One of the sites where Alfred Hitchcock's classic film “The Birds” was shot also happens to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in Toronto.
The city's historic Distillery District, sometimes known as“ Hollywood North,” has served as the backdrop for more than 800 films in the last 10 years. Its brick-paved streets and 13 acres of Victorian-era industrial architecture in a complex of more than 40 buildings make it one of the city's most distinctive tourist sites.
Historically, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery was founded in 1832 by William Gooderham and James Worts and eventually became the largest distillery in the British Empire. Today, the Distillery District is a pedestrian-only village dedicated to the arts, other cultural facets, and entertainment. Galleries, artists' studios and workshops, restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as live music, all form part of this new cultural center, according to the district's Web site at<www.thedistillerydistrict.com>.
The district offers tours of its distinctive features. Among them:
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The Heritage and Architectural Tour: Learn more about this spectacular distillery complex, where distilling, milling, malting, bottling, and other activities were carried out. The distillery had railway, water, and road access and was Canada's first licensed distiller. At one time it was the largest distillery in the British Empire, sending its products around the world.
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The Gallery Tour: The Distillery District has everything from the internationally recognized Sandra Ainsley Glass Gallery to numerous emerging artists' studios and galleries. Visitors are also invited to visit the museum where many artifacts and pictures from the glory days of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery are on display.
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The Film Buff Tour: Toronto is the third largest film production center in North America, and the Distillery is the most popular filming location in Canada. Find out more about films created here.
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The Beer Tour: Visit the new Mill Street Brewery, makers and purveyors of fine beers and ales, including Toronto's first certified organic beer. Learn about the production of small-batch quality beer, and end your tour with a complimentary product tasting.
To get there by subway, go to Castle Frank station on the Blue line and connect to Bus 65A Parliament. Ride the bus straight down Parliament, exit at Front Street, and walk one block south to Mill Street. By streetcar, take the 504 King Street car, exit at King and Parliament, then walk two blocks south on Parliament to Mill Street. ▪
