Major Shopping Areas

Downtown

Chinatown -- It's crowded and noisy, but don't let that put you off. Sure, there's the usual touristy junk, like cheapo plastic toys and jewelry, but the real Chinatown has a lot more to offer, including fine rosewood furniture, exquisite ceramics, and homeopathic herbs. Just don't try driving here: This is traffic purgatory and best navigated on foot.

The Eaton Centre -- Okay, you're short on time, but you still want to fit in all your shopping. Head to the Eaton Centre. With more than 300 shops -- including an Apple Store, Browns, Danier, Birks, Nine West, La Vie en Rose, Femme de Carriere, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Mendocino, Laura Secord, H&M, and Indigo -- you'll be sure to find something.

Queen Street West -- Queen Street West, between University Avenue and Bathurst Street, is rich with boutiques for both fashion and housewares, though there are a lot of familiar names thrown in the mix. Locals complain that this neighborhood isn't what it was before The Gap moved in, but it's still a great stomping ground for fashionistas in need of a fix.

The Underground City -- Subterranean Toronto is a hive of shopping activity. While you won't find too many shops down here that don't have an aboveground location, the Underground City is a popular place in winter and with those whose schedules don't allow them out of the Financial District.

West Queen West -- Playing down its grittier roots, this hot new neighborhood has got the reputation for cutting-edge fashion that Queen Street West used to enjoy. The city has dubbed it the "Art & Design District." Starting at Bathurst Avenue and running west a few blocks past Ossington Avenue, this is where you'll find an incredible array of fashion talent, art galleries, and great new restaurants.

Midtown

Bloor Street West -- This strip of real estate, bordered by Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west, is where most of the top international names in fashion set up shop. If you're in the mood to see what Karl Lagerfeld is designing or to pick up a glittering bauble from Cartier or Tiffany, this is your hunting ground.

Yorkville -- One of Toronto's best known -- and most expensive -- shopping neighborhoods. It's also the one under the most construction at the moment, as condo developers plonk one shiny building after another on this prime patch of real estate. The shops here tend to be small boutiques that specialize, say, in beaded handbags or fine handmade papers.