Things YOU GOTTA SEE when visiting Etobicoke
Here are some quick suggestions for visitors with limited time in the area. Perfect if you have only ONE DAY to visit (like a business trip, when passing through, or when stopping over between flights). The additional days schedule is a recommendation for those who want to see the essence of Etobicoke in only a couple of days.
You can read ALL SORTS of travel guides, and carry around pounds of paper, or just print off this ONE PAGE and have all the info you ever need! These are the area’s top activities, family activities and attractions, tourist attractions, historical sites, museums, interesting architecture, sightseeing and top shopping/dining areas. Organized into a nice walking or driving itinerary!
Sightseeing Suggestions
Etobicoke is nestled between Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to the west, and the rest of Toronto to the east. Attractions tend to be focused in the north end, close to the airport, in the middle along Bloor Street, the community’s historical heart, and along the lakefront communities of Mimico and Long Branch.
North Etobicoke
Here are our picks for the must-see attractions close to the airport:
Woodbine Race Track, on Rexdale Blvd is the country’s top thoroughbred and harness racing track, or if you have kids, the Fantasy Fair in the Woodbine Centre across the street
Nearby are Humber College’s North Campus, which is a good place to park to visit the Humber Arboreteum
The International Centre just north of Pearson Airport is home to many interesting trade shows
A bit further north (and west of the 427) is the Wild Water Kingdom Water Park, technically in Brampton.
East of Highway 400 (and technically in North York) is the Black Creek Pioneer Village, the metro area’s best showcase of mid-1800 structures and pioneer living.
Central Etobicoke
Here are our recommendations for attractions close to Bloor Street:
Montgomery Inn (at Dundas & Islington), has been around since the early 1800s, and is now a historical site & museum
There is the Islington shopping districts, along Dundas south toward the Kipling subway station, and the Kingsway shopping district, stretching east along Bloor toward the Humber River
West of the 427 is Centennial Park, which has a ski hill, a golf course, an arboretum, a mini-race car track and more.
Lakeshore Etobicoke
Here are our recommendations for attractions close to the Lakeshore:
Humber Bay Park, with reclaimed parkland along both sides of the mouth of the Humber River, has recreational pathways, scenic lookouts and a couple of yacht clubs.
There are several shopping districts, along Lakeshore Boulevard West including Mimico Village, Lakeshore Village and Long Branch , with lots of quaint shops, services and restaurants. The drinking spots in the area tend to be clustered close to Royal York Rd in Mimico
At Lakeshore & Kipling is Colonel Samuel Smith Park, with a yacht club, and adjacent to the Lakeshore campus of Humber College, and the historical Assembly Hall.
North of the Gardiner Expressway/QEW (Canada’s oldest divided highway) is The Queensway a “Big Box” shopping district with specialty shopping an bargains galore.