Toronto’s Distillery District

You stroll along the cobblestone streets and through the European piazza-styled areas and feel transported back in time. There’s not a car in sight in this pedestrian-only village. Over forty buildings stand before you, forming the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America. Welcome to The Distillery district in downtown Toronto. This National Historic Site was once the largest distillery in the British Empire, producing millions of gallons of whisky and spirits that were exported throughout the world. At one time it contributed more to government coffers than any other enterprise in the country. Soak in the history on a fascinating tour, learning about the tragedies and triumphs of the distillery’s founders and how whisky was malted, fermented and aged in the various buildings. After a century and half, the distillery ceased operation, and the land was purchased and transformed into a hip, urban walking and patio district. The Distillery is dedicated to promoting the arts, culture and entertainment—you’ll want more than a day to experience the eclectic collection of internationally acclaimed galleries, boutiques, chic home-design shops, cool cafés, sumptuous restaurants, inspiring theatre, and the studios and workshops of artists. Live music fills the air wherever you walk. Outdoor exhibitions abound. Evening arrives; as you step from cobblestone to concrete, you slip back into the modern world of the city with inspiration as your companion for the rest of your stay.