Malls

Spend the day at these eight Toronto shopping centres.

Toronto is packed with so many shopping centres you could easily spend days exploring them. Mall mavens rejoice! We’ve put together an ambitious itinerary for a full day and evening of “mall crawling” around eight of Toronto’s most popular malls. Don your best pair of walking shoes have your credit card at the ready and shop, shop, shop!

Begin at Hudson’s Bay on Queen Street (the company’s flagship location) where you can find high-end designer items in The Room, a Saks Fifth Avenue as well as mid-priced merchandise throughout the store. Then explore some of the mall’s many other highlights, including a flagship H&M and the Apple Store. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the sprawling food court where numerous culinary options await.

• Location: 220 Yonge Street
• Hours: Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Where to Park: Parking is available at the Yonge Parkade on Yonge Street and Shuter Street and the Bay and Dundas Parkade on Bay Street, South of Dundas Street and North of Queen Street.
• Directions by Car: If driving from the West, From the Gardiner Expressway East, exit at Bay Street and York Street exit and head north on Yonge Street. If driving from the East, take the Don Valley Parkway South. Exit toward Richmond Street and take Richmond Street East to Yonge Street.
• Directions by TTC: Take the subway to either Dundas Station or Queen Station, which both connect directly inside to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre.
• Directions by GO Transit: From Union Station, you can either hop on the subway to Queen Station or Dundas Station or walk towards the CF Toronto Eaton Centre using the underground PATH system.

Bloor-Yorkville

Make your way to Toronto’s most upscale shopping district—Bloor-Yorkville, also known as the “Mink Mile.” With price tags ranging into the thousands of dollars, this is not shopping for the faint of heart (or the budget-constrained).

Explore the many designer stores lining Bloor Street—Tiffany & Co., Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, to name a few. Window shopping is encouraged!

• Location: Yorkville neighbourhood
• Where to Park: There are several public parking lots available nearby such as the Green P Lots on 9 Bedford Road, 74 Yorkville Avenue and 20 Charles Street East.
• Directions by Car: If driving from North, East or West, take Highway 401 to Yonge Street or Avenue Road and travel south to Bloor Street. If driving from South, take the Gardiner Expressway to Bay/Yonge/York exit and travel north to Bloor Street.
• Directions by TTC: Take the subway to Bay Station and walk outside to the streets of Yorkville.
• Directions by GO Transit: From Union Station take the subway to Bay Station and walk outside to the streets of Yorkville.

Vaughan Mills

A bit north of Toronto in the city of Vaughan lies Vaughan Mills shopping centre. Anchored by fifteen retailers including Saks OFF 5th, The Children’s Place and Victoria’s Secret, this outlet retail complex is a shopper’s dream.

Outdoorsy types should be sure to head to the massive Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, replete with hunting, fishing and camping gear. And if you’re toting tots, treat them with a trip to the 40,000 square foot LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, complete with rides, 4D cinema, Master Model Builder workshops and impressive LEGO reconstructions of Toronto’s most iconic attractions.

• Location: 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive
• Hours: Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Where to Park: Vaughan Mills parking lot.
• Directions by Car: If driving from the North, take Highway 400 South and exit at Rutherford Road East. If driving from the South, take Highway 400 North and exit at Bass Pro Mills Drive. If driving from the East, take Highway 401 West to 400 North and exit Bass Pro Mills Drive. If driving from the West, take Highway 401 East to 400 North, exit at Bass Pro Mills Drive.
• Directions by TTC: Take the subway to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and take the 26 or 20 Bus from SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal.
• Directions by GO Transit: Take GO Transit to either Rutherford GO Station and take the 85 bus or Maple GO station and take the 4 bus.

Sherway Gardens

A short hop, skip and a jump from Square One lies Sherway Gardens. Easy to spot due to its distinctive tented roof, Sherway Gardens has a geometric layout that makes it feel like you’re strolling the streets of a well-maintained shopping district.

Check out Saks Fifth Avenue or Rinascimento women’s wear. For high-end men’s apparel, head to Harry Rosen. If you prefer a one-stop shopping experience, it’s hard to beat the selection of quality merchandise at Holt Renfrew.

• Location: 25 The West Mall
• Hours: Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Directions by Car: From downtown Toronto, take the Gardiner Expressway West to Sherway Gardens Road in Etobicoke by taking Exit 139 from Gardiner Expressway West and turning left on Sherway Gardens Road.
• Directions by TTC: Take the subway to Kipling Station and take the 123 bus or take the subway to Royal York Station and take the 15 bus or take the subway to Keele Station and take the 80 bus.
• Directions by GO Transit: Take GO Transit to Long Branch GO Station and take the TTC 123 Shorncliffe bus.

Dixie Outlet Mall

Wind down your evening at Dixie Outlet Mall, where you can find designer clothing for a fraction of the regular price. Canada’s largest enclosed outlet mall boasts several brand name outlets – such as Guess, Factory, Tommy Hilfiger, and Levis – in addition to regular non-outlet stores like Ricki’s and Fairweather.

The only thing better than getting that perfect pair of designer jeans is getting them 30%-70% off regular retail price. You’ll be surprised at what treasures you can find with a bit of bargain-hunting at Dixie Outlet Mall!

• Location: 1250 S Service Road
• Hours: Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Where to Park: Dixie Outlet Mall parking lot.
• Directions by Car: Take the Gardiner Expressway/QEW West to Dixie Road, followed by a left onto Dixie Road South.
• Directions by GO Transit: From Union Station take the GO Transit Lakeshore West line. Make sure to get off at Long Branch station and take the Mississauga Transit Route 5 North bus, which will take you directly to Dixie Outlet Mall.

Toronto Premium Outlets

Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for at Dixie Outlet Mall? Toronto Premium Outlets may have what you crave. Although a bit farther out from the city core, the impressive collection of high-end brands for outlet prices is sure to appeal to bargain-hunters of all stripes.

Designer fashions and sportswear outlets include everything from Adidas to Hugo Boss to Ted Baker London to Zumiez. Whichever time of year you go, you’re guaranteed to find impressive savings at Toronto Premium Outlets.

• Location: 13850 Steeles Avenue West
• Hours: Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Where to Park: Toronto Premium Outlet parking lots.
• Directions by Car: From downtown Toronto, take the Gardiner Expressway West and continue till you get to the ON-427 N and Express Toll Route/ ON-407 to Trafalgar Road/Halton Regional Road 3 in Halton Hills. Take exit 328 from ON-401 W. Next, turn right on Trafalgar Road/Halton Regional Road 3.
• Directions by TTC or GO Transit: Once at Union Station, head outside to Maple Leaf Square where you can take the Toronto Premium Outlet shuttle bus.