Kandice VincentYonge and Finch is notable for being the centre of Canada’s first major suburban development boom, which started in the 1950s.
Fast forward to today, this neighbourhood boasts a lively and diverse community, with thousands of residents calling it home. The area has also developed into a bustling commercial hub, packed with high-rise apartments, retailers, restaurants, and offices.
If you want to learn more about the place’s unique characteristics, then make sure to read on!
- 1. Art Gallery Ontario
- 2. Ed Mirvish Theatre
- 3. Budweiser Stage
- 4. Toronto Zoo
- 5. Edithvale Park
- 6. Willowdale Park
- 7. North York Central Library
- 8. Gibson House
- 9. Japanese Cultural Centre
- 10. Yonge-Dundas Square
- 1. Grab a bite at Kinton Ramen
- 2. Sing your heart out at Twister Karaoke
- 3. Have fun at Cosmic Bowling Nights
- 4. Watch a play at a theatre
- 5. Explore Yonge-Dundas Square
- 6. Relive the 19th century at the Gibson House Museum
- 1. It’s home to a warm and diverse community
- 2. It boasts accessible shopping and dining options
- 3. You’ll find tons of employment opportunities
- 4. The area is accessible by public transit
- 5. The place is home to several parks and recreational areas
Places To Visit in Yonge and Finch
Yonge and Finch is home to some great dining experiences and attractions like galleries, museums, entertainment venues, and lovely parks that are worth visiting.
Here are some note-worthy destinations around Yonge and Finch that you should visit:
1. Art Gallery Ontario
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4, Canada
Contact: +1 416-979-6648
Operating hours:
- Monday: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday and Friday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
The Art Gallery of Ontario is among North America’s largest museums, and it’s home to a vast and impressive art collection of paintings. The gallery has become a top tourist spot since its establishment in 1990.
2. Ed Mirvish Theatre
Website: https://www.mirvish.com/
Address: 244 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8, Canada
Contact: +1 800-461-3333
The Ed Mirvish Theatre is one of the most prominent historic theatres in Toronto, known for its seating capacity of over 2,000 seats. Broadway shows and popular theatrical performances usually take place here.
3. Budweiser Stage
Address: 909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3L3, Canada
Contact: +1 416-260-5600
The Budweiser Stage is a vibrant concert destination in Toronto, known for hosting frequent performances by a wide range of musicians, from local bands to internationally renowned artists.
4. Toronto Zoo
Website: https://www.torontozoo.com
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7, Canada
Contact: +1 416-392-5929
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Price:
- Adult, Youth, and Senior: $9
- Infant: $4
- Family (5 members): $36
Toronto Zoo is the biggest zoo in the country, and it houses over 5,000 animals from around the globe. What’s unique about the zoo is its seven “regions,” each with unique environments worldwide, ranging from aquatic biomes to tundra-like environments.
5. Edithvale Park
Address: 121 Finch Ave W, North York, ON M2N 2H9, Canada
Contact: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 Hours
Edithvale Park is a small garden teeming with lush foliage and lovely trees that make it a great place to relax. There are also lots of recreational spaces like ball diamonds, a playground, and a basketball court that makes it an excellent place for kids to have fun.
6. Willowdale Park
Address: 75 Hollywood Ave, North York, ON M2N 5S9, Canada
Contact: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 Hours
Willowdale Park is a chill green space ideal for leisurely walks because of its peaceful ambiance and breathtaking views. The park’s expansive open areas and convenient electric BBQ facilities make it a great spot for a family picnic.
7. North York Central Library
Address: 5120 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5N9, Canada
Contact: 1 416-395-5535
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
North York Central Library is an eye-catching building that sports beautiful architecture inside and out. It’s as much an activity centre as it is a library with sewing stations, playrooms, and much more.
8. Gibson House
Address: 5172 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2N 5P6, Canada
Contact: 1 416-395-7432
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closes
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Gibson House Museum, a National Historic Site of Canada, is a prime illustration of the Victorian architectural style. Situated in the Yonge and Finch neighbourhood, it’s a brief stroll from the Yonge-Finch subway station.
9. Japanese Cultural Centre
Address: 6 Sakura Way, Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5, Canada
Contact: 1 416-441-2345
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is an architectural marvel dedicated to all things Japanese. It serves as a venue where you can experience cultural performances, sports competitions, and numerous exhibits displaying the country’s cultural artefacts.
10. Yonge-Dundas Square
Website: http://ydsquare.ca/
Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8, Canada
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday Sunday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Monday and Sunday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Yonge-Dundas Square is an Instagram-worthy public space, surrounded by animated billboards and a bustling street scene. This place is a hub for exciting and upbeat public entertainment, with everything from buskers to live musical performances!
Fun things to do in Yonge and Finch
Considering how big Yonge and Finch is, don’t be surprised to find out that the neighbourhood isn’t just rich with lovely buildings; it’s also a hub for upbeat nightlife experiences, great entertainment, and fun activities to do!
The neighbourhood offers a variety of activities, from dining to watching live theatrical performances and more. Here are a few activities we recommend tryingt:
1. Grab a bite at Kinton Ramen
Address: 5165 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2N 5P5, Canada
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM
Kinton is a renowned Japanese restaurant celebrated for its mouthwatering Japanese cuisine infused with creative flair. Their menu is a fusion of flavours, offering delightful options like ramen burgers and indulgent mango cheesecakes.
For those seeking a lively night out with friends, the restaurant offers a bar area that can be reserved.
2. Sing your heart out at Twister Karaoke
Address: 5586 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5S2, Canada
Contact: +1 416-225-2465
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 1:30 PM – 6:00 AM
Twister Karaoke is one of our favourite spots in the area to spend quality time with friends and family. Unlike most pubs in the area, this place stands out for its karaoke nights.
The karaoke has a selection of over 300,000 songs to choose from in 9 different languages, so expect to find something that will suit your music taste. The bar also serves some great drinks and affordable beers that will spice up your night of singing.
3. Have fun at Cosmic Bowling Nights
Address: 10593 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3C5, Canada
Contact: +1 905-884-9366
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Richmond Hill Pro Bowl is ideal for a fun and laid-back evening with loved ones. Their bowling alley hosts captivating Cosmic Bowling nights every Friday and Saturday night, featuring music, bright lights, and lanes that glow in the dark..
4. Watch a play at a theatre
Address: Toronto, ON M2M 3S9, Canada
Yonge and Finch boasts a vibrant theatre scene, with renowned venues that often showcase a diverse range of live performances.
Although movie theatres are everywhere, there’s a unique charm in experiencing your stage shows up close. One such gem is the historic Elgin Theatre, a landmark that has been graced with performances from some of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
5. Explore Yonge-Dundas Square
Website: http://ydsquare.ca/
Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8, Canada
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday Sunday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Monday and Sunday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Yonge-Dundas Square is located at the core of downtown Toronto, and it’s a must-visit attraction for anyone in the area. The square showcases beautiful urban design elements and has restaurants, shops, and captivating public art installations.
You can have fun at the square’s annual free concerts, some of which even feature food trucks. These music-filled events typically occur from early May to late October each year, so visit their website for event details before making your plans.
6. Relive the 19th century at the Gibson House Museum
Address: 5172 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2N 5P6, Canada
Contact: 1 416-395-7432
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closes
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Gibson House is a lovely museum sporting Georgian Revival architecture. Here, you can enjoy the experience of cooking in a charming 19th-century kitchen and engaging in various farming activities that give a solid cottagecore atmosphere.
Is Yonge and Finch a good place to live?
Yonge and Finch is a good place to live. It offers a variety of housing options like luxury apartments and beautiful modern houses, as well as a high level of safety and convenience.
Need more convincing? Here are some reasons why Yonge and Finch is a great place to live:
1. It’s home to a warm and diverse community
One of the best things about Yonge and Finch is it’s home to a tight-knit and welcoming community, which makes it easier for newcomers and new families to feel at home. Its huge immigrant population makes it easy to find people with similar backgrounds.
The rich cultural diversity here offers a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into different perspectives and cultural experiences!
2. It boasts accessible shopping and dining options
Yonge and Finch is a culinary haven packed with a wide variety of mouthwatering restaurants and eateries. In particular, Finch Avenue is like a food lover’s paradise, as it offers diverse cuisines and a range of cosy cafes, charming eateries, and bars.
If you’re into shopping, Yonge Street has a little bit of everything – from cosy boutiques to big retail giants and unique specialty shops that offer a fun shopping experience.
3. You’ll find tons of employment opportunities
Another great thing about living in this neighbourhood is the wide range of opportunities nearby. The Yonge and Sheppard area, close to Yonge and Finch, is a big contributor to Toronto’s economy, and it serves as a major employment hub for businesses.
In fact, between 2018 and 2019, the region’s employment grew by 2.2%, which is quite a high percentage.
4. The area is accessible by public transit
Given that this place is a bustling centre for both commerce and transportation, you’ll be able to find lots of transit options nearby, from buses to trains.
This eliminates the headaches of dealing with limited transportation choices and the annoyance of having to walk long distances just to catch a ride.
5. The place is home to several parks and recreational areas
Yonge and Finch feature delightful parks and trails with giant trees and colourful flowers. The area’s vast green spaces offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle, and a stroll around the area reveals a plethora of well-maintained green spaces.
You’ll also find tons of recreational sites like the Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre and Edithvale Community Centre that offer fun activities for the family to enjoy.
FAQs on Yonge and Finch
Finch Street is named after John Finch, who owned and operated a hotel at the corner of Finch Avenue and Yonge Street.
John Graves Simcoe chose to name Yonge Street after his close friend, Sir George Yonge, who was an expert in ancient Roman roads.
The average household income in Yonge and Finch is $66,467, according to Statistics Canada.
The proper way to pronounce Yonge is “young.”
