7 Best Architecture Tours In Toronto, Canada

Hannah
Hannah 
Updated
| 4 min read

Toronto is the crowning jewel in Ontario, situated on Lake Ontario’s Northwestern Shore; this highrise, diverse metropolis plays host to some of Canada’s finest restaurants, bars and museums; but it’s the architecture of the city which amazes visitors. From the searing CN tower which looms over the city to the jagged exterior of the Royal Ontario Museum, on street level artwork adorns the streets, from sculptures to street art there is much to see and explore. Be sure to get the most from your trip by exploring on one of the top tours around Toronto, these informative trips are action-packed, full to the brim with information and intrigue. So hop on board and read below to find the right architecture tour in Toronto to suit you.

1. Skip the line Royal Ontario Museum ticket (from USD 19.0)

Would you like to walk in the shadow of Barosaurus, Canada’s largest mounted dinosaur? After exploring the land of the dinosaurs travel back in time to witness the Tomb of General Zu Dashou, this tomb, the late general of the Ming Dynasty died in 1656; construction of this carved tomb started shortly after his death. As you explore the museum be on the lookout for mummies in the galleries of Africa to fabulously opulent textiles and costumes in the Textile Gallery, as well as the ever-changing rooms of the temporary collections. Be sure to skip the lines with tickets to get the most of this and informative museum.

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Royal Ontario Museum Admission

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

233 reviews

2. Toronto Distillery District walking tour (from USD 18.0)

If you want to explore Toronto whilst eating chocolate and drinking beer then this is the tour for you. The Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour will take you through the distillery district, often hailed at Toronto’s epicenter for art and culture, where Victorian architecture lines the streets, your guide will fill you with knowledge of this wonderful region of Toronto. Follow the red brick road around to Mill St. Brewery and Soma Chocolate for your tastings, creating the perfect day exploring Toronto’s finest gem.

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Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour

Duration: 1 hour

264 reviews

3. Bata Shoe Museum admission (from USD 11.0)

Walk in the footsteps of history at the Shoe Museum of Toronto, this unique museum offers visitors a chance to look into the often overlooked history of footwear, from Egyptian sandals to clogs designed to smash and grind chestnuts, everyone knows Dorothy’s red slippers, but there is much more to discover in this history of footwear, from the art and the innovation to the craftsmanship behind every pair of shoes. This tour ticket allows you to skip the lines and head straight for the galleries; there is also a complimentary audioguide with admission, just be sure to bring a device which can link to bluetooth and you’ll be good to go.

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Skip the Line: Bata Shoe Museum Admission Ticket

Duration: 1 to 2 hours

55 reviews

4. Toronto night tour with CN Tower sunset (from USD 99.52)

toronto architecture tour | toronto night tour with cn tower sunset

The skyline of Toronto is iconic, the CN tower rising high above glittering skyscrapers to the harbor which reflects the city on still nights. This tour offers you the best of Toronto, from viewing the sunset from the CN tower to experiencing the nightlife of Toronto’s hip downtown districts, the cobbled paths lead to some of the best bars and clubs in the city. This glittering tour ends with a stop at Casa Loma, where you can experience hilltop vistas of Toronto below you, sparkling into the night. This tour offers hotel pick-ups and drop-offs, however, be sure to use this opportunity to ask your guide for recommendations of places to go and carry on this journey into Canada’s shining city.

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Toronto: Guided Night Tour with CN Tower Entry

Duration: 2.5 hour

198 reviews

5. Art Gallery of Ontario admission (from USD 22.0)

The exterior of the Art gallery of Ontario is a breathtaking piece of construction with iron and glass curving into the sky, but it’s inside the gallery itself is where you’ll find the pieces which will truly leave you speechless, the gallery itself plays host to over 90000 pieces of artwork from throughout the ages. The permanent Argo Collection of collaborated artists is a must-see, with modern landscapes and mountainscapes, painted with bold lines and saturated colors will leave you wanting more, whilst the Thomson Collection showcases two-thousand pieces of art from Europe from the 17th to the 20th century.

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Art Gallery of Ontario: General Admission

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

108 reviews

6. Aga Khan Museum admission with round-trip transportation (from USD 44.0)

aga khan museum admission with round-trip transportation
Source: www.viator.com

If you are a fan of Middle Eastern art and culture then a visit to Aga Khan Museum is an absolute must do when visiting in Toronto, Canada. This museum hosts Canada’s primary collection of Islamic artifacts, from ceramics to artwork, carved instruments and textiles, this is the perfect place to expand your knowledge of Islamic artwork in an informative and interesting tour. The museum visit is self-guided, however, this tour will pick you up from your hotel and drop off after your visit is complete, leaving you with no worries and to just enjoy the artwork.

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Aga Khan Museum Admission with Round-trip Transportation

Duration: 5 hours

1 review

7. Talk-walk front and centre guided walking tour of public art and sculpture (from USD 38.0)

talk-walk front and centre guided walking tour of public art and sculpture
Source: www.viator.com

Discover Toronto’s public artwork and sculptures by exploring the downtown region of Toronto surrounding Union Station. This three-kilometer (1.9 miles) guided walk will take you through some of the most interesting and intricate artwork which lines Toronto’s streets, your guide will explain to you who the artist is and what each piece showcases about the city and its people. The tour is only for up to 15 people so you can be sure that you can obtain as much information as possible about this interesting and diverse city.

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TalkWalk Front and Centre Guided Walking Tour of Public Art and Sculpture

Toronto now or later

Toronto is the perfect city to visit all year round, from warm summers to cold, snowy winters; this is the city that embraces the seasons and offers visitors a trip to remember no matter what the time of year is. With some of the finest and most interesting architecture in Canada, walking around Toronto will surely fill you with a sense of excitement; from 553 meters (1814 feet) above sky level on the CN Tower observation deck to the brick-laden streets of the Distillery District. There’s something for everyone in this diverse and cultured city, so pack your camera and be ready to embrace everything Toronto has to offer you.

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Meet Hannah, a 33-year-old globetrotter currently residing in the UK. Over the past six years, she has embarked on extensive explorations around the world. From kayaking alongside sharks to...Read more

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