Stackt Market
I started the day at Stackt Market, which was in full Holiday Hills mode for the Christmas season. There were colourful installations, oversized decorations, murals and outdoor curling lanes, all mixed in with the shipping containers and city views. It was very Instagram-friendly, with something different to photograph around almost every corner.
Unfortunately, I also discovered pretty quickly that my camera batteries were not nearly as charged as I thought they were. After getting a few photos, I headed over to Farm Boy for a tea and somewhere to charge a battery before continuing the walk.
Once I had enough power again, I went back to Stackt Market and continued photographing before walking over the bridge. From there I could see Fort York, as well as the library across the street, before continuing on toward Canoe Landing Park.
CN Tower Framed by the Bathurst Street Bridge
Looking west from Sir Isaac Brock Bridge over the Metrolinx/GO rail corridor toward the Liberty Village condo towers. Stackt Market sits on the north side of the tracks on the right.
A view of historic Fort York, surrounded by Toronto's modern skyline. Established in 1793, the fort played an important role in the War of 1812, including the Battle of York in 1813. The surviving military buildings, constructed between 1813 and 1815, are among the oldest in Toronto. Once located along the shores of Lake Ontario, Fort York now sits well inland, offering an interesting contrast between the city's past and present.
The Fort York Branch of the Toronto Public Library, designed as a low-profile glass pavilion set against the high-rise towers of CityPlace. Its façade is defined by tall vertical glazing panels framed by slender metal fins, creating a layered surface that catches light differently across each section. The transparency of the structure reveals interior stacks and activity, contrasting with the heavier condo forms surrounding it. Captured from the street with late-day sun picking up the details of the cladding and the reflections along the glazing.
Canoe Landing Park
I had specifically wanted to see Douglas Coupland’s Fishing Floats. James had been there before and taken photos of it, but I had never seen it in person. The oversized, brightly coloured floats really stand out against the surrounding condos and city skyline, so I spent some time photographing them from different angles.
I wandered a little farther around the park and Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre before continuing on toward The Well.
The Well
My final stop of the day was The Well, and surprisingly, it was my first time visiting! I absolutely loved the architecture, especially the massive glass canopy overhead and the mix of modern buildings and open walkways.
There were already some holiday decorations up, although they were much more subtle compared to Stackt Market earlier in the day. I spent some time wandering around with my camera, taking in the architecture and photographing whatever caught my eye. It was a great way to finish off my afternoon exploring downtown Toronto.
