Discover Yorkville-Bloor: The Heritage Neighbourhood with a Modern Twist

(19 reviews)

Toronto audio tour: Discover Yorkville-Bloor: The Heritage Neighbourhood with a Modern Twist

This is a 1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Toronto

Canada

$7.99

Access all 23 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

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About the Tour

Toronto has been described as a “mosaic of neighbourhoods,” and Yorkville is one of my favourites. Its fascinating history, chic boutiques, fine art galleries, luxury hotels, award-winning landscape architecture, charming cottages and heritage buildings provide the perfect backdrop for a delightful stroll.

On this 45-minute walking tour, you’ll experience Yorkville’s evolution from a small Victorian village on the outskirts of Toronto to the centre of a world-famous music scene during the 1960s and 70s, and finally to the upscale retail destination replete with exclusive residences that it is today. Together we’ll peel back its layers of history while learning about the architects, personalities and developers who have left their mark on its urban fabric. I’ll show you how new construction and the conversion of heritage properties continues to transform the character of what was once considered “the Canadian Haight-Ashbury”.

Along the way, I’ll guide you through some of my favourite, sometimes easy-to-miss spaces including secluded art-filled courtyards and laneways, and quiet residential streets lined with heritage homes and landmarks. I’ll also point out some excellent places to stop for coffee or a bite to eat, browse for fine art, or indulge in an afternoon shopping spree in the neighbourhood.

Join me for an unforgettable excursion and hear the fascinating stories that Yorkville has to share!

Tour Producer

Jane Herman

3 tours

I'm the founder of On the Town Tours in Toronto. Since 2013 we've offered an eclectic menu of tours that highlight Toronto's history, architecture, and culture. 50% of Torontonians (including me) were not born here. As a non-native, I've always been driven to understand how Toronto became the city it is today. My curiosity and love of learning have led me to study our city's history, architecture and culture in a deep and serious way, and in turn share my passion for our urban fabric and its treasures with visitors and curious residents alike. I offer bespoke, customized in-person and live-streamed tours for individuals and groups. Since 2022 I have been an instructor at the LIFE Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, offering a series of popular walks exploring Toronto through its public art, architecture, and literature. Come join me!

Preview Location

Location 1

Town Hall Square Park

Welcome to this VoiceMap tour of Yorkville, a beautiful heritage neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. My name is Jane Herman and I'm going to be your guide today. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Half of its population was born outside of Canada and m... Welcome to this VoiceMap tour of Yorkville, a beautiful heritage neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. My name is Jane Herman and I'm going to be your guide today. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Half of its population was born outside of Canada and more than 150 languages are spoken here. I've been exploring Toronto since I arrived here after marrying a Canadian and moving here from the US more than 30 years ago. Along the way, my hobby became a full time occupation.

Toronto has been described as a "mosaic of neighbourhoods," and Yorkville is one of my favourites. Founded as a small settlement just outside the original boundary of Toronto, Yorkville has undergone many transformations and continues to evolve today. In the 1960s it was the centre of a vibrant music scene and became known as "The Haight-Ashbury of Canada." Joni Mitchell was one of many musicians of this era who performed or made their debut in Yorkville. She wrote "Night in the City," the song you just heard, about Yorkville.

VoiceMap uses your location to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can put your phone away now. Don't worry if I'm silent at times. There's a map on your screen if you ever feel lost, and if you do get way off track without noticing, VoiceMap will let you know. You can also pause the audio or end the tour and resume when you like.

So let's get started!

You should be standing facing "Town Hall Square Park," the small park with the landscaped walkways and oversized flowerpots. When modern Toronto was founded in 1793, the northern boundary was two blocks south of here, behind you. It was known as the First Concession Line, and was renamed Bloor Street in 1854. Joseph Bloor was one of Toronto's earliest inhabitants. He built a brewery in the ravine about a kilometre from here. In 1830, William Jarvis, one of Toronto's original landowners, together with Bloor, purchased a parcel of land in this area. They laid out new streets and sold individual lots. The first residents were attracted by the community's low taxes. Horse drawn wagons enabled people to live here, and work in the expanding commercial district downtown.

The Village of Yorkville was incorporated in 1853. This park marks the site of the original Yorkville Town Hall. You can see a picture of it on the heritage plaque just in front of the park. It was a 3-storey multicoloured brick building that burned down in a fire in 1941.

By the early 1880s there were about 5,000 people living in Yorkville. The streets were lines with small farms and modest houses. Residents began to demand better municipal services and taxes began to rise. When Toronto offered to annex Yorkville in 1883, residents agreed enthusiastically.

Now, let's move on to our next stop.

Facing the Square, turn left and make your way over to the yellow brick Yorkville Public Library. I'll meet you there. Read More

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How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

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If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

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Major Landmarks

Village of Yorkville Park
Bloor Street West
77 Yorkville Ave
100 Yorkville Ave
Heliconian Club
Park Hyatt Toronto
Royal Ontario Museum

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
25 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3Y8, Canada
Total distance

2km
Final location
21 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 1A8, Canada
Distance back to start location

541.28m

Directions to Starting Point

Town Hall Square at 25 Yorkville Ave. is two blocks from the entrance to the TTC (subway) at Yonge and Bloor, just a few steps in from Yonge and Yorkville. Half a block east of the Four Seasons Hotel.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Summer's Ice Cream; Flo's Diner-great lunch spot; Sassafraz, Hemmingways; Carole's Cheesecake on Cumberland across from the Park; Sorry Coffee; Yorkville Village (upscale clothing, food court, Whole Foods). Various fine art galleries; Royal Ontario Museum.

Best time of day

Mid-day to late afternoon, when retail shops, galleries, and restaurant patios and cafes are open, especially May-October.

Precautions

This is generally a safe and upscale neighbourhood.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

4.8 / 5

19 Ratings

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