Downtown Yonge Tours and Activities

Yonge Street Shopping District featuring a skyscraper, signage and street scenes
Photo provided by Tourism Toronto
Downtown Yonge
Yonge Street Shopping District featuring a square or plaza, street scenes and a city
Yonge Street Shopping District featuring modern architecture, a city and street scenes


The heart of downtown Toronto contains the retail and entertainment section of one of the longest streets in North America. Malls with neon signs mix with historic architecture and theaters.

Downtown Yonge is a busy shopping and entertainment district that counts over 600 retail outlets and 150 restaurants in addition to theaters, public squares and historical buildings. Whether shopping for the latest fashion or enjoying free cultural events, there is always something interesting going on.

Running through the heart of the district is Yonge Street, the main thoroughfare and the Toronto section of one of the longest streets in North America and the world. In Downtown Yonge you’ll find major attractions, including the Toronto Eaton Centre. Spread over two blocks, this shopping mall has over 230 stores and welcomes some 50 million visitors a year. Check out the mall’s glass atrium, decorated with a flock of 60 sculpted geese.

Opposite the mall is Yonge-Dundas Square, which hosts free events such as movie screenings and concerts, all-night art exhibitions and artisanal markets. Similarly, you can enjoy free music events and fashion shows at College Park and Trinity Square. Don’t miss August’s Buskerfest, which celebrates the art of street performing.

Downtown Yonge’s entertainment tradition continues at its various theaters. Enjoy an opera performance at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, which is the last surviving Edwardian double-decker theater complex. Watch world-renowned musicals at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. Find a schedule of events on the theaters’ official websites.

Learn about the history of the district and its significant landmarks on a free guided tour. Highlights include the Romanesque revival-style Old City Hall, the haunted Mackenzie House and the Arts and Letters Club. Tours take place from May to August. Visit Downtown Yonge’s official website to find a schedule and details of the meeting point. You can also pick up a map from the meeting point and take a self-guided tour.

Located in downtown Toronto, Downtown Yonge is easily accessible via public transport. Buses, streetcars and the metro all stop at various points along Yonge Street. If you are driving, the parking garage at Toronto Eaton Centre is a convenient option if you don't mind paying a fee.

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Best Lodging Options Near Downtown Yonge

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

4 out of 5
33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG

Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG

3.5 out of 5
30 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by IHG
Fairmont Royal York

Fairmont Royal York

4 out of 5
100 Front St West, Toronto, ON
Fairmont Royal York
Cambridge Suites Toronto

Cambridge Suites Toronto

4 out of 5
15 Richmond St E, Toronto, ON
Cambridge Suites Toronto
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

4 out of 5
108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

4 out of 5
Toronto
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
One King West Hotel & Residence

One King West Hotel & Residence

4 out of 5
1 King Street West, Toronto, ON
One King West Hotel & Residence
Chestnut Residence - Campus Accommodation

Chestnut Residence - Campus Accommodation

2.5 out of 5
89 Chestnut Street, Toronto, ON
Chestnut Residence - Campus Accommodation
The Omni King Edward Hotel

The Omni King Edward Hotel

4.5 out of 5
37 King St E, Toronto, ON
The Omni King Edward Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Downtown Yonge

Downtown Yonge, Toronto, offers an exciting array of activities including shopping at the renowned Yorkdale Shopping Centre, enjoying vibrant live music and entertainment options, and exploring indoor attractions. For those who appreciate the arts, the area features various performing arts venues. Additionally, cyclists can take advantage of the street cycling routes, making it a lively destination for everyone seeking a blend of culture, shopping, and outdoor adventure.

Shopping

In Downtown Yonge, experience shopping at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, only 322m away, offering a vibrant mix of family and entertainment vibes. St. Lawrence Market, 1.1km away, showcases local goods, while PATH Underground Shopping Mall, 1.3km away, offers a unique urban shopping experience.

Recreation

Rogers Centre offers an exhilarating atmosphere for sports enthusiasts, perfect for catching a game or event. Roy Thomson Hall provides a vibrant backdrop for musical performances, while Second City promises laughter and family fun with its comedic shows, making for an ideal wellness escape in Downtown Yonge.

Adventure

Explore the Martin Goodman Trail for a scenic hike filled with natural beauty, only 322m from Downtown Yonge. For winter sports enthusiasts, the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre offers thrilling skiing experiences 11.3km away. True North Climbing, located 12.9km away, provides exciting climbing challenges for adventurers.

Nightlife

Experience the vibrant nightlife in Downtown Yonge! Catch a show at the Princess of Wales Theatre or the Royal Alexandra Theatre, both offering a mix of culture and romance. For an intimate setting, enjoy a performance at the renowned Massey Hall, just a short stroll away.

Find the best attractions near Downtown Yonge

Downtown Yonge offers a vibrant mix of attractions, including urban parks, a bustling tourist precinct, and art museums, perfect for culture enthusiasts and families alike. Stroll along the iconic Yonge Street, where you can immerse yourself in the city's lively atmosphere and discover a variety of local shops and eateries. Whether you're seeking a city experience or a cultural getaway, Downtown Yonge has something to delight every traveller.

  • CN Tower: Standing tall at 1.6km from Downtown Yonge, the CN Tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of Toronto. This iconic modern structure features a glass floor and a revolving restaurant, making it an exhilarating experience for visitors seeking the city vibes.
  • Metro Toronto Convention Centre: Located 1.4km away, this event and conference venue is a hub for business activities. With its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant atmosphere, attending an event here offers a unique opportunity to engage with Toronto's professional scene.
  • University of Toronto - St. George Campus: Just 1.4km from Downtown Yonge, this historic university campus is rich in culture and stunning architecture. Stroll through its beautiful grounds to experience the academic spirit and heritage of one of Canada's leading institutions.

Best time to go to Downtown Yonge

Visitor numbers around Downtown Yonge is generally unchanged in popularity throughout the year. The best time to visit Downtown Yonge can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Downtown Yonge falls in July, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Downtown Yonge falls in January and February. February has slightly low visitor numbers and mostly cloudy weather.

calendar iconCalendar Monthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinessoccupation rate iconOccupancyprice iconPricing
January25.2°F (-3.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
February25.2°F (-3.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
March33.3°F (0.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
April42.6°F (5.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
May54.3°F (12.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
June64.4°F (18.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
July71.6°F (22.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
August71.2°F (21.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
September65.1°F (18.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
October53.4°F (11.9°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
November41.5°F (5.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
December32.9°F (0.5°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Downtown Yonge

To save money during your visit to Downtown Yonge, take advantage of free attractions like CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yonge-Dundas Square. Consider traveling between December and February for lower accommodation rates, with Sundays being the cheapest days to stay. Use Expedia to compare hotel prices, filter for eco-friendly options, and combine bookings for flights and activities to achieve further savings. Look for deals on free cancellations and special offers to enhance your budget-friendly experience.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Downtown Yonge are December to February, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June and August to September, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Downtown Yonge is Sunday. The most expensive day to stay around Downtown Yonge is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia’s search tool enables you to set your budget, choose your ideal location, and customize your preferences. You can arrange the search results to display prices from lowest to highest, ensuring you find the most affordable hotels right away. Additionally, you have the option to filter your choices by hotel type; for instance, selecting the "Eco-certified" filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels that are available for booking.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your Downtown Yonge hotel reservation with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.