Old Town and the Distillery Historic District

Much of today's Toronto can be traced back to Old Town. This collection of six neighbourhoods has seen a revitalisation as trendy shops and restaurants took over space in centuries-old buildings.

In Old Town you’ll find one of the city’s best foodie destinations: the St. Lawrence Market established in 1803, In 2015, National Geographic named it the best in the world. Come here to sample fresh produce and cheese, or be amazed by the works of local artisans selling souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, and more.

The Distillery Historic District is a vibrant pedestrian-only village. New fashions can be found in restored, Victorian-era buildings; culinary inventions are hidden behind weathered red brick walls; and art galleries and performance venues host events year-round.

Don’t leave Old Town without seeing the Gooderham Building, known as the Flatiron Building, a red-brick, narrow structure a stark contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers.

Then there's the Toronto Entertainment District, great for celeb-spotting, especially around the time of the annual Toronto International Film Festival. The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is here and some of Canada’s most popular clubs and bars.

+++

Chinatown + Kensington Market + AGO District

Kensington Market is an incredible street market reflecting the wide diversity at the core of Toronto.

Caribbean, Latin American, European, and Vietnamese immigrants have all found a home in the area over time, each leaving their stamp in a variety of ways - a superb mixture of restaurants, cafes, vintage clothing shops and lively market stalls.

Just south of Kensington market is Toronto’s Chinatown neighbourhood with authentic Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine and markets for international produce, unique products, and souvenirs.

In the neighbourhood is the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of the biggest and best art museums in North America, and with the largest collection of Canadian art in the world as well as ther Grewat Masters.

+++

Queen West + King West + Liberty Village

Queen West is cool-as, has great shopping, tons of art and design studios, and a variety of live music venues and good eating, all set against a backdrop of historic buildings. Take a walk and stumble up=on hidden galleries, drum circles in Trinity Bellwoods Park, ‘art hotels’ like The Drake, and “Graffiti Alley”. Vogue named West Queen West one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

Fashionistas love this area, and King West is home to some of the best shopping in the city. Once the centre of Toronto’s textile industry, now former industrial buildings are inhabited by clothing outlets and retailers.

Another former industrial area, Liberty Village is now a popular home for Toronto’s urban professionals. The industrial spirit lives on through the neighbourhood’s latest residents: tech start-ups, digital agencies, and advertising firms. 

+++

Yorkville + the Annex

Once hippie (now hip) Yorkville is widely known as a fashion district. Sometimes dubbed the “Mink Mile,” Bloor Street is lined with designer boutiques where you can shop brands like Tiffany, Chanel, and Hermès. The posh stores are straddled by equally posh dining, all of which make Yorkville a great place to mingle with high society.

The University of Toronto campus sits on its border and most cash-strapped students spend their time in the adjacent Annex neighbourhood where there are coffee shops, theatres, bookstores, galleries, restaurants, and bars filled by the young, trendy clientele. 

More about these districts....

Find out more about other parts of Canada....