Toronto Tourism Visitor Guide 2009 - (Page 20) Neighbourhoods HearT of THe CiTy Church-Wellesley/ The Gay Village map E-3, 4; www.churchwellesley village.ca DETAILS Home to Canada’s largest gay community, Toronto welcomes gay and lesbian visitors with a full slate of things to see and do all year-round. The Village is nestled in the downtown core, centred on the intersection of Church St. and Wellesley St. Packed with cafés, restaurants, shops and clubs, restaurants and nightclubs embrace the gay lifestyle and celebrate openly all year-long. LOVE Halloweek. Frivolity reigns supreme as the Village parties in costume for seven haunting nights in October. Cabbagetown map F-4; www.oldcabbagetown.com DETAILS Formerly a workingclass enclave, Cabbagetown is now a gracious cluster of lovely parks and renovated Victorian homes with iron fences and manicured gardens. Parliament, the main street, is not so much quaint as it is eclectic — a hodgepodge of restaurants, cafés and boutiques. LOCATE Parliament St., from Wellesley St. E. to Dundas St. E. TTC College subway station, then Carlton streetcar eastbound. IDEAS The name “Cabbagetown” originated in the mid-19th century, when Irish immigrants living in the area planted unusually large cabbage patches on their front lawns. DISCOVER The Necropolis, Toronto’s oldest cemetery. One of the many moss-covered tombstones is that of William Lyon Mackenzie. LOVE Victorian homes. In September, the Cabbagetown Festival offers tours to several innovatively refurbished local brownstones. this area demonstrates that it’s fun and fabulous to be gay in Toronto. Real pride in the Village is grandly proclaimed each June, when the joyous extravaganza that is the Pride Day Parade caps a week of citywide celebrations. Create your own party scene — take your pick from the multitude of gay and lesbian bars, saunas, casual coffee spots, upscale restaurants and great street corners to strut your stuff. LOCATE From the Wellesley St./ Yonge St. intersection, eastward to Jarvis St., down to Alexander St. TTC Wellesley subway station, then walk east. DISCOVER The gay community extends well beyond the borders of the Village. In Toronto, local shops, 20 www.SeeTorontoNow.com The Danforth/ Greektown map FF-4; www.greektown toronto.com DETAILS Walking on Danforth Avenue gives you a clear sense of Toronto’s rich Greek heritage. This neighbourhood is constantly abuzz with crowded sidewalks and street-front Photo: Chris Wiles http://www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca http://www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca http://www.oldcabbagetown.com http://www.greektowntoronto.com http://www.greektowntoronto.com http://www.SeeTorontoNow.com
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