711 Bay

Bay Street in Toronto is far more than a roughly 3.8-kilometer thoroughfare: it has established itself as the pulsing heart of Canada's financial world. The name has come to stand for the entire industry, because this is where the headquarters of the country's most important banks, prestigious law firms, and major insurance companies are concentrated. In the southern section, you'll see an impressive skyline dominated by modern skyscrapers. The intersection with King Street in particular is considered the center of the Financial District, where the high-rises of the big financial institutions, such as the Bank of Montreal at First Canadian Place and Scotiabank at Scotia Plaza, tower on every side. This architectural density only emerged in the 1970s, when the financial industry shifted from Montreal to Toronto. Along the street, which runs from the shore of Lake Ontario to the north of the city, you'll also find important landmarks such as Union Station, the main train station, Nathan Phillips Square with City Hall, and the upscale shopping district on Bloor Street. Underground, the PATH system links the many buildings and streets, further underscoring Bay Street's urban character.