I’ll expand on the PATH in a future entry. In a nutshell, the PATH is an underground corridor in the downtown core/financial district that allows access between most of the major towers, Union Station, the Eaton Centre, Roy Thompson Hall, several subway stations and other amenities, allowing the average pedestrian a way to opt out of the elements and traffic. It is also to some extent a very large underground shopping mall with many big name stores, restaurants and food courts all servicing the many office minions who work in the area. It is dark and tunnel like. As such, there is an attempt to bring some seasonal cheer to brighten it up a bit and get people in the mood to shop.
I’ll start at 333 Bay Adelaide. This is a new office building, its first Christmas was last year and the extension of the PATH underneath it, connecting the PATH to the Bay and the Eaton Centre, was very welcome. You can access the PATH from the lobby of this building by taking the escalators down at the back of the building. As you walk down the corridor you will see ahead of you clear plastic triangles assembled into the shape of the tree. There are a number of these “trees” both at ground level and in the food court of Bay Adelaide. The tree at the end of this corridor is the most ornamental, with all of its panels etched with decorative, swirling branches and and ornaments. All of these “trees” are lit in sort of a fibre optic style, and the constantly changing colours remind me of those cheap decorations you can get at discount department stores.
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| This would totally be a Lucy Van Pelt tree. |
If you turn right in this corridor you will head into Scotia Plaza. Looking left you will see a large Christmas tree and snowflakes. This tree is notable for not being lit in blue lights, like all the other major trees in the financial district.
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| A more traditional tree at Scotia Plaza |
Keep to the right and head west on to First Canadian Place. FCP is currently undergoing extensive renovations which are making getting around the main portion of the building a little difficult, but you can still appreciate some of the more elegant decorations in the Core. Small trees with cold blue lights are scattered around both the concourse that the PATH runs through and on the ground level. Glittering snowflakes, globes and crystals, lit with purple and blue lights, gracefully hang over the waterfalls.
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| Everybody uses Blue Lights Downtown. FCP. |
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| Festive lighting above the Waterfall at FCP. |
Head south (the corridor next to the LCBO) and walk through the TD Centre. Red Ribbons and Silver Balls composed from lights are strung on the ceiling. It is a little uninspired, but given the darkness and total lack of colour in this portion of the PATH, it does help to liven the place up a bit.
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| Some colour for the TD Centre |
Following the PATH south, turn left at the TD Branch and go on through Commerce Court. Keep heading straight, there’s nothing to see here, walking towards BCE Place and Union Station. The food court at BCE place is quietly decorated with wicker balls adorned with yellow lights. The real showcase here though is above ground. Take the staircase at the food court up to ground level. The beautiful glass hall of the Allen Lambert Galleria is stunning at any time, but during the holidays, it takes beautiful to a whole new level.
Head back down the stairs and continue southwards on to Union Station
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| Allen Lambert Galleria, dressed up for the holidays. |
- Duration of Walk: Roughly 1/2 hour (based on short legs)
- Difficulty: EASY to MILD CHALLENGE. It is enclosed and out of the elements. You do not have to deal with traffic. However in many places you will be faced with stairs, hard to open or heavy doors and narrow, steep escalators, which may prove to be a challenge for those with mobility issues.
- Parking/Getting There: There are numerous parking garages in this area, but they are pricey for a short jaunt through the PATH even with weekend rates. I recommend TTC. For my suggested starting point you should get off at Queen and walk south through the Bay until you hit Bay Adelaide. Other stops on this part of the PATH are King, Union and St. Andrews.
- Washrooms: Yes 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays only, mostly located in the numerous food courts along the PATH.
- Local Coffee Haunts: Tons, ranging from Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Second Cup and Timothys International, as well as numerous smaller chains and independents. Pick your poison. Expect painfully long lines at all Tim Hortons and Starbucks locations.
- Safety factor: HIGH. During the work week, the PATH is crawling with people and security.
- Special Gear?: No. A lot of women walk this in stilettos. So you can get away with pretty much anything here.
- Suitable for Dogwalking?: No. With the exception of service dogs, security is going to be all over you in two seconds flat. That being said, I have scooted my dog from parking garages to ground level exits in the PATH.
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