Graffiti Walls, English And Russian

Rated 4.74 out of 5 across 31 GuruWalk reviews, this two-hour walk from guide Alex is free to join, pay what you want. It meets at 298 Queen Street West and runs in English and Russian. The subtitle, How to read the walls of an urban jungle, gives the angle. Reservations happen on GuruWalk.

Overview

This is a walk about reading walls. The Graffiti & Public Art Walking Tour: How to read the walls of an urban jungle spends about 1.5 to 2 hours along Queen Street West and the back alleys off it, where the guide treats graffiti as an art form with its own grammar, and teaches how to decode what is painted on Toronto's walls and in cities everywhere. It runs on GuruWalk, free to book and pay what you want at the end.

The route is described as off the beaten path. You meet at 298 Queen Street West, by the entrance to the Score on Queen pub, then head into alleys and along Queen Street West, a street the operator cites as one voted among the coolest in the Northern Hemisphere by Vogue magazine. The operator describes the walk as especially popular with younger generations, and it is offered in English and Russian.

Because it is pay what you want, the barrier to trying it is low. Reserve a spot on GuruWalk's own page for this walk, message the guide before you set out, and show up ready to look closely at surfaces most people walk straight past.

Itinerary

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what the operator's own page tells you to expect before you reserve on GuruWalk.

• Talk before meeting. The operator's instructions begin with a message: make contact before coming to the meeting spot. Do that through GuruWalk once you have booked, so the guide knows to expect you and can confirm details.
• Where you meet. The meeting point is 298 Queen Street West, by the entrance to the Score on Queen pub. The guide describes himself as having a big beard, thick glasses and a hat, which helps you spot him at the start.
• Pace and length. The walk lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours and covers Queen Street West plus back alleys. The operator notes the route is off the beaten path.

• Language choice. The tour runs in English and Russian. The operator's own description of the tour is written in both languages.
• Food and drink. The operator suggests the Black Bull for a drink and food before or after the tour. Nothing about food is listed as part of the walk itself.
• Who it draws. The operator describes the walk as very popular with younger generations. If you want street art and subculture history rather than a conventional sightseeing circuit, this walk fits that interest.

Common issues. The operator notes the walk usually runs closer to the full 2 hours than shorter, because there is a lot to cover, so do not schedule something tight afterwards. No specific weather or cancellation policy is stated by the operator. The meeting point is outside a pub on a busy street, and the operator asks to be contacted before arrival. No accessibility information is given.

Plan Your Visit