Distillery Historic District

The Distillery District

North America's best-preserved Victorian industrial complex. Red-brick and cobblestone streets are lined with galleries, cafés and craft beer, and the Christmas market in winter is bustling.

The Distillery District was originally the Gooderham & Worts distillery, founded in 1832. In the late 19th century it was the largest whisky distillery in the world. After production stopped in 1990, more than 40 red-brick and limestone buildings were preserved intact. In 2003 the site was converted into a pedestrian shopping district. It is North America's best-preserved Victorian industrial complex, and it has served as a filming location for more than a hundred films, including X-Men and Chicago. Cars are banned within the district. Along the cobblestone streets are galleries, designer boutiques, pottery studios, Soma handmade chocolate, Balzac's Coffee (in the old pump house), the Mill Street craft beer hall and a range of restaurants. Large art installations stand in the middle of the streets. The most famous are the giant spider sculpture and the illuminated 'LOVE' letters, both great for photos. Each year from mid-November to late December, the Toronto Christmas Market is held here, with a 15-meter-tall Christmas tree, mulled wine stalls and a tunnel of lights. It is one of the city's most popular winter events, and weekend entry requires tickets bought online. In summer there are beer festivals, arts festivals and open-air concerts. The nearby waterfront is a new residential area, and Corktown Common park is nice for a stroll. Getting there: take the 504 streetcar and get off at Parliament Street, then walk 5 minutes, or walk about 15 minutes from St. Lawrence Market. Admission is free.

Distillery Historic District

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby