Published January 7, 2022 · Updated September 17, 2026
Some places become familiar so slowly that we forget there was once a time when everything about them felt new.
Old Town Toronto was one of those places for me.
When I first wrote this story in 2022, I was still new to Canada and only beginning to explore Toronto beyond the places connected to school, work, and everyday life.
One sunny afternoon, armed with my PRESTO pass, my phone, a tripod, and Google Maps, I decided to wander Downtown Toronto on my own.
I didn’t have an elaborate itinerary.
I didn’t have much money to spend either.
But I had curiosity.
And sometimes, that is enough to begin discovering a place.
That afternoon took me through Berczy Park, the Gooderham Building, St. Lawrence Market, and the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District—places that introduced me to a different side of Toronto.
Years later, after exploring much more of Ontario, I can see that this simple walk was part of something bigger.
It was one of the early chapters of learning to look around, notice where I was, and discover the beauty of the place I was slowly beginning to call home.
From the Archives
I originally published the story below in January 2022, only a few months after arriving in Canada.
I’ve decided to keep the original story much as I wrote it then—the excitement, the humor, the wishful “somedays,” and even the perspective of someone who was still figuring out life in a new country.
Because sometimes, an old story doesn’t need to be rewritten.
It simply needs to be seen again through the eyes of the person we’ve become.
‘Twas October 1, 2021 when I went out from Bobbykins’ apartment to a brilliant afternoon sunshine! ‘Twas also the first day of my one-month unlimited pass of Presto card (for Toronto Transit Commission/TTC buses and trains) so I told myself to make the most out of it! Laag alone? No problem! Mr. Google and Mr. Tripod are with me! So I headed straight to Downtown Toronto!
It was my first time to hop out Union Station. That was the farthest subway station I had been to at that time. I was so excited to explore Downtown by myself and when I got out from the station, I was taken aback by the skyscrapers! Since I am living in the suburb, everything Downtown is new to me! Crowded streets, bustling vehicles, blaring sirens and mob of hasty people overtaking me. I was in an actual metropolitan city setting just like in the movies! In contrast to the Niagara Falls which I didn’t overly wish of seeing, I was so eagerly looking forward to see Downtown Toronto. Because there I was taken to virtually before…..
Anyway, if you are also a babe on a budget like me, here are the places to explore in Downtown Toronto on foot even without spending a single dollar!
Berczy Park
Who let the dogs out? They’re all at Berczy Park! Enjoy people watching and just soothe your soul watching the water flowing in the fountain. You may also feed the pigeons and do breed-guessing of the dog statues or real dogs that are in tow. The fountain was actually built in honor of the dogs in the neighborhood who frequently visit the park. So if you are a dog lover, you gotta check this place out!
A little story from Berczy Park: I returned here during the Christmas season, not knowing that one simple photo with Barksy would eventually become something much more memorable.
→ Read: Christmas at Berczy Park: When a Simple Photo Became Something More
Gooderham Building (Flatiron Building)
Looks familiar? You definitely saw this in movies. This is one of Toronto’s heritage sites! This 130-year-old building is nestled along two streets forming a triangular intersection thus making its shape like that of a flat iron. Originally owned by Toronto’s distillery magnates, the Gooderhams, the building is now home to offices and a pub. Someday when I can surely afford, I’m gonna have my favorite cocktail at their patio here!
If you’re looking for somewhere to sit down after exploring Old Town Toronto, Hothouse, right across the Gooderham Building is another place I’ve visited. One of its dishes even inspired an unexpected reflection about women, identity, and embracing the different sides of ourselves.
→ Read: Bruschetta or Capriccio: An Ode to Strong, Independent Women
St. Lawrence Market
Stepping into St. Lawrence Market was like stepping into my then virtual world. This is Toronto’s oldest market where old meets new and new meets old. Both worlds can actually coexist! Another wishful thinking; someday when I can again surely afford, I’m gonna shop for fresh meat and produce as well as taste the must-eats here!
Another Old Town memory: One of my early Toronto dining experiences happened nearby at The Old Spaghetti Factory—a dinner that, looking back, became about much more than the food.
→ Read: The Old Spaghetti Factory Toronto: A Little Celebration in a New Country
The Distillery District
Speaking of distillery magnates, this is Toronto’s historic distillery site. The Gooderham & Worts Distillery is comprised of 47 buildings and the district is home to all forms of art – visual, culinary and performing. Walking into its cobblestone pavement is like being in a 19th century film. For the third time of mentioning, someday when I can truly afford, I’m gonna sit and enjoy a fancy dinner the Parisian way al fresco here!
My photos in this blog post surely don’t give justice to the real sights and feels of Old Town Toronto since I only used the front camera of my phone with the timer. You better check my vlog below for you to see more of my no-penny-spent adventure on a sunny afternoon at Downtown Toronto!
For more about Old Town Toronto, visit their website here. I was featured on it for winning their contest last holiday season! Thank you very much #OldTownToronto! 🙂
Toronto isn’t only a city I enjoy exploring on foot. Some of my favourite memories here have come from the experiences hidden behind its historic façades and theatre doors. One of them was finally seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Toronto, a little dream I had put off until the timing was finally right. → Read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Toronto: A Magical Night to Remember
Looking Back at That Afternoon
Reading this story again years later makes me smile.
At the time, I thought I was simply making the most of my unlimited PRESTO pass and finding things to do in Toronto without spending much money.
I didn’t know that afternoons like this would become part of how I learned to love exploring Ontario.
I also smile at how many times I wrote someday.
Someday, I would have a cocktail near the Gooderham Building.
Someday, I would buy something at St. Lawrence Market.
Someday, I would sit down for a nice meal at the Distillery District.
Back then, I was an international student carefully watching every dollar. Exploring didn’t mean expensive restaurants, tours, or elaborate trips.
Sometimes, it simply meant walking.
Looking.
Taking pictures.
And allowing myself to be amazed by a place I had never seen before.
Perhaps that’s one reason this old story still matters to me.
It reminds me that we don’t have to wait until we have more money, more time, or the perfect itinerary to discover something beautiful.
Sometimes, beauty is already around us.
We just have to go outside and notice it.
The Distillery District Still Captures My Heart
Of all the places I visited that afternoon, the Distillery District is one I would return to again and again.
The cobblestone streets that once made me feel as though I had stepped into another time eventually became familiar. I would see the district in different seasons, under Christmas lights, and through different chapters of my life in Canada.
And yet, familiarity didn’t make it less beautiful.
It simply gave the place more stories.
Years later, when I gathered the Ontario destinations that had stayed with me, the Distillery Historic District naturally became one of my 20 Beautiful Places in Ontario That Captured My Heart.
What started as one budget-friendly afternoon exploring Toronto had quietly become part of a much bigger journey across Ontario.
Continue Your Journey
Beautiful places are only the beginning.
Exploring Old Town Toronto taught me something I wouldn’t fully understand until years later: you don’t always have to travel far to experience wonder.
Sometimes, all it takes is seeing a familiar city—or even your own neighbourhood—with curious eyes.
If you’d like to continue exploring with me:
Explore Beautiful Places
From Toronto’s historic streets to waterfalls, lakes, small towns, and quiet nature escapes, discover the Ontario places that have become part of my story.
→ 20 Beautiful Places in Ontario That Could Capture Your Heart
Discover Everyday Beauty
A beautiful life isn’t made only of destinations. It’s also found in changing seasons, morning light, nature, ordinary walks, and the fleeting moments we almost miss.
Reflect on Meaningful Stories
Sometimes, a place stays with us because of what happened there—or because of who we were when we arrived.
→ Reflect on Meaningful Stories
Begin Your Own Journey
You don’t have to travel somewhere extraordinary to find beauty.
My free guide, The Beauty Around You: Your 7-Day Journey to Slow Down, Notice More, and Find Meaning in Everyday Life, will help you begin noticing more of what is already around you.
→ Begin Your Journey