Guide to downtown Kitchener’s Art Walk tour, about 60 minutes from Toronto. There are 90 art installations spread across the downtown core.

The Best Guide to Downtown Kitchener’s Art Walk Tour

Downtown Kitchener’s Art Walk tour features 90 outdoor art installations. And the best part is- it’s absolutely free! Plan your next road trip to Kitchener Ontario to check out this thriving arts community. And, let this be your best guide and art walk map where I will share the best of the best all within close proximity to each other with a suggested restaurant or activity to do. (Updated November 2022)

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.

Where is Kitchener Ontario?

Kitchener is the city an hour west of Toronto. Kitchener and Waterloo (or K-W as us locals like to call it) are two cities, often referred to as one, that is finding ways to protect their history while undergoing a massive revitalization. It’s most famous for its tech employment, with one of the highest concentrations of start-up entrepreneurs in the country. Not to mention the countless number of craft breweries, locally-owned restaurants, nature trails, and an up-and-coming arts community.     

How DTK Art Walk got started?

When the pandemic hit us the hardest, the city decided to create an outdoor museum full of amazing art installations and murals. There are a total of 90 spread throughout the core of downtown Kitchener. 

Since I’m a local, seeing all 90 art installations is not a big deal. But I get it, for those who are visiting the city just for the day it might be hard to see them all. So, I’ve pulled together the best ones. Let this be your guide to Kitchener’s art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I’ve grouped them by location. 

Guide to Kitchener’s Art Walk

Take 5

Let’s start with a short loop, maybe 10-15 minutes of walking time, bringing you to 5 art installations. A couple of these will feature a walk back in time where you will learn about Kitchener’s historical roots. 

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
1. Indoors Out (LCBO Courtyard on King St W)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
2. Taking Care / Care-Taking (30 Water St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
3. Horsepower (200 King Street W – at Duke St entrance)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
4. Anvil (200 King St W – at Duke St entrance)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
5. Downtown Kitchener Outdoor Mural (across from City Hall on King Street)

Finish your tour of these 5 and support locally-run, and my personal favourite, Cafe Pyrus. The entire menu is plant-based and even those that are not vegan won’t know the difference – it’s that good! This healthy restaurant caters to the breakfast and lunch crowd.

An even dozen

Enjoy discovering this group of 12 art murals in close proximity to each other. It might require you to look up, way up, as a few of these are featured on the back of buildings. If you are looking for a coffee fix, be sure to stop at Show & Tell Coffee. 

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
1. Welcome / We are All the Same / Grandchildren’s Joy (102 King St W)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
2. Celestial Mechanics (102 King St W)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
3. Ontario Alley (30 Ontario St)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
4. You Go First (48 Ontario St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
5. The Electrohome (Side of Duke St parking lot on Ontario St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
6. Great Horned Owl (8 Queen St – back facing Ontario St)

Then follow your way to Kitchener’s best-kept secret – Goudies Lane. The once docking area has been turned into a cool hangout spot – complete with lights dangling between buildings and picnic tables to sit at while you admire the art murals.

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
7. The Goudie Mural (entrance through Queen St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
8. Goudies Lane No. 5 (entrance through Queen St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
9. Goudies Lane No. 4 (entrance through Queen St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
10. Goudies Lane No. 3 (entrance through Queen St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
11. Goudies Lane No. 2 (entrance through Queen St N)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
12. Goudies Lane No. 1 (entrance through Queen St N)

The 11 on Halls Lane

Head to Halls Lane, a hidden laneway, runs parallel to King Street in Kitchener. The part running between Ontario and Queen Streets is where you will find this grouping of 11. Close by, there is no shortage of locally-run, ethnic fast-food eateries. Everything from sushi to African to Caribbean. 

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
1. Halls Lane No. 4
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
2. Kinship
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
3. Left to Right: House Fire; Alight; Remember To; We are the Same Beings
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
4. Halls Lane No. 1
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
5. Halls Lane No. 2
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
6. Halls Lane No. 3
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
7. The Condor and the Eagle
CA DTK17
8. We’Wha
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
9. Grizzly Bear
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
10. Who you are…
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
11. Cultured Pallets: Saib

End your tour at my recommended favourite, AOK Craft Beer + Arcade, where you can sip on a local brew while playing some retro gaming. The entrance and patio don’t get any cooler than their very own art mural.

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.

A 6-pack

Let these 6 art installations lead you to Kitchener’s largest park – Victoria Park. End your tour here with a leisurely stroll around the lake.

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
1. Zhashagi (60 Charles St – Halls Lane)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
2. Recognize Everyone (60 Charles St parking lot)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
3. Shy Shayeste (44 Gaukel Creative Workspace)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
4. In the Keep of Change (44 Gaukel Creative Workspace)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
5. City Owayseug (Gaukel St)
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
6. The Luggage Project (Victoria Park at Gaukel St)

As a holidaymaker…

This free outdoor art gallery builds a sense of community. Not only does it showcase some amazing talent telling an important story, but it also brings locals and visitors to the downtown core. It adds a little edge to its character. If you prefer to learn more about the artists, their work, and the area why not join a private group with Stroll Walking Tours. They are the ultimate storytellers. Leave a comment below, I’d love to know which are your favourites from the DTK Art Walk Tour. 

If you do plan to come to Kitchener, you might want to add to your itinerary and visit some nearby destinations.

The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.
The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk Tour, only an hour west of Toronto, features 90 outdoor art installations spread throughout the city's downtown core. Let this be your best guide to Kitchener's art walk (known as DTK Art Walk Tour) where I've grouped them by location with a suggested restaurant or activity.

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