Toronto's Beach district circa 1910

Kew Beach

Toronto lies on the shore of Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes. Home to more than 2 million people, the city is the key to one of North America's most vibrant regions, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). 4.5 million Canadians live in the GTA, the cultural, entertainment, and financial capital of the nation. The city is also the seat of the Ontario government.

The Boardwalk

The Beach, named for the sand beaches along the lake, is one of the more popular neighborhoods for Toronto's upwardly mobile class. Queen Street East, lined with trendy and colorful shops and restaurants, is a feast for the eyes. Traffic through the area can often be slow. And so, like so many other parts of the city, it's best to see the area on foot.