Toronto Graffiti: Exploring The Best Concentration of Street Art – Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is a stone’s throw away from where I live – What The…?!?!
I honestly did not know this until my readers, who read some of my other Toronto & Canadian posts started asking about Toronto Graffiti and where Graffiti Alley was.
I thought I knew enough about Toronto to answer most tourist questions, but Toronto’s Graffiti Alley? I had no idea…
So, I googled it. Sure enough, there is a laneway in Toronto called Rush Ln infamously nicknamed Graffiti Alley.
How to get to Graffiti Alley?
Well, I’m sort of ashamed to answer that question. The East entrance to Graffiti Alley – which is in the Fashion District is on a street called Spadina between Richmond Street & Queen Street West. (It’s literally a 5-10 minute walk from our condo in the Entertainment District.)
Since both districts are right beside each other, I immediately felt like I needed to create some excuse as to why I never heard of this place 😉
Eventually, I chalked it up to being new to this part of Toronto (after recently moving here from the Greektown neighbourhood) and went out to explore this Graffiti Alley to get a better sense of the vibrancy that is drawing people to Toronto from far and wide.
However, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t at least try to turn this into an itinerary of some kind… Close to the entrance of Graffiti Alley are two places that serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. Gordana and I frequent both on Saturday and Sunday’s.

What A Bagel
What A Bagel has well…lots and lots of bagels – that’s a given but they also bake Challah, Bread, Buns, Croissants, Cinnamon Rolls, Cookies, Hamentashen, Pretzels, Rugelach & Strudel. You can grab a bagel and get them to load it up with your favourite stuff then take off or sit down and enjoy brunch. Loads of options to suit everyone but my favourite Challah French Toast and the prices are more than reasonable.
📍130 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 1X9
$$
TORONTO GRAFFITI & GRAFFITI ALLEY
A BEAUTIFUL TORONTO STREET ART THOROUGHFARE
Awesome.
And as a bonus, since there were no tourists around, I had to rare pleasure of watching an artist work on a new addition to the laneway.
Is Graffiti And Street Art Legal in Ontario?
Toronto’s graffiti and street art are legal. (Sort of) More specifically, as a result of a long and bitter struggle between art, business, and the government, some streets like Graffiti Alley became legal. Art, which is already subjective and then
However, once you get out and take a look at what these artists are actually creating you won’t see random tagging or scrawls. What you will see are drawings that are true art. The range of subjects is extraordinary. The colors run the gamut from muted to violently fluorescent. Even though beautiful graffiti can be found throughout the city, this street has become a famous tourist attraction.
The Transitory Nature of Graffiti Alley
A part of the appeal of Toronto’s Graffiti Alley was its transience. The art had to be captured on film because it would be replaced by a new masterpiece when time eroded the old masterpiece. This indirectly made artists somewhat infamous and Graffiti Alley became a special venue for the craft. I now make a point of seeing it at least every other month just because it changes. I have to admit its fun walking through the alley and seeing what was recently added.
Graffiti Alley has become a business opportunity for
Graffiti and Street Art
If you’re looking for the perfect 48 Hour Toronto Itinerary I got you covered! As a local Torontonian, I’ve created the perfect blend of know sites, hidden gems (like and including Graffiti Alley), and foodie hot spots. Plus I put together a two-part, two-day video episode with tons of pictures. Check it out here.

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