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53°F / 12°C
(Soleado. Fresco.)
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There are endless possibilities for walking tours in Toronto, and with so many neighborhoods marked by their own history and presence; it's hard to know where to start. However, the best approach is to plan your walk around a main attraction which will give you the opportunity not only to visit the monument itself but also to visit the district as a whole.
Royal Alexandra Theatre
To get a sense of Toronto's entertainment district, start at the corner of King and John. This area (stretching to Simcoe) is known as Mirvish Walkway or Mirvish Village, named after Ed Mirvish and his son, who have spent awesome amounts refurbishing the area, turning many of the theaters and restaurants into first-class establishments. Their most famous project, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, was saved from certain destruction and has become one of the city's entertainment jewels. Make a pit stop in the middle of your day at the Elephant and Castle. This traditional British pub located in the surrounding Entertainment district serves "pub grub" staples such as Chicken and Pineapple Curry and bangers and mash.
Just down and across the street from the Royal Alexandra Theatre, there's no missing the grand exterior of Roy Thomson Hall, with its glass and upside-down mushroom shape. The interior of this performance hall, a favorite venue for the Toronto Symphony and Mendelssohn Choir, is just as spectacular: luminous and elaborate decor topped by impeccable acoustics. And to wrap up an exhausting day, treat yourself to an upscale meal at Houston's on Adelaide. This place is known not only for its steak and seafood but also for its snazzy cigar lounge/piano bar ambiance.
Toronto Dominion Centre
Head east and on the corner of King and Simcoe, you'll find St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Constructed in 1876, the church was saved in the 1980's when SunLife Tower paid over $4 million to build above and below it. The Scottish Romanesque Revival architecture stands in time-warp contrast to the skyscraping steel and glass around it.
Halfway between York and Bay you'll pass the awesome Toronto Dominion Centre, consisting of five monolithic skyscrapers. The creation of famous modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the centerpiece building of the group—the Toronto Dominion Tower - was the first International Style skyscraper in the city when built in the late 1960's. The finished product was a meticulously constructed work of art that, while perhaps not visually stunning, set the tone for the architecture that followed. For a unique dining experience stop by C'est What for lunch. This bar/restaurant has 28 locally brewed beers on tap as well as an eclectic menu featuring curries and lamb burgers.
Heading north on Bay you'll come across the National Club Building, a Neo-Georgian structure built in 1874 to promote the Canada First movement—patriots who fought to prevent union with the United States. The Art Deco style along with the vaulted entrance and sculpted bronze elevator doors make the interior a must-see. Back up to King and further east stands the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. When it was built in 1931, the 34-story building was the tallest in the British Empire. Its Romanesque-Revival architecture, handsome wrought-iron detail and gilded moldings work well even in the contemporary backdrop of the city's financial district. For the ultimate Downtown dining experience, make a reservation at 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower. The menu is distinctly Canadian featuring items such as Roast Rack of Lamb with Braised Leeks and Pork Chops, and the panoramic view is breathtaking.
Design Exchange
Further west and right on Wellington you will find the old Commercial Bank of Midland District, now called Number Fifteen. The oldest structure in the area, it was built in 1845 in classic Greek Revival style. Down Bay and south to Front brings you to the old Toronto Stock Exchange, now the Design Exchange, which exhibits work from some of the world's finest fashion and graphic designers. If you’re getting hungry, this is good point in the day to grab a slice of pizza at Il Fornello. There are ten different locations around the city, and this gourmet pizza has been voted Toronto’s best several times.
On Front Street stands Union Station, completed in 1927 after 12 years of construction. The work of architects Ross and MacDonald, the building was modeled after the great American train stations and inspired by the basilicas of Ancient Rome. The massive, 250-meter long building sports magnificent columns, beautifully vaulted ceilings and ornate etchings in its stone walls.
If you've got some energy left after visiting the entertainment and financial districts, continue with a tour of the Old Town of York, where you'll get a sense of Toronto's rich history. Start at the corner of Yonge and Wellington and walk east to the Gooderham Building, financed by distilleries mogul George Gooderham and also known as the Flatiron Building due to its triangular structure. For a dinner of traditional French-Canadian fare, dine at Le Papillon. This spacious restaurant can seat up to 225 people, but despite its capacity, make a reservation well in advance. After all, this establishment has been voted the most popular French restaurant five years in a row by readers of the Toronto Sun.
St. Lawrence Market
Turning onto Front, the Beardmore Building stands out. During the 19th century, the area was known as the warehouse district, and this building was one of the first structures built to accommodate the busy waterfront industries. Further east to Jarvis, the historic St. Lawrence Market bustles more than ever with its fresh fruit, vegetable, cheese and meat vendors. Built in 1844, Toronto's city hall stood here until 1904 when the space was converted into a public market. Since then it has been expanded, though the old city hall facade is still recognizable. Once home to working-class Irish Protestant immigrants employed in the many factories and warehouses surrounding it, the St. Lawrence Market area today is a trendy neighborhood, with a nice blend of old and new.
St. James Cathedral
East on Front, you'll find Trinity, a beautiful old street that features the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, the oldest school building in the city and the first to offer free education. It was built in 1848 by Enoch Turner, a local brewer who employed many of the folks who lived in the area. A few steps south is Little Trinity Church, which was built for area Anglicans who couldn't afford the steep pew rents at St. James Cathedral. While not as spectacular as the city's other old churches, the simple Tudor Gothic styling gives it an almost magical appeal.
North to King, there's no missing St. James Cathedral, Toronto's first Anglican church, boasting the highest steeple in Canada and the second highest in North America. Built in 1819, the church was destroyed in a fire that devastated the entire city in 1849. It was rebuilt by architect Frederich Cumberland, who redid the exterior in Gothic Style.
Walk west and turn north on Toronto Street and you'll notice a building with architecture resembling a Greek temple, complete with symmetrical Ionic columns. If by this point in your visit you’ve had your fill of pub fare, pop in Hiro Sushi Restaurant for lunch. Master chef Hiro Yoshida combines culinary innovation with tradition giving diners a memorable culinary experience.
Back on King, between Church and Leader Lane, comes the magnificent King Edward Hotel, designed by the same architect who oversaw the original City Hall and Massey Hall.
Perhaps you need a break from walking, but still don't want to miss out on the sights. Well, make a break for Lakeshore Boulevard to Toronto Kayak & Canoe Adventures. It allows its patrons unprecedented access to some of the best views of natural wildlife in the city. Take a leisurely float along the waterways and stop off at one of the various café's along the way.
To finish off your tour, return to St. James Cathedral, walk through the Toronto Sculpture Garden, and you'll find yourself at Market Square. Here you can relax in one of the many cafés, enjoying the bustle of Toronto's oldest neighborhood. And, after spending a day visiting the city, what better way to end it than with a romantic dinner at La Maquette. The French haut-cuisine is delicious, and the ambiance is lovely. After all, this restaurant has been named the most romantic restaurant in Toronto.
Queen Street West
If you see nothing else of downtown Toronto, you have to walk Queen Street West between University and Spadina avenues: restaurant next to patio bar next to pub next to pool place next to hip fashion store. Since this strip is becoming increasingly commercialized, the more alternative clubs, cafes and galleries have moved to "West Queen West" (Spadina to Bathurst). The uptown—and up-market—equivalent of this area is Yorkville, a handful of blocks of nouvelle cuisine temples like the Sassafraz, and over a dozen exquisite galleries for every collector's taste, which lend Toronto a bit of Montmartre flavor.
With so much to see and do, one of the following friendly touring companies may help you not miss any of Toronto's hidden gems.
Walking Tours:
A Taste Of The World (+1 416 923 6813 / http://www.torontowalksbikes.com/index.html)
Genova Tours (+1 416 367 0380 / http://billgenova.tripod.com/genovatours/)
Bus Tours:
Gray Line Sightseeing (+1 416 594 3310 / http://www.grayline.ca/tours/scripts/graylinelocations/locationsmain.asp?location=toronto)
Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour (+1 800 594 3310 / http://www.grayline.ca/tours/pages/graylineca/graylineca_545_HopOnHopOffCity.asp)
Olde Town Tours (+1 416 614 0999 / http://www.swiftrans.ca/)
Water Tours:
Toronto Tours (+1 416 869 1372 / http://www.torontotours.com/)
Mariposa Cruise Line (+1 416 203 0178 / http://www.mariposacruises.com/)
Toronto Kayak & Canoe Adventures (+1 416 536 2067 / http://www.paddlethehumber.com/)
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