Mississauga

Introduction

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario within the Regional Municipality of Peel, Mississauga serves as a significant hub in the province of Ontario. You will find yourself in a location that shares borders with Toronto to the east, Brampton to the north, Milton to the northwest, and Oakville to the southwest.

Before you go

While Mississauga is generally considered a safe city for the average tourist, you should exercise common sense and remain vigilant at night as muggings can occur in any large city. If you encounter an issue, you can reach out to the local police, who are known to be friendly and approachable.

When visiting clubs and bars on the weekend, these venues can fill up quickly; if you witness a confrontation, it is best to stay away as situations can escalate fast. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1 to reach police, fire, or ambulance services.

Getting there

You can fly into Canada's largest airport located in Malton, which offers flights to numerous international and domestic destinations. From this hub, you can reach any part of Mississauga via local buses or a short taxi ride. Alternatively, you may choose to fly into Hamilton or Buffalo for a smaller selection of flights.

If you are traveling by car, the city is accessible via several major expressways:

• The 401 connects you to Windsor-Detroit in the west and the Québec corridor in the east.
• The 403 links you to Hamilton and Brantford before joining the 401.
• The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) provides a route toward downtown Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo.
• The 407 serves as an east-west toll route parallel to the 401.

Getting around

Because the city is very spread out, navigating without a car requires careful planning. You can traverse the area using MiWay, the municipal bus service, which offers both local routes and express options. The express routes utilize the Mississauga Transitway, a dedicated bus rapid transit system that provides faster travel along major thoroughfares. For regional travel, GO Transit rail lines connect you to other parts of the Greater Toronto Area, while the Union Pearson Express provides a direct rail link from Terminal 1 at the airport to downtown Toronto.

You can pay for your transit journeys using a Presto card or by tapping a credit or debit card. A single fare allows for two hours of travel on MiWay, including transfers to various regional providers such as Brampton Transit, Oakville Transit, Milton Transit, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and York Regional Transit. If you are traveling between MiWay and GO Transit, your transit is integrated so that fares are free or automatically refunded when using a Presto, credit, or debit card. For those preferring private transport, several taxi companies operate throughout the city and at the airport, while ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are also available.

You can choose from a variety of accommodations depending on your proximity to the city center or the airport. For a unique experience in Port Credit, you can stay in a waterfront hotel featuring uniquely decorated and furnished guest suites. Other options include hotels located near the city center or those providing convenient access to local amenities like restaurants and conference rooms.

If you prefer to stay near the airport, several hotels offer convenient locations on airport grounds or nearby roads. These accommodations provide various amenities including:

• Complimentary airport shuttles and overnight parking
• Fitness centers, saunas, and heated pools
• Meeting and banquet facilities
• On-site restaurants and 24-hour business centers

Food & drink

Explore a diverse culinary landscape that spans various cultural flavors across the city. In the Erin Mills area, you can find authentic Asian cuisine featuring Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Korean dishes, along with unique flavored soju and alcoholic bubble tea. If you prefer Indian flavors in an upscale and friendly setting, visit locations in the north end or at a venue featuring music and drinks. For those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, Derry Village Square offers a spot serving Indian and Chinese staples like meat, seafood, and momos.

Depending on your cravings, you can choose from several distinct dining experiences:

• Enjoy an open kitchen design where you can watch pastries and cakes being prepared.
• Visit a steakhouse with generous portions and a 1970s-inspired atmosphere popular with the after-hours crowd.
• Head to Port Credit for a Mexican-inspired brunch featuring dishes like Taco Benedict or Huevos Rancheros, or dine on Italian cuisine while overlooking the harbour.
• Treat yourself to in-house artisan ice cream in the lakeside area.

For your evening plans, you can find lively venues along Dixie Road. One spot offers a dance night for singles with a buffet dinner and a mix of hits from various decades, while another provides a dedicated space for music and dancing.

What to see and do

Explore the distinct charm of local villages like Port Credit, where you can stroll along the lakeshore and explore a historic area filled with small restaurants, cafes, and bars. Nearby, Streetsville offers a different atmosphere with its various shops, restaurants, and green spaces. For those seeking cultural experiences, visit the Art Gallery of Mississauga or the Blackwood Gallery to view contemporary works. You can also step back in time at the Bradley Museum, Leslie Log House, or Benares Historic House, which preserve local history through restored homes and period artifacts.

Experience the natural landscape through a variety of parks and scenic views:

• Stroll through Kariya Park to see authentic Japanese gardens or visit the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Garden.
• Explore the lakeside at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, Lakefront Promenade Park, or Jack Darling Memorial Park.
• Navigate nature trails and boardwalks in Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, Riverwood Park, or Erindale Park.
• Visit the Port Credit Lighthouse to view the harbor and the nearby village from a visitor deck.

When to go

You can experience a wide range of seasonal conditions when visiting Mississauga. During the summer months, you will encounter warm and humid weather where temperatures frequently climb high. While thunderstorms occur, they are typically not severe, though you may occasionally encounter violent winds.

If you visit during the winter, prepare for cold and snowy conditions. The intensity of the snow varies by location; while northern areas away from the lake see more accumulation, neighborhoods like Port Credit and Lakeview benefit from milder lake-effect conditions. During the spring season, you may encounter frequent fog along the lakeshore and Credit River Valley.

Three days in Mississauga

Day one, you can begin your journey in the heart of the city at Square One. You can then travel through the Peel region to explore the surrounding areas within the Greater Toronto Area.

Day two, you can experience the local atmosphere and navigate the area using the Mississauga Transitway or the MiWay system. You can also enjoy the proximity to Lake Ontario during your stay in the city.

Day three, you can utilize the Union Pearson Express or GO Transit to connect with nearby destinations. Alternatively, you can travel along the Queen Elizabeth Way to see more of the surrounding landscape.