Kensington Market & Chinatown

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.8 Based on 8 Reviews
  • duration 3 hours
  • tour type Small group
  • age requirement 1-95 yrs
  • max group size 12
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-2275
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Toronto, Canada
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Toronto’s legendary Chinatown
  • Explore the unique, bohemian atmosphere of Kensington Market – one of Toronto’s most famous and eclectic neighbourhoods
  • Check out locally-owned and operated eateries, shops, and produce markets and make sure you keep a tally of all the places you’re going to want to come back to later (trust us)
  • Stop for a coffee or tea in one of the local cafes and sample one of the many international foods available in the neighbourhood at a local shop
  • Walk the hidden lanes and alleys to discover amazing graffiti art
  • Local Impact: How you taking this tour will benefit the local community:
  • All the stores and foodie spots we visit are 100% owned and run by locals from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, ensuring that local people benefit from tourism to their city. So any inclusions on the tour and additional purchases you make will directly benefit the local community.
  • You will pick up some responsible travel tips that will help you to be a greener traveller while you’re in the city.
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The Kensington Market & Chinatown tour starts and ends in Toronto. The Kensington Market & Chinatown is a food tour that takes 3 hours.

Skip the generic, tourist-trap sights and join this Toronto tour to see two of the city's coolest communities. Hit Chinatown to see where China and Canada collide, then visit the Kensington Market area for graffiti, vintage shops, coffee houses, comic book stores, and everything else decidedly hip.
ITINERARY

Ask any local and they’ll tell you – one of the best things to do in Toronto is to explore two of the city’s most colourful and multicultural neighbourhoods – Chinatown and Kensington Market. On this Toronto walking tour you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with both of these local favourites, experiencing the rich history, vibrant cultures, and iconic uniqueness both Chinatown and Kensington Market are known for.

The streets around Chinatown and Kensington Market are often crowded, but always friendly. With a reputation for local and international delicacies, unique vendors, and specialty shops, there really is nowhere else like this in Toronto. Distinctively different, yet undeniably and inherently similar, these two neighbourhoods sit right next to each other, offering both a wonderful juxtaposition, and interesting compliment to one another – perfect for exploring together on this unique tour of Toronto.

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.

By the time your Toronto tour is over, we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll want to hang around Chinatown and pop back into Kensington Market on your own for a while to pick up some vintage or one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts, and to devour a truly delicious meal at any of the dozens of tasty spots nearby.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guide
  • Local English-speaking guide.
Others
  • Coffee or tea at a local cafe
  • A snack at a local food vendor
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Additional snacks and beverages
  • souvenirs
  • tips & gratuities for your guide.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 8 reviews
  • Mr. Hector B.
  • On Aug 13 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Re: 5 below - would need to get their permission first
  • Mr. Jerome K.
  • On Jun 22 2016
4.8 - Excellent
Excellent
Mike was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The use of his iPad to show different pictures and information was a great way to augment the tour.
  • Mr. Nicholas B.
  • On Jun 10 2016
4.8 - Excellent
Excellent
This tour was the highlight of our time in Toronto. Mike did a great job sharing his knowledge of the local area. We can't wait to visit again and take one of the other tours offered!
  • Mr. Michael H.
  • On Jun 08 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Can't say enough good things about the tour. Had a great time. Mike is an awesome guide who seems to know all of Toronto's most interesting stories.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

Cancellation for this product is free up to 48 hours before the chosen start date - full refund will be given. If cancelling less than 48 hours before the chosen start date no refund applies.

Meeting start point :

Meet at the SW corner of McCaul St and Dundas St West beside the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Meeting end point :

Dragon City Shopping Centre (SW corner of Spadina Ave. and Dundas St. West)

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour follows established guidelines that are in line with the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ framework against COVID-19.
  • Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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