Waves of Change :
The Stories Behind Toronto's Ever-Changing Lake Ontario Waterfront
What do Babe Ruth, Walt Disney, Yo-Yo Ma, and Billy Bishop have in common? They all have stories connected to Toronto's ever-changing waterfront, spanning 40kms of Lake Ontario.
This stretch of shoreline has lived three lives: a natural wonder shaped by storms and sediment, an industrial powerhouse built on landfill and warehouses, and a place for living, culture, and tourism; sometimes restarting that cycle multiple times.
On this Toronto history walking tour, you'll trace that transformation on foot, from a park built where a highway off-ramp used to be, past a warehouse-turned-condo and a power plant turned art gallery, to a pair of abandoned grain silos being reborn as a cultural space next to a memorial for Toronto's Irish famine arrivals.
Along the way: the story of 19-year-old Babe Ruth's first professional home run, the surprising true story of the carousel that ended up at Disneyland; how Yo-Yo Ma helped design a park shaped like a piece of Bach; and how a single small stretch of shoreline connects three wars: the War of 1812, and the First and Second World Wars.
Solo travellers are always welcome. This tour has no minimum number of participants to depart.
Itinerary
Jack Layton Ferry Docks
We'll explore the gateway to the Toronto Islands and learn about how they have been a place of rest and relaxation for centuries, if not millenia
Queens Quay Terminal
Once an industrial transfer hub, now home to condos, restaurants and shops bringing life to the waterfront every day of the year
Meeting Point
Guest Reviews
Natalia
I’ve lived in Toronto for a long time, but this tour with Shaun still gave me the chance to discover something new about the city I call home! I really enjoyed learning about the history of Toronto’s waterfront and how it has changed over the years. Shaun made the tour interesting, engaging, and enjoyable. It was a wonderful way to spend time outdoors, learn some fascinating stories, and see a familiar place from a new perspective. I would definitely recommend this tour to both longtime Toronto residents and visitors!