Located in the west end of Toronto, the Kingsway is a charming and affluent neighbourhood known for its tree-lined streets, beautiful homes, and excellent amenities. If you’re looking for fun things to do in the Kingsway, here are some of the best activities and attractions to explore.

• Shop and dine along Bloor Street West

Bloor Street West is the main commercial hub of the Kingsway, offering a wide range of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The Kingsway Business Improvement Area (BIA) organization has done a tremendous job over the years to build up this part of the Kingsway into a premium shopping destination. The street is home to over 30 different restaurants and a plethora of different shops including hair and nail salons, boutique clothing stores, and cozy café hangouts. Some of the best restaurants in the Kingsway are located along Bloor Street West including Azarias, the Old Sod, and Kingsway Fish & Chips.

• Visit the historic Montgomery’s Inn Museum

Montgomery’s Inn was originally built in 1832 by Thomas Montgomery, an Irish immigrant who saw an opportunity to open a successful business in the growing village of Etobicoke. The inn quickly became a popular stop for travelers on the nearby Dundas Street, offering food, drink, and lodging for weary travelers. Today, Montgomery’s Inn has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public as a museum and event space. Visitors can explore the various rooms and exhibits, including the tavern, kitchen, and bedrooms, all of which have been furnished with period-appropriate furniture and décor.

• Stay the night at the Old Mill Hotel

The Old Mill Tea Garden Restaurant was founded by Robert Home Smith in 1914, next to the ruins of an old grist mill on the Humber River. The Old Mill was originally a sawmill and lumberyard, but it quickly became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Over the years, the building was expanded and converted into a hotel and restaurant, featuring elegant dining rooms, luxurious accommodations, and stunning views of the nearby Humber River.

Today, the Old Mill is still a popular destination for visitors to the Kingsway. The hotel features 57 guest rooms and suites, each one featuring luxurious amenities and period-appropriate décor. In addition to the hotel and restaurant, the Old Mill also has a full-service spa, offering a range of treatments and services to help guests relax and unwind.

• Catch a show at the Kingsway Theatre

Built in 1939, the Kingsway Theatre has been a fixture of the community for over 80 years, offering residents and visitors a unique and memorable movie-going experience. The Kingsway Theatre is a beautiful Art Deco building, featuring stunning architecture and intricate details that are sure to impress. Despite its age, the Kingsway Theatre has kept up with the times, offering movie-goers a wide variety of films, from Hollywood blockbusters to indie gems to foreign films. The theatre also hosts special events and screenings, including classic movies, live performances, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors.

• Partake in a culture and nature discovery walk at the Redwing Institute

Learn about Ontario’s Indigenous history and culture by participating in a culture and nature discovery walk at the Redwing Institute. On this three hour guided journey, you will learn about the Indigenous way of life and how to harness key cultural concepts that have kept Toronto’s Indigenous Peoples grounded and flourishing for thousands of years. The tour explores the Humber river valley that Toronto’s first inhabitants established as a trade route and called home. The culture and nature discovery walk brings to life the Indigenous Peoples’ culture and history through the tradition of oral storytelling, food sampling, music, and more.

• Grab a drink at the Old Sod Pub

Opening its doors in 1975, the Old Sod has been a staple of the Kingsway community for decades. The Old Sod is an authentic Irish pub where people can come to unwind, have fun, enjoy live music, and have a good time. The menu is comprised of classic pub fare with plenty of old favourites. If you venture to the pub’s back entrance, you will find the Bellows BBQ. Named after one of the co-owners’ dogs, Bellows BBQ was a project started amidst the pandemic lockdowns in order for the Old Sod to keep their business thriving. Bellows has been a smash hit and is now a key fixture of the Old Sod with smoked brisket and smoked chicken wings being some of the most popular menu items.

• Enjoy a day of shopping at the Kingsway Mills Shopping Centre

If you are in the north end of The Kingsway, you have to stop by the Kingsway Mills Shopping Centre on Dundas Street West and Royal York Road. This outdoor plaza has several shopping and food options including Mastermind Toys, Starbucks, Magoo’s, and Bruno’s Fine Foods grocery store. Bruno’s is a longstanding Kingsway institution and is where many residents do most of their grocery shopping. The Kingsway Mills Shopping Centre is one representation of the thriving business community in the Kingsway. Many local businesses in the Kingsway and across Etobicoke can benefit from renting self-storage units to help store inventory, documents, and other business-related items. Storwell provides high quality self-storage units in Etobicoke and has a location on Evans Avenue, just a short drive south of the Kingsway neighbourhood.    

• Connect with the community at the Taste of the Kingsway

The Taste of the Kingsway is South Etobicoke’s largest street festival. The festival, which has been running for over 20 years, takes place over three days in early September and celebrates the diverse cuisine, culture, and community of the Kingsway. The Taste of the Kingsway attracts thousands of visitors each year, who come to sample delicious food from local restaurants, enjoy live music performances, and participate in a range of fun activities for all ages. The festival is a great opportunity for local businesses and organizations to showcase their products and services. Many local businesses set up booths along the festival route, offering visitors a chance to learn more about what the Kingsway community has to offer.

• Have a day of rest and relaxation at the Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Located just minutes away from the Royal York subway station, the Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa offers a range of massage and facial treatments that are designed to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and improve overall wellness. At the Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, clients can choose from a variety of massage techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, and the signature hot stone massage. Each massage is tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, ensuring a personalized experience that leaves clients feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. In addition to massage, the spa also offers a range of facial treatments that are designed to improve the health and appearance of the skin.

• Get creative at All Fired Up- Paintable Ceramics

All Fired Up is a paint-your-own ceramics studio located on Brentwood Road in the heart of the Kingsway. The studio offers a unique experience for people of all ages to express their creativity and make lasting memories. At All Fired Up, customers can choose from a wide selection of ceramic pieces to paint, including mugs, plates, bowls, figurines, and seasonal items. The studio provides all the necessary supplies, including paints, brushes, stencils, and design books, and offers guidance and assistance to ensure that every customer creates a beautiful and unique piece. The studio is perfect for a variety of occasions, such as birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or just a fun day out with friends and family.th

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Kingsway offers plenty of activities and attractions to explore. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful and bustling neighbourhood. Plan a visit to the Kingsway today and discover everything that this wonderful neighbourhood has to offer.