The Most Fun Things to Do in Mississauga, Ontario: How to Enjoy This Underrated Canadian City
When it comes down to it, there really are no shortage of fun things to do in Mississauga. Especially if you arrive in the city ready to explore and truly discover what makes Mississauga unique.
Having grown up in Toronto, I spent my whole life literally right beside Mississauga. I came to the city here and there (most notably to catch flights from Pearson), but I never arrived in the city with the intent to explore.
It was travelling around Europe that gave me the impetus to come back to Ontario and explore with more intention. I decided that this summer I was going to plan the ultimate Mississauga staycation and to finally give this city a real chance. The very fact that I’m writing this article will suggest that, once there, I really appreciated what I found.
When I was posting on social about my visit, I had followers galore messaging me and asking a variation of the same question. That question was - “wait, this is in Mississauga?”
That leads me to believe that far too many people haven’t yet given this city the proper chance. If you know where to look and decide to explore with intention, then there’s plenty here that I’m sure you’re going to enjoy.
Today, I’ll walk you through how to do just that!
About Mississauga, Ontario
You’ll find Mississauga on the shores of Lake Ontario, roughly a half an hour drive from Toronto. Many people are unaware of the fact that Mississauga is actually the 6th most populous municipality in the country (and 3rd in Ontario).
Mississauga isn’t your prototypical city. In a lot of respects, it’s much more like an amalgamation of smaller cities, villages, and hamlets within a particular region. That makes it intriguing to explore because, though places like Port Credit and Streetsville feel very different from each other, they’re technically part of the same city. It’s also quite a large area, so you can experience a great diversity of experiences all under one umbrella.
One minute you’re having a beer on a patio, and the length you’re in a conservation area!
I would also like to acknowledge that Mississauga is situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Anishinaabeg people, including the Mississauga.
Please note: this post may contain some affiliate links. That means, simply, that I may get commissions from some of my recommendations at zero extra cost to you.
Some Really Fun Things to do in Mississauga, Ontario!
There are ample opportunities to have fun in Mississauga.
Simply put, there are places to visit in Mississauga for everyone, and, in particular, I’m also not sure if people fully recognize the outdoor opportunities available here.
Here’s what I’d recommend for your visit!
Spend Time in Streetsville
Streetsville is located in the northwestern corner of the city of Mississauga. They’re known (rather fittingly, I think), as “The Village in the City.” It’s home to the largest concentration of historic buildings in Mississauga. Believe it or not, there are over 300 unique restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops and more!
People often say that Streetsville very nicely blends the old world charm of a village with the benefits associated with city life (ample shopping, always something going on etc.)
Streetsville is one of the most picturesque parts of Mississauga without a doubt. I’d actually recommend taking your time and walking up and down Queen Street and seeing which businesses are up your alley. They’ve got a handy little business directory if you’re keen to do some research beforehand. Note that you can search by category so, for example, you can see that there are 42 restaurants listed there. Not bad for a place with a population of under 50 thousand, that’s for sure!
Two restaurants that you might want to keep on your radar include Goodfellas Wood Oven Pizza and El Mariachi Tacos and Churros. However, since I’m a tea fanatic, I actually decided to stop by The Tea Room at Robinson-Bray House.
The Tea Room was founded in 1989 and they are well known for their light lunches and afternoon tea menus. In particular, people rave about their homemade scones. I was intrigued by the fact that all their tea is loose-leaf tea, and its blended by a master tea blender. I’ve accidentally become a tea snob, so I try avoid bagged tea where and if I can. I had their Earl Grey Cream tea, and quite enjoyed it actually.
I ordered the Afternoon Tea (which is 30 bucks per person). It comes with their salad dressed topped with their famed honey dijon dressing, a medley of tea sandwiches, a little quiche, a handful of homemade desserts, as well as a scone with jam and cream.
I particularly enjoyed the chicken salad sandwich with apricot and cranberries, the double cheese quiche, and the scone with chocolate chips. They’re always switching it up to keep things fresh, so that you don’t have the same things twice if you do decide to come on back another time.
I’d recommend that you call ahead and book a reservation if you’re keen to go. I was able to slip in last minute and sit on the back patio, but I’ll fully admit that there was a sizeable wasp problem back there, so you want to ensure you’re indoors to enjoy this meal.
Bring Your Camera to Kariya Park
Is this the prettiest place in Mississauga? It just might be.
Kariya Park is a Japanese garden that’s located right near Square One. It’s particularly well known for the cherry blossom and magnolia trees that bloom in the spring, but it’s lovely all year-round.
Kariya Park is named after Mississauga’s sister city, Kariya, Japan (sorry if there were any hockey fans who got excited about a potential Paul Kariya connection). Fun fact - the city of Kariya has a Mississauga Park as well, and they have a little replica of City Hall there. How’s that for a fun sister city exchange?
The park is open daily from dawn until 11pm, and its enjoyed by many citizens of Mississauga. I’d strongly recommend that you add it to your list of places to visit in Mississauga!
Explore Port Credit
Even before this campaign, I’d visited Port Credit many, many times. That’s largely because (as some of you will know) I’m huge into cycling. If you’re heading west via bike on the Waterfront Trail from Toronto, you eventually get to Port Credit on your way to places like Oakville, Burlington, and Hamilton - essentially Ontario cities and towns on the water.
Port Credit, for those who don’t know, is located in the south-central part of Mississauga. It’s situated right at the mouth of the Credit River on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Usually, I’ll make a point of stopping for lunch in Port Credit because of their main strip, which has no shortage of restaurants and bars. In the warmer months, there are ample patios to enjoy in the sun which create quite a buzz around town.
Port Credit describes themselves as “the urban village on the edge of Mississauga’s Waterfront.” Not unlike Streetsville’s self-proclamation up above, I think they’re right on the money. Being on the water adds a “vacation-esque” vibe that’s hard to explain. The views of Snug Harbour and Lake Ontario certainly add to that feeling.
Port Credit is quietly (though quickly) becoming one of the hottest neighbourhoods in the GTA.
My brother actually came to meet me in Port Credit, and we went to the Shore Grill and Grotto, largely because they have a sizeable outdoor back patio area, and they’re known for their live music. Not surprisingly, we had a great time there. The food wasn’t off the charts, but it was fairly good, and I think the atmosphere is the big sell here.
Generally speaking, there are plenty of places on the main strip to choose from, from a quick bite all the way to fine dining.
Not unlike Streetsville, it’s a nice place to park and then spend a few hours walking around and popping in and out of spots. Though here, of course, you can also fit in some views of the water.
Get Some Fresh Air in Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Rattray Marsh is special. It’s the last remaining lakefront marsh of its kind between Toronto and Burlington.
The most prominent feature of the area is the stunning pedestrian boardwalk that gives you incredible access to the natural wetland. Not only is it beautiful in its own right, but it’s also ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers who are keen to get close to the action.
Honestly, it’s just hard to believe that the Rattray Marsh Conservation Area is even technically part of a city!
Beyond the boardwalk, there’s also a shale beach that I would recommend you visit before leaving Rattray. While you’re visiting, stay on the lookout for herons, rabbits, beavers, deer, foxes, and more! There’s no shortage of wildlife here to appreciate.
There are technically five trails here. None of them are particularly challenging, and four of them are actually stroller friendly.
Dine at Masrawy Egyptian Kitchen
From the moment that I arrived at Masrawy, Mohammed made me feel like family.
On their site, he notes:
“Masrawy Egyptian Kitchen is a modern, comfortable and authentic exploration of the diverse and uniquely Egyptian dishes that characterize our rich history. Nourishing, delicious and soulful, we hope this will be an experience that conjures up memories of Egypt and invites the curiosity of others to experience the hospitality and kindness that has characterized our culture for centuries”
My visit there was nothing short of spectacular. I thought all aspects of the experience were on point. The service was remarkable (thanks in large part to Mohammed, who I don’t think I ever saw sit down), the meal was one that I would quite literally drive from Toronto to Mississauga for, and the whole essence of the restaurant is so deeply personal and intimate that you almost can’t help but root for this place.
I followed them on social after my visit, and I have to add that their Instagram game has made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. This one in particular was hilarious to me after I’d visited and gotten the full treatment (including the well warranted calamari recommendation) from Mo.
As I said, to start I had the Calamari with a Kick, which was spiced perfectly and complimented by their renowned Masrawy garlic aioli. For my main course, I had the Masrawy Fusion and that entree features golden rice, perfectly grilled chicken, a candied carrot and cranberry mix, and it’s all topped with their aioli and chili sauces. I have an enormous appetite, and I just barely was able to finish.
To wash it all down, I had a Egyptian limeade that, if I’m not incorrect, is better known as “laimoon.”
I’m utterly confident that if you go here, you’ll be well taken care of, and you’ll be adding Masrawy to your list of favourite restaurants.
Mo, keep up the good work, my man. I’ll be back to visit soon!
Check Out Erindale Park (and do some fly fishing on the Credit River)
Erindale Park is Mississauga’s largest park. In total, it’s actually 222 acres in size, and it features a playground, plenty of picnic areas, grills to do some cooking, trails for walking and hiking, as well as their well known winter toboggan hill. The trails are popular in particular among those interested in bird and nature watching.
A visit to Erindale Park and Rattray Marsh (just about a 20 minute drive apart) is totally doable, and makes a mean one two punch particularly for bird watchers.
The big sell, however, is fly fishing. It’s catch and release fishing (at least at this time), so primarily for leisure, but you’ll see a large amount of fishers with smiles on their faces wading into the Credit River. It’s known for salmon and trout in particular, and may just be the spot to take in the salmon run in Toronto.
Erindale Park is a hidden gem, especially for the fishers in this province.
Pop Into Square One Shopping Centre
Square One Shopping Centre, often simply called Square One, is the largest shopping centre in Ontario, and the second largest shopping centre in Canada, after West Edmonton Mall.
There are more than 350 stores and services on offer, and the mall brings in about 25 million customers each year.
Personally, I’d recommend turning your visit into a bit of an outing. Last time I went, I had breakfast at Mado, then did some shopping, and rounded things off with a visit to The Rec Room, where they’ve got a wide array of games on offer.
It’s a place to find something you’re looking for, but it’s also a fun place to get a bite and simply walk around.
The Riverwood Conservancy
This area is one of the most ecologically diverse in the city, and the Riverwood Conservancy does a brilliant job of showcasing and preserving that diversity. And there are gardens, innumerable trails that lead you through woodlands, meadows, ravines, wetlands and creeks.
If you’re looking for an in-depth guide, I actually wrote about this for one of my sister sites, Ultimate Ontario, and you can find that here.
It’s a very nice place to spend a few hours on a lovely day.
Turn Your Mississauga Visit Into a Staycation
I knew that I had a lot that I wanted to see and do when I got to Mississauga, so I decided it was best to stay for the weekend so I wasn’t rushed.
I ended up staying at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Mississauga. For one, it’s an ideal location to base yourself in. It’s a short drive to most destinations listed here, and a short walk to Kariya Park and Square One Shopping Centre. The 24 hour gym was a nice touch, and so was the indoor saltwater pool.
I also quite enjoyed being able to wake up and head down to the lobby to get cup of coffee at the Starbucks Delta Mississauga Centre. The staff was very courteous and kind, and I felt safe with my car in the secured parking garage that was attached.
It’s not flashy or grandiose, but it was very nice overall, and an ideal escape from my day to day life in Toronto.
What Else Should Be on Your Radar If You’re Visiting Mississauga?
I wasn’t able to visit on this particular trip, but if you’ve got some extra time, you may also want to check out:
Jack Darling Memorial Park
Lakefront Promenade Park: There are a few docks, some beach volleyball courts, beaches, picnic areas, playgrounds and even a splash pad for the summer months!
Jack Darling Memorial Park: Another large waterfront park that was designed with the community in mind. There’s a spray pad in the summer, and a toboggan hill in the winter, and of course some beach access. There’s also a nice view of the Toronto skyline.
Lake Aquitaine Park: There’s an outdoor fitness circuit here that’s popular with those who like to workout outdoors, a pond, a fishing dock and tons of trails.
Set eyes on the Absolute World Towers outside of Square One, which have become a sort of symbol of Mississauga.
That’s a Wrap on Some of the Best Mississauga Attractions and Activities
I hope that I was able to showcase, though both text and photography, that visiting Mississauga (especially if you live nearby) is worth it. You’ll find parks and outdoor areas that feel world’s away from city life, a food scene that is criminally underrated, and no shortage of available accommodation due to the nearby airport and consistent spree of events.
It’s not Paris, sure, but it’s a city that I’m awfully happy that I gave a chance to because it more than exceeded my expectations, and I have a feeling it might just exceed yours!
I want to humbly thank Tourism Mississauga for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.
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