Downtown Yonge
Yonge Street between Front and Bloor Streets, centred around Dundas Street
A trip to Toronto would not be complete without visiting Yonge (pronounced young) Street. This street serves as the dividing line between Toronto roads that run east and west, and is serviced by the public transportation system’s Yonge subway line. Storefronts and signs compete for your attention as streams of pedestrians head towards their destinations at varying speeds. Although shopping is the main attraction, this area is also home to a wealth of popular bars, restaurants and Yonge-Dundas Square, an open space for festivals and events.
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The details
Yonge Street is said to have started as a trail created by Huron Indians and was used by early European explorers, including Samuel de Champlain (circa 1615). In 1796 John Graves Simcoe, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, had the initial portion of trail cleared and developed in anticipation of an American invasion. The street was named in honour of Sir George Yonge, the British Secretary of War at the time. As highway departments weren’t in existence yet, Simcoe mandated that settlers to spend 12 days a year to clear the road of logs and, as part of their sentence, convicts removed the stumps.
1835 – The first few miles of Yonge Street are paved
1861 - Toronto’s first horse-drawn streetcars transport people along Yonge Street
1896 – The first moving pictures are shown at Robinson’s Musee on Yonge Street
1933 - The first demonstration of public television in Canada took place at the Eaton's store on Yonge Street
1954 - Toronto’s subway system, built underneath Yonge Street, started operating between Front Street and Eglinton Avenue
1993 – Over one million people poured onto Yonge Street all night to celebrate the Blue Jays winning their second straight World Series – without incident
Today, Yonge Street attracts residents and visitors alike with interesting shops, restaurants and attractions. The Toronto Eaton Centre is home to over 300 stores and services, taking up a full block between Dundas and Queen Streets. Theatre buffs will delight in the Elgin & Winter Theatre Garden Complex, the last operating “double-decker” theatre in the world.
At the heart of the city, Yonge-Dundas Square features twenty-two fountains and provides a calm, quiet space amid the bustling downtown core. It also functions as an event venue for community celebrations, theatrical events and concerts. Head south a few steps to the Hard Rock Café Downtown for down-home American food, seasoned with a healthy dose of rock 'n' roll! Specialty shops ― from great golf gear at Nevada Bob’s to fabulous finds at the First Toronto Jewellery Exchange ― vie for your attention and luggage space. Shop to your heart's content at the Eaton Centre or head a few blocks north to Atrium on Bay or College Park.
Toronto’s Yonge Street is an ever-evolving combination of addresses that reflect the latest tastes, trends, sounds and experiences. There’s a lot of ground to cover and discover; if you get tired, remember that you’re always steps away from a subway stop.
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