Art, Culture, and Rock & Roll on Queen Street West: Toronto's Coolest Street

Toronto's Queen Street West has earned its reputation as one of the world's coolest streets for good reason. On this walking tour, you'll discover the counter-culture epicenter of Canada's largest city, where high-end performing arts venues stand alongside underground markets, where fashion boutiques neighbor cannabis culture shops, and where some of music's biggest legends have performed in historic venues.

You'll begin near the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, home to the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company. As you stroll west, you'll pass the historic Campbell House Museum, jazz-infused Rex Hotel, and the headquarters of Much Music – Canada's answer to MTV. The journey continues past famous music venues like the Rivoli and the legendary Horseshoe Tavern, where Canadian musicians and international acts have graced the stage since it transformed from a blacksmith shop to a tavern in 1947.

Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to explore Graffiti Alley, the only place in Toronto where street art is legal, featuring collaborative murals and social commentary. You'll learn about the Queen Street streetcar, one of North America's longest routes, traversing eight major neighborhoods. The tour ends at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, showcasing culturally relevant works from international and homegrown artists. The tour ends at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, which offers pay-what-you-can admission to its thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions.

During this 75-minute exploration, you'll have a chance to:

• Witness the vibrant multicultural tapestry of Toronto through its diverse restaurants, shops, and street performers
• Step inside the historic Horseshoe Tavern, Canada's proxy Rock 'n' Roll hall of fame where countless famous musicians have performed
• Explore Graffiti Alley's kilometer-long celebration of street art, famously featured in Rick Mercer's weekly TV rants
• Experience Trinity Bellwoods Park, home to community events, farmers markets, and the city's famous white squirrels
• Discover the perfect blend of high fashion and underground culture in Toronto's Fashion District
• Learn how the Queen streetcar connects eight diverse neighborhoods on one of North America's longest streetcar routes
• Sample international cuisine from hole-in-the-wall restaurants representing Toronto's multicultural population

Take your time wandering this eclectic street where you can wear anything without anyone batting an eye, where street musicians play instruments from bongos to didgeridoos, and where Torontonians from all walks of life converge to create one of Canada's most vibrant urban experiences.