Creating Lasting Impressions in Bloor Yorkville, Toronto
Getting There and Getting Around Yorkville
Bloor-Yorkville is officially considered a part of Toronto’s The Annex. The area is bounded by Davenport Road, Yonge Street, Avenue Road, and Bloor Street. Getting to and around Bloor-Yorkville is no problem at all. The district is served along the Bloor-Danforth subway line by St George, Bay and Yonge stations; on the Yonge subway line by Bloor station; and by Museum station on the University-Spadina subway line.
The numbers 5 and 6 TTC buses serve the area, with the number 6 running along Bay Street and the number 5 along Avenue Road. As the Bloor-Yorkville area is considered the ritziest in downtown Toronto, traveling in the area by car is something of a hassle. Although there are public parking garages available throughout the neighborhood, finding a spot can be a challenge sometimes, particularly during rush hour. It is a good idea to spare sufficient time if you plan to visit this area by car.
The public parking nearest to the Pacific Wellness are Manulife Center (entrance via Charles street) and Green P parking on Yorkville Avenue.
Shopping
How swanky is Bloor-Yorkville? Many merchandisers have made their Bloor-Yorkville location their flagship store, and haute couture is always the name of the game. Tiffany, Prada, Chanel, D&G, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuiton, and other upscale, high-end boutiques and designers can all be found here. In-demand Canadian designers such as Jeremy Lang and Hoax Couture also have a place in this high-class Toronto hotspot.
Popular retailers found in Bloor-Yorkville include Hudson’s Bay Company, Nordstrom Rack One Bloor, Roots, The Gap, Harry Rosen, Banana Republic, and H&M. Specialty stores are plentiful here, and you can find a wide variety of watches, purses, shoe kitchen supplies, and fine foods.
Underground Shopping
In much the same way downtown Toronto has its PATH, Bloor-Yorkville has an amazing underground network of passageways and tunnels. You can traverse the entire neighborhood without seeing the light of day or having to deal with the freezing temperatures in the colder months.
The walkways take you to a world of shopping and an astounding number of coffee shops. Shopping centers such as Hazelton Lanes, Holt Renfrew, Manulife Center, and Cumberland Terrace begin modestly above ground then turn on the grandeur once you hit the sublevels.
Health and Beauty
You can achieve that desired refined, groomed and polished look while in Toronto’s posh Yorkville neighborhood by visiting any of its many salons, spas, and parlors. They are sure to satisfy all your health and beauty needs from skin and hair care to massages, nutrition, yoga class, dental and medical services.
There is no shortage of places to unwind and pamper yourself in the Yorkville. You can plunge into the saltwater pool at the Winsor Arms or indulge yourself at the Four Seasons Spa. Please note that body treatments at the luxury hotel spas in Yorkville are quite expensive.
Tips for the Travelers: Having relaxing massage in the ritzy Yorkville does not mean you would need to spend extra compared to other parts of Toronto. Try massage clinics or wellness centers where locals go. Massage fees at most of those places are consistent according to the standard fee guideline set by the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario.
The Pacific Wellness Institute, located at the North-West corner of Bay and Bloor streets, provides professional registered massage services with uninflated fees. Other offerings at the Pacific Wellness include acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, and naturopathic medicine. There is a Goodlife Fitness club in the same building.
If you developed acute back pain, their on-site chiropractors, massage therapists, or acupuncturists are often able to accommodate a last minutes booking.
The Pacific Wellness Institute has been known for natural fertility treatment, attracting patients from all over Toronto. Conveniently, there are several top-notch fertility clinics nearby Yorkville area. Many patients have been receiving fertility acupuncture at the Pacific Wellness while undergoing IVF or other advanced reproductive medical treatments in the advanced reproductive medical centers.
If you or someone you care about requires emergency care or is searching for specialized, state-of-the-art medical treatments, there are world-class medical centers within close proximity.
- Spa at Four Seasons Toronto: 60 Yorkville Ave. Toronto, ON M4W 0A4 Tel: (416) 964-0411
- Winsor Arms Spa: 18 St Thomas St. Toronto ON M5S 3E7 Tel: (416) 971-9666
- Goodlife Fitness: 80 Bloor Street West, 2nd floor, Toronto, ON M5S 2V1
- Hannam Fertility Center: 160 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 3R2 Tel: (416) 595-1521
- Create Fertility Center: 790 Bay St #1100, Toronto, ON M5G 1N8 Tel: (416) 323-7727
- Toronto General Hospital: 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Tel: (416) 340-3131
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center: 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9 Tel: +1 866-224-6560
- Hospital for Sick Children: 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8 Tel: (416) 813-1500
Galleries and Museums
Many art galleries located in the area specialize in a wide range of interests and feature the work of local artists. The Royal Ontario Museum (the largest in Canada) is located at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road. It showcases art, world culture, and natural history. Stop by the Bata Shoe Museum for a view of the world’s largest collection of footwear – there’s even a pair of Napoleon’s socks! It gives a rather interesting look at world history from the reference point of evolving footwear.
Are you interested in ceramics? Pop into the Gardiner Museum, located steps away from the ROM, and participate in their Drop-in Clay Classes. They also offer cry classes that aim to enhance your mindfulness.
Purveyors of fine art and antiques head to Bloor-Yorkville, certain they will find exactly the awe-inspiring piece they are seeking at one of the nearly 40 art dealers and galleries. You can find renaissance works, modern sculptures, and displays of works by past and present Canadian artists, spanning every form and genre you can imagine.
Many of the galleries and museums of Bloor-Yorkville often host art shows and special exhibits, with some offering, guided tours to visitors.
- Royal Ontario Museum: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
- Bata Shoe Museum: 327 Bloor St W. Toronto ON. M5S 1W7
- Gardiner Museum: 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C7
Feel like cooking at home? There is a Whole Foods Market at the corner of Yorkville and Avenue Roads, where you can shop a variety of organic meats, fruits, and vegetables.
November 2019: Great news for Italian food lovers. Eataly, the luxury Italian food hall has just landed its first location in Canada at the corner of Bay and Bloor (inside the Manulife Center Spanning three floors and 50,000 square feet, there are restaurants, take-out counters, and gourmet food markets. Currently, it is Toronto’s buzziest foodie destination.
Dining
Bloor-Yorkville is home to exquisite eateries tendering delectable fare. You can savor the food along with the opportunity to people-watch as you keep an eye out for the rich and famous who frequent the many world-class restaurants of Bloor-Yorkville. Scrumptious signature dishes and mouthwatering all-time favorites can be had at any of the restaurants found in the high-class hotels that call Bloor-Yorkville home.
The One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel is the place to experience the very best of refined contemporary Canadian food fare.
If a more casual eating experience is what you desire, then there are quite a few options for you to choose from, whether day or night. Check out the 7 West Café (open 24/7) to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or evening cocktails and mingle with locals and visitors alike.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, try PLANTA Yorkville, where you can explore unique plant-based dishes in a stylish setting.
- One Restaurant: 116 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON. M5R 1C2 Tel: 416-963-6300
- 7 West Café: 7 Charles St W. Toronto ON M4Y 1R4 Tel: 416-928-9041
- PLANTA Yorkville: 1221 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5R 3P5 Tel: 647-819-1221
- Whole Foods Market: 97 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M5R 3R9 Tel: 416-944-0500
- Eataly Toronto: 55 Bloor Street W. Toronto, ON M4W 1A6 Tel: 437-374-0250
- One Restaurant: 116 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON. M5R 1C2 Tel: 416-963-6300
- 7 West Café: 7 Charles St W. Toronto ON M4Y 1R4 Tel: 416-928-9041
- PLANTA Yorkville: 1221 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5R 3P5 Tel: 647-819-1221
Accommodations
Like all else in Bloor-Yorkville, you can expect luxury and all its requisite amenities to characterize your stay at any of Bloor-Yorkville’s top-notch hotels. InterContinental, Marriott and Four Seasons have locations here and offer you all the same elegant pleasures as they do to celebrities and superstars.
You will have to pay a pretty penny for it all, but that’s just how it is with world-class service. Enjoy the plush comfort of your hotel suite, knowing first-class shopping, dining, and entertainment are all just a stone’s throw away.
Hours
Mon – Fri — 9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday — 9:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday — Closed