As a world-class destination, Toronto offers countless attractions and
events throughout the year. With 200 different communities and
neighbourhoods, it is a true multicultural metropolis with something
for everyone.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the SoHo Metropolitan
Hotel is the perfect home base for your business ventures and leisure
adventures.
Many great destinations are minutes away from the Met, and others
are easily reached by cab or public transit. Some of our favourite
downtown neighbourhoods are described below. Also, see our Events
section for what's happening in Toronto in the coming months. We look
forward to hosting you soon.
The Bloor Annex neighbourhood, on Bloor Street West between Spadina
Avenue and Bathurst Street, features hip cafes, bars, restaurants and
a wide array of shops, boutiques and services. This neighbourhood is
popular with students, artists and other creative
people. www.bloorannexbia.com
An eastward ride on Queen Street East – between Woodbine Avenue and
Maclean Avenue – takes you to the Beaches neighbourhood. Queen East
is a historical main street, with charming cafes, restaurants, pubs
and bakeries – as well small boutiques selling stylish clothing,
accessories, fine art, handicrafts and gourmet food. A short walk to
the lakeshore reveals scenic parks, sandy beaches, a boardwalk and a
beach volleyball area. Special events include the Beach Studio Tour in
May and October, the Waterfront Blues Festival in June and the Beaches
International Jazz Festival in July.
www.beachbia.com
Bloor West Village is located on Bloor Street West, west of High Park
between Glendonwynne Road and South Kingsway. The neighbourhood boasts
a wide variety of boutiques, restaurants, shops and cafes, as well as
authentic Polish and Ukrainian delis and bakeries. A visit to the
laid-back area is a great accompaniment to a trip to High Park. Bloor
West Villages occasionally holds special events, such as outdoor
festivals and annual sidewalk sales.
www.bloorwestvillage.ca
Bloor-Yorkville is a famous neighbourhood known for fashion, cuisine
and culture. Often known as the Fashion Mile, the area spans Bloor
Street from Yonge Street to Avenue Road, and includes the Yorkville
neighbourhood. The area features upscale boutiques and larger high-end
retailers including: Holt Renfrew, Stollery's, Harry Rosen and William
Ashley China; as well as worldwide sought-after designer brands such
as Prada, Hermes, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Crabtree & Evelyn, Williams-Sonoma
and many more. Bloor-Yorkville also has many fine dining
establishments, and every May, the area hosts the Sante Toronto
International Wine Festival, which features tasty, educational and
entertaining wine, cuisine and music events.
The Bloor-Yorkville area is also a centre of learning and culture,
with museums, concert halls and more. Bloor Street is home to the
Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Walter Hall,
Theatre Museum Canada, the Bata Shoe Museum, the outdoor Canopy
Theatre, and the Toronto International Film Festival box office,
information centre and gift shop – which is open year-round. Hart
House Theatre is also not far away – just a few blocks south of
Bloor on the University of Toronto campus.
www.bloor-yorkville.com
Toronto's Old Cabbagetown, centered around Parliament Street between
Wellesley and Gerrard Street East, features Victorian architecture,
fine restaurants and pubs; as well as the Danny Grossman Dance
Company, the Toronto Dance Theatre and the Canadian Children's Dance
Theatre. The Necropolis Cemetery on Winchester Street is the final
resting place of notable Canadians such as William Lyon Mackenzie,
leader of the 1837 Rebellion. The nearby Riverdale Park and Farm
allows visitors to experience what it was like on a farm at the turn
of the century. From May through October, the Riverdale Farm Farmer's
Market operates on Tuesday afternoons. September brings several annual
events to Cabbagetown, including a street festival, a short film
festival, a tour of 19th century homes, and special wine tastings and
menus and at area dining establishments.
www.oldcabbagetown.com
Toronto's main Chinatown is on Spadina Avenue – between Queen
Street West and College Street – and on Dundas Street West –
between Augusta Avenue and Beverley Street. The bustling neighbourhood
features a wide range of restaurants serving authentic Chinese,
Vietnamese and other types of Asian cuisine. The area also features
many Chinese food markets and bakeries, as well as shops selling
clothing, teas, spices, herbs, music, movies, handicrafts and other
tempting items. The neighbourhood hosts traditional Chinese New Year's
celebrations and the annual Chinatown Festival (usually in August),
both which feature dance, music and other celebrations of Chinese
culture. Just to the east, at Dundas and Beverley Streets is the Art
Gallery of Ontario (which is closed until autumn
2008).
www.chinatownbia.com
Another Chinatown is located on Gerrard Street East, spanning from
Broadview Avenue to Logan Avenue. This smaller Chinatown features
authentic Chinese restaurants; specialized food, spice and teashops;
as well as several grocers offering fresh produce and other goods.
Also known as the 'Gay Village' or simply 'The Village', this
colourful and vibrant neighbourhood – centred on Church and
Wellesley Streets – is the home of Canada's largest gay
community. It features restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, boutiques
and more. It is the central location for the annual Pride Week
celebrations in June and Halloweek in October.
www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca
One of Toronto's predominantly Italian neighbourhoods, Corso Italia,
is on St. Clair Avenue West between Westmount Avenue and Lansdowne
Avenue. The area features Italian restaurants, cafes and gelato shops;
as well as various boutiques and shops. Italian is commonly spoken in
stores and on the street. In addition to its strong Italian cultural
presence, this neighbourhood also features many Latin American and
Portuguese restaurants and businesses. Every July, the Corso Italia
Toronto Fiesta street festival features musicians, street performers,
food vendors, special sidewalk sales and more. The neighbourhood
especially comes to life during World Cup and European Cup soccer
games. St. Clair West is also the home of the annual Salsa on
St. Clair street festival in July, and the Artwalk festival and studio
tour in September.
www.torontocorsoitalia.com,
www.hillcrestvillage-bia.com &
www.wychwoodheights-bia.com
A short distance east from Toronto's central downtown area is the
trendy and artsy Distillery District, bordered by Parliament Street,
Mill Street, Cherry Street and the Gardiner Expressway. The
pedestrian-only village is a refurbished former whiskey distillery
from the Victorian era, now featuring restaurants, bars, cafes, art
galleries, theatres, a craft brewery and retailers selling art,
antiques, jewellery and other items. Throughout the year, the district
hosts many outdoor and indoor festivals and special events.
www.thedistillerydistrict.com
The Yonge Street Strip – spanning almost two miles from Front
Street to Bloor Street – boasts all sorts of shopping, dining and
entertainment possibilities. Large shopping centres include: Eaton
Centre, Hudson Bay Company (also known as The Bay), The Atrium on Bay,
and College Park. Throughout the famous stretch are hundreds of stores
offering clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery, gadgets, music,
movies, toys, collectables and pretty much anything you can think of.
The vibrant area also features several theatres and concert halls,
including: Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, Canon Theatre, (formerly
Pantages Theatre) Massey Hall, Panasonic Theatre (formerly the New
Yorker Theatre), Mysteriously Yours Mystery Dinner Theatre, and
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Located on Front Street, at the south
end of Yonge, are the Sony Centre (formerly Hummingbird Centre), The
Hockey Hall of Fame and Union Station – a train, bus and subway
station. In July, the annual Toronto Just For Laughs festival appears
at Massey Hall, with free outdoor performances at Dundas Square.
Yonge-Dundas Square (also known as Dundas Square) is a public
gathering place at the southeast corner of Yonge and Dundas
Streets. The square hosts many free concerts, film screenings,
festivals and other cultural events throughout the year. There's often
a buzz of activity, especially during the warm weather. On weekends
and holidays, the artisan market features an eclectic mix of vendors
selling unique and exotic handicrafts, artwork, clothing and
accessories. The square also includes picturesque fountains, areas to
sit and relax, and free wi-fi Internet access.
www.downtownyonge.com &
www.ydsquare.ca
Toronto's entertainment district is on King Street West, Front Street
and other nearby downtown streets. It's chock-full of theatres, sports
venues, restaurants, nightclubs and other attractions for people of
all ages and tastes. Within walking distance are: Princess of Wales
Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Roy Thompson Hall (hosts the Toronto
Symphony Orchestra and other well- established performers), the Canada
Walk of Fame (where famous Canadians have commemorative plaques on the
sidewalk), Second City Theatre, Factory Theatre, Diesel Playhouse,
Laugh Resort, Yuk Yuk's, Glenn Gould Studio, CBC Museum (which
documents decades of Canadian radio and TV broadcasting), Metro
Convention Centre, Rogers Centre – formerly known as Skydome –
(the home of Major League Baseball, CFL football, large concerts and
other events), Air Canada Centre (with NHL hockey, NBA basketball and
big-name concerts) and the CN Tower.
www.thedistrict.ca
Exhibition Place is a 192-acre urban park and exhibition grounds
bordered by The Gardiner Expressway, Strachan Avenue, Lakeshore
Boulevard West and Dufferin Street. Developed for the Canadian
National Exhibition (CNE) – held annually at the end of August –
it hosts many events throughout the year, including conventions and
trade shows. Large annual events include the Royal Winter Agricultural
Fair in November, the CHIN Picnic (free weekend festival) in the
summer, and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (also known as Caribana) in
July. Exhibition Place is great spot to watch the annual Festival of
Fire (fireworks festival) in June/July and the Canadian International
Air Show in early September. Exhibition Place includes Ricoh Coliseum
(AHL hockey and big- name concerts), BMO Field (Major League Soccer
and international soccer matches) and Medieval Times dinner and
jousting tournament.
South of Exhibition Place is Ontario Place, an amusement park built on
man- made islands. It includes thrill rides, a water park, IMAX
Theatre, pedal boats, beach volleyball and the outdoor concert venue
Molson Amphitheatre – which hosts many chart-topping performers
during the warm seasons. Ontario Place is the best place to view the
annual Festival of Fire (fireworks festival) in June/July and the
Canadian International Air Show in early September. It's also the site
of the annual Chinese Lantern Festival in September.
A short walk east of Exhibition Place is Fort York at 100 Garrison
Road – a restored and preserved former military base. Established
in 1793, and playing a major role in Toronto's history, it was opened
as a heritage site museum in 1939. In addition to tours, battle
re-enactments and other historical activities, Fort York is also the
venue for cultural, historical and other types of events throughout
most of the year, including the annual Toronto Festival of Beer in
August.
www.explace.on.ca,
www.ontarioplace.com &
www.fortyork.ca
Not far from the Entertainment District is Toronto's financial
district, which is based on Bay Street and adjoining streets. This is
the economic centre of Toronto, with many national and international
corporate headquarters, as well as the Toronto Stock Exchange and
Design Exchange, a museum and education centre showcasing innovations
in Canadian design. The Textile Museum of Canada is just to the west
of the area, on Centre Street near the intersection of University
Avenue and Dundas Street West.
Bloor Street East turns into Danforth Avenue just east of the DVP,
where Greektown sits between Broadview and Jones Avenues. Known as
North America's biggest Greek neighbourhood, Danforth Avenue boasts
all types of Greek food establishments, ranging from fine dining to
quick takeout. The area also features a great selection of bakeries,
grocers, boutiques and other types of retailers. The Taste of the
Danforth street festival is in August, featuring food vendors,
musicians, dancers and other activities. Two other summer events are
the Sounds of the Danforth festival and a special sidewalk sale.
www.greektowntoronto.com &
www.thedanforth.ca
Queen's Quay Terminal and Harbourfront Centre, at Toronto's downtown
lakefront, are centres of artistic creativity. The area features
several art galleries and performing arts theatres, including Premiere
Dance Theatre. Queen's Quay Terminal also includes restaurants, cafes
and fine boutiques with jewellery, home accessories, fashionable
clothes, toys and other special items. During the warm months, the
area hosts various types of outdoor festivals and concerts, as well as
vendors selling exotic and eclectic handicrafts, art and
collectibles. In the winter, Harbourfront Centre has outdoor skating,
with DJs providing the soundtrack. Scenic parks, boardwalks and paved
paths also span much of Toronto's lakeshore. Next to Queen's Quay
Terminal and east along the harbour are the starting points for many
boat and bus tours, as well as cruise boats that can be chartered for
social or corporate events.
www.queensquayharbourfront.com
West of the downtown area on Bloor Street is the north entrance of
High Park. The almost 400-acre wilderness park is bordered by Bloor
Street West, Parkside Drive, The Queensway (which is connected to
Queen Street West) and Ellis Avenue/Ellis Park Road. The park features
rare trees and plants, creeks, ponds, wildlife in their home settings,
paths, trails, landscaped gardens, outdoor sculptures, historical
buildings, a playground, a mini zoo, sports fields and an outdoor
skating rink. It's a great place for jogging, dog walking, cycling,
bird/animal watching or having a picnic. In the summer, The Canadian
Stage Company presents outdoor theatre productions under the banner
Dream in High Park.
www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm
Gerrard Street East, between Greenwood and Coxwell Avenues, is
commonly known as Little India or Gerrard India Bazaar. However, the
area also offers up cultural treasures from other South Asian
countries such as Dubai, Pakistan and Singapore. You can find a wide
array of South Asian restaurants, and takeaways, as well as shops
selling South Asian clothing, music, movies, jewellery, handicrafts,
food and other products.
www.gerrardindiabazaar.com
Toronto's main Little Italy is on College Street West, between
Bathurst Street and Ossington Avenue. It has an abundance of Italian
restaurants, cafes and gelato shops; as well as various types of
boutiques and stores. Little Italy is particularly known for its
dynamic nightlife, with an array of chic nightclubs, lounges and
bars. The annual Taste of Little Italy street festival is normally
held in June, and the Little Italy Fiera festival is in
September.
littleitaly.sites.toronto.com
If you travel Queen Street West all the way to Roncesvalles Avenue,
you'll find yourself at the south end of Little Poland, which spans
north to Dundas Street West (just south of where it intersects with
Bloor Street West). Roncesvalles is full of traditional Polish delis,
restaurants and bars – as well as small independent shops, grocers
and boutiques. It is also the home of Revue Cinema, one of Canada's
oldest film theatres. In September, the neighbourhood hosts the
Roncesvalles Polish Festival The street also runs parallel to High
Park, and is a just a short walk away. (See High Park description on
this page).
www.roncesvallesvillage.ca
Bordered by Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street West, Bathurst Street and
College Street is the colourful and eclectic Kensington
Market. Founded in the early twentieth century by Jewish and Italian
immigrants, the neighbourhood has evolved into a multi-ethnic shopping
district that appeals to foodies, fashionistas and artsy people of all
ages and backgrounds. The small streets are packed with produce
markets, butchers, bakeries, cheese shops, seafood merchants, as well
as several cosy restaurants, bars and cafes. The next most visible
presence in the neighbourhood is the many stores selling high-quality
vintage clothing and accessories, as well a few offering hip and
unique handmade creations. Additional shops sell music, houseware,
handicrafts and other eye-catching gifts. In the summer, the
neighbourhood hosts Pedestrian Sundays, with musicians, street
performers and interactive events.
www.kensington-market.ca
A few blocks west of Yonge Street, is the Queen Street West strip. On
the eastern edge of the strip, at University Avenue, is the Four
Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, which is the home of the
Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada. About a
block west from there is a popular stretch of hip and trendy purveyors
of clothing, footwear, music and other types of products. The
CHUM-City/MuchMusic headquarters at Queen and John Streets often hosts
outdoor performances by today's most popular music artists. Further
west on Queen, and a few steps north on Ryerson Avenue is Theatre
Passe Muraille, which showcases Canadian plays.
Toronto's Gallery District starts a few blocks west of Queen and
Bathurst Streets, near Trinity Bellwoods Park. Spanning westward to
Dufferin Street and beyond, the strip features art galleries of
various sizes and styles. Notable galleries include: the Stephen
Bulger Gallery, Engine Gallery, Queen Street Qreative, Queen Street
Gallery, Queen Street Studios Gallery, Edward Day Gallery, Omy
Gallery, Loop, Zsa Zsa, Angell Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary
Canadian Art, and many more. The district also includes the art and
culture event venues Drake Hotel, Gladstone Hotel and Camera Bar. The
Queen Street Arts Crawl runs in September.
About a block east of the Queen West strip is Nathan Phillip's Square,
a public gathering place in front of Toronto's City Hall, on the
northeast corner of Queen Street West and Bay Street. Throughout the
year, the square hosts many free concerts, festivals and other
cultural events that suited for people of all ages. In the winter, a
free outdoor skating rink helps you experience traditional winter fun
during the day or in the evening. If you don't have your own skates
with you, they can be rented for a reasonable fee. In the summer, the
arch-covered rink is transformed into a reflecting
pool.
www.westqueenwest.ca &
www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/nps.htm
A few blocks east of the southern end of Yonge Street is the famous
St. Lawrence Market, which features many appealing sights, sounds and
tastes. A wide variety of food items are for sale including: fresh
meats, eggs, produce, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, jams, jellies,
coffees, teas and wine. Non- food/beverage items include flowers,
plants, antiques, handicrafts, jewellery, clothing accessories,
artwork and other collectibles and practical products. The
St. Lawrence Market complex also includes: restaurants, cafes,
takeaway food vendors, and The Market Gallery, with Toronto art and
history exhibits. The surrounding neighbourhood hosts two annual
street festivals: Taste of St. Lawrence in July and Buskerfest in
August. The area also features the St. Lawrence Centre for The
Performing Arts, the Toronto Operetta Theatre and other nearby
theatres and galleries.
www.stlawrencemarket.com &
www.stlawrencemarketbia.ca
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