Old Town Toronto: Union Station to the Distillery District

Saturday morning puts the farmers’ market in the North Market and the South Market in full swing; go early, before the crowds. In late November and December the Distillery District hosts the Toronto Christmas Market, lovely but packed; weekday evenings are calmer.

Union Station is on Line 1 and is the terminus for GO trains and the UP Express from Pearson. From the Distillery District, take the 504A King streetcar from the Distillery Loop or the 121 bus back toward Union.

Everything on this walk is free except weekend entry to the Toronto Christmas Market, which is ticketed and often sells out. Check the official site before you go and book ahead.

St. Lawrence Market is the lunch stop: the peameal bacon sandwich is the local signature, and the lower level has more prepared food and produce. The South Market is closed on Mondays. In the Distillery District you will find a brewpub, a chocolate maker and a sake brewery; tenants change, so check what is open.

Hotels cluster near Union Station, including the Fairmont Royal York directly across Front Street, and along King and Front streets in the financial district. From anywhere there, the start of this walk is a few minutes away.

Stand in Berczy Park and look at the back of the Gooderham Building. The mural by Derek Michael Besant reproduces the facade of the building opposite, painted as if it were hanging off the wall like a sheet of paper. It works best from a distance.

The dog fountain in Berczy Park is a reliable hit, the market has enough samples and snacks to keep everyone moving, and the Distillery’s car-free lanes are easy with a stroller despite the bricks.

The Distillery’s historic brick paving is uneven and gets slippery when wet or icy. Front Street is busy with traffic near Union; use the signals at the Yonge and Jarvis crossings.