The Kensington Market

In my Toronto travels, anther of my favourite places was the Kensington Market located between Dundas and Baldwin Streets. I’ve been to many markets, and Kensington has come out on top. Not to mention, I’d much rather spend a day wandering around the Market than the crowded, metropolis Eaton Centre. The market has everything to make the perfect day trip. If you’re going to Toronto anytime soon, make sure you set aside a day to explore the Kensington Market.
 
The greatest thing about the Kensington Market is the bargain shopping. Never in my life have I seen such an impressive collection of vintage stores. Sure, it takes some time to sift through the junk that most vintage stores house, but at Courage My Love, I found a lot of really great deals. The store itself is an eye-catching electric blue house converted into a store. The colourful racks of clothing immediately grabbed me and begged to be searched through. I ventured inside only to find even more amazing vintage clothing, jewellery (always my favourite find) and even some funky looking furniture. I emerged about forty-five minutes later with a bag of my finds and no dent in my wallet.
 
But if vintage isn’t your thing, don’t bypass the area just yet. I also found great love just being in the market. The area was originally a Jewish community in the 1800s and it houses a lot of really amazing building and houses. The architecture is old and a little worn but it’s beautiful. Since then, the area has diversified extremely. So many different cultures ranging from Asian to European to South America have nestled into the nooks and crannies, calling it home. Have some empanadas for lunch then cross the street to a Chinese bakery for some of the best pastries you will find in Toronto.
 
While you are wandering the historic streets and munching the cuisine of your choice, be sure to stop and admire the local artwork. Being a big fan of local art, I was beyond thrilled at the range of galleries, displays and stores available. Even if you aren’t an art fan, stop and have a look because Kensington Market really has some of the most interesting art I’ve seen. The blend of such diverse cultures along with new age youth and historical architecture creates a positively unique feel to the local art. It also gives the market a very rich, palpable history. That’s probably what made me truly fall in love with Kensington Market. You can wander through and feel the stories swirling around you.