Toronto City Walking Tour

Welcome to Toronto

On the first day of the program, we want groups to feel more comfortable in Toronto and get to know a few of the important attractions around OISE. Through a guided walking tour, participants will explore nearby landmarks such as the University of Toronto, Queen’s Park, University Avenue, Sankofa Square, the Toronto sign, and Yorkville. This is a great opportunity to get oriented, connect with the city’s culture and history, and begin building connections within the group in a relaxed and engaging setting.

TORONTO CITY TOUR ITINERARY

1:00PM: Meet in the parkette

1:00PM-4:00PM: Complete the walking tour of Toronto, stopping by Convocation Hall, Queen’s Park, University Avenue, Osgoode Hall, Toronto Courthouse, Nathan Philips Square, Yonge-Dundas Square, Royal Ontario Museum, and Varsity Stadium

4:00PM: Dismiss students at nearest Subway station

Toronto Step-by-Step

Ontario Institute for Studies of Education

Also known as OISE, this building is where students aiming to be teachers study. It was built after WW2, when Canadian society was transforming quickly. When OISE was built, many criticized how much space it took on Bloor Street, so the construction workers moved it more North away from Bloor Street

Sidney Smith Hall

Directions: From OISE, head west on Bloor Street West, and then head south on St. George Street. Continue walking straight until you see Sidney Smith Hall on the right.

Significance: Meeting point for weekend activities. Sidney Smith Hall is U of T's faculty of arts & science.

Convocation Hall University of Toronto Main Campus

Directions: Walk south until Galbraith Road. Go east (turn left) onto Galbraith Road and stop when you reach King's College Circle

Significance: Largest school in Canada (both in size and population), ranked as the best school in Canada and 29th in the world. About 84,000 students attend. Popular movies such as Good Will Hunting, The Incredible Hulk and Mean Girls were filmed there.

Queen's Park

Directions: Walk south on King’s College Road until College Street and go east (turn left) until Queen’s Park.

Significance: Opened 1860 (162 years ago) and named in honour of Queen Victoria, Queen’s Park is home to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Toronto General Hospital

Directions: Go south on University Avenue until you reach Toronto General Hospital (left side)

Significance: One of the oldest hospitals in Toronto, Toronto General Hospital opened back in 1819. It is the leading location for cardiac care (heart) and organ transplant surgeries. It is a teaching hospital for students in the Faculty of Medicine for UofT.

Princess Margaret Hospital

Directions: Walk south on University Avenue until you reach Princess Margaret (on the right of University Avenue).

Significance: Named after Princess Margaret, countess of Snowdon, who was a big cancer advocate. This hospital is widely known as the most comprehensive cancer centers in Canada, and a top 5 cancer research hospital in the world. There are “Princess Margaret Lotteries” that aid with the funds for cancer research and have giveaways such as homes and cars.

Mount Sinai Hospital

Directions: Walk south on University Avenue until you reach Mount Sinai Hospital (beside Princess Margaret)

Significance: Founded in 1922, this hospital is known as an academic teaching hospital, Mount Sinai is affiliated with University of Toronto and they provide patients with specialized and inclusive care. It is named Mount Sinai from its importance in the Jewish community. It was the first hospital in Canada to serve kosher meals to its patients.

SickKids Hospital

Directions: Walk south on University Avenue until you reach SickKids Hospital (beside Toronto General Hospital)

Significance: The premier destination in Canada for pediatric (child) care and is also the largest hospital research facilities regarding pediatric health. Actor Ryan Reynolds (known for his role in Deadpool) has an ugly Christmas fundraiser every year to raise funds for SickKids.

Toronto Courthouse

Directions: Walk south on University Avenue until you reach the Toronto Courthouse (left side)

Significance: Major courthouse where criminal trials take place and is a branch of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Osgoode Hall

Directions: Walk south on University Avenue until Queen’s Street, then walk east on Queen’s Street West

Significance: Built in 1829, Osgoode Hall is now home to the seats of court and law in Ontario. It is currently being used as a working courthouse for the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Superior Court of Justice.

Nathan Philips Square

Directions: Walk east on Queen’s Street until you reach Nathan Philips Square on the left

Significance: Located in the heart of Toronto, Nathan Philips Square is home to Toronto City Hall built in 1965. It is named after the 53rd mayor of Toronto. Toronto City Hall is the seat of the municipal government. The current Toronto sign was unveiled in 2020, made by Toronto artist Joseph Sagaj, to honour UNESCO'S International Decade of Languages 2022 to 2032. It costs almost $800,000 to make. During the winter, they turn the space into an ice rink!

Old City Hall

Directions: Walk east on Queen’s Street until you reach old city hall

Significance: Was the seat of the municipal government from 1899-1966 and a provincial court house until 2023.

Toronto's Eaton Centre

Directions: Walk east on Queen’s Street until Yonge Street, then head north on Yonge Street

Significance: Contains over 230 retailers, the Eaton Centre is the second largest mall in Canada and the busiest shopping mall in North America. It is connected to two subway stations; Queens and Dundas.

Sankofa Square /Yonge-Dundas Square

Directions: across the street from Eaton’s Centre

Significance: Public and outdoor space, where thousands of events have been hosted. Some consider it to be Canada’s version of New York City’s Time Square.

Toronto Metropolitan University

Directions: Walk North on Yonge Street until you reach the main TMU campus

Significance: Public research university that is home to almost 40,000 students. Actress Nina Dobrev from Vampire Diaries attended this school

BLOOR-YONGE

Directions: Walk north on Yonge Street until Bloor Street

Significance: Many retail stores, such as Aritzia and Lululemon, and luxury stores, such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and Gucci. Yonge Street is the longest street in the world.

Cumberland Street

Directions: Walk west on Bloor Street, and walk north on Bay Street (turn right), and walk west on Cumberland Street (turn left)

Significance: Popular sport for a lot of celebrities to shop, especially during TIFF.

Royal Ontario Museum

Directions: Head south on Avenue Road, and walk west on Bloor Street

Significance: The ROM is the largest museum in Canada, where visitors immerse themselves in history, world culture, and art with almost 18 million pieces of art, in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. The design of the ROM is inspired by its gem and mineral collection.

Royal Conservatory of Music

Directions: Head west on Bloor Street

Significance: One of the most well-known and respected music institutions in the world, the RCM is the largest and oldest self-supporting music institution in Canada.

Varsity Stadium

Directions: Head west on Bloor Street

Significance: Owned by UofT, Varsity Stadium is the home of the Varsity Blues UofT (American) football team

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