The Holiday Season is quickly approaching and its time to hit the shops! With so much diversity in Toronto, there is something for every special person on your list, so I've brought you five of the greatest shopping spots in Toronto. Whether you're emptying out the wallet or hoping to be thrifty for the Holiday Season, there's a spot for you!
1. Toronto Eaton Centre
The Toronto Eaton Centre houses more than 250 stores. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, it is the third largest mall in Canada and one of Toronto's biggest tourist attractions. The stores appeal to the budget conscious and spendthrifts alike. The Eaton Centre connects underground with the Toronto PATH network of shops and businesses, which is great for cold or rainy days. More than just a place to shop, the four-level, glass domed Eaton Centre is architecturally stunning and features sculptures of Canadian geese in flight, Flight Stop, designed by artist Michael Snow.
2. Bloor-Yorkville
Yorkville is a delightful shopping area in the midst of Toronto high rises and shopping malls. Tucked into a pocket of downtown, the quaint Victorian architecture of Yorkville houses dozens of restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. Bloor Avenue runs adjacent to Yorkville and features upscale retailers that include Holt Renfrew, Prada, Hermes, Gucci and Hazelton Lanes.
3. The Hudson’s Bay Company
Canada's oldest corporation has several different store chains in Toronto and hundreds across Canada. The flagship store is right across from the Toronto Eaton Centre on the corner of Bay and Queen. The Bay is a good old-fashioned department store with everything from clothes to household items. The Bay is particularly famous for its Hudson's Bay Blanket, sold for more than two centuries.
4. Chinatown
Toronto has the second largest Chinatown in North America. There are bargains on exotic trinkets, jewelry, clothing and household items. And of course, where there's a bustling Chinatown, there's delicious Chinese food. There are dozens of restaurants serving not just authentic Chinese, but also Vietnamese and other Asian fare. Chinatown runs along Spadina from King Street to College.
5. Kensington Market
Kensington Market is great if you want to get away from high rises and department stores. The market offers a nice respite from the usual big commercial trappings. Adjacent to Chinatown, Kensington Market has a plethora of retro shops, cheap and used clothing stores, cool cafes, furniture shops, great restaurants, and a variety of ethnic and organic produce stores.