A Lifelong Local’s Guide to the Best of Vaughan

As a born-and-raised Vaughan resident, I’ve seen this community grow and change like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve discovered hidden gems, found tried-and-true favourites, and have come to know the community inside and out.

Now, I’m sharing what I’ve learned over the years so you can enjoy the best of Vaughan every single day, whether you’re already a local or you want to be one soon!

Neighbourhoods You’ll Love

Whether you’re buying as a family, a retiree, a commuter, or a young professional, there’s a community for you here in Vaughan. I’d personally recommend Maple–I’ve been a local since 1993, so I can’t help but give it a shout-out! Or the equally awesome Woodbridge area. See what neighbourhoods best suit your lifestyle and budget with my comprehensive Vaughan Neighbourhood List.

Where to Eat–and Eat, and Eat!

If I could get my own designated seat at any restaurant in town, it would be Grazie on Jane Street–the food and drinks never disappoint! Their original location at Yonge and Eglinton is almost too conveniently located around the corner from my investment condo at 23 Glebe. You could be there for lunch, dinner, or having some wine and appetizers while you watch the game at the bar, no matter what, Grazie is the place to enjoy fantastic food and great company.

Head over to 255 by Alta Rossa for their seriously addicting polenta fries, crème brûlée, and coconut cream pie, all made in-house by their family team. Fun Fact: Alta Rossa means “tall red” in Italian, which makes total sense as soon as you meet the owner!

Almost right across from Wonderland is Pho Vaughan, my go-to place for Vietnamese soups and dishes. And finally, there’s Greek Brothers over at Weston Road and Langstaff, where you can happily fill up on chicken souvlaki pitas. The food is generously and quickly served, perfect for when you need to grab a bite to eat while you’re out with the kids or running errands!

Brewed & Baked

One stop at Coffee Culture will have you asking, Starbucks who? With Wi-Fi, organic coffee, and a nice selection of wraps, soups, sandwiches, and baked goods (try the pistachio muffins!), it’s the perfect place to get some work done or catch up with a friend over coffee.

The next time you’re on dessert duty, Patisserie V. Marie is the place to go! This Parisian style boutique is a hidden gem, with French-inspired pastries, out-of-this-world macarons, one-of-a-kind desserts, and an unreal panettone that they sell around Christmastime.

Once you visit Emily’s Bakery at Weston Road and Davos Road, you’ll never buy your bread anywhere else. They have the best French sticks, ciabatta, buns, hot pepper bread, and olive bread in the area.

Go Big or Go Boutique

Vaughan Mills is most likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about shopping in Vaughan, and while I love having such a wide selection of stores there and at the Hillcrest Mall, let’s not forget the independent shops! White Cherry Boutique in Kleinburg has an amazing curated collection of everything from swimwear and lingerie to evening wear and jewelry. They’ve dressed me for so many events, they’re practically my second closet.

For the Dogs

When it comes to pet care, you want to find a place where you and your dog feel comfortable. I’ve been bringing my dog Simba to Pet Pleasers for grooming and daycare since we got him 10 years ago, and they’re always so happy to see him. It immediately puts me at ease knowing that he’s in good, loving hands. 

Green Space Galore

One thing I love about Vaughan is the mix of suburbia and green space; you can live within walking distance to parks and trails without having to sacrifice the convenience of city living. If that’s up your alley, then I recommend neighbourhoods like Woodbridge Highlands or Sonoma, which are both close to Boyd Conservation Park and its 17 picnic sites and 7 kilometres of hiking trails.

There’s also Maple’s Mackenzie Glen community–built around its namesake, Mackenzie Glen Park–which has tons of room for picnics, games, and a children’s playground and splashpad. Kortright Centre is the place to go for the Sugarbush Maple Festival. You can also hike around or join one of their environmental programs (for kids or adults!) to learn more about conservation. Plus, the newly-opened North Maple Regional Park gives us even more to explore with over 200 acres of green space and 5 kilometres of walking trails.

And when you can’t get out to the trails for your run, you can still get your workout in at Shred 905! They have some of the best spin class instructors out there–especially the owner, Maria.

Events Worth Marking Your Calendar For

Two words: Pizza. Festival. That’s right, Vaughan’s Pizza Fest is a three-day summer celebration of everyone’s favourite Italian pie! With ‘80s jams, live music, beer, and contests, this festival feels like a big community reunion and is always good for a laugh.

You’ll find craft exhibitors, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and entertainment every September at the Binder Twine Festival in Kleinburg, a long-running tradition that began in the 1800s. You can also watch the annual Santa Claus Parade in Maple, celebrate Canada Day at North Maple Regional Park, see tribute bands perform during the Concerts in the Park series every summer, and get in on the Maple Syrup Festival at the beautiful Kortright Centre.

Commuting Made Easy–Well, Easier

You’re not limited to just one road in and out of the area; you can get to the 427 or 404 in 15 minutes, and the 400 is pretty much at your doorstep. The expansion of the 427 north of Highway 7 is about to make commuting to West Vaughan a lot easier too, especially if you’re heading to the Kleinburg-Nobleton-Bolton area.

Add in the plans for the LRT along Highway 7, GO Transit’s cross-GTA access, the TTC subway access via Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station and the YRT transit system, and you’ve got yourself a fully accessible community!

And It’s Only Getting Better!

Vaughan is constantly growing and thriving, with new real estate developments popping up on the regular. Canada’s first smart hospital, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, is set to open here in 2020. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, as well as the area around Weston Road and Highway 7, is set to be redeveloped into a thriving area by 2031 with commercial office space, residences, retail spaces, venues, and a transit hub.

Neighbourhoods like Old Maple are seeing a lot of tear-downs and renovations of their ‘50s homes, while developers like Countrywide Homes are creating brand-new communities, including the eight new communities in the works for Vaughan and the two new developments coming soon to Woodbridge.

Developments like Charisma Condos at Vaughan Mills or Park Avenue Place at Jane Street and Rutherford Road offer unique condo living experiences, perfect for first-time buyers, right-sizers, or investors! Speaking of investing, Vaughan now recognizes secondary suites, making it legal to have a basement apartment rental if you have the legal permits and inspections completed. Did somebody say income property?

If you’re ready to find your next home in Vaughan–or want to meet to learn more about the area–let’s talk! Give me a call at 416-550-7555 or reach out at Lisa@LisaSinopoli.com.