Best time to visit Toronto

The Path in Toronto

World's largest underground sale takes place along a 30-km PATH winding under Toronto

Best time: all year round (best July)

The Path
The Path
The Path

Underground life is a real thing for Torontonians. All of Downtown is connected to the Path (PATH) system. This 18-mile (30-km) subterranean maze features 1,200 shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, offices, and other services. The Path is a city itself, and it's growing wider each year. The first tunnels appeared in Toronto In 1900 when the Eaton's department store built a tunnel underneath James Street. In modern times, the Path covers 4,000,000 sq ft (71,600 sq m) of space.

Toronto residents can walk to work through these underground walkways, do their banking, visit doctors, and do any business without going up to the surface. About 200,000 people use the PATH system daily. Such a lengthy network might appear confusing for orientation if not for special indicators. In fact, even the letters in the name "PATH" help pedestrians find their way. Red "P" points south, orange "A" west, blue "T" north, and finally yellow "H" east.

Every year, Toronto's underground system has a season of sidewalk sales. This is the best time to explore the Path, especially if you are one of those unsparing shopaholics. The Path's annual July sale is considered to be the largest underground sale in the whole world.

Practical info

When did the first tunnels appear in the Path system in Toronto?

Eaton's department store built a tunnel underneath James Street in 1900, marking the emergence of the Path system in Toronto. The system has since grown to become the world's most extensive underground pedestrian walkway, with 18 miles of tunnels covering a space of 4,000,000 sq ft. Show more

Where can people go through the Path system in Toronto?

The Path system in Toronto connects most of the downtown area and offers access to over 1,200 shopping malls, restaurants, offices, cinemas, and other facilities. Residents can use the underground walkways to walk to work, attend medical appointments, do banking, and conduct other business without leaving the underground network. Show more

What is the total area that the Path system covers?

The Path system in Toronto, which started with a single tunnel in 1900, currently spans 18 miles and covers a total area of 4,000,000 sq ft. It is the world's most comprehensive underground pedestrian network, and around 200,000 people use it daily to move within downtown Toronto, connecting to a wide range of services and facilities along the way. Show more

When is the best time to explore the Path in Toronto for shopaholics?

Toronto's underground system holds sidewalk sales annually, with the largest taking place in July, making it the perfect time for shopaholics to explore the Path. During the sale, retailers in the system offer discounts on their products. For shopping enthusiasts, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the numerous stores and enjoy discounts on a wide range of products. Show more

What are the letters in the name "PATH" used for in terms of orientation in the system?

The four letters in the name "PATH" serve as directional indicators in the underground walkway system. The letters P, A, T, and H are color-coded to represent the south, west, north, and east directions, respectively. With this system, pedestrians can easily find their way around the Path system, despite not being familiar with the area. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin