Art and culture activities in Ontario

Explore urban art with an acclaimed street artist

Learn the secrets behind Toronto's famous signs

Signs are landmarks that are often just as memorable as the businesses they advertise. Join a local architect for a 3.4-kilometer (2-mile) walking tour of some of Toronto’s most famous signs, from flashy neon signs to unique street signs. We’ll discuss how local laws and Special Sign Districts influence the look and feel of the city you see around you. • We’ll start by visiting two recently restored neon signs that adorn historic music venues and learn about the famous acts who performed there. • Next, we'll explore Chinatown and discuss the distinctive style of signs that have come to define this neighbourhood. • We'll continue along Dundas Street where you'll spot some smaller signs off the beaten path and hear about the colourful stories behind them. • Then, we’ll wander down to Nathan Phillips Square, where you'll have the opportunity to take a photo with the iconic TORONTO sign and learn how it came to be. You’ll see a different side of Toronto on this walk and develop a new appreciation for the urban environment. I hope it will inspire you to keep looking up at the signs around you as you explore this dynamic city!

View Toronto’s public art with an artist

Walk through the city to see how sculptures and art transform public spaces. Start with light Begin at James Turrell’s innovative light installation. View Two Circles Admire Micah Lexier’s large-scale ceramic mosaics. Observe Toronto Wind Marvel at BREAKFAST Studio’s kinetic wind sculpture. End at We Are Shaped Contemplate Sasaki’s tribute to the courage of Terry Fox.

Tips-Based Walking Tour of Toronto

The Tips-Based Walking Tour of Toronto is more than a touristy sightseeing excursion; it’s a chance to be immersed in the buzzing downtown of Canada’s largest city. Toronto has a rich and vibrant history, present and future, which can best be experienced by walking the streets with a local. Your local guide will make Toronto’s rich history come alive, and will take you past iconic and picture-ready sites that will sure to provide lasting memories. Your guide will recount stories that will immerse you in Toronto culture, and provide recommendations for the rest of your trip for must-see, must-do and must-taste adventures. As you make your way through Toronto, you won’t just be observing the city—you’ll become a part of Toronto’s ongoing story. So, whether you’re a solo traveler, a family on vacation, or a local revisiting your city’s charm, Toonie Tours promises a Toronto experience like no other. With stories that resonate, moments that captivate, and a personal touch that endears, this is one journey you won’t forget. Join us, and let the streets of Toronto unfold their tales, one step at a time, always in good company. *Tip-based walking tour means you can join this tour for a small booking fee, and 'try it before you buy it'. You have the freedom to tip your guide what you feel the tour was worth. The average walking tour of Toronto is $30+/person.

Learn laser cutting at Maker Bean Cafe

Come play with lasers over coffee or tea! Laser cutting is a creative and fun way to bring your designs to life on a variety of materials, from wood to acrylic to leather, and there's no better place to do it than a cafe. As part of The Maker Bean Cafe's laser cutting experience, you'll be given a laptop and all the design software you'll need, and we'll walk you through a full design and laser cutting experience. We'll teach you how laser cutters work, show you different cuts you can achieve on maple wood and then let you design your own pin or coaster! You'll also receive a cafe drink with your experience: coffee or tea, hot or iced, from local coffee roaster Propeller Coffee Co. and local tea maker Pluck Teas. Let your creativity fly: choose your favourite designs, arrange them any way you'd like, and then operate the laser cutter yourself to create your item! It be a souvenir of your time here, a special gift for someone or a personal keepsake for yourself. Looking forward to getting creative with you at The Maker Bean Cafe! Other things to note No previous design or laser cutting experience necessary! We can accommodate both beginner and advanced designers.

Discover Toronto like a Local - A Guided Walking Tour

Join me to explore Toronto's history and present-day on a walking tour around the city's downtown, Financial District, and Old Town. This experience is focused on Toronto's architecture, history, and culture. Our walking tour will start at Nathan Philips Square in front of City Hall and its popular Toronto Sign. Among the highlights are the Old City Hall, PATH (Underground City), Hockey Hall of Fame, Flat Iron Building, and some hidden gems along the way. We'll tell you stories, and anecdotes of buildings, people, and their significance to the city's history, from past to present. We will finish our group tour in Old Town, at the St. Lawrence Market, considered one of the world's great food markets (EXCEPT on Mondays when the Market is CLOSED, so consider that before booking). NOTE: This tour does not end where it begins.

The history of crime in Toronto walking tour

I am a retired Toronto Detective, and I have a very unique insight into how Toronto has grown over the years. I offer a walking tour through downtown Toronto that covers the history and growth of the city through a crime & punishment lens. From the Upper Canada Rebellion in the 1850s, bank robbing gangs in the 1950s, the evolution of our LGBTQ2S community, the G20 riots in 2010. I have a personal connection to some of these stories, you will see Toronto in a whole new light!

Toronto Inspired Mural Art Tour

This tour begins in the heart of a western downtown neighbourhood, next to the Bloor UP Express train station, providing tourists with convenient access from either Pearson Airport or Union Station. As we walk along a nearby bike trail, guests are provided with a quick synopsis of the surrounding artwork, with 10 intriguing mural stops throughout the tour. Photography is highly encouraged. A unique interpretation of each piece of artwork can also be shared amongst guests in between mural locations. Guests are also given secret clues, called 'city gems' that reveal the themes of upcoming murals en route. In addition, wayfinding of the area is provided, allowing guests to better orientate themselves within the city landscape. Following the journey via Google Maps is optional though the tour is more fulfilling as a surprise element. It is also accompanied by historically relevant music, weather pending. This tour will be approximately 90 minutes in length, with 20-30 minutes at the end for Q&A + a list of local events happening in the city. The goal is to inspire and invigorate the minds of all those who participate, using an artistic lens to get a thorough understanding of the city's design. Other things to note Dress for outdoor weather (day appropriate)

Creative Jewelry Workshop with Pursuade Me in Queen West

Get ready to awaken your creative side with our custom jewelry workshop with Pursuade Me! Join us and create your own unique Stretch Bracelet using a variety of natural and semi-precious materials. This workshop is open to all ages and individuals, including friends, couples, family members, and even your furry friends! Our workshop facilitator, Hannah, is a fashion accessory designer with years of experience in jewelry making. In this workshop, she will guide you through the process of designing your very own one-of-a-kind stretch bracelet. You will learn about different materials, such as wooden beads, lava rocks, semi-precious stones, and unique spacer beads. We allocate 1 hour for the workshops, giving you plenty of time to create your masterpiece. You will leave this workshop with a stunning stretch bracelet, a gemstone card, and a sense of creative accomplishment. Join us for a fun and rewarding experience that will ignite your passion for jewelry making. Don't miss out on the chance to learn new skills, make new friends, and leave with a beautiful piece of jewelry to wear or gift to someone special. Extra bracelets are $25 to make. If you're interested in booking an event for a larger group please feel free to DM for custom bookings with Pursuade Me.

Vistas & Fresh Water Toronto by e bike

Starting and ending in Toronto's historic Cabbagetown neighbourhood, I will help you get comfortable in your electric pedal assist bike. We will meander along the lakefront, river, and city bike trails, stopping wherever and for as long as you like. And because it's just the two of you, feel free to hop off the bike and walk in the sand or enjoy the view of the skyline or Lake Ontario. Walking your bike along the boardwalk or park is easy with our e bikes walk assist. Once in the Beaches, a lovely picnic will be laid out for you. Complete with red checkered table cloth, lunch will include your choice of prosciutto or roast turkey on a Montreal style bagel, and salad, all prepared fresh from a local charcuterie, and to drink, a craft soda. From Victorian Cabbagetown, we will make way along The Waterfront Trail via Corktown Common to The Beaches for our picnic, people watching, and boardwalk. After lunch off to Tommy Thompson park, for spectacular city views, urban art and wildlife. Next along The Waterfront Trail to Toronto's busy harbourfront and William Davis Trail for more spectacular views of downtown Toronto from the west end. Cadence & Volta has been awarded Ontario by Bike Best Bike tour in Greater Toronto 2024.