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Heritage Toronto is offering a series of walking, bike, bus and boutique tours throughout the summer until the end of October. Since 1949, Heritage Toronto has helped promote the city's vast cultural, natural, archaeological and architectural heritage through events such as tours and plaque presentations. Its popular tours season is now in its 20th year and for only the second time features bike, bus and boutique tours in addition to its seminal walking tours.
Sure to be one of the most popular walking tours of the season, Heritage Toronto is launching Creating Toronto: The Story of the City in Ten Stops. Ten brief stops will guide walkers through the history of Toronto, from people who left their footprints here 10,000 years ago, to the rise of the imposing Financial District. The tour will also tell the stories of those who helped mold Toronto into what it is today, including those involved in scientific advancements that have shaped the modern world.
"This is an excellent tour for residents playing host to out-of-towners, those who have just moved to the city, tourists looking to get an authentic feel for what Toronto was and is, and even for people who've lived here their whole lives – there were stories I didn't even know about when I went on my first 'Creating Toronto' tour," said Stacey Rodas, Director of Marketing at Heritage Toronto. "This tour really uncovers those unique stories for you."
The event will be a boutique walking tour, which requires pre-registration due to its more intimate setting. The cost is $20 with tours running every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm from July 10 to August 28.
In addition, Heritage Toronto offers a series of pay what you can walking tours throughout the summer that explore and discuss different areas and topics, including the Battle of York and Guild Park. Two bike tours exploring the history of the Don Valley and the Toronto Islands will also be offered at a cost of $25. Finally, a bus tour of North Etobicoke on October 5 will feature some of the surprising landmarks of suburbia, ending with afternoon tea at Montgomery's Inn.
Heritage Toronto also administers their Plaques and Markers Program which recognizes key places, people and events important to the city's history, such as the Maclean House. These ceremonies are free to attend and take place throughout the year.
Visit the Heritage Toronto website for more information about the agency and its tours and events.
Have you been on any Heritage Toronto tours in the past? Will you attend one of the Creating Toronto tours? Let us know by leaving a comment in the field below.
