Kensington Market and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Tour

Toronto , Canada

Kensington Market and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Tour

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About this experience

Explore the colourful streetscape of two of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods with Jane Herman of On the Town Tours. Start this self-guided GPS audio tour in one of the most “Instagrammable” spots: the south side of the Art Gallery of Ontario and end the tour at Kensington Market. Along the way, you'll pass by the iconic OCAD University and Chinatown.

Jane expertly helps you navigate your way through the proliferation of street artists, vintage clothing stores, speciality markets, and unique eateries, providing invaluable suggestions about where to stop along the way. The tour is ready whenever you are. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

Start the tour in the app and put your phone in your pocket. The directions are clear and easy to follow and are great for both tourists as well as locals looking for a fun afternoon.

Available options

Kensington Market and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Tour

What's included

VoiceMap App for Android and iOS

Lifetime access to this tour in English

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1 Pass by

The Art Gallery of Ontario is an art museum in Toronto. Its collection includes close to 95,000 works spanning the first century to the present day. The gallery has 45,000 square metres of physical space, making it one of the largest galleries in North America.

Stop 2 Pass by

Kensington is a vibrant, historic multicultural neighbourhood and marketplace featuring over 240 unique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. There’s also a large population of writers, artists and musicians living alongside a diverse immigrant community.

Stop 3 Pass by

On most days, the flavor of Chinatown literally spills right out onto the sidewalk. You'll pass an array of produce markets and grocers featuring mounds of exotic looking herbs, fruits, vegetables and dried seafood. Vendors line the sidewalk, some of them selling wares right out of grocery carts and pop-up tables.

Grange Park is a prominent and well-used public park in downtown Toronto. The Park lends its name to the Grange Park neighbourhood in the vicinity of the park. Historically, the park was the backyard of The Grange, a manor that eventually was expanded and became the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Ontario College of Art and Design University is a public university located in Toronto. The school is Canada's largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. OCAD University offers courses through the Faculties of Art, Design, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and alternative programs.

The congregation of the historic Kiever Synagogue originally resided in the Ward. They purchased the property in 1914 from the Denison family estate and built a new synagogue.

Kensington occupies a tract of land that was originally owned by the Denison family. George Taylor Denison used the land now occupied by the park as a parade ground for his volunteer cavalry troop, which he commanded during the Rebellion of 1837.

Toronto Chinatowns are ethnic neighbourhoods in and around Toronto, with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese residents and businesses. These neighbourhoods are major cultural, social and economic hubs for the Chinese-Canadian communities of the region. There are multiple Chinatowns in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

What's not included

Smartphone and headphones

Transportation

Food/Drink

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Available languages

Audio guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

4 reviews

5★

4★

3★

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1★

Tripadvisor 4.0

3 reviews

5★

4★

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1★

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

This tour starts in Grange Park on the south side of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

Important notes

VOICEMAP CODE
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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. VoiceMap has sent you an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
2. Create an account
3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me

About Toronto

Toronto is Canada's largest city and a vibrant multicultural hub known for its towering skyscrapers, diverse neighborhoods, and rich cultural scene. It's a city where modernity and tradition blend seamlessly, offering a dynamic urban experience with a welcoming atmosphere.

Top Attractions

CN Tower

The CN Tower is an iconic landmark of Toronto and one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world. It offers panoramic views of the city and a thrilling EdgeWalk experience.

Architecture 1-2 hours $38 CAD for general admission

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

The ROM is Canada's largest museum of natural history and world cultures. It features a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits, including dinosaur fossils, ancient artifacts, and contemporary art.

Museum 2-3 hours $23 CAD for adults

Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands offer a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. With beautiful beaches, scenic trails, and stunning views of the skyline, it's a perfect spot for picnics, cycling, and relaxation.

Nature Half-day to full day $8.25 CAD round trip ferry ticket

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Ripley's Aquarium is a fascinating underwater world featuring a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and penguins. It's an exciting and educational experience for all ages.

Attraction 1-2 hours $42.99 CAD for adults

Distillery District

The Distillery District is a historic and charming neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets, Victorian-era buildings, and vibrant arts scene. It's a great place for shopping, dining, and cultural events.

Cultural 1-2 hours Free to explore, varies for shops and restaurants

Must-Try Local Dishes

Poutine

A classic Canadian dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.

Main Dish Contains dairy and gluten

Butter Tarts

A sweet pastry filled with a mixture of butter, sugar, syrup, and sometimes raisins or pecans.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Peameal Bacon Sandwich

A Toronto specialty featuring peameal bacon (back bacon rolled in cornmeal) served on a bun.

Breakfast/Lunch Contains pork

Nanaimo Bars

A no-bake dessert square with a crumb base, a light custard-flavored butter icing in the middle, and a chocolate layer on top.

Dessert Contains gluten, dairy, and nuts

Popular Activities

Hiking Skiing Canoeing Spas Yoga Meditation Museums Art Galleries

Best Time to Visit

May to October

This is the best time to visit Toronto for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The city comes alive with festivals, outdoor dining, and events.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English, French
Widely spoken: English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Portuguese
English: Widely spoken

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Time Zone

GMT-5 (Eastern Standard Time, EST) or GMT-4 (Eastern Daylight Time, EDT)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Toronto is generally considered a safe city, but like any major urban center, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Be cautious when using ATMs
• Avoid walking alone late at night in isolated areas

Getting there

By air

Toronto Pearson International Airport • 22.5 km from city center
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport • 3 km from city center

By train

Toronto Union Station

By bus

Toronto Coach Terminal, Union Station Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

The TTC subway system is efficient and widely used. It consists of four lines that connect major attractions and neighborhoods.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Downtown Toronto Kensington Market Chinatown The Annex Leslieville

Day trips

Niagara Falls

130 km from Toronto • Full day

Niagara Falls is one of the world's most famous natural wonders, offering breathtaking views, boat tours, and a variety of attractions.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

135 km from Toronto • Full day

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming town known for its historic sites, wineries, and beautiful architecture.

Blue Mountain

150 km from Toronto • Full day or overnight

Blue Mountain is a popular year-round destination offering skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and a charming village with shops and restaurants.

Festivals

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) • September Pride Toronto • June Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) • August

Pro tips

Visit the Toronto Islands for a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle
Explore the Distillery District for its charming cobblestone streets and vibrant arts scene
Try local craft beers at one of the city's many breweries
Visit during the Toronto Christmas Market for a magical and festive experience
Take a stroll along the waterfront for stunning views of the city skyline