Walking in the Waterworks neighbourhood can be an experience of constant wonder. Around every corner, another unexpected adventure awaits. Follow The Tap as we take you on a walking tour of the most wonder-filed experiences within walking distance of Waterworks. You’ll want to bring a camera to capture visuals of this close-up city experience.
- Graffiti Alley, also known as Rush Lane, 2-minute walk
Toronto is known for its graffiti, and while that might have once been a matter of gritty reality, it’s now more a point of pride. Thanks to legislation and city-run programs that promote street art as a legitimate means to animate otherwise dull and grey alleyways, painting on walls is increasingly seen in Toronto as a form of art.
To see an explosion of colourful designs by the top street artists in Toronto, Graffiti Alley is a must-visit. This alley runs east-west from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street. Enter the alley zone from Portland Street and head east to Spadina, also checking out alleys that run north and south from there.
To learn the history of graffiti and insight into the different styles and forms it takes, as well as the controversy around street art, join a free weekend tour of Graffiti Alley with Tourguys.ca.
- Kensington Market, 12-minute walk.
Kensington is a historic neighbourhood with a streetscape that hearkens back to another time. Bounded by College Street, Spadina Aveune, Dundas Street West and Bathurst Street, this area was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2006.
Home to many artists, Kensington is a site for public art projects like the garden car, annually planted each spring and maintained throughout the season by volunteers. See some weeds? Pull them and be part of this interactive display, which is located in spring, summer and fall on Augusta Street, just south of College Street.
IG @kensingtonmarketbia
Known for its multiculturalism and the wide variety of independent food shops, Kensington is a place to wander in search of exotic and tasty experiences. Visit the famous landmarks: Global Cheese, Casa Acoreana for a variety of spices and nuts, Ideal Coffee for locally roasted beans, and El Trompo for tacos.
- Downtown Squares walk, 10-minute walk to a starting point.
With Greenspace becoming an ever-popular characteristic in developing neighbourhoods, Waterworks is surrounded by historic parks and squares that should be on your must visit list.
Starting from Waterworks, head south along Spadina Street to Clarence Square, one of the oldest remaining park spaces in the downtown core of Toronto. The land, once occupied by the military reserve, is reminiscent of squares created in London, England, during the 1820s. In the northwest corner of the park, you’ll find a historical plaque honouring Alexander Dunn – the first Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Photo by Toronto Public Library
Continuing west along the Wellington corridor, you’ll see the beginning of The Well, a residential and mixed-use neighbourhood ending at historic Victoria Memorial Square. Home to a cemetery once used by the military in the war of 1812, the center of the park features a memorial which pays tribute to those who died defending Upper Canada against the Americans during the War of 1812.
- The Big Thimble, 2-minute walk
On the northwest corner of Richmond and Spadina Street, Stephen Cruise’s Uniform Measure/Stack features a stack of brightly coloured cement buttons, topped by a bronze thimble fit for a giant. Nearby, the sidewalk near the thimble is embossed to look like a measuring tape.
Standing about 9-feet tall, it’s a playful symbol of the history of the Garment District, reminding passersby that the area was once the site of a busy clothing manufacturing zone. Though most of the factories are now gone, the sculpture stands as a reminder of the history of the area – having survived since it was first installed almost 20 years so.
- 401 Richmond, 4-minute walk
On Richmond just east of Spadina, a historic building that once housed a lithograph factory now stands as a prime example of how restoration can bring vibrant life to a neighbourhood. The red brick structure was underused and falling down for many years, but has been steadily restored since 1994 and is now a thriving centre for the arts in Toronto.
With more than 200,000 square feet of space, the building houses more than 140 artists, designers, milliners, architects, filmmakers, galleries, musicians, arts organizations, and publishers.
On top of it all, 401 Richmond features one of the city’s only accessible rooftop gardens, which offers one of the best views of the CN tower in the city. Visitors are always welcome on the rooftop retreat.
When you’re done you’ll need caffeine. For refreshment, head to the Roastery Café on the main floor of 401 Richmond.
