19 researched places across 4 pockets — restaurants, shops, schools and parks.
One of Ajax's most popular Italian restaurants, open over 20 years in historic Pickering Village — handmade pasta and classic plates in a heritage setting.
Local pick: Pasta in the historic village
Traditional German and Hungarian fare in the cobblestone courtyard of historic Pickering Village — schnitzel, goulash and old-world hospitality.
Local pick: Schnitzel in the courtyard
A Chinese restaurant that has served Pickering Village for over 40 years — classic Cantonese plates and a loyal local following.
Local pick: A 40-year village institution
A popular Indian restaurant on Kingston Road serving tandoori grills, curries and fresh naan for central and east Ajax.
Local pick: Tandoori and butter chicken
The plazas along Audley Road serve the Audley community with casual restaurants, cafés and takeout near the recreation centre.
Local pick: Quick meals near the rec centre
An eclectic mix of old and new at Old Kingston and Church — Tudor architecture around a cobblestone courtyard, with boutiques, salons, spas, bakeries and ice cream.
Local pick: Boutiques in the cobblestone courtyard
A large big-box retail centre at Kingston and Harwood — grocery, department and home stores, dining and services for central Ajax.
Local pick: One-stop big-box shopping
The Westney Road plazas serve the Westney Heights community with grocery, pharmacy and everyday services.
Local pick: Everyday errands on Westney
The growing plazas around Audley and Kingston serve the newer east-central community with grocery and everyday services.
Local pick: New plazas in the east end
A long-established Durham DSB public secondary school on Church Street in Pickering Village (despite its name, located in Ajax), with strong academics and athletics.
Local pick: A historic public high school
A Durham DSB public secondary school serving central Ajax, with a range of academic and specialty programs.
Local pick: A central Ajax collegiate
A Durham Catholic DSB secondary school serving Ajax's Catholic families, grades 9 through 12.
Local pick: Ajax's Catholic secondary
A Durham DSB JK–8 public elementary serving the Westney Heights community in central Ajax.
Local pick: The Westney Heights catchment
A Durham Catholic DSB JK–8 elementary serving the Audley and east-central Ajax communities.
Local pick: A newer Catholic elementary
Ajax's newest state-of-the-art community centre — a six-lane 25 m lap pool, leisure pool with therapy jets, gymnasium, a 500-person hall, fitness and studios.
Local pick: The lap pool and leisure pool
A central community recreation centre with arenas, a pool and program space serving the heart of Ajax near Pickering Village.
Local pick: Arenas and the central pool
Ajax's downtown civic square by the GO station — an outdoor skating rink in winter, splash features in summer, and community events year-round.
Local pick: Skating and events downtown
A community park in Westney Heights with sports fields, playgrounds and walking paths serving the central neighbourhoods.
Local pick: Sports fields and a playground
A district park serving the growing Audley community — sports fields, playgrounds and trails beside the recreation centre.
Local pick: Ball diamonds and trails