Some people learn something about a city. Others live it. John Gerges does both. As one of Toronto’s best-known walking guides, he has built a career transforming ordinary streets into moving stories. His tours are less like planned events and more like guided adventures through the city’s energy, art and hidden corners.
“Toronto never stands still, and that goes for my tours too,” he likes to say. His approach has helped him stand out in a crowded tourism market, particularly in neighborhoods like Queen West, Kensington Market and Graffiti Alley, where culture evolves quickly and art changes overnight.
Early curiosity that shaped a career
John grew up in downtown Toronto, where he spent hours exploring murals, sketching buildings and learning the stories behind neighborhood landmarks. He was one of the teenagers who noticed new posters on lampposts before anyone else. His early love of urban culture eventually led him to study communications and urban studies at the University of Toronto.
He often thinks about this time. “I realized early on that cities tell stories and that someone has to help people hear them,” he says. While studying, he worked part-time in a small art studio in Queen West. Through this job he got to know local artists and the close-knit creative scene that would later shape his tours.
After graduating, John completed a certificate in tourism and hospitality management at George Brown College, where professors joked that he knew downtown Toronto better than they did.
How he built a unique career in Toronto Tourism
John Gerges didn’t plan on becoming a tour guide. He worked in event coordination and later at a media company, where he created short videos about the city’s culture. Friends encouraged him to share his extensive knowledge of Toronto more widely. In 2016, he finally listened and started his own hiking tour brand.
What made his tours different? They weren’t scripted. They were personal.
Instead of just covering well-known landmarks, he took people through alleyway murals, community gardens, vintage shops and pop-up art installations. He showed people the parts of Toronto where travel brochures rarely appear.
“My goal is to take people to places they wouldn’t be able to find on their own,” he explains.
The news spread quickly. Tourists appreciated the authenticity. Locals appreciated seeing their neighborhood with new eyes. Many reviews say the same thing: “John Gerges makes you feel like a friend is showing you around.”
His Graffiti Alley tour quickly became his flagship event. He highlights famous murals, but also points out pieces that can appear and disappear in a matter of days. “The tour changes every week. That’s the fun,” he says.
A style based on spontaneity and connection
John’s tours have a unique rhythm. He remembers names. He stops to chat with business owners. He changes the tour when he sees live music, a new mural, or a food stand worth visiting. He sees Toronto as an open studio and his guests follow him as co-creators.
His family often becomes part of the narrative. He jokes about how his brother once got lost in Kensington Market, even though he grew up next to it. These little stories add warmth and give each tour a personal feel.
People know him for making strangers feel at home. “If someone goes on a tour alone, it’s my job to make sure they don’t feel alone for long,” he says.
Life beyond the tours
When John is not working, he remains deeply involved in Toronto’s cultural scene. He lives in a loft near Ossington, surrounded by photo books, film cameras and Toronto memorabilia.
He begins many mornings taking street photography before the city wakes up. He also spends his weekends exploring new restaurants and hidden food spots. “Half of my tour stops are walking and eating,” he laughs.
His other hobbies include:
- Cycling the Waterfront Trail
- Vintage camera repair
- I play rec hockey and summer softball
- Host Sunday dinners with friends and family
These activities keep him grounded and help him connect with the communities he serves.
A vision for the future of storytelling in Toronto
John is currently working on a photography book documenting Toronto’s alleyways and the artists who shape them. The project combines his love of street photography with his desire to preserve local culture.
He is also developing a night tour series featuring glowing murals, neon signs and Toronto’s after-dark atmosphere. “At night the city feels completely different. It deserves its own story,” he says.
For John, leading is not just a job. It is a tribute to the city that shaped him. He sees Toronto as an ever-changing canvas, and he sees his role as helping others understand what makes it so special.
“Every neighborhood has a heartbeat. You just have to slow down long enough to hear it,” he says.
