Toronto offers some amazing shopping experiences to the tourists. With over twenty huge shopping malls and more than ten smaller shopping districts within the perimeter of the downtown area that comprises the Chinatown , Kensington, Little India, Greek Town , and other areas of ethnic concentration, this city will leave you bewildered when confronted with the question – where to start from. Besides the top-notch names in the Canadian and international fashion world dominating the malls and upscale shopping districts, virtually every street of this city is dotted with innumerable local crafts, artifacts, fashion and convenience stores. In case you want to explore the world of Canadian fashion, you should begin your journey from the Bay. It is located at the Yonge in close proximity of the Eaton Center . This complex, only 0.1 miles away from Marriott Bloor Yorkville , displays the creations of some of the best Canadian designers. The garments and furnishings are not priced very exorbitantly here. There is a large toy department as well to please the kids at the Bloor street store. You can also buy some world-class cosmetics and fragrances, savor exotic food in the Food Hall, and praise the Canadian art in the Thomson Gallery that is located at a distance of two miles from Crowne Plaza Toronto Center Hotel .
Toronto 's 1,200 shops including classy boutiques and over 6.5 miles of underground pedestrian shopping destinations offer unlimited options for shopping to its locals as well as tourists. One of the finest among the various subterranean shopping destinations of this city is the First Canadian Place that stands at King and Bay Streets corner and houses more than 120 stores. A ‘path' signboard shows the way to the street entrances. Toronto 's most fashionable and international level shopping district, the Bloor/Yorkville is located at Avenue Road and Bloor St. , W., about 1.7 km away from Cambridge Suites Hotel . The whole area exudes sophistication with restored and renovated Victorian style mansions and flower-bedecked courtyards. It is home to several designer labels like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and many upscale art galleries. You can also shop for some elegant dresses at Lundstrom Retail that is stocked with the creations of award-winning fashion designer, Linda Lundstrom. Over 700 stores, dining places, art galleries and museums are spread over the 27 blocks that constitute the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area.
Situated in the downtown area in Yonge, between Queen and Dundas Streets, at a distance of one kilometer from Novotel Toronto Centre Hotel is the Eaton Center . This shopping mall, topped with a glass ceiling that bathes the whole complex in natural light during the day, accommodates over 280 shops and dining places. This third largest shopping complex in Canada is an architectural marvel in itself that has inspired the designing of many malls all over the country. It became operational after completion in 1979 and then again in 1999, its exterior was renovated. It is not only a shopping mall, it is one of the most visited attractions of Toronto . Approximately one million shoppers and tourists visit this mall (that remains open on almost all holidays) every week. Exploring through the stores, dining places, movie theatre and other services offered here, don't be surprised if you come across a police station as well within the premises of this mall. After all the hectic shopping, you can relax at Center Court 's fabulous fountain or just admire the sculpture of Canada geese (adequately named the Flight Stop) made by the famous Canadian artist, Michael Snow. If you still have some time in hand before retiring to your hotel room, you can also catch a show at either Canon (earlier known as the Pantages), the Elgin or the Winter Garden theatres that are situated in the mall's neighborhood. As you step outside the mall, have a look at the merchandise sold by the street vendors near the Yonge and Dundas corner and enjoy the music played by the buskers and bands. And, when you are in this area, don't miss one of the largest bookstores in the whole world that has an incredible stock of over 150,000 titles arranged neatly in bookshelves that run into 17 miles. Awesome, isn't it! If all these adventures leave you hungry, just gorge on various kinds of ethnic food sold on the Yonge Street and replenish your energy.
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