Schmap Toronto Neighborhood Guide

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Toronto - Neighborhood Guide
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Toronto Home
Schmap Toronto guide and map

People often ask: What makes a city great? What defines it, both for those who live there and for those who visit? Toronto could easily set itself apart by any number of things:

The spectacular ride up the CN Tower, the world's highest free-standing structure, with its rotating restaurant giving diners a breath-taking view of the city, day or night.

The ferry trip from the Harbourfront across the waters of Lake Ontario to the serene and peaceful Toronto Islands, created by a freak storm.

The more than 7,000 fine dining establishments, bars, cafes, bistros, clubs and dance halls to suit every taste from bohemian to business.

The top-of-the-line professional sports teams—Maple Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays and Argos—playing at stadiums that are the envy of other cities.

The world-class museums, art galleries, theatres, dance companies, festivals and parades that add creativity and culture to an already vibrant city.

Any of these could serve to define Toronto. But what the city is really all about is the people. And it shouldn't surprise anyone that the name "Toronto" comes from a Huron word meaning "Meeting Place." That's exactly what it is: a multicultural meeting place for more than 4.5 million, home to people of more than 70 different nationalities speaking some 100 languages. That multi-ethnic gathering has given the city an exciting and awesome energy. It has also created a place of wonderful neighbourhoods, each with its defining character and local colour: from Rosedale to Little Italy, from Greektown to Cabbagetown, from one Chinatown to the next.

Canada's Metropolis

The biggest city in Canada and the fifth largest in North America, Toronto is located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Laid out in a rectangular grid, the city stretches for more than 100 square kilometres. Yonge Street, known as the longest thoroughfare in the world, is the main north-south route. Toronto is an important centre of international commerce, and houses the Toronto Stock Exchange, second only in North America to the New York Stock Exchange.

Architecturally speaking, Toronto is an amalgam of different styles. In the early 19th century, it took much of its architectural inspiration from the Georgian style. By the end of the 19th century, the city opted for the heavier, bulkier lines of Richardsonian Romanesque. At the turn of the 20th century, the Toronto City Council opted not to put a height restriction on downtown construction as many other cities had, thus giving rise to some of the tallest buildings in the British Commonwealth, including the 34-storey Canadian Bank of Commerce. Of course, these buildings have been surpassed in recent years by the silhouettes that give Toronto its unique skyline: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Royal Bank Plaza, and the TD Centre, to name a few.

Getting Around

Getting around Toronto is easier than 1-2-3. Aside from the numerous cabs that swarm the city, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) runs a world-class subway system, as well as streetcars and buses. Wherever you end up, there's sure to be an easy way to get to your next destination.

While the city may once have had a reputation as Toronto The Good, a nondescript place which shut down and rolled up the sidewalks at sundown, nothing could be further from the truth today. The city is alive with some of the best theatres, museums and galleries anywhere. For example, Toronto is the third largest centre of English-speaking theatre productions in the world (next to London and New York), with more than 200 professional theatre companies and 10,000 performances a year.

One of the oldest theatre spaces in the city, the Royal Alexandra dates back to the early 20th century. Saved from demolition by bargain store king and impresario "Honest" Ed Mirvish, the theatre was renovated at great expense and brought back to its original splendour, and is now home to some of Broadway's finest productions from "Phantom" to "Cats." The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario present spectacular exhibits for the entire family, while the National Ballet is a world-class dance troupe.

City Of Stars

Similarly, there's a thriving film industry in the city. Often called "Hollywood North," Toronto is sought after for its diversity, locations, excellent production centres and local talent. The Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place annually in September, draws countless filmgoers.

Eating out in Toronto is an experience unto itself. With a plethora of different cultures and neighbourhoods bumping into one another like pieces of tectonic plates, the cuisine is as diverse as the population—and matching any taste and affordability, from the unlimited expense account to those counting their pennies. In fact, while there are plenty of upscale haute cuisineries where price is of no concern, some of the best food Toronto has to offer is tucked away in the small eateries of the city's original Chinatown. Here you will find Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian and Japanese dishes to satisfy both the timid and the adventurous. Or check out the Beaches with its lively, pedestrian-filled sidewalks and laid-back neighbourhood character. Greektown and Little India restaurants also serve up authentic cuisine, the aromas of which waft gently out onto the streets.

This Sporting Life

This Sporting Life Aside from the Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre housing the city's pro sports teams, Toronto is also known for its Woodbine horse track, the largest racing property in North America and home to the Queen's Plate thoroughbred race held each August. And race car fanatics will have no trouble picking up the roar of Molson Indy engines come summer.

While there is so much to see and do, to experience and taste, it's the residents of Toronto who give the city its special cachet. More often than not, people are glad to stop and give you directions. And don't be surprised if they tarry and chat a while, recommending places to go or filling you in on pieces of their city's history. This is what Toronto is all about. Not just a vast, sprawling metropolis. Not just a collection of concrete and cars. But a meeting place. The Hurons gave them the name. They try to do it proud.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Cabbagetown

Toronto
Canada

One of the oldest sections of Toronto, this historic area has grown from a World War I lower-class housing project to the largest enclave of Victorian homes in North America. With the advent of the railway business in Canada, a rail complex at the end of the Don River attracted Irish immigrants fleeing the Great War for the relative safety of Toronto. Much as today, the community was a strong-knit group; the only difference is that today's residents no longer grow cabbages on their front patches of dirt.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Ryan

Photo: Anastasia

Photo: Tom Li

Photo: Stephen Young

Photo: Leigh Doyle

Photo: jeunedame

Photo: Agnetha Kuruson

Photo: Jeff Fleming

Cabbagetown photo by Nazrawi Ghebreselasi

Photo: Nazrawi Ghebreselasi

Photo: HelenOH

Photo: mattecerve

Chinatown

Toronto
Canada
Although there are several Chinese districts in the Greater Toronto area, including the Don Valley Chinatown East, purists still refer to this one as the Chinatown. On wide streets lined with bright lights, shops sell everything from medicinal herbs to take-out kung po gai ding. While some of the small shops hold form to more traditional ways, the Dragon City Shopping Mall at Dundas and Spadina is the ultimate East meets West shopping experience. The district is also restaurant rich, and although some of them may look daunting to the uninitiated, the food is invariably excellent.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: pirijan keth
Photo: Nancy Hastings-Trew

Downtown

Toronto
Canada
Toronto's downtown is the cultural heart of the city. Its various shops and businesses are connected by an underground walkway system called PATH, linking 27km of the downtown district.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Sam Javanrouh
Photo: Mark Visosky
Photo: Alex Hung
Photo: Brian
Photo: Trushar Zaveri
Photo: aliensito
Photo: Janet Dixon
Photo: Peter Meiszner

Greektown

Toronto
Canada
Located in Toronto's East End, this area is a small enclave that large numbers of Greek descendants call home. While the entire Danforth neighbourhood and the communities that it supports are primarily of Greek heritage, the dominant intersection for Greektown is at Pape and Danforth. Known for its nightlife and fabulous late-night restaurants, this is a favourite spot for Torontonians with an after-hours craving for loukaniko (home-made wine sausage.)

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Norm Soley
Photo: Gretchen
Photo: Jenn Klug

High Park

Toronto
Canada
A vast area of almost 400 acres, this 125-year-old natural preserve offers a pond, wooded areas, trails, open picnic areas and numerous recreational facilities for the entire family. Baseball, swimming in an outdoor pool, skating on an ice rink, tennis, or playing on the High Park Adventure playground-it's all here

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: yorkville
Photo: Bobcatnorth
Photo: Diego Silvestre
Photo: Gary Korhonen
Photo: whya
Photo: Andrea Williams
Photo: Rob Harrison
Photo: Stephanie Forder

Photo: The Rev. Aaron Orear
Photo: Vlad's photo
Photo: agsoriano
Photo: ltray2005
Photo: Hayley Goodchild
Photo: christopher drost
Photo: happatri
Photo: Steve Bogie

Photo: allan_z
Photo: jon hutt
Photo: Sandy
Photo: Jeffrey George Hladun
Photo: Steven Joniak

Little Italy

Toronto
Canada
One of the city's most-visited neighborhoods, Little Italy is actually more Portuguese than Italian but it is beloved by all those who embrace the Italian way of life. Filled with restaurants, great nightlife and shopping, this district is a must-see in Toronto.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: rodolfo novak
Photo: Joe Nicholl
Photo: Karina Buairide
Photo: Rochelle K
Photo: gdgrrl
Photo: Daniel Vogel
Photo: Karina Buairide
Photo: gdgrrl

Photo: Beth and Christian B
Photo: Michael Moss
Photo: Bill Kinnon
Photo: Mare Ingenii

The Annex

Toronto
Canada
The Annex, a quaint and historic neighborhood in downtown Toronto, offers numerous accomodations that are convenient during a stay in the city. It is located near the University of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Yorkville shopping district, making it a prime location in which to stay.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: yorkville
Photo: yorkville
Photo: Michael Leckman

Yorkville

Toronto
Canada
Strolling through this upscale neighbourhood today, it's difficult to imagine that not so long ago it was a hangout for hippies and the down-and-out. Now chic shops, posh restaurants like Sassafraz and Yamato, and the perpetually crowded sidewalk cafes make this quaint strip home for those with expensive tastes. During the evening, wrought-iron lampposts light your way as you dip into art galleries, cocktail lounges and tiny boutiques selling haute couture. The area is frequented by celebrities, so you never know whom you will bump into next.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: yorkville
Photo: Trevor Haldenby
Photo: yorkville
Photo: Trevor Haldenby
Photo: mona
Photo: Sean Galbraith
Photo: Karen Hemeon
Photo: Adrian V. Dalca

Photo: Rick McGrath
Photo: purple air
Photo: Melinda Barrie
Photo: David Manu
Photo: grace
Photo: Bing Chan
Photo: Patrick McEvoy-Halst

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Toronto - Neighborhood Guide"
Toronto
Toronto - Historical Background
Toronto - Where to Stay
Toronto - Dining & Drinking
Toronto - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Niagara Falls (67 miles)
Buffalo (94 miles)
Detroit (333 miles)
Ottawa (354 miles)
Montreal (508 miles)
Baltimore (538 miles)
Philadelphia (541 miles)
Washington DC (550 miles)
New York (553 miles)
Boston (689 miles)

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