Discover the hidden gems of Mississauga with our curated guide to the best things to do in this exciting city.
Welcome to Mississauga, the underrated city that has a vast range of hidden secrets hidden in its sleeves.
Mississauga, which means “River of the North of Many Mouths” in Ojibway, is a city that often gets overshadowed by its neighbour, Toronto, and offers surprise after surprise. If you’re looking to experience the best things to do in Mississauga, our guide is here to help you understand and appreciate just how cool this city truly is.
Mississauga is shockingly large. In fact, it’s larger than Detroit, Boston, and Washington. It’s actually the seventh-largest city in Canada, sitting right between Winnipeg and Vancouver.
This exciting city is home to some of Ontario’s most beautiful urban parks, bustling shopping districts, and adrenaline-pumping adventures. And all of this is located right on the shores of Lake Ontario.
So strap on your shoes because our guide to Mississauga is going to make you want to get moving.
Riverwood Conservancy
Sprawling across over 100 acres surrounding Levi’s Creek, Riverwood Conservancy is one of the best places to enjoy nature in Mississauga.
Known by many as the “Lungs of Mississauga” thanks to the lush forests and marshlands spread throughout the park, Riverwood Conservancy is one of the best places to go for outdoor lovers.
In a city where road travel is pretty much a way of life, Riverwood offers the chance to ditch the wheels and stroll surrounded by serene nature. Wander the trails and watch the many birds feeding throughout the park, or step inside the on-site art school to browse their gallery.
You can read our complete guide to Riverwood Conservancy here.
Square One Mississauga
This is a travel website. Why would we mention a mall in a guide to the best things to do in Mississauga? Well, Square One is more than just a mall. This place is massive. In fact, sitting just behind the vast West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Square One is the second-largest shopping centre in Canada.
Strolling right past the countless stores spread throughout the mall, Square One is truly Mississauga’s social centre. Surrounding the mall is Celebration Square, where most of the city’s public events take place, a vast collection of Mississauga restaurants, and some of the city’s most signature architecture, including the famous Marilyn Monroe buildings.
Square One has also discovered that doing things differently is a great way to approach its importance to Mississauga. Rather than a standard food court, Square One implemented its unique “Food District.” This collection of creative and unique eateries replaces the standard chain-filled food court.
The Food District offers an incredible range of small eateries and food options where delicious treats and healthy options exist side-by-side.
Celebration Square
Celebration Square is Mississauga’s premier outdoor event space. During the winter, Celebration Square hosts a free outdoor skating rink; during the summer, it’s packed with crowds attending concerts, shows, and screenings in the square’s massive field.
There is usually a wealth of food trucks nearby catering to the crowds as well, so Celebration Square is a great place to eat while you’re exploring all of Mississauga’s top activities.
Raptors 905s
Did you know that Mississauga is home to the Toronto Raptor’s farm team? That’s right, for a fraction of the price of a Raps ticket, you can catch some pro ball at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.
The games are fast-paced and feature the thrills of players trying to secure their spot in the NBA, so you know you’re going to get a world-class show.
The Raptor’s 905s have all of the fanfare of their big brothers, with professional dancers and half-time shows. You can book tickets here.
Port Credit
Port Credit is a lakeside village in Mississauga where you can experience the city’s maritime heritage and gorgeous waterfront parks.
Port Credit’s picturesque marina, centred by a small lighthouse and dotted with sailboats and yachts, provides a postcard-worthy backdrop as visitors stroll along the waterfront trail. The bustling Port Credit Village boasts a delightful mix of boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and inviting cafes, creating an atmosphere that’s loaded with small-town charm.
The abundance of waterfront parks, including J.J. Plaus Park and St Lawrence Park, further enhances the allure of Port Credit, providing relaxing spaces for picnics, leisurely walks, and breathtaking views of Lake Ontario.
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Mississauga’s waterfront is often overlooked. There are some absolutely beautiful beach trails that follow the shoreline of Lake Ontario, offering a peaceful respite from the busy streets. One of my personal favourite trails runs from Jack Darling Memorial Park through Rattray Marsh.
Winding along a boardwalk through the long marsh grasses of the Lake Ontario shoreline, Rattray Marsh offers access to the last barrier breach marsh on the Great Lakes. Situated off of a stony beach where you can enjoy a quiet swim with stunning views of the Toronto skyline, this is one of the city’s best hidden gems.
Hub Climbing Gym
Located on Hawkestone Road, Hub Climbing Gym is a massive indoor rock climbing gym where everyone from beginners to experts can find the perfect wall for their skill level.
This impressive location is Canada’s largest indoor rock climbing gym. Its centerpiece is the massive 49-food “Dragon” wall, where a climb to the top will challenge you to scale the beast’s massive head.
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun isn’t shining. There are plenty of awesome indoor adventures to be had in Mississauga. One of our favorites was a visit to Canada’s largest indoor rock climbing gym.
Even if you don’t have a partner to climb with, Hub has many walls with auto-belay systems where you don’t need anyone to help you down the wall. If you’re new to the sport, their on-site experts can help you get started in this fun sport.
Kids will love their virtual climbing wall, where they can select from a wide range of fun climbing games. You can read more about Hub Climbing Gym here.
F1 Speed Go Karting
If you’re an adrenaline junkie like me, the speed and thrills of F1 Speed Go Karts are one of the must-do attractions in Mississauga.
Located on Eglinton Ave. E, this huge indoor go-kar facility has a pro-level track and speedy electric karts that can launch drivers around the track at record speeds. The atmosphere is that of a pro race, and it will bring out your competitive nature.
There are both adult and junior race categories, and they take care of everything, so whether you’re a beginner or an experienced racer, you’re in good hands. You can book your spot here.
Streetsville
Known as the “Village within Mississauga,” Streetsville offers small-town charm right on the banks of the Credit River.
Streetsville features the largest concentration of historical buildings in Mississauga, many of which have been restored and repurposed as spas, restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Streetsville Memorial Park stands as the village’s most popular outdoor getaway. This large park on the Credit River, just south of Bristol Road, features walking paths, nature trails, and picnic areas that are perfect for a family escape.
Streetsville is also known for its restaurant scene, and popular foodie spots like Bobby’s Hideaway, Saucy, and the Tea Room draw visitors from across the GTA.
SkyZone Trampoline Park
If you’re exploring Mississauga with kids, SkyZone Trampoline Park is likely going to be on your list of the top things to do in Mississauga. This massive indoor trampoline park features parkour courses, indoor basketball hoops, dodgeball stadiums, and plenty of places to hop, jump, and spin to your heart’s desire.
SkyZone isn’t just for kids, though; you’ll find people of all ages jumping their way around the park, whether it’s as a workout or just for fun.
SkyZone can get pretty busy on weekends though, so I recommend visiting during the week if you like a little personal space.
Kariya Park
One of the most popular outdoor spaces in Mississauga is Kariya Park. The park is inspired by Japanese culture and was built in honor of Mississauga’s Japanese sister city, Kariya, Japan. It’s best during the early spring when the park’s 80 Japanese Cherry Blossoms explode into their pink glory.
Kariya Park is beautiful throughout the year, too, and features ornate garden beds, unique Japanese decorations, a marsh and pond, loads of flowers, a Zig-Zag boardwalk, a waterfall, and a duck pond.
If you’re looking for a place to zen out for a little while, Kariya Park makes for the perfect stop.
Enjoy Your Time In Mississauga!
As I write this article, I have a lot of hope in my heart that Mississauga guides like this help both locals and visitors alike discover that the city is more than just “the city next door.” Mississauga is pretty awesome, in my opinion, and it’s a great place to spend a weekend in.
Do you know of more fantastic things to do in Ontario? Drop a comment below or swing over to our popular and informative Ultimate Ontario Facebook Community to share your top spots.
Kevin Wagar is a founder and editor of Ultimate Ontario. He has been working in the travel media industry since 2015 when he founded his family travel website Wandering Wagars – Adventure Family Travel.
Over the years Kevin has developed a deep love for his home province of Ontario and aims to showcase the incredible experiences and amazing small businesses found within it.