64% say nothing gets them to travel to downtown Toronto anymore: poll

For decades, downtown Toronto has been the undisputed destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and major events in the GTA.

If you wanted the best restaurants, the biggest concerts or a day of shopping, there was really only one place to go.

But that may be changing.

A recent INsauga poll suggests many GTA residents no longer see downtown Toronto as their go-to destination.

More than 4,391 people voted in the poll, which asked a simple question:

“What is the only thing that gets you to travel to downtown Toronto?”

The results were difficult to ignore.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64 per cent (2,810 votes), chose “Nothing anymore.”

It wasn’t just the top answer. It received more votes than every other option combined.

Among those who still make the trip, sports remained the biggest draw, with 10.7 per cent (468 votes) saying professional games are what bring them downtown.

Concerts followed at 8 per cent (353 votes), while 6.5 per cent (284 votes) said theatre was their main reason for visiting.

Festivals and events came in at 5.6 per cent (245 votes).

Perhaps the biggest surprise was how far restaurants and shopping have fallen as reasons to travel into the city’s core.

Only 3.1 per cent (136 votes) said restaurants are what bring them downtown, while shopping finished last at 2.2 per cent (95 votes).

Although the poll is not a scientific survey, it raises an interesting question:

Has downtown Toronto become a destination people visit only for major occasions instead of everyday experiences?

The answer may have less to do with Toronto itself and more to do with how the rest of the GTA has evolved.

Over the past decade, communities across the region have invested heavily in their own downtowns, waterfronts, restaurant districts and entertainment venues, giving residents more reasons than ever to stay close to home.

Hamilton is a perfect example. Once known primarily as a steel city, Hamilton has transformed into one of Ontario’s fastest-growing culinary destinations, with acclaimed independent restaurants, breweries and cafés drawing visitors from across the region. The city has also strengthened its entertainment offering through the revitalized TD Coliseum, which regularly hosts major concerts, comedy shows and live events that once almost exclusively landed in downtown Toronto.

Mississauga is experiencing a similar evolution. While Port Credit has become one of the GTA’s premier waterfront destinations with its growing collection of independent restaurants, cafés, patios and festivals, the city’s downtown is also undergoing a major transformation. The Square One district is expected to welcome dozens of new restaurants, entertainment venues and public spaces over the coming years as part of the area’s ongoing redevelopment, further establishing Mississauga City Centre as a destination in its own right.

Oakville’s downtown along Trafalgar Road and Lakeshore Road has also become one of the region’s most desirable destinations. Its walkable streets, upscale restaurants, boutique shopping, waterfront parks and vibrant patio scene continue to attract visitors looking for an evening out without travelling into Toronto.

In Burlington, the Spencer Smith Park waterfront has become a regional attraction in its own right, hosting major festivals, concerts and community events throughout the year while the surrounding downtown restaurant scene continues to expand.

The growth of these communities means many GTA residents no longer have to travel into Toronto to enjoy a great meal, attend a festival or spend an evening by the water.

At the same time, getting to downtown Toronto has become more challenging.

Traffic congestion on major highways continues to worsen, parking can be expensive, and while public transit remains an option, many suburban residents still face lengthy commutes involving multiple transfers or long travel times.

The rise of hybrid and remote work has also changed travel patterns. With fewer people commuting into Toronto every day, many are now spending more of their leisure time in the communities where they live, supporting local restaurants, festivals and businesses closer to home.

None of this suggests downtown Toronto is losing its importance. It remains Canada’s largest employment centre and home to many of the country’s biggest sporting events, concerts, theatre productions and cultural institutions.

But the poll may point to a broader shift taking place across the GTA.

Cities such as Mississauga, Hamilton, Oakville and Burlington are no longer simply suburbs of Toronto. They have become destinations in their own right, investing in vibrant downtowns, waterfronts, restaurant scenes and entertainment districts that continue to attract residents and visitors alike.

Twenty years ago, a great meal, a major concert or a night out often meant driving into downtown Toronto.

Today, many of those same experiences can be found much closer to home.

As these communities continue to grow, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: downtown Toronto is no longer the GTA’s only destination. It is now one of many.