Vaughan

Understand

Vaughan is a conglomeration of former towns that have now sprawled to become one city. Many residents identify with these smaller towns rather than Vaughan, with the exception of Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

Maple - Old town is around Keele Street and Major Mackenzie, Vaughan City Hall is located near there. Woodbridge - Old town is on Woodbridge Avenue between Islington Ave and Kipling Ave. Modern boundaries are Steeles Avenue in the south, Highway 400 in the east, Major Mackenzie Drive in the north, and Highway 50 in the west. Woodbridge hosts a significant Italian population. Concord - Formerly a small hamlet, Concord is now mainly comprised of industrial buildings. Concord's boundaries are Steeles Avenue to the south, Highway 400 to the west, Dufferin Street to the east, and Rutherford Road to the north.

Thornhill - Thornhill stretches into Markham. Old Thornhill is on Yonge Street between Centre Street and John Street. Modern boundaries of Thornhill-Vaughan are Dufferin Street in the west, Highway 7 in the north, Yonge Street in the east, and Steeles Avenue in the south. Thornhill hosts a significant Soviet-Jewish population, especially along Bathurst Street. Kleinburg - The old town is on Islington Avenue and Nashville Road, near Highway 27. Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - VMC is the new "downtown" area of Vaughan that was carved out of Concord. It is still in development and follows the trend of suburban towns building "city centres" to strive a city in its own right, as opposed to being seen as a bedroom community. It is around Highway 7 and Jane. Many new condominiums are being built as of January 2023, most of them already sold out.

History In the late pre-contact period, the Huron-Wendat people populated what is today Vaughan. The Skandatut ancestral Wendat village overlooked the east branch of the Humber River (Pine Valley Drive) and was once home to approximately 2000 Huron in the 16th century. The site is close to a Huron ossuary (mass grave) uncovered in Kleinburg in 1970, and 1 km north of the Seed-Barker Huron site. The first European to pass through Vaughan was the French explorer Étienne Brûlé, who traversed the Humber Trail in 1615. However, it was not until the townships were created in 1792 that Vaughan began to see European settlements, as it was considered to be extremely remote and the lack of roads through the region made travel difficult. The township was named after Benjamin Vaughan, a British commissioner who signed a peace treaty with the United States in 1783. Despite the hardships of pioneer life, settlers came to Vaug

Getting there

By plane The City of Vaughan is served mainly by Toronto Pearson International Airport. From Pearson Airport, you could use several methods to reach Vaughan. By automobile, you would take 409 East, exit onto Highway 401 East, and then take Highway 400 North, and after that, it depends where you need to go. Alternatively, if you only need to get to the west side of Vaughan, you could take Highway 427 North from the airport instead. Using public transit, you could take GO Bus 40 (Hamilton-Richmond Hill Centre), which goes from Terminal One to Highway 407 Station, and transfer onto local transit, the subway, or another GO Bus if required. A few flights also arrive at Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport in downtown Toronto. From Billy Bishop, there are several methods to reach Vaughan. By automobile, you take Gardiner Expy West, 427 North, then 401 East, then 400 North, and after that, depends on where you need to go. Alternatively, if you only need to get to the west side of Vaughan, you could just continue on Highway 427 northbound. Using public transit, you could take the subway, which is cheaper, or the GO commuter train, which is faster. For the subway, take Line 1 north towards Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Vaughan is served by two stations. Vaughan Metropolitan Centre is the terminus and where the "new downtown" is, and has connections to local VIVA rapid transit as well as other local buses. Highway 407 Station has connections to regional GO Buses. For the commuter train, take the Barrie Line. Two stations are in Vaughan, which are Maple GO and Rutherford GO. When trains are not running, GO buses replace the service. General aviation can land at the Brampton-Caledon Airport, about 30 mins by car west of Vaughan.

By train The City of Vaughan is only served by GO Transit commuter rail. If a traveller is looking to arrive using Via Rail, one must transfer to either GO Transit, or other forms of transportation to get to Vaughan. Within the city of Vaughan are two GO stations: 1 Rutherford GO Station and 2 Maple GO Station, all part of the Barrie Line. Barrie Line goes south to Union Station or north to Barrie. From Toronto, take the Barrie Line north to either Rutherford or Maple stations. From Barrie, take the Barrie line south to either Rutherford or Maple Stations. From either east or west, one must transfer at Toronto's Union Station in order to take the Barrie line.

By car Three major freeways run through Vaughan: Highway 400, Highway 427, and Highway 407 ETR. Highway 400 goes north/south towards Barrie and Toronto. Highway 427 goes north/south a

Getting around

Vaughan is a relatively large city, however, it is sparse compared to neighbouring Toronto. Getting around is usually best with a car, however, you may cycle or take the bus.

Transit Vaughan is served by the York Region's Transit system (YRT and VIVA) as well as the provincial GO Transit. Some ZUM (Brampton Transit) routes also enter Vaughan.

Fare Payment Fare payment on York Region Transit (YRT) busses can be accepted in the following forms:

Cash (C$4.50 — effective July 1, 2025) Credit & Debit (C$4.50 — effective July 1, 2025) Visa Mastercard American Express Interac® Debit Visa Debit Debit Mastercard Apple Pay Google Pay PRESTO card (C$4.12 — effective July 1, 2025) Can be downloaded to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for free through the PRESTO App Physical card can be purchased for C$4.00, with a minimum C$0.05 load, in person at: Shoppers Drug Mart locations Customer Service Outlets Ticket Vending Machine (at select GO Transit and UP Express stations) PRESTO cards can also be bought online through the PRESTO card website Delivery will take 7 to 10 business days. PRESTO E-Ticket (C$4.12 — effective July 1, 2025) Download the PRESTO App on your mobile device through the App Store or Google Play. Create an account in the PRESTO App. Purchase an e-ticket for the fare type that is appropriate for you. You may be asked for proof of age. Expiry Date: All E-Tickets will expire one year after you buy them. Activate your e-ticket before boarding the bus. Open the PRESTO App, select the e-ticket you wish to use and tap "Activate". Your e-ticket will activate immediately. Once activated, scan the ticket's QR code on a PRESTO device at a vivastation or on board the bus using the barcode reader.

Local Recommendation If you are planning on visiting Toronto or the surrounding regions, fare payment in 2026 is relatively straightforward. All regional services are integrated using the One Fare Program which means that transferring between the different regional services will incur only the maximum of all individual fares within the two-hour transfer window (GO Transit services will allow for a three-hour window). You can use your credit or debit card with ease, but if you cannot use your cards in Canada and are willing to spend a few minutes it can be worthwhile to download the PRESTO app and set up your PRESTO card as there is a discount ranging from ~9-15% per fare.

York Region Transit York Region Transit is the main local transit agency. It operates in Vaughan, and in neighbouring Richmond Hill, King, and the rest of York Region. Click the link fo

See

1 McMichael Canadian Art Gallery, 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, ☏ +1 905-893-1121, toll-free: +1 888-213-1121. Daily 10AM-4PM, closed Dec 25. Renowned for its devotion to collecting and exhibiting only Canadian art, the McMichael permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Inuit and other artists who have made a contribution to Canada’s artistic heritage. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is the only major public art gallery devoted solely to the collecting and exhibiting of Canadian art. The gallery offers visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy Canadian landscape paintings in the woodland setting that inspired them. Adult $20, senior $17, 25 and under $7, child 5 and under free, parking $7. (updated Jan 2023) 2 Woodbridge Fairgrounds, ☏ +1 905-265-1782, fax: +1 905-265-9231, [email protected]. (updated Mar 2016) Baitul Islam Mosque, 10610 Jane Street, Maple, ☏ +1 905-303-4000 (ext 2246). Headquarters of the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim community. (updated Jun 2018) 3 Reptilia Zoo, 2501 Rutherford Rd, ☏ +1 905-761-6223, [email protected]. Daily 10AM-6PM, holidays 10AM-5PM. A 25,000 sq ft Reptile Zoo and Education Centre near Vaughan Mills and Canada's Wonderland. Over 250 reptiles, amphibians, and a few arachnids. Adults 13-64 $17, child 2-12 $12, senior 65+ $14, infants under 2 free. (updated Jun 2018) 4 J. E. H. MacDonald House, 121 Centre St, Thornhill (at Yonge St), ☏ +1 905-832-2281. Once the home of famed Canadian painter, J.E.H. MacDonald, a founding member of the Group of Seven and his accomplished son, illustrator Thoreau MacDonald. The house is now used as an event space. (updated Jun 2018)

Do

1 Canada's Wonderland, 1 Canada's Wonderland Drive (YRT bus 760 from GO bus terminal at Finch subway station), ☏ +1 905-832-8131. A theme park that is open seasonally from May to October and contains more than 200 attractions. 17 roller coasters, 20 acre (8 hectare) waterpark. (updated Apr 2020)

2 Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr (Exit on Rutherford Dr from Highway 400), ☏ +1 905-832-2289. Daily 9:30AM–4PM. A modern wildlife conservation centre that has hiking, workshops, and encounters with the wildlife. (updated Dec 2017) Boyd Conservation Area, a park between Woodbridge and Kleinburg southeast of the intersection of Islington Avenue and Rutherford Road. North Maple Regional Park, 11805 Keele Street. A 900-acre park that used to be landfill. (updated Feb 2021)

Buy

Vaughan has been called Canada's best shopping city numerous times.

1 Promenade. In the east of the city, at the corner of Bathurst St. and Centre St. It has 290,000 sq ft. of retail space with over 175 retailers. Anchors include, T & T Supermarket, The Children's Place, Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters, Coach, and the second Aroma Espresso Bar in Canada. Movie theatre operated by Rainbow Cinema. (updated Dec 2017) 2 Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Concord (Rutherford-Highway 400), ☏ +1 905-879-2110. M-Sa 10AM-9PM; Su 11AM-7PM. Large outlet mall adjacent to Canada's Wonderland in central Vaughan, with 1.2 million sq ft of indoor shopping, an outdoor power centre area and 15 anchor stores, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, H&M, The Children's Place, Holt Renfrew Last Call, Tommy Hilfiger, and Urban Behaviour. Legoland Discovery Centre is available for entertainment, and food court and full-service dining options are available. The mall is open on most statutory holidays; a shuttle bus is run to Toronto's Union Station June-Sept and during the month before Christmas. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Market Lane Shopping Centre, 140 Woodbridge Ave (exit on Islington Blvd from Highway 7; turn on Woodbridge Ave), ☏ +1 905-51-6611. In the city's west end. (updated Dec 2017)

Eat

1 Romano's Restaurant, 830 Rowntree Dairy Road, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-850-9604, [email protected]. M-F 11:30AM-3PM, Tu-Sa 5:30PM-10PM. Upscale Italian. (updated Jun 2018) 2 Siamese Thai Cuisine, 200 Whitmore Rd, Unit 11-12, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-856-7288. M-Th 11:30AM-9:30PM, F 11:30AM-10:30PM, Sa 4:30PM-10:30PM, Su 4:30PM-9:30PM. Dishes $12-19, lunch specials $10-12. (updated Jun 2018) 3 Churrasqueira Red Rooster, 2354 Major MacKenzie Dr # 1, Maple, ☏ +1 905-417-0074. Su M 11AM-8PM, Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM. Portuguese-style dishes. Grilled & rotisserie chicken, parisienne potatoes, rice and homemade Piri Piri sauce. Mains $13.50-23, sandwiches $7.50-8. (updated Jun 2018)

Drink & nightlife

Luxy Nightclub, 60 Interchange Way, Concord. One of the few (maybe only) nightclubs in Vaughan. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

Concord 1 Pinecrest Motel, 2641 Hwy 7, Concord, ☏ +1 905-669-1928. A motel. Access to VIVA Rapidway. (updated Feb 2020)

Vaughan Mills 2 Novotel Toronto Vaughan, 200 Bass Pro Mills Drive, toll-free: +1 905-660-0212. 3-star hotel. Right next to Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and Highway 400. 3 Aloft Vaughan Mills, 151 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan, ☏ +1 905-695-0500. 3-star hotel. Right next to Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and Highway 400. (updated Feb 2020)

Kleinburg 4 Kleinburg Inn, 9770 Highway 27, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-893-1403. The only lodging in Kleinburg. (It's in Woodbridge but it's closer to Kleinburg.) 2-star hotel. At the intersection of Highway 27 and Major Mackenzie Drive. (updated Feb 2020)

Maple There are no hotels in Maple.

Thornhill 5 Liberty Suites Hotel, 7191 Yonge St #1201, Thornhill, ☏ +1 905-604-9400. It's in Markham on the border between Markham and Vaughan. 3-star hotel. Close to Steeles Avenue and Toronto. (updated Feb 2020)

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre A cluster of hotels are located around the Highway 400 and Highway 407 interchange. They are near Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station and Viva Rapidway.

6 Courtyard by Mariott, 150 Interchange Way, Concord, ☏ +1 905-660-9938. 3-star hotel. Double from $140. (updated Feb 2020) 7 Residence Inn by Mariott, 11 Interchange Way, Vaughan, ☏ +1 905-695-4002. 3-star hotel. (updated Feb 2020) 8 Hilton Garden Inn, 3201 Hwy 7, Vaughan, ☏ +1 905-660-4700. 3-star hotel. (updated Feb 2020) 9 Monte Carlo Inn, 705 Applewood Crescent, Concord, ☏ +1 905-761-7170. 3-star hotel. (updated Feb 2020) 10 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 618 Applewood Crescent, ☏ +1 905-760-1660. 3-star hotel. (updated Feb 2020) 11 Springhill Suites by Mariott, 612 Applewood Crescent, Vaughan, ☏ +1 905-760-9960. 3-star hotel. (updated Feb 2020)

Woodbridge 12 New Woodbine Hotel, 7242 Highway 27, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-851-2876. A motel. Right next to Highway 407 ETR as well as a cemetery. Also near Highway 427. (updated Feb 2020) 13 Holiday Inn Express, 6100 Hwy 7, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-851-1510. 3-star hotel. At Highway 7 and Highway 27 intersection. Near Highway 427. (updated Feb 2020) 14 Element Vaughan Southwest, 6170 Hwy 7, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-264-6474. 3-star hotel. At Highway 7 and Highway 27 intersection. Near Highway 427. (updated Feb 2020) 15 Vaughan Inn, 6700 Hwy 7, Woodbridge, ☏ +1 905-951-2831. 2-star hotel. At Highway 7 and Highway 50 intersection. Near Highway 427. (updated Feb 2020)

South These two hotels are at the southern border of the city with Toronto. They also happen to be in differ

Go next

West:

Brampton, another suburban community of Toronto Caledon, a rural municipality north of Brampton East:

Richmond Hill Markham North:

King South:

Toronto Take public transit to Downtown Toronto. The region is a gateway to Southern Ontario with tourist attractions including Niagara Falls, Ontario Wine Country and the Niagara Escarpment. Take a day trip to Lake Simcoe or Lake Wilcox. Many parks are located nearby.