Toronto: Casa Lomas Stately Houses Mobile Audio Guide

Explore the stately homes and landmarks west of Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma with the captivating mobile audio guide. For just $4.99 per person, you’ll embark on a 45-minute journey narrated by producer Jonathan Spencer, uncovering the rich history and stunning architecture of the neighborhood. Using the VoiceMap app, you can navigate turn-by-turn and access the audio, maps, and geodata offline, enjoying the area at your own pace. Discover the famous Neilson house, the Macleans magazine house, and uncover the stories of early settlers and literary figures like Hemingway. This self-guided tour offers a unique way to explore the hidden gems of the Casa Loma district.

Key Points

• The mobile audio guide takes visitors on a 45-minute journey through the stately houses and landmarks west of Casa Loma, Toronto’s iconic castle.
• The tour highlights the Neilson house and Macleans magazine house, providing insights into the area’s rich history and architecture.
• The self-guided tour is narrated by producer Jonathan Spencer and can be accessed through the VoiceMap app with offline access.
• Visitors can explore the oldest beachfront in the city, discovering the early settlers of Casa Loma and where Ernest Hemingway got his start.
• The tour offers a unique and immersive way for locals and visitors to discover the fascinating history and architecture of the iconic Casa Loma neighborhood.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview

This mobile audio guide takes visitors on a 45-minute journey through the stately houses and notable landmarks just west of Casa Loma, Toronto’s famous castle on a hill.

Priced from $4.99 per person, the tour highlights the Neilson house, the Macleans magazine house, and other early settler sites, all narrated by producer Jonathan Spencer, a worldly wanderer and former radio show host.

Explore the area with the help of turn-by-turn directions and offline access to audio, maps, and geodata through the VoiceMap app.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this guided tour is an excellent way to discover the rich history and architecture of the neighborhood surrounding Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma.

Tour Highlights

Visitors can discover the famed Neilson house and the Macleans magazine house as part of this insightful audio tour.

They’ll also hear from producer Jonathan Spencer, a worldly wanderer and ex radio show host, who guides them through the area just west of Casa Loma, Toronto’s castle on a hill.

Along the way, they’ll learn about the early settlers of Casa Loma and where Ernest Hemingway got his start as a writer.

The tour also takes them along the oldest beachfront in the city, providing a unique perspective on Toronto’s history and architecture.

With lifetime access to the tour, visitors can explore this stately neighborhood at their own pace and convenience.

Tour Details

The tour starts at Casa Loma and finishes at the St. Clair West subway station, providing a comprehensive exploration of the stately houses and historic sights in the area.

It includes lifetime access to the tour in English, the VoiceMap app for Android and iOS, as well as offline access to the audio, maps, and geodata. This allows you to embark on the self-guided tour at your own pace, without the need for an internet connection.

While the tour doesn’t include tickets, entrance fees, transportation, or food and drink, it does offer a unique and immersive way to discover the fascinating history and architecture of this iconic Toronto neighborhood.

What to Bring

Travelers will need to bring a few essential items for this self-guided audio tour through Toronto’s Casa Loma neighborhood. Headphones are a must, allowing users to fully enjoy the narration and ambient sounds as they explore the area.

Plus, having a charged smartphone is crucial, as the tour is accessed through the VoiceMap app. This ensures users can easily navigate the route and access the tour’s features, like offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.

With these simple yet necessary items in hand, explorers can embark on a captivating journey through the stately houses and historic streets of this iconic Toronto district, guided by the knowledgeable narration.

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Important Information

To get the most out of this audio tour, you’ll need to install the VoiceMap smartphone app beforehand. The tour follows a set route with turn-by-turn directions, so it’s important to download it before or after booking to ensure a seamless experience.

Plus, the tour is only available in English, so non-English speakers may want to consider alternative options.

Once you have the app and the tour downloaded, you’ll be able to explore the area just west of Casa Loma at your own pace. The self-guided nature of the tour allows you to learn about the history and architecture of this iconic Toronto neighborhood, with insights from a knowledgeable local guide.

Discover the Famed Neilson House

Along the tour’s route, visitors can’t miss the Neilson house, a stately mansion that stands as a testament to the area’s affluent past.

This grand 19th-century home, once owned by chocolate magnate James Neilson, offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of Toronto’s elite during the Victorian era.

The guide will share captivating stories about the home’s architectural features and the Neilson family’s influence in the city.

Guests will learn how the house’s ornate details and expansive grounds reflect the wealth and status of its former owners.

Explore the Area West of Casa Loma

Just west of the iconic Casa Loma, visitors can discover a charming neighborhood steeped in history and architectural splendor. This quaint area, once home to some of Toronto’s most influential families, offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s past. Along the tree-lined streets, you’ll find a treasure trove of stately homes, each with its own unique story to tell. From the Neilson House, with its grand Georgian design, to the Macleans magazine house, a testament to the area’s literary legacy, there’s no shortage of fascinating sights to explore.

House	Architectural Style	Notable Resident
Neilson House	Georgian	Influential business leader
Macleans Magazine House	Victorian	Famous magazine publisher
Cawthra Mansion	Italianate	Prominent politician
Sterndale Bennett House	Queen Anne	Renowned musician
Teefy House	Arts and Crafts	Respected educator

Learn About Early Settlers and Hemingway

The audio guide delves into the fascinating history of Casa Loma’s early settlers, including the area where renowned author Ernest Hemingway got his start as a writer.

You’ll learn about the first families to call this neighborhood home, and how their legacies shaped the development of the area.

The guide explores Hemingway’s connection to Casa Loma, revealing how this iconic landmark influenced his early works.

As you stroll the streets, you’ll uncover the stories of the pioneers who laid the foundations of this vibrant community.

From the trials of daily life to the triumphs of those who left their mark, this captivating tour brings the past to life in vivid detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Duration of the Tour?

The tour lasts 45 minutes. It’s an audio guide that allows visitors to explore the famed Neilson house, Macleans magazine house, and other notable landmarks at their own pace. This provides ample time to take in the area’s history and sights.

What Is the Cost of the Tour per Person?

The tour costs $4.99 or more per person. It provides access to a self-guided audio experience that can be downloaded to your smartphone and used at your own pace.

Can the Tour Be Reserved and Paid for Later?

The tour can be reserved and paid for later. Customers have the option to reserve the tour now and pay for it at a later time, according to the information provided in the overview.

Can the Tour Be Accessed in Languages Other Than English?

Unfortunately, the tour is only available in English. The information states that the tour "Includes: Lifetime access to the tour in English" and that it is "Tour is only available in English". Other language options are not mentioned.

Can the Tour Be Downloaded Before or After Booking?

The tour can be downloaded either before or after booking. Users just need to make sure they have the VoiceMap app installed on their smartphone and then they can download the tour content anytime, even after the booking date.

Recap

Enjoy the rich history and architecture of the Casa Loma neighborhood with this captivating 45-minute audio guide.

Discover the Neilson house and Macleans magazine house, explore the area at your own pace, and uncover the stories of early settlers and Canadian literary icons like Hemingway.

It’s an engaging way to experience the stately houses and landmarks west of Casa Loma.

You can check availability for your dates here: