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No minimum number of attendeesNo minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Hi, I'm Kirsten! I'm a writer, teacher and historian who grew up in Toronto and lived much of my life in the UK. I love to travel and enjoy meeting people from around the world and learning about different cultures. I'm also passionate about nature and wildlife.
Come and enjoy the wonderous sights and splendors of the culturally diverse Kensington Market and Chinatown. Though located in the heart of the downtown, this area is a world apart from the nearby concrete high-rises and is one of the most dynamic and vibrant parts of the city.
Kensington Market has a layered and multicultural history, and as an added bonus are my own personal stories, as my family lived in the area from the 1920s. I'll tell you about my great grandfather's peddling business and how my parents met through a local chicken seller turned matchmaker! I was also a regular visit to the market growing up - especially the vintage clothing shops - and have seen first hand the many changes over the years.
After exploring the cultural and culinary richness of the market, we'll make our way through bustling Chinatown, through Baldwin village and past the iconic 'table-top' building near the Art Gallery of Ontario, ending in the recently revamped Grange Park, near enough for you to further explore the eclectic shops and restaurants of the area.
Highlights of the tour include:
This is an off the beaten track, original and heartfelt tour full with lots of interesting and quirky sights. If you love history, culture and oddball family stories, this is the tour for you.
Please arrive on time, though we will spend a few minutes in the park. Small groups are always guaranteed on this tour.
The tour takes between 2-2.5 hours. Washrooms are available during the tour, plus a couple of indoor stops to warm up and grab some food or a coffee. We'll end up about a 20-minute walk from where we started.
This is a free tour in the sense that you're free to give payment according to how much you've enjoyed the tour. I'm also happy to answer any questions and help with directions and advice.
If your plans change, please let me know at least an hour or two before the tour so I can make arrangements accordingly.
Looking forward to meeting you all and sharing this wonderful area. See you there!
Meet by the bronze Al Waxman statue (north-west corner at Bellevue Avenue and Denison Square). I will be wearing a grey fleece and holding a black folder.
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).
