Shop ‘til you drop at 10 of Canada’s top shopping destinations

by Michelle Hopkins
You might think that the best shopping destinations are in London, Paris or New York. Well, guess what? Across this great country of ours, whether you’re searching for luxury goods, eclectic finds or the best in art and food, Canada is home to fabulous and distinctive shopping locales and shopping streets, perfect to unleash your inner shopaholic. [Photo courtesy of Robson Street Business Association]

In Quebec City, the impressively elegant Quartier Petit Champlain is known as one of the most beautiful sites of Old Quebec. Located at the bottom of the cliff under the Château Frontenac, this authentic area is a must see when visiting La Belle Province. Alongside some of the city’s oldest streets, you’ll discover shops bursting with artisan creations and favourite finds from here and around the world. Hot tip: Quebec City’s provincial counterpart, Montreal, should certainly not be overlooked – and Rue Ste-Catherine is arguably its retail epicentre (if an epicentre can be a 6km-long shopping street!). [Photo courtesy of Quartier Petit Champlain]

Rows of gleaming produce, chef demos, handcrafted cheese… That’s what you’ll find at Toronto’s longest running and best urban farmers’ market: the St. Lawrence Market (circa 1803). This hot spot is home to approximately 120 merchants, farmers and artisans, who specialize in high quality international and speciality foods, local produce and unique hand-crafted items. [Photo courtesy of St. Lawrence Market]

Vancouver’s posh Robson Street is this city’s best-known shopping district. For the fashion elite, there are several shops selling international designers and famous brands, making it a great destination for clothes, accessories, shoes and bags. Alongside this mix of ultra-chic boutiques and high-street staples, you’ll find a vast array of cafes and notable restaurants. Hot tip: If your retail tastes tend to the alternative and independent, Gastown may be the place for you in Vancouver, with plenty of unique local boutiques along its cobblestone streets. [Photo courtesy of Robson Street Business Association]

Along Halifax’s historic waterfront are the shops at Historic Properties. This designated National Historic Site in downtown Halifax showcases three city blocks of Canada’s oldest surviving group of waterfront warehouses and some of North America’s finest Victorian-Italianate façades. Whether you want to splash out on some modern boutique shopping, gourmet dining, or true East Coast entertainment, Historic Properties is the ideal place to go for some retail therapy. [Photo courtesy of Historic Properties]

New Brunswick’s CF Champlain, renowned as this province’s largest shopping centre, attracts punters from across the province. For good reason! With 140 retailers to choose from, it is home to popular brand names such as fan favourites like Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Fossil, MAC and Bass Pro Shops, as well as many stylish independent merchants. There are also several restaurants and a cinema, all under one roof. [Photo courtesy of CF Champlain]

Whether you’re searching for hip fashion, unique gifts, or accessories from around the globe, The Shops at Cows Creamery in PEI’s capital, Charlottetown, are a great place to explore. Home to the Anne of Green Gables Chocolates factory and retail store, you can also enjoy fabulous savings at Rockport and Paderno. Stop by Lucky Fox Snack Co. for handcrafted potato chips and gourmet caramel corn. And if you thirst for a handcrafted beer, PEI Brewing Company Beer Station produces some great ales.

The Exchange District in Manitoba is a bustling historic neighbourhood downtown shopping borough. You’ll find a great selection of independent shops, including Boutique Anya, Lennard Taylor and Tiny Feast, galleries, cafes, and restaurants in buildings designed by lauded Chicago architects. The Exchange District was once the city’s commodity exchange hub and warehouse space when Winnipeg was a boomtown at the turn of the 20th century. [Photo courtesy of The Exchange District BIZ]

If you want to bring home a little slice of Newfoundland, find your way to the historic Water Street in downtown St. John’s. Water Street offers much more than its famous “watering holes”.  Once a commercial trading outpost for European traders, the street now boasts many fabulous locally owned boutiques, including souvenir shops, restaurants, pubs, and high-end boutiques.

From the Land of the Living Skies (Saskatchewan), known for its sand dunes and famous Prime Ministers, there’s the popular Saskatoon Farmers Market. This year-round market not only offers high quality fare from local producers, farmers and ranchers, but folks around here love its live music, chefs’ demos, prize give-aways, and entertainment for the whole family. [Photo courtesy of Saskatoon Farmers Market]

West Edmonton Mall is the largest … well everything it seems. The largest Shopping Mall in North America, parking structure in the world (Guinness World Record), indoor amusement park in the world (Guinness World Record), Indoor Waterpark in North America and indoor triple-loop roller coaster in the world. This mammoth mall is Nirvana for kids young and old. If you are exhausted after roaming through its 800+ stores, you can always stay at the Fantasyland Hotel. [Photo courtesy of West Edmonton Mall]