The first weekend of June marks the official start of the 14th season of the Toronto Society of Architects’ Walking Tours, a popular summer initiative that invites Torontonians and visitors alike to explore the stories behind the city’s buildings and landscapes through fun and informative tours.
Led by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, the TSA’s Walking Tours — which form part of the TSA’s educational initiatives — celebrate Toronto’s architecture and landscapes through thoughtfully developed walks. This year’s offering includes 10 unique thematic tours that weave together landmark structures and hidden gems to bring to life the stories of how Toronto got built and where we are heading. From heritage to contemporary design, architectural history to social movements, TSA tours are a great way to better understand our city and the decisions that have shaped it.
For 2024, in addition to returning crowd favourites like the Towers tour and St. Lawrence tour, the TSA is relaunching Art and Architecture on the Spadina Line. First offered in 2019 and paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Art and Architecture on the Spadina Line invites attendees to hop on the subway and come explore the integration of art, architecture and engineering along this mass transit route. The tour explores many of the original 1978 stations, featuring work of Canadian architects and artists, as well as some of the new 2017 stations with collaborations by local architects, celebrated international studios and renowned artists. Along the way the tour discusses the exceptional collaboration that was needed to achieve these beautiful and functional buildings, as well as some of the challenges faced when integrating art into public settings.
TSA is also excited to be offering their Entertainment District Tour for free this year, made possible thanks to the generous support of the Toronto Downtown West Business Improvement Area. The tour explores the evolution of performance venues in the city, starting with the Royal Alexandra Theatre and ending with the Rogers Centre. Other highlights include Roy Thomson Hall and the TIFF Lightbox.
The 2024 season runs from the first weekend of June to the last weekend of October, with tours offered at varied times every Saturday and Sunday. All tours are 90-120 minutes in length and cost $15 per person.
