The Eaton Centre (Toronto)

Located right in the thick of downtown Toronto, the Eaton Centre is the mother of all urban shopping malls; a huge complex that stretches for over two full city centre blocks. This three storey complex was constructed in the late 1970’s based on the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan and has itself become a blueprint for shopping malls all over North America. It is the city’s most visited attraction, with over one million shoppers passing through its doors each week and while on Toronto cheap city breaks, however short, you are sure to do likewise. There are currently over 350 high street stores, boutiques, bars, and two huge food courts.

 

The interior is dominated by a spectacular glass galleria which soars above the shops and creates a vivid spectrum of light on bright sunny days. Another intriguing sight is the famous art installation by Michael Snow of a flock of Canadian Geese in flight high above the mall. Shopaholics can really get stuck into some serious browsing and bargain hunting and there is a virtual never ending choice of high class fashion stores and high street names. Toronto short breaks may well lose all track of time visiting the Eaton Centre and the temptation to spend, spend, spend will be all consuming.

 

Of course, not everyone lives for shopping and the Eaton Centre has a few distractions to keep more miserly visitors happy. Kids will be more than satisfied with a couple of hours at the huge multiplex cinema and younger children can run wild in the small playground and amusement centre. There are even special guided tours at weekends which explore the Centre’s history and go behind the scenes. Large scale events often take place at the Eaton Centre and Toronto weekend breaks may be privileged to see a pop or classical music performance, a fashion show or a special family fun day.