Next door to... |
Neighbouring Neighbourhoods next door to Cabbagetown include Regent Park Neighbourhood, St. James Town, Riverdale |
Where in Toronto? |
Cabbagetown's current boundaries are Gerrard St to the south, the Don River on the east, Wellesley to the north, and Sherbourne to the west. This is directly north of the original Cabbagetown, which was bounded by Gerrard St to the north and Queen St to the south. The Cabbagetown Heritage Conservation District is a smaller area that extends from Parliament to River (west to east) and Gerrard and Wellesley (south to north). |
Belongs to, falls in, or is a part of... |
• Former municipality Old Toronto |
• Municipal Ward |
• School Ward |
• Community Council |
• Federal Riding: Toronto Centre |
• Provincial Riding |
• Residents' Association |
• Missed something, put it here! |
Best known for |
• Riverdale Farm & the farmers market on Tuesday evenings throughout most of the year |
• Cabbagetown Festival, the first weekend after Labour Day every September |
One Sentence Description
We're the neighbourhood with the coolest tagline!
About this neighbourhood
Once a working-class enclave, Cabbagetown is now a gracious neighbourhood of renovated Victorian homes and lovely parks. Highlights include the turn-of-the-century Riverdale Farm (site of the original Toronto Zoo) and Allan Gardens, with its botanical collection in a beautiful Victorian-style greenhouse.
What's Fun ?
On a stroll – and stroll you must! - you will glimpse the neighbourhood flag flying – a green cabbage on a white background. (It is usually bestowed on a home or shop owner for architectural or design excellence). The area has a small-town feel, where greeting passers-by is common.
Allan Gardens – Outdoor gardens, greenhouses and a glassed-in botanical garden provide a tranquil setting year round. It is especially lovely over the Christmas holidays, when the tropical gardens feature a holiday flower show. Free admission. (Corner of Carlton & Jarvis Sts.)
Riverdale Farm – the site of Toronto’s first zoo is now an actual working farm in the heart of the city. It is actually a “demonstration farm” – complete with animals – used to expose city children to agricultural concepts and experiences. (Corner of Winchester and Sumach Sts.)
The Necropolis – Toronto’s oldest cemetery has a suitably creepy name. Moss-covered tombstones and a gothic chapel add to the haunting effect. (Corner of Amelia and Sumach Sts.) Famous residents include Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, and George Brown, a father of Canada’s Confederation and founder of the Globe & Mail newspaper.
Cabbagetown Festival – Staged at the beginning of September, this community-based week-long celebration features non-stop concerts, a film festival, an absolutely smashing dog show, and fabulous tours of the marvelous homes of the neighbourhood. This is the one time you can glimpse some of the best and most imaginative home renovations in North America.
Hungry?
Cheap eats and not so cheap eats, oops, make that ambiance!
History
Originally located on the then-outskirts of town, Cabbagetown has been transformed in true “rags-to-riches” style into one of the most desirable and engaging residential enclaves of downtown Toronto.
The name “Cabbagetown” originated in the mid-19th Century, when the Irish immigrants who lived in the area planted unusually large cabbage patches on their front lawns. The area has one of the largest concentrations of Victorian homes on the continent. Residents have spent considerable time (and money) restoring these to their original beauty – with delicate iron fencing, carefully manicured lawns and fragrant gardens, and whimsical architectural detailing.
Parliament St., the main street in Cabbagetown, is not so much charming as it is eclectic – a hodgepodge of restaurants, cafes, and neighbourhood shops. The street’s name emerged because the earliest meetings of Ontario’s provincial parliament were held in the area between 1794 and 1797.
Who are the people in your neighbourhood?
Neighbourhood personalities, for example...
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the nice librarian
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the cool busker
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the friendly crossing guard
and where to meet them.
Housing and Accommodations
What's the housing scene like? How much for how much? Architecture Styles. Price Ranges. How new or old are most of the housing here? Condominiums, Townhouses... Major complexes, best apartment buildings, golden cockroach award? If applicable: Hotels / Motels / Hostels / Bed and Breakfasts for out-of-towners, here's the scoop.
There are a number of co-ops in Cabbagetown, including:
Transit
Transportation overview, transit options, bike lanes, official routes, highways, Bus. Streetcar. Subway. TTC routes which pass through or cover this neighbourhood. TTC stations / Go Transit / Greyhound Stops
TTC Routes:
- Carlton Streetcar
- Wellesley Bus
- Parliament Bus
- Temporary: Dundas Streetcar
Nearby:
Major Streets and Intersections
Major thoroughfares through this neighbourhood, if any. Existing ones or those planned for the future. Major North-South streets. Major East-West streets.
Parks and Recreation
Parks in the Cabbagetown Heritage Conservation District:
- Riverdale Park West
- Riverdale Farm, within Riverdale Park
- Wellesley Park
Schools
Toronto District School Board schools:
- Sprucecourt Public School, 70 Spruce St
Toronto Catholic District School Board schools:
Independent Schools:
Also see Neighbourhoods for info on other areas of Toronto