Queen Street West

Overview

Queen Street West is Toronto's trendiest shopping strip — a vibrant stretch of indie boutiques, record stores, galleries, bars, and restaurants between University and Bathurst that defines Toronto's creative style.

Highlights

• Indie Boutiques: Unique independent clothing, design, and jewelry shops.
• Gallery Row: Contemporary art galleries concentrated in the western section.
• Drake Hotel: A cultural hotspot with a hotel, restaurant, and underground music venue.

History

Queen West began attracting artists and musicians in the 1980s with cheap rents. Despite gentrification, it remains Toronto's creative corridor and has been named one of the world's coolest neighborhoods.

Visitor Tips

• Walk West: The stretch gets more interesting as you walk west from University Avenue.
• Music Venues: The Horseshoe Tavern and Velvet Underground host excellent live music.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.