Bruce Bell Tours — Tour Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s the big picture here? Actor, comedian, historian, and proud Torontonian Bruce Bell leads this highly entertaining one-man show, which is a perfect excursion for those who don’t love cookie-cutter tours. You’ll meet your small group at the St. Lawrence Market—be sure to make reservations in advance—and travel on foot around the bustling building and the surrounding Old Town neighborhood. Cool. Tell us about your fellow tourees. Because this is one of the most popular tours in Toronto, your group will likely be a mixed bag of families, friends, and couples of all ages and nationalities. In general, the crowd is sociable and game for fun. There's a lot of walking at a fairly quick pace, so if you have mobility issues, call in advance to square away the logistics. How are the guides, then? Thanks to his deep roots in the community, Bruce Bell is a Toronto celebrity—he’ll almost certainly stop to say hello to locals shopping the market. Between his extraordinary knowledge of the city’s history, architecture, pop culture, and pretty much any other topic you can think of, and his flawlessly comedic delivery of information, Bell leads an engaging, entertaining, and informative tour. He’s got a pretty set route, but if you’ve got any special requests or questions, he’s happy to oblige. Anything you’ll be remembering weeks or months or years from now? Bell’s entertaining delivery of fun facts certainly makes the tour special, and you’ll likely want to sign up for another. Luckily for you, he also offers private tours of other Toronto neighborhoods and attractions. I like it. So: money, time—how can we make the most of both? Whether it’s your first trip to Toronto or your fifth—or even if you’re a local—you’re sure to learn something fascinating." - Stefanie Waldek