Toronto: Kensington Market & Chinatown
3 hours
From 10:00
Group 1+
3 hours
10:00
![Toronto: Kensington Market & Chinatown](https://dqbjj4yvnaqg7.cloudfront.net/tour/images/large/eyJrZXkiOiJwcm9kdWN0SW1hZ2VzL2QzOTQ2MzI2LTZmNjYtNDUwMC05ZDRmLWE3MDI3NjFlNTNkZiIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciIsIndpZHRoIjoxMDAwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjU2Mi41fX19.webp)
What you'll do
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. 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. We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day.
What's Included
Local English-speaking guide
Coffee or tea at a local cafe
A snack at a local food vendor
What's not included
Additional snacks and beverages
Tips/gratuities for your guide
Notes
Local Impact: How you taking this tour will benefit the local community:
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.
- We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day.
What is included in the tour?
Local English-speaking guide, coffee or tea at a local cafe, a snack at a local food vendor
What isn't included in the tour?
Additional snacks and beverages, tips/gratuities for your guide
Where do we meet?
Meet at the SW corner of McCaul St and Dundas St West beside the Art Gallery of Ontario
Where does the tour end?
Dragon City Shopping Centre (SW corner of Spadina Ave. and Dundas St. West)
What is the duration of the tour?
3 hours
What is the group size of this tour?
For shared tours, the maximum group number will be 12 passengers. For private tours, there must be a minimum of 2 passengers. A solo traveller may still book a private experience, but they will be charged a base rate for two travellers.
Are there any Covid-19 vaccination requirements?
While we strongly recommend that all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Intrepid Urban Adventures tour. For further information, please review COVID-19 Health & Safety at https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/about-us/covid-19-customer-info
What if I can't find my guide?
If you have any issues on the day of your tour, please call +1 8006919320
Can I cancel my tour?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity
Gallery
![Toronto: Kensington Market & Chinatown Image](https://dqbjj4yvnaqg7.cloudfront.net/tour/images/large/eyJrZXkiOiJwcm9kdWN0SW1hZ2VzL2QzOTQ2MzI2LTZmNjYtNDUwMC05ZDRmLWE3MDI3NjFlNTNkZiIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciIsIndpZHRoIjoxMDAwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjU2Mi41fX19.webp)
![Product](https://dqbjj4yvnaqg7.cloudfront.net/tour/images/medium/eyJrZXkiOiJwcm9kdWN0SW1hZ2VzLzg5MGI2ODgwLTc4NTctNDJjOC04YmFlLTY2ZTFjM2M3OTZiNyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciIsIndpZHRoIjo1MDAsImhlaWdodCI6MjgxLjI1fX19.webp)
![Product](https://dqbjj4yvnaqg7.cloudfront.net/tour/images/medium/eyJrZXkiOiJwcm9kdWN0SW1hZ2VzLzNkYWQxZDc2LTU3MDMtNDk0Yy1hMTY2LTkwNmRjMGUxYTQwNiIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciIsIndpZHRoIjo1MDAsImhlaWdodCI6MjgxLjI1fX19.webp)
Cancellation policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
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