Heritage Toronto iTours let you explore Toronto through your eyes, ears and feet.
iTours visit areas of the city that are difficult to traverse with larger groups of people, and are a convenient way to discover our city's history.
iTours feature archival photographs, taking you on a photographic journey of the people, places and events that have shaped Toronto.
Please click on the corresponding links to download the iTours (compatible with all MP3 devices) or click on the screen to play the iTour.
For the Consolation tour, please click here.
Islington Village iTour
This tour was written by Nana Robinette and Gary Miedema, with assistance from Nancy Luno of Heritage Toronto.
Thank you:
Randall Reid of Montgomery's Inn and Denise Harris of the Etobicoke Historical Society graciously commented on earlier drafts. Randall Reid, in particular, opened up the vast photo collection of Montgomery's Inn for our use in this tour. Linda Peterson of the Islington Village BIA for her commentary. St. George's Church agreed to let us bring people on to their site, and reviewed their part of the story. Ian Campbell assisted with information and images for Etobicoke Collegiate Institute.
Produced by Popstream Productions for Heritage Toronto.
November 2011
Don Mills iTour
This iTour has been designed so that you travel by car between the different quadrants of Don Mills, and park the car while you walk and listen to the tour. It should take a couple of hours, depending upon how long you linger at the stops along the way.
You'll be guided around the different neighbourhoods of Don Mills, starting at the intersection of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East. You should print off the map on this page to guide you, so that you know where to park and how to get from stop to stop.
Production credits:
This iTour was written and narrated by Dave LeBlanc, Architourist with the Globe & Mail, with the assistance of Gary Miedema of Heritage Toronto. Thanks also go to long-time Don Mills resident Karl Frank and to Marta O'Brien, architectural historian and walk leader, for reviewing the iTour and providing feedback.
Special thanks go to the following organizations for making images available to us:
The Toronto Island iTour
This iTour has been designed as a bike tour. It should take a couple of hours on bicycle, depending upon how long you linger at the stops along the way. You can also do the iTour on foot, although it will take more time.
You'll be guided around the Toronto Island, starting at the ferry dock at the foot of Bay St. The ferry service to Hanlan's Point only runs spring to fall, while there is limited service to Ward's Island during the winter, so you'll need to check on the City's website for the Ferry Schedule before you go.
For this iTour, you start by taking the Hanlan's Point ferry and then you'll bike through the Island all the way to the Ward's Island ferry dock, where you can catch a ferry for the return trip. Along the way, the iTour talks about the history of the Island, and why it has been an important part of the city for as long as there has been a city of Toronto.
Spadina iTour
One of Toronto's main arteries, Spadina Avenue has a rich cultural history that includes being the industrial heart of our city, and home to our Chinese and Jewish communities.
With commentary by Councillor Adam Vaughan and Rick Salutin.
Production credits:
Written by Fraser Robinson and Josef Szende, based on research generously provided by Marguerite Newell of the Grange Historical Society, and Gunter Gad, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.
Photo research by Lee Rickwood. Images courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives.
Produced by Popstream Productions for Heritage Toronto.