Canada · HISTORICAL TOURS
18 reviewed
Below are the 15 best historical tours in Canada right now, with what each one costs, how long it runs and the kind of traveller it suits. The first is the safest booking on the page.
Small-group Victoria food and history walking tour with tastings from local vendors, plus Chinatown alleys, Fort Victoria history, and an Inner Harbour finish.
“A funny, kind, and well informed Guide. Great food choices, and a bit of history thrown in. Our whole group was happy with this tour!”
Gastown food and history walk in Vancouver with six to seven tastings, beer or wine included, and stories by the Steam Clock.
“The history part is equal to the food part. So you get a small beer and 40 minutes of history before the first bite. Then the food part becomes the main thing until the end.”
A 3-hour Gastown walking food tour with story-driven history, 8 stops, 6 tasty bites, and wine, beer, plus dessert.
“Variety of food stops and tour guides descriptions of food were excellent.”
Old Quebec by day and a 5-course gourmet dinner by night. Small-group tour with included drinks and a funicular ride.
“Luis was awesome. The food was very good and his knowledge and kindness was outstanding. We have been on many food tours and traveled the world. This one ranks in our top 3.”
Quebec City Old Quebec walking tour with a period-costumed guide, 400 years in 2 hours, plus exclusive Château Frontenac access.
“Very informative, Jean-Claude was just the right level of animated and amusing without being over the top and hammy!”
Tour historic Halifax and Peggy’s Cove in one half-day ride, with lighthouse views, a Titanic cemetery stop, and the Public Gardens.
“Unfortunately we left before the tour finished. It got off to an awful start and was a half hour late leaving the port. We waiting on people that couldn’t locate the bus. After we were full we left to our first stop with vlear instructions to be back to bus in 30 min. Once again, people couldn’t locate bus, didn’t plan or were so old they couldn’t move and we ended up almost another half hour late. The tour didn’t start until 12 and we were scheduled to be on the ship by 730 that evening no later. The bus driver said we should be back by 730. Clearly the…”
See Montreal’s key sights on a 90-minute guided St. Lawrence cruise, with bilingual stories and optional 4pm happy hour drink.
“This trip was a bait and switch and false advertisement. It was advertised as a 1.5 hour Montreal History Guided Sightseeing Cruise, but it was in reality a 3.5 hour cruise with no guide. We were stuck on this boat for 3.5 hours with crappy food and drinks for sale being foisted on us, most of it in the dark with no view. And to top it off, half the boat was cordoned off to us due to a private party. Total rip off.”
Old Quebec history plus gourmet tastings at top restaurants, with a funicular ride. Small group, wine or mocktails included.
“It was a great tour. All the highlights of Quebec City were visited, informative historical information, Would do it again. Ask for Anne! She was a jewel.”
A 2-hour walking tour of Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ history, led by Glenn, mixing humor, pain, and real stories across the West End and Davie Street.
“Our guide was as exceptional the second time around as the first tour last yearL Glenn was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, conscientious with a delightful sense of humour! Highly recommended!”
Small group Homalco grizzly viewing plus Salish Sea wildlife and Indigenous culture, with lunch and coffee near Campbell River.
“what a fabulous day. The boat rode over was great as we stopped to see whales & seals with captain John. Deborah our guide was very knowledgeable about whales & bears & Tony our guide on the island was great. we had 10 sightings of 6 different bears including a mumma & cub. we're still bursting with joy❤️ thank you homalco”
A 2.5-hour Saint John walk with Pete Ferguson. Loyalist era to cruise history, easy pace, small groups, and rare-photo visual aids.
“Great walking tour of Saint John to give you an understanding of history and geography. Pete new his stuff and kept it interesting all the way!”
Toronto dark history at night. A 75-minute haunted walking tour for $20 with expert cloaked guides, seasonal routes, and eerie true stories.
“My guide was excellent with thrilling and insightful stories about the history and hauntings of the distillery district. I strongly recommend this tour.”
A 1-hour guided walk through Toronto’s Distillery District, built around Gooderham & Worts stories, Victorian industry, and cobblestone lanes.
“Erik was fantastic as a guide!!! very interesting, funny and smart guy!”
A small-group, 2-hour walk through Old Quebec with a period-costumed guide, key sights, big views, and lots of story.
“There was a bit of an issue with our reservation when we first arrived but we had a valid electronic tickets. It was odd as we have been receiving messages from Viator. The tour was perfect! Our guide was very well prepared and provided witty and interesting information throughout our 2 hour walk. Lots of hills, cobblestones, and stairs! Our guide brought history alive!”
See Cape Spear, Petty Harbour, Signal Hill, Jellybean Row Houses, and Quidi Vidi on a 3.5-hour guided St. John’s loop.
“Great tour, provided a great overview of Newfoundland as we were beginning our time in St John’s. Our tour guide, Steve Watson, was amazing! He was courteous, knowledgeable, had a sense of humour and easy going.”
