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Join us to see a side of Toronto that few know, led by professional guide, The Bearded Prof. We'll be taking a journey along Toronto's waterfront, where past, present, and future converge! Our adventure begins at Harbour Square Park, where you'll learn about the dramatic transformation of the Portlands. We'll then head East and take in the overlooked monuments that line our waterfront, uncovering their histories as we go.
You'll step through pages of living history that shaped not just Toronto, but Canada and North America. Touch pieces of Europe in the poignant Ireland Park and historic Little Norway Park. Uncover the fascinating royal influences that have left their mark on Canadian landscapes and the beloved traditions that generations of Torontonians hold dear.
We'll then look towards Toronto's future as we discuss how community vision is sculpting the natural spaces of tomorrow. Our journey concludes at a nostalgic attraction that has reinvented itself for the modern era.
We end the day with an optional lunch at Left Field Brewery in Liberty Village.
This unique 2-hour outdoor tour has been exclusively developed for Wilderness Union - you won't find it anywhere else.
A message from your guide - The legendary Bearded Prof - Alex
I would love for you to come and join me on an exploration of Toronto's stories, connections, heritage, and culture. I am a professor working in a college/university environment, teaching tourism, hospitality, and storytelling, and I also sit on a Board of Directors for the Tourist Guide Association of Toronto.
For over 15 years, I have worked with different cultural institutions (Toronto International Film Festival, Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, The Lonely Planet, Jane's Walks, etc. ) helping to create captivating and connecting experiences in this vast and multifaceted city. I use storytelling and dig deep into the cultural anthropology beyond the stuff we see around us.
I was born in a country that doesn't exist, stamped with a nationality of a country I've never been to, and then when I became a Canadian citizen, my "motherland" refused me as her son. This actually makes me into a perfect Torontonian, as most of us are born outside of Canada. My academic education is in teaching, tourism, and hospitality. Combined with many years of experiences in the tourism industry, and as both a tour guide and instructor all over Canada and the United States, I provide a unique view of the city.
9:50 - Meet at Harbour Square Park by the Statue of Jack Layton
10:00 - Begin expertly guided tour by the Bearded Professor
12:00 - Optional group lunch at Left Field Brewery (Liberty Village)
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Dinner and Drinks are not covered by Wilderness Union
If you do choose to drink, do not drive - This adventure is TTC accessible.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. You can use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas.
Toronto has a particularly long and varied indigenous history, groups who maintain connections to the land include:
Join us to see a side of Toronto that few know, led by professional guide, The Bearded Prof. We'll be taking a journey along Toronto's waterfront, where past, present, and future converge! Our adventure begins at Harbour Square Park, where you'll learn about the dramatic transformation of the Portlands. We'll then head East and take in the overlooked monuments that line our waterfront, uncovering their histories as we go.
You'll step through pages of living history that shaped not just Toronto, but Canada and North America. Touch pieces of Europe in the poignant Ireland Park and historic Little Norway Park. Uncover the fascinating royal influences that have left their mark on Canadian landscapes and the beloved traditions that generations of Torontonians hold dear.
We'll then look towards Toronto's future as we discuss how community vision is sculpting the natural spaces of tomorrow. Our journey concludes at a nostalgic attraction that has reinvented itself for the modern era.
We end the day with an optional lunch at Left Field Brewery in Liberty Village.
This unique 2-hour outdoor tour has been exclusively developed for Wilderness Union - you won't find it anywhere else.
A message from your guide - The legendary Bearded Prof - Alex
I would love for you to come and join me on an exploration of Toronto's stories, connections, heritage, and culture. I am a professor working in a college/university environment, teaching tourism, hospitality, and storytelling, and I also sit on a Board of Directors for the Tourist Guide Association of Toronto.
For over 15 years, I have worked with different cultural institutions (Toronto International Film Festival, Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, The Lonely Planet, Jane's Walks, etc. ) helping to create captivating and connecting experiences in this vast and multifaceted city. I use storytelling and dig deep into the cultural anthropology beyond the stuff we see around us.
I was born in a country that doesn't exist, stamped with a nationality of a country I've never been to, and then when I became a Canadian citizen, my "motherland" refused me as her son. This actually makes me into a perfect Torontonian, as most of us are born outside of Canada. My academic education is in teaching, tourism, and hospitality. Combined with many years of experiences in the tourism industry, and as both a tour guide and instructor all over Canada and the United States, I provide a unique view of the city.
9:50 - Meet at Harbour Square Park by the Statue of Jack Layton
10:00 - Begin expertly guided tour by the Bearded Professor
12:00 - Optional group lunch at Left Field Brewery (Liberty Village)
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Dinner and Drinks are not covered by Wilderness Union
If you do choose to drink, do not drive - This adventure is TTC accessible.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. You can use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas.
Toronto has a particularly long and varied indigenous history, groups who maintain connections to the land include:
