Hugging the shore of Lake Ontario, Etobicoke is a sprawling district west of Toronto. It was first settled by Europeans in the late 18th century and flourished as an agricultural area. Following World War II, it developed into a residential district, with leafy green spaces, shopping malls and golf courses among its attractions.
Things to do in Etobicoke
One of Etobicoke’s most famous buildings is Montgomery’s Inn, which was constructed in the 1830s in a Georgian style. It is named after its innkeeper, Thomas Montgomery, who immigrated to Canada from Ireland. Montgomery’s Inn functions as a living history museum, with period furnishings and artefacts on display. At the weekly farmers’ market, you can pick up artisan bread and seasonal produce.
North of Etobicoke is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu house of worship that was constructed using 24,000 pieces of hand-carved Carrara marble. It is the largest mandir in Canada and encompasses a haveli constructed in a traditional Indian style. At the Heritage Museum, you can learn about the key tenets of Hinduism and contributions made by Indian-Canadians.
Sprawling across the west of Etobicoke is Centennial Park, a popular green space home to a tropical plant-filled conservatory. Kids can let loose in the children’s playground or on the BMX track before splashing around in the wading pool. Sporting facilities within the park include cricket pitches, soccer fields and a disc golf course.
Getting around Etobicoke
Etobicoke is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Toronto and 20 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Commuter trains connect to several stations throughout Etobicoke while buses, streetcars and subway services are available for getting around the district.