Leslieville Guide

Leslieville is the part of Queen Street East just beyond the Don River, and it is where Toronto becomes quieter. Its name comes from George Leslie, a nurseryman who farmed here in the nineteenth century, and Leslie Street still carries his name. Today it is a district of small houses, independent shops, cafés and restaurants, with fewer headline sights than anywhere else in this guide. That is the case for coming: it shows what daily life in a Toronto neighbourhood looks like.

What you do here

There is no single thing to see. The usual plan is to walk Queen Street East on both sides, from around Carlaw Avenue to Greenwood Avenue, and let the street set the pace. Expect vintage and design shops, bakeries, small bookshops, plant stores, independent clothing stores and plenty of places for coffee. Brunch is the local ritual, and popular spots have queues at weekends, so arrive early or plan for a wait.

The streets behind Queen are as interesting as the main road. Narrow brick houses with small front gardens line them, and some are painted in bright colours. The area also sits next to Toronto's film studio district, so you may see trucks or crews at work. Jimmie Simpson Park is a handy place for a rest, and further south, at the foot of Leslie Street, the Leslie Street Spit is a long man-made peninsula that is popular with birdwatchers and walkers; check access arrangements before you go.

Planning around it

The 501 Queen streetcar runs the length of the street, and the Dundas streetcar covers the parallel road to the north, so you do not need a car. The ride from the downtown core takes a while because the streetcars stop often; if you are in a hurry, allow extra time. A late morning arrival suits the area, with brunch first and then a slow afternoon. Evenings add restaurants and bars, but the area is calmer than Queen Street West.

Leslieville works best as part of a wider east-end day. Little India on Gerrard Street East lies to the north, and a short streetcar ride connects them. The Beaches are further east along the lake, which makes a pleasant afternoon on the boardwalk after lunch. The Danforth is another option for dinner, reachable by subway from the north side of the district. Compare it with Queen Street West for a more urban, more commercial version of the same street.

Our getting around guide explains how the streetcars work and how to pay for them.

Who it suits, and what to skip

Leslieville is for travellers who have already done the core sights and want to see ordinary neighbourhood life for a few hours. It is a sensible second-trip choice, and a rewarding one in sunshine. It is less suitable for a first visit with only a couple of days, and it will disappoint anyone who needs a landmark or a museum. Skip a rushed visit; thirty minutes on Queen Street East will not show you much. Do not plan around a specific shop, since small businesses change hands and hours often.

The district is quieter than the neighbourhoods further west, with fewer crowds and fewer visitors, which many travellers consider its main appeal. Bring comfortable shoes and no itinerary. If the weather turns, duck into a café or a bookshop and wait; the street is built for small stops rather than set pieces.

A simple plan is brunch around late morning, a slow walk to Greenwood and back along the other side of the street, a coffee in the park, then dinner before the streetcar home. That fills a leisurely half day without feeling like a programme.