Distillery District

The Distillery District is a historic area in Toronto known for its Victorian-style buildings and cobblestone streets. It started in the 1800s as a place where whisky was made, and many of the old industrial buildings are still standing today. Over time, the area changed from a working distillery to a cultural and tourist destination.

Today, the Distillery District is full of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and event spaces. Students will explore the area in groups while doing a photo bingo, finding and taking pictures of interesting spots, statues, and decorations. This activity helps them enjoy both the history and the modern city life while working together as a team.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT HISTORY

Toronto’s Distillery District started in 1832 with two English immigrants, James Worts and William Gooderham, who built a small windmill at the edge of Toronto Bay. When steam power replaced wind, Gooderham added a distillery, which grew into a very important business for Toronto’s waterfront. The company once produced about 7,600,000 liters of whisky, most of which was exported around the world, but it was later bought by Hiram Walker Co., another large Canadian distiller.

The windmill was demolished in the 1860s to make space for more buildings, but the Stone Distillery remains the oldest and largest heritage building in the district. During World War I, the district was used for war industry work.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT ITINERARY

1:00PM: Walk to St. George Station

1:10PM: Get on the Line 2 train Eastbound to Castle Frank Station

1:30PM: Arrive at Castle Frank Station, then walk to the buses

1:40PM: Get on the 65 Parliament bus (Southbound to Queens Quay and Sherbourne)

2:00PM: Exit bus at Parliament Street & Mill Street and walk east to the Distillery District

2:00PM-3:30PM: Students complete the scavenger hunt and have time to go into the different shops

3:30PM: Students meet their groups back and head to the streetcar stop

3:45PM: Get on the 65 bus to Castle Frank

4:00PM: Arrive at Castle Frank, and group is dismissed

Directions:

Get on the Line 2 train Eastbound to Castle Frank Station
Arrive at Castle Frank Station, then walk to the buses
Get on the 65 Parliament bus (Southbound to Queens Quay and Sherbourne)
Exit bus at Parliament Street & Mill Street and walk east to the Distillery District

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