Canada

Exploring Graffiti Alley in Toronto

This weekend is a long weekend in Canada, and instead of leaving the city like most people do, I decided to have a bit of a staycation in Toronto. Yesterday I explored the East End of the city, an area where I never get to since I live in the West End, and today I headed out to walk down Queen West, through Kensington Market, and back home in the West End.

One of my missions of the day was to go take some photos in Graffiti Alley. Graffiti Alley is located between Portland Street and Spadina Avenue (in the alleyways), and is the mecca of street art in the city. Even though you can find street art everywhere you turn in Toronto, Graffiti Alley is definitely where you’ll see the most in one condensed area. You can walk down each alleyway and everywhere you look and turn you’ll find something new.

Here are some of the photos my friend and I took while exploring.

Window

Ttoronto

Toronto

Shark

Pizza

Shark 2

Mural

Graffiti Alley

Shark 3

Toronto 1

Graffiti Alley 3

Graffiti Alley 2

Get Bizzy

Face

Cat

I also visited this mural located at Bloor Street West and Shaw Street at Studio 835. This is a ways away from Graffiti Alley but still wanted to show you this awesome (and colourful mural).

Make Good

Make Good 2

Make Good 3

If you live in Toronto or are even just visiting, make sure to take some time to visit the street art. You can visit the above places I mentioned, or check out this great list from Culture Trip. The Tour Guys in Toronto also host free walking tours of the street art around Queen West area. Check them out here.

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    Holly
    May 22, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Love all these murals. So bright and colorful! I’ve been planning a staycation in Chicago for the 4th of July. Sometimes it pays off to pretend you’re touring around your own hometown, right?!

    • Reply
      Lauren
      May 23, 2016 at 12:34 pm

      Totally! I’ve never even gone to Graffiti Alley and I almost walk right by it everyday!

  • Reply
    Brittany Thiessen
    May 26, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    This is amazing! I loved wandering around Graffiti Alley last month when I was visiting Toronto. I spent hours there, just admiring the incredible artwork and colours and taking so many photos. It looks like you had a fun weekend exploring your own backyard. Exploring locally can be just as fun as traveling to new places so I am glad you got to experience this!

  • Reply
    Geoff Watson
    October 25, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    Hey there! Just wanted to show my appreciation for including our studio’s mural on your list, even though it’s outside of Graffiti Alley! We’re the Make Good Collection at Bloor / Shaw, and if you’re ever in the hood, be sure to drop in for a handshake or two πŸ™‚

    Cheers,
    Geoff

    • Reply
      Lauren
      October 25, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      Hey Geoff! Thanks for popping by and no problem on the inclusion. I love the mural :).

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  • Reply
    Manjulika Pramod
    June 18, 2020 at 8:18 am

    I love discovering street art. Wow, this is so bright and beautiful.
    Discovered through Pinterest as I was making a board. Saving it.
    Thanks!

    • Reply
      Lauren
      June 19, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      No problem! Hope you can enjoy it in real life soon πŸ™‚

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