk across the city. (Don't worry, we all do it here.)

Explore the beautiful buildings of old town Toronto and marvel at the modern core of the city as both join together in an oddly satisfying melting pot of culture, architecture, and history. Learn about some of the more interesting sides of Toronto's past, and judge for yourself how a city succeeds in keeping its history alive. Come see exactly how walkable Toronto really is, a feature most North American cities don't retain.

Along the way, we stop by such places as Old City Hall, Dundas Square, St.James Cathedral, and Market Street, to name a few gems on the tour. (I've got to keep some surprises for you after all.)
The tour starts at the current city hall of Toronto, right in front of the statue, and ends near St.Lawrence Market, at Berczy Dog Park.

If you enjoy history, walking, and architecture, this is a good tour for you. If you're like me, you will appreciate how Toronto seems to maintain a balance between modern and old, while allowing nature to play a vital role in the city's design and appeal. 

NOTE: This tour is a free walking tour. If you liked the tour, no one got lost, and didn't totally hate me, you can choose to tip at the end. It is appreciated and always welcome, but there is no strict obligation. 

ATTENTION: Please confirm your booking with me the night before the tour is scheduled. I ask this because there are no booking fees for these tours, and it is easy for people to not show up because of this fact. Out of respect for my time and energy, I want to make sure I know I am going to be leading a tour with guests the next day. Thank you for understanding. 

The meeting point is in front of City hall, at the stage, which is located to the left of the Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips square. I will be off to the side of the stage, standing in the shade. I will always be wearing two lanyards with my name on them. 

If the tour is full, please message me and we can talk about getting you signed up. Thanks!

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  • Meeting point:
    Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St W, To...
    Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1P5, Canada
    View on map

    The meeting place will be held at the stage in Nathan Phillips Square. It is to the left of the Toronto sign. I will be standing in the shade, but if you don't see me immediately, just walk around the stage. I will be there wearing a lanyard with my name on it.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

38 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.88
Fun
4.88
Expression
4.88
Quality
4.94
Route
4.97
Generic
5 stars
36
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Anne 25 Sep 2023
Cupertino

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Kieran was a gem! Despite the small group size, consisting of just the five of us, he maintained his vibrant spirit and engaging storytelling. Not only did he add humor to the experience, but he also delved into the fascinating stories behind the small details of Toronto. He shared histories and anecdotes that we would have never known had we not taken this walk with him. It truly enriched our exploration of the city and made the tour not just informative but also enjoyable! He remained energetic and engaging, never showed any signs of tiredness. A 5/5 star tour guide!
Niam 22 Sep 2023
Berwyn

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Kieran was awesome! - fun, personable, was easy to understand and talk to, taught us a lot about toronto, and did it in a fun way - highly recommend the tour!
Luciano 21 Sep 2023
Buenos Aires

Verified booking
Travelled in family - Sep 2023
Todo muy bien. Valió la pena.
Elaine 16 Sep 2023
London

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Such a great experience, Kiernan brought Toronto to life.
Regina 14 Sep 2023
Munich

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Very humerous and informativ, Kieran was a great guide. Thanks again :)
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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