Explore Art and Culture with a local Toronto guide
Downtown Public Art & Architecture
Discover impressive landmarks, innovative design, & a touch of whimsy
in Toronto's Financial District.
Wed & Fri, 10:00 AM
Cool Queen West
& Graffiti Alley
Stroll the iconic cultural strip
& take in the stretch of alleys
covered in vibrant street art
& graffiti.
Thu & Sat, 10:00 AM
Kensington Market
& Chinatown
Treat yourself to a feast for the senses through these
two vibrant & eclectic neighbourhoods.
Sun 10:00 AM
Garrison:
Niagara Street
Learn the legacy of this lesser-known hub for industry, art, real estate development,
& transformation.
CUSTOM
ABOUT OFF THE BEAT TOURS
Walking is meditative, invigorating, enlightening, and entertaining.
Several years ago I joined a walking tour of NYC’s Lower East Side led by the Tenement Museum. The tour brought the history of the area alive, and I knew I wanted to create similar experiences in my home city.
I started Off the Beat Tours to connect with others and share my love of my hometown through creative placemaking.
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With a passion for storytelling and research, I’m intrigued by lesser-known, forgotten, and historically-excluded narratives. I relish sharing these stories on my current tours through popular downtown neighbourhoods for intimate groups of locals and visitors alike.
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Got kids? I’m family-friendly and I love engaging young people through play.
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Got a group of kids? I can accommodate school tours of up to 50 people.
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Got a group of grown-up kids? Let’s explore!
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​I hope my tours energize your spirit and leave you with a deeper sense of stewardship, advocacy, interdependence and belonging. Bonus for me if I make you laugh.
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MEET YOUR GUIDE
My name is Jennifer (she/her) and I am passionate about history, art, culture, urban living and community. Born, raised, and educated in Toronto, I offer an insider’s perspective on what makes Toronto unique.
I love travel and have visited several places in Canada and the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Bahamas, England, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Thailand. Connecting with new people has broadened my understanding of the world and my appreciation of different cultures, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you!
In addition to leading tours, I am a performing and literary artist—an animated storyteller with a flair for engaging experiences—who has organized multidisciplinary arts events in the city over the last decade. I have worked as an English language instructor and can adapt my tours to match your language proficiency level. I am also happy to customize private tours to suit your interests and meet your accessibility requirements.
