Downtown Neighbourhood

Yonge Street is the longest street in Canada. It is the main artery of Toronto, and the main line of the subway system runs up and down Yonge. Most east/west streets are numbered outward from Yonge -- e.g. 1 Bloor Street East is the address of a building on Bloor just east of Yonge. Yonge Street cuts a north-south swath through the entire city, so it encompasses every type of neighbourhood. The stretch from Bloor to Dundas is the part that most people think of as 'Yonge Street" in Toronto. This section is alive with low-rent shopping and restaurants, and you will find anything from bargain electronics to clothing (sorry, nothing 'haute' about the stores on Yonge St), and cafés, but be warned that certain parts of this street are some of the seediest in the city, with strip clubs and adult stores galore. The iconic neon sign of Sam the Record Man is on this stretch, closer to Dundas. (Public transit: Bloor, Wellesley, College, or Dundas subway station.) The area of Yonge St. at Dundas St. is the centre of the tourist mecca, as it is the home of Dundas Square, which features a stage and fountains, and plays host to some city events. Shopping malls anchor three of the corners: the Eaton Centre, the largest and a downtown landmark, sits on the southwest corner; 10 Dundas East, a new complex with a 24-screen movie theatre is north of the square, and The Atrium on Bay, which is home to the Tourism Ontario kiosk, is to the northwest. (Public transit: Dundas subway station.) Just west of the Eaton Centre, on Queen St. West (but not as west as the 'Queen West' district), Toronto's twin City Hall buildings tower over Nathan Phillips Square. This is a lovely square which hosts many events, including the city's official New Year's Eve celebration as well as other festivals and art shows throughout the year. In the winter, the reflecting pool is turned into a large skating rink which draws many festive skaters, and Christmas lights are put up all around the surrounding trees. (Public transit: Queen or Osgoode subway station.)