Toronto: Places to Explore

Chinatown, Kensington Market, Queen West, and The Beach

The areas along Dundas and Queen streets typify Toronto's ethnic makeup and vibrant youthfulness. To many locals, the Dundas and Spadina intersection means Chinatown and Kensington Market, while Queen West, which was the home of 1990s comedy troupe Kids in the Hall and pop-rockers Barenaked Ladies, has always been a haven for shoppers and trendsetters. On the western fringe, the rejuvenated West Queen West neighborhood is quickly becoming Toronto's newest hot spot.

Chinatown and Kensington Market, often explored together, are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike. On a weekend morning, the sidewalks are jam-packed with pedestrians shopping for cheap produce and Chinese trinkets, lining up for a table at one of Chinatown's many restaurants, or heading to "the Market" for a little afternoon shopping. On the last Sunday of each month (May-October), Kensington Market goes car-free, and the streets explode with live entertainment, street performances, and vendors selling handicrafts and clothing.

Queen West is busy any time of the year, mostly with teenagers hanging out at the MuchMusic building and young fashionistas-in-training shopping up a storm. Beyond Bathurst Street, the scene changes drastically. Gone is the more mainstream vibe, to be replaced by artsy types, hipsters, and the occasional young bohemian family, leisurely making their way in and out of small independent boutiques, cutting-edge art galleries, and laid-back cafés. Trinity Bellwoods Park punctuates the neighborhood at the center and provides a beautiful setting for a picnic or a bench break.