The Central Oshawa directory.

A long-loved Italian trattoria in downtown Oshawa — handmade pasta and classic plates on the King Street dining strip.

Local pick: Handmade pasta downtown

An upscale steakhouse and wine bar downtown — steaks, seafood and a strong wine list, popular before events at the arena.

Local pick: A steak and a glass before the game

A great downtown spot at 104 King Street East — pub fare, drinks and a friendly room in the centre of Oshawa.

Local pick: A pint in the heart of downtown

The King and Ritson corridor near Five Points holds casual restaurants and cafés serving the central neighbourhoods.

Local pick: A casual meal in central Oshawa

The restaurants around the Oshawa Centre on King West — roadhouse grills, patios and the mall's food hall serving central-west Oshawa.

Local pick: Wings and a patio after shopping

A 1.2-million-square-foot super-regional mall (since 1956) — Hudson's Bay, Uniqlo, Sephora, lululemon, Indigo, Sport Chek and hundreds of stores and restaurants.

Local pick: Durham's fashion and entertainment hub

The historic downtown at King and Simcoe — heritage storefronts, independent shops, cafés, the Genosha and the city's arts and civic core.

Local pick: Heritage storefronts and the market

A central Oshawa shopping mall at King and Ritson — grocery, services and everyday retail for the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Local pick: Everyday shopping in central Oshawa

The Stevenson Road plazas serve the McLaughlin community with grocery, pharmacy and everyday services.

Local pick: Everyday errands in the west

A Durham DSB public secondary school near downtown on Simcoe Street, with academics, arts and athletics serving central Oshawa.

Local pick: A historic downtown collegiate

A Durham DSB public secondary school in the McLaughlin community, named for the auto pioneer, serving central-west Oshawa.

Local pick: The west-side collegiate

A Durham DSB public secondary school serving the central Oshawa neighbourhoods, with a range of academic programs.

Local pick: A central public high school

A Durham Catholic DSB secondary school serving central Oshawa's Catholic families, grades 9 through 12.

Local pick: A central Catholic secondary

Downtown Oshawa's arena and event centre — home of the OHL's Oshawa Generals, plus concerts and shows year-round.

Local pick: Oshawa Generals hockey and concerts

One of Ontario's leading public galleries at the Civic Centre — a strong collection (including Painters Eleven) and rotating exhibitions.

Local pick: Painters Eleven and changing shows

The grand 1917 estate of auto magnate R.S. McLaughlin — a 55-room mansion, formal gardens and fountains, a National Historic Site open for tours and events.

Local pick: The McLaughlin mansion and formal gardens

Landscaped botanical gardens along the Oshawa Creek valley near downtown — peony collections, the Kinsmen gardens and creekside trails.

Local pick: The peony festival in June

A central-west recreation complex with a pool, fitness centre, arenas and program space serving the McLaughlin and central communities.

Local pick: Lane swim and the fitness centre