Polson Pier, The Distillery District,
St. Lawrence Market, & Eaton Centre
Of course, as the pleasant weather was finally upon us, there was really only one thing for us to do: head outside! And there’s no better way to enjoy the warm, sunny day out of doors than playing tourist in your own city! Downtown Toronto has a tendency to surprise you, even after you think you know the place like the back of your hand – old buildings nestled in amongst the new, quiet cobblestone roads bursting out into expansive civic squares, and food markets that could keep you occupied for an entire afternoon alone.
The route this particular day took me from the waterfront all the way up to Yonge and Dundas. It is a route that is almost entirely walkable when the weather’s good, and half the joy of this route is the discoveries you make along the way. Feel free to use this as a rough guide rather than a hard and fast schedule – part of the fun is taking in all the interesting things you see along the way. Use this as more of a general guide, adjusting according to your own needs, your appetite, and your traveling companion.
📌 This trip works well solo, with friends, or as a family day out. Everything is flexible — follow the flow and make it your own.
Morning: Polson Pier Skyline Viewpoint
9:30 AM · Polson Pier, Toronto Waterfront
I usually started early, the way I often do, with a morning walk down to the Polson Pier Skyline Viewpoint. I will be honest – I knew full well that the sunset version of this view would be far more spectacular. It’s the kind of light that the golden hour is famous for. But I am an early riser, the shops aren’t due to open for a while anyway, and sometimes the peace and quiet of a waterfront stroll before the city comes to life is reward enough.
The view is spectacular from here – the CN Tower holding everything in place, the buildings reflected in the water – it’s the kind of view that reminds you why people fall in love with this city in the first place. Unless you are an early riser, you can do this in the late afternoon and catch the sunset – it’s worth the trip either time.
📌 The sunset view from Polson Pier is also stunning. If your schedule allows, consider finishing your day here as well.
☕ Late Morning: Distillery District & Coffee
10:30 AM · 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON
From Polson Pier, it’s just a short walk to get to the Distillery District, and coming early proves to be a fabulous treat in and of itself. The cobblestone streets were still quiet when I came in, and the light of morning was shining in a way that felt almost cinematic in its effect on the old Victorian industrial buildings. A few shops were just starting to open up, and staff were working away to unlock doors and arrange displays without the crowds around them that come in on weekends, making a peaceful walk to explore.
One of the first places I headed to was Balzac’s Distillery District, which is local coffee chain here in Toronto, for a well-needed coffee break that I badly needed. It is a good place to stop by, take a moment, and look around you, especially if you are a coffee lover. It is a relaxed place, full of character, and if you have time, take a walk around the Distillery District. There is much to see, especially if you’re interested in architecture, as the buildings here alone are worth a look, not to mention all of the art galleries, shops, and restaurants, making it easy to spend a leisurely pass the time.
📌 The Distillery District is private property. Casual smartphone photos for personal use and social media are typically fine, but professional photoshoots may require a permit. For more details, please visit [here].
Late Morning to Afternoon:
St. Lawrence Market
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM · 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON
Walking out of the Distillery District and heading west, I ended up taking a route along a series of parks along The Esplanade instead of taking Front Street. It was a more pleasant route, with Parliament Square Park and David Crombie Park along the route. I would recommend this route as well; however, as always, one must be aware of one’s surroundings when walking the route alone and traffic is low.
St. Lawrence Market was the highlight of the late morning hours. It is a large, vibrant market with a great selection of vendors, including bakers, butchers, cheese makers, fruit and vegetable sellers, and artisans, all under one roof. I went to the South building, which is a two-story market with a patio for outdoor eating. What was unexpected was the historical exhibit on the bottom level, which was really interesting in terms of the market’s history and the early history of the city.
For lunch, the peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery is practically a rite of passage – simple, perfectly done, and exactly what you want after a morning of walking. Buster’s Sea Cove is a great option if you are leaning toward seafood. And if you visit on a weekend, the North building adds produce stalls and antiques to the mix.
📌 St. Lawrence Market is open Tuesday through Sunday. Weekend visits include the North Market with additional vendors. For full details, please visit [here].
Nearby While You’re in the Area
There are a few spots close by worth a short detour before moving on:
- Gooderham Building: Also known as the Flatiron Building, a distinctive triangular landmark and a favourite photo spot.
- Novotel Toronto Centre: The architectural pathways around the outside of this building make for a lovely in-between stop and some great photos.
- Berczy Park: A charming little park just a short walk away, home to the beloved dog fountain, which is a two-tiered fountain featuring various dog sculptures. A fun and quirky photo spot that is easy to miss if you do not know it is there.
- Brookfield Place & Hockey Hall of Fame: Located at 30 Yonge St, a must for sports fans and worth a look even if hockey is not your thing.
Early Afternoon: Nathan Phillips Square & City Hall
2:30 PM · 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
Making my way west to Eaton Centre, I stopped by at Nathan Phillips Square. Part of the reason for this is that it is very difficult to miss this place as it is literary nearby, and part of the reason is that I wanted to take a photo in front of the Toronto sign. There is something about being in front of large illuminated letters that feels appropriately and unapologetically touristy, even if one is a local.
The square itself is a great open space in the middle of the city, with the curved modernist City Hall building framing it on one side. In winter, the reflecting pool becomes a skating rink and the whole square takes on a different kind of energy. On a warm day, it is a pleasant place to sit for a few minutes before continuing on.
🛒 Afternoon: CF Toronto Eaton Centre
4:00 PM · 220 Yonge St, Toronto, ON
The day ends at Eaton Centre, which is really the natural end of this particular route. Regardless of whether you’re there to do serious business, to window shop, or simply because you need to sit down and have a meal somewhere pleasant after a day of walking, Eaton Centre succeeds on all levels.
It’s a big, well-designed shopping centre, from high-end stores to more accessible ones, and from a good selection of restaurants, to the unmistakable buzz of Yonge and Dundas just outside its doors. Before you leave, though, take a look up. The Canada geese sculpture hung high up under the vaulted ceiling is one of those details that’s all too easy to pass by unnoticed, but well worth taking a photo of when you do notice it.
📌 Don't miss Michael Snow's Flight Stop, the iconic Canada geese sculpture hanging from the ceiling of the Galleria. It has been there since 1979 and is one of the most photographed spots in the mall.
End of the Day
By the time I stepped back out of Eaton Centre and back out onto Yonge Street, I realized that I had indeed seen a lot in a day’s time, from a waterfront sunrise to cobblestone streets and good food at a market, to a century of Toronto’s history, to a city square selfie, and finally to a mall that still seems to have things to explore. That is a full day by any standard, and a full day that reminds you that there is indeed much to be seen in a city you already call home.
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