Old Town
The best way to get a sense of toronto’s rich history is to take a walk
around Old town. The Gooderham Building—or Flatiron Building as
it’s commonly known—is one of the most-photographed edifaces in the
city. Though the pie-shaped exterior is its most distinctive façade, the
trompe l’oeil on the backside by Canadian artist Derek Michael Besant is
worth a look, too. Walk east on Front Street to the St. Lawrence Market,
a popular indoor food market that sells everything from specialty cheeses
and fresh produce to meat and seafood, as well as many options for a
quick meal. Up the street is St. Lawrence Hall, which was built in 1850
and restored in 1967, a spot for meetings, public gatherings, concerts,
and exhibits. Walk through the lush gardens of St. James Park to take in
the beauty of St. James Cathedral, which boasts the only set of 12 changeringing bells in Canada, one of just two sets in north america.
Continuing further east past Parliament Street is the Distillery District,
named for it’s original function as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery,
which was once the largest distiller in Canada. The cobblestone streets
and restored victorian era buildings evoke 19th-century charm, and are
home to boutiques like Gilding the Lily, Distill, and Gentil Umo, as
well as galleries like Thompson Landry, Eskimo Art, and Corkin. events
are held year-round, like the always-popular Toronto Christmas Market
(november 18 to December 22, 2016), which is inspired by a traditional
european holiday bazaar. numerous dining options abound: try Cluny
Bistro for Parisian-inspired fare, modern Mexican cuisine at El Catrin,
and the flavours of Italy at Archeo.
all photos by ainsley boyd.
S t. L a W r e n C e M a r K e t
GO
t h e G O O D e r h a M / F L at I rO n B U I L D I n G
Corkin Gallery
Distillery District, 7 tank house Lane,
416-979-1980
Eskimo Art Gallery
Distillery District, 8 Case Goods Lane,
416-366-3000
Distill
Distillery District, 24 tank house Lane,
416-304-0033
Gentil Umo
Distillery District, 19 trinity St.,
416-214-0008
Distillery District
55 Mill St., 416-364-1177
Gilding the Lily
Distillery District, 47 tank house Lane,
416-360-5459
El Catrin
Distillery District, 18 tank house Lane,
416-203-2121
54 where.ca / / e s s e n t i a l t o r o n t o 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7
The Gooderham/Flatiron Building
49 Wellington St. e., 416-392-1975
St. Lawrence Hall
157 King St. e., 416-392-7809
St. Lawrence Market
92-95 Front St. e., 416-392-7219
St. James Cathedral
65 Church St., 416-364-7865
St. James Park
120 King St. e., 416-338-4386
Thompson Landry Gallery
Distillery District, The Cooperage, 6 trinity St.,
416-364-4955