Distillery District

"A collection of 47 19th-century buildings that once comprised the Gooderham & Worts Distillery is now a major dining, shopping, and cultural hub in Toronto aptly called the Distillery District. Strolling through the neighborhood’s brick-paved pedestrian streets, visitors might feel as if they’ve been transported to Victorian-era Canada—the craftspeople who restored the old structures kept true to the original construction materials as much as possible. And while there are still breweries and distilleries here (including the Spirit of York Distillery and the Mill St. Brew Pub), there are also restaurants, local-owned boutiques, and art galleries." - Stefanie Waldek

"The Distillery District, as its name indicates, is a historic neighborhood that once housed a large whiskey distillery called the Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The distillery was founded in 1832 and by 1860, it was the world’s largest whiskey distillery. In the 1900s the distillery became progressively derelict and was no longer in operation by 1990. In the early 2000s the lots were bought so the area could be revitalized. The district today is characterized by its industrial 19th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and St. Lawrence Market, an indoor public market that has artisanal shops and plenty of food stalls. In the pedestrian-only Distillery District, you will find hip indie restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and public art. Nearby is the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, which is eastern North America’s first sake brewery. There you can enjoy a tour and sake samples, and buy your own freshly pressed, unpasteurized, and unfiltered sake to bring home. While you’re in the area be sure to walk past the Gooderham Building. This historic office building is known as Toronto’s “Flatiron” building. If you’re in the city around Christmas time, check out the neighborhood’s famous Christmas market." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"The Distillery District, as its name indicates, is a historic neighborhood that once housed a large whiskey distillery called the Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The distillery was founded in 1832 and by 1860, it was the world’s largest whiskey distillery. In the 1900s the distillery became progressively derelict and was no longer in operation by 1990. In the early 2000s the lots were bought so the area could be revitalized. The district today is characterized by its industrial 19th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and St. Lawrence Market, an indoor public market that has artisanal shops and plenty of food stalls. In the pedestrian-only Distillery District, you will find hip indie restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and public art. Nearby is the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, which is eastern North America’s first sake brewery. There you can enjoy a tour and sake samples, and buy your own freshly pressed, unpasteurized, and unfiltered sake to bring home. While you’re in the area be sure to walk past the Gooderham Building. This historic office building is known as Toronto’s “Flatiron” building. If you’re in the city around Christmas time, check out the neighborhood’s famous Christmas market." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"Hidden Toronto: Where all the old buildings lie It doesn't take long for a visitor to realize that most of Toronto 's activities focus around eating and drinking. A visitor may also notice the stark architecture that competes for space in the sky. Many of Toronto 's older buildings aren't showcased like in Vancouver or Quebec City and are hidden in the towering shadows. It was a relief to discover Toronto's Distillery District with the use of my Afar.com app, which also helped me weave myself from my Westin Harbour Castle Hotel to unique Toronto spots highlighted on Afar.com. At the Distillery District within these reclaimed industrial buildings, you'll find vintage shops, many patios serving beer and wine in the sun, and specialty stores featuring chocolate, coffee, housewares and even a leather-shaped rhino that can be used as a stool or makeshift desk. Each building also has the year it was built written on a plaque hung on the exterior and an explanation of what the building's original purpose was. Wander around or go for a distillery tour. Be sure to walk in any door you're unsure of; you'll be pleasantly surprised."

"Tell me: What’s this place all about? A collection of 47 19th-century buildings that once comprised the Gooderham & Worts Distillery is now a major dining, shopping, and cultural hub in Toronto aptly called the Distillery District. Strolling through the neighborhood’s brick-paved pedestrian streets, visitors might feel as if they’ve been transported to Victorian-era Canada—the craftspeople who restored the old structures kept true to the original construction materials as much as possible. And while there are still breweries and distilleries here (including the Spirit of York Distillery and the Mill St. Brew Pub ), there are also restaurants, locally-owned boutiques, and art galleries. What’s it like being there? The Distillery District’s developers wanted to “​​combine the romance and relaxing atmosphere of European walking and patio districts with the hip, cool dynamic of an area like New York City’s SoHo or Chelsea,” and they’ve succeeded. Come in during the holidays for a European-style Christmas market. Who comes here? Since the Distillery District is on the outskirts of downtown Toronto—about a 30-minute walk from the CN Tower—it’s not necessarily filled with tourists—Torontonians also frequent the businesses here, whether they’re coming for an after-work drink or an afternoon spent shopping. That said, given the photogenic nature of the Victorian-era industrial complex, there are also plenty of visitors dropping by just to take a few good Instagrams. So then what, or who, do you think it’s best for? If you have a few hours to spare after sightseeing, this is a pretty fun mini-neighborhood to explore in the late afternoon into the evening. Do a little shopping, stop for a bite to eat, and finish with a beverage of choice in a nod to the Distillery District’s heritage." - Stefanie Waldek