Toronto > Neighborhoods > Bloor W Village

Eastern European in flavour, Bloor West Village is the best place in the city to get perogies and cabbage rolls. It also has the best cafes and, if you’re into books, the best Chapters bookstore—a renovated theatre. The shopping is easy, with boutiques alongside discount stores, but, when you get right down to it, it’s the food that makes this neighbourhood special. Sample the wares at bakeries, delis, specialty food shops and upscale trendy restaurants. In the summer, listen to musicians play their violins on the street and, in the winter, local businesses hire carollers to dress up and sing Christmas songs. This is a neighborhood of families, and a good place to stroll with the kids.

After you’ve explored the village, stroll east on Bloor to High Park—a Toronto landmark with 399 acres of parkland, picnic areas, flower gardens, sports facilities, an adventure playground (complete with wood castles) and a small zoo. If you’re tired from all that walking, a trackless train will take you around the park for $2.50.

To get to Bloor West Village, catch the subway on the Bloor Line to Jane or Runnymede station. To get to High Park, simply get off at High Park station, one stop before Runnymede.