#ExperienceTO: Queen Street West Historical Tour

About Queen Street West: "West Queen West is one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods, home to hip coffee shops, restaurants and bars, trendy retail and the largest concentration of art galleries in the city. The arts scene in West Queen West took root in the early 1980s as artists began to leave Queen and Spadina in search of cheaper rents, venturing westward past Bathurst and out to Parkdale. The West Queen West neighbourhood experienced a significant boost in creative cache in the mid-2000s with the revitalization of The Gladstone Hotel and The Drake Hotel which, in addition to their boutique hotel and bar/restaurant operations, regularly host exhibitions, art installations, music performances and cultural events. By 2005, when the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art moved in, the area had become the nexus of Toronto’s cultural scene." (Artscape)

Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends.

ABOUT

Beginning in front of HotBlack Coffee (245 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4), the interactive tour will be hosted by your guide Alex Rășcanu. The tour will focus on Queen Street West's history. The historical tour will conclude at a nearby coffee shop.

WHEN

Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 10:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET

The tour will start in front of HotBlack Coffee (245 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4).

WHERE IT ENDS

This tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants.

FACILITATOR

Alex Rășcanu is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube.