Walking Tours in Downtown Belleville

Immerse yourself in the stories of Belleville’s past

Explore Local History

Discover Local Biodiversity

Upcoming Walking Tours

For details about each walk, please scroll down to see descriptions and photos below.

We’re working hard to develop more walks and experiences all the time, so keep checking back to see what’s new, or reach out to ask us if there’s a specific topic you’re interested in learning more about - we might be planning something!

Tickets for walks can be purchased ahead below in our secure TicketTailor widget. You can also buy tickets at our store at 302 Front Street during regular store hours.

Looking for a unique experience for a birthday, corporate team building, or special event?

CONTACT US about booking a private walking tour!

WALKING TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

Snapshots Through Time

Imagine yourself standing where you are now, at those exact co-ordinates in space, but at a different point in time. What’s different? What’s the same? What has, and what hasn’t, changed from that distant point in time and now?

In this traditional historical walking tour, join Stuart Long, co-owner of Wander Local / Scalliwag Toys, in exploring the stories of a handful of locations around Downtown Belleville. Using historical snapshots as an entry point for the “when”, the tour will speak to what was going on locally and globally at that snapshot in time.

WALK DURATION

APPROX 1 HOUR

RECOMMENDED AGE

12+

TICKET PRICE

$20 + HST

Macabre History of Downtown Belleville

Experience some of Downtown Belleville’s strange (and sometimes gruesome!) history, including our very own building at 302 Front Street, tales of deaths, debauchery, and even the story of an early Belleville mayor who held someone at gunpoint for $3!

Guided by a costumed storyteller, this walk will travel to various sites throughout Downtown Belleville where real historical events took place - sometimes the buildings no longer stand, but the eerie feelings of past transgressions remain. Special thanks to the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County for their support and assistance with research for making this walk come to life!

Approx 1 Hour

WALK DURATION

RECOMMENDED AGE

14+

TICKET PRICE

$20 + HST

Ghost Hunters Walk in Downtown Belleville

There are nights when the shadows stretch a little bit longer, as if something... else is there. Nights when the commonplace bumps and thumps we hear feel different, and when the chills travelling down your spine might be a little bit more than just a natural fear of the dark and unknown...

Join our team of ghost hunters as we explore some of the known locations and stories of hauntings in and around Downtown Belleville, including our very own 302 Front Street. Help us document any mysterious sightings and phenomena to find proof (or lack thereof for the skeptics) of ghosts and apparitions that have been noted through Belleville's history.

This walk will take approximately an hour. We recommend participants dress for cool night air and comfortable walking shoes as we will cover most of the downtown in that time, including a walk up or down the Victoria hill to St. Thomas Church's cemetery.

WALK DURATION

APPROX 1 HOUR

RECOMMENDED AGE

12+

TICKET PRICE

$20 + HST

Whiskey & Wingtips

Step back into the 1920’s Prohibition Era with this theatrical-style walking tour! Hear the tales of one of the Bay of Quinte Region's most notorious rumrunners, Claude "King" Cole, guided by a team of professional actors. Starting off at Scalliwag Toys, the walking tour is a bit like mobile dinner theatre as the scenes take the audience to three other businesses in the Belleville Downtown District. Try out some 1920's dance moves and even have a quick nip with a special mocktail and charcuterie sampler at the local "Speakeasy" (as long as you know the password!), L'Auberge de France, next door. This walk is a great local history primer for those looking to learn a little and experience a fun fictional moment in time based on real historical names and places.