March 10, 2021

U of T Students: A Complete Guide to College & Spadina

Living at Waverley puts you five-minutes away from the University of Toronto's St. George Campus. 

For students that are choosing to make Waverley their next home, we have put together a complete guide for navigating College & Spadina by foot. 

Where to Shop

College & Spadina is central to some of the most unique shopping experiences in all of Toronto. U of T art and architecture students are just down the street from Gwartzman's Art Supplies, which has been at the same Spadina Avenue location for over 75 years. The U of T bookstore is a five-minute walk away and you can access Canada Computers or Jump+ in half that time for all your electronic needs. With Kensington Market just steps away, you also have easy access to the Blue Banana Market, which is home to plenty of unique gifts, novelties, and housewares to fit every personality and style. Be sure to check out Exile and Bungalow for vintage clothing and other items.

Where to Get Groceries

When you need to do a full grocery run, the Metro at Bloor & Spadina or the FreshCo at Bathurst & Nassau have you covered. Both can be reached on foot in less than 15-minutes from Waverley. For specialty food items, OM Markets, Caribbean Corner, and Perola's Supermarket are all less than a 10-minute walk from Waverley and easily accessible on your way home from a day of classes. For healthier options, organic food and produce can be found at Little Green Planet and Essence of Life Organics, both less than a 10 minute stroll from Waverley. 

Where to Study

Looking for a quiet place to study off-campus? Waverley's co-working space is yours to use anytime, but there are also several great study-spots nearby. The Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library is just a few minutes from Waverley and features an inviting and historic circular interior with private desks for quiet reading. 5 Elements Espresso Bar is located just north of campus and is another popular study spot, featuring segmented sections of cozy seating areas so you can study alone or with friends, all while enjoying a hot drink and delicious baked goods. 

Where to Unwind

After a long week of classes, you will be thankful for the number of entertainment options located around College and Spadina. Grossman's Tavern is well-known for its live blues and jazz, while Trinity Common is a must-try if you dig craft beer, mouthwatering pub food, and amazing tunes. For a small cover charge, Free to Play Toronto offers all-you-can-play arcade and console games, plus a large selection of craft beers. You also must check out the legendary El Mocambo, one of Toronto's most iconic live music venues playing host to some of the hottest music acts in the world.