17 Best Shopping in Ontario, Canada

This two-floor antique shop is a rummager's paradise, and a favorite of local set designers looking for period-authentic items. The shelves groan with everything from '50s salt-and-pepper shakers to Hudson's Bay blankets, and there are racks of vintage clothing (for both women and men) with pieces that date as far back as the 19th century. You can rifle through the scores of carefully labeled apothecary drawers to trawl through opera glasses, costume jewelry, and military patches, or peer into display cases at the vintage lunchboxes and handbags.

The 2 million–square-foot Toronto Eaton Centre shopping mall has been both praised and vilified since it was built in the 1970s, but it remains incredibly popular. From the graceful glass roof, arching 127 feet above the lowest of the mall levels with artist Michael Snow's exquisite flock of fiberglass Canada geese floating poetically in open space down to all the shops, there's plenty to appreciate.

There's a huge selection of shops and eateries, but here is a simple guide: the basement level contains the massive Urban Eatery food court. From there, the prices get higher with the altitude, with the top-floor Saks Fifth Avenue being every label-conscious shopper's dream.

More than 50 artisans and purveyors display their wares in tiny spaces where vintage collections rub shoulders with mixed-media paintings, artisanal soaps, and jewelry.

Bank Street spans several neighborhoods and has everything from stores offering bargain-basement prices to unique shops, boutiques, and antiques stores farther south in the Glebe and Ottawa South neighborhoods.

This mall is Ottawa's answer to Toronto's Eaton Centre, with more than 200 stores, including Club Monaco, Le Château, and Roots—big Canadian success stories.

The Doll Factory carries 1950s rockabilly-style pinup looks from Toronto designers Damzels in this Dress, and other retro-inspired designers from across the continent. Chunky heels, heart-shaped sunglasses and printed sundresses are on the shelves, as well as high-waisted bikinis perfect for flattering those curves.

This is the place to go in Ottawa for creations by local designers such as Richard Robinson (447 Sussex Dr.) or Justina McCaffrey (465 Sussex Dr.).

Elmwood. Since 1982, the Elmwood, hidden inside a historic redbrick building, has been offering classic spa packages including hot stone massages, anti-aging facials, microdermabrasion treatments, and exfoliating wraps. 18 Elm St., Dundas Square Area, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G7. 416/977–6751. www.elmwoodspa.com. Mon.–­Thurs. 10–9, Fri. 9–9, Sat. 9–8, Sun. 10:30–6:30. Dundas.

This hip boutique, which occupies two floors of a Victorian home, is a one-stop shop for the whole fashion-forward family. The ground floor is devoted to colorful women's and kid's threads, designer denim, and local selections like Bluboho jewelry and Mary Young lingerie. Head upstairs for menswear and home goods, including gorgeous glassware and candles.

A Beach institution, the Nutty Chocolatier serves ice cream on waffle cones (made in-house daily), as well as handmade molded chocolates and truffles. Even though their house-made sweets are delicious, the sizable selection of imported candy and treats from the United Kingdom and other parts of the globe have an equally devoted following.

Those in need of a souvenir tee should skip the tourist-trap shops and make a beeline for this local brand's soothing all-white boutique, where you can pick up stylish T-shirts, tanks, joggers, and sweaters—all manufactured in Canada.

Cottage-chic is the name of the game at this home decor shop that's all about cute, woodsy items like rugs, retro deck chairs, quirky signage, and Tiffany-style lamps. There's a nice selection of furniture, and they also do custom orders for pine shelving and cabinets.

At Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall, you can comb the high-fashion racks at tony Holt Renfrew or browse through some 50 other shops.

In two locations (at the Avon and Festival theaters), this is the place for Shakespeare finger puppets, every Shakespeare play ever written, original costume sketches, soundtracks to musicals, quotable aprons, and Bard-themed children's books.

Tucked in the back of colorful gift shop Token (itself a worthy stop for colorful gifts, kitchenware, and greeting cards) is the aptly named Tiny Record Shop, which offers an all-killer-no-filler selection of vinyl. If you're still missing that one rare Bowie or Stereolab LP to complete your collection, this is the place to check.

At this brimming curio shop you might find a cat curled up among the reasonably priced china, glassware, French soaps, kitchen gadgets, and other bric-a-brac. The Bradshaw family has owned a store at this location in various forms (it used to be a high-end china hall) since the 1800s.

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Westboro Village, along Richmond Road west of downtown, to pick up everything from camping gear to kayaks at stores like Mountain Equipment Coop (366 Richmond Rd.) or Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear (203 Richmond Rd.).