Mississauga Ontario Port Credit Waterfront and Rattray Marsh

Why visit Mississauga

Many travellers only know Mississauga as the home of Toronto Pearson, but the city has much more to offer. Its waterfront parks and marshes, a modern city centre with striking towers and the charming villages of Port Credit and Streetsville make it an easy and relaxed base close to Toronto.

The waterfront

Port Credit

Where the Credit River meets Lake Ontario, Port Credit is a walkable village with a marina, a lighthouse, patios and seasonal festivals. It is the best place in the city for an evening stroll by the water.

Lakefront Promenade Park

This long lakeside park has beaches, boardwalks, picnic areas and views back toward the Toronto skyline.

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area

Boardwalks wind through one of the last lakefront marshes on this stretch of Lake Ontario, with good birdwatching in spring and fall.

City Centre

Celebration Square

The civic square in front of City Hall hosts outdoor concerts, movie nights and cultural festivals in summer, and its fountain becomes a skating rink in winter.

Absolute World towers

The curving Absolute World towers, nicknamed the Marilyn Monroe towers, are the city's best known modern landmark.

Square One

Square One Shopping Centre is one of the largest malls in Canada and a handy stop on a rainy day.

Parks and heritage

Kariya Park

Named for Mississauga's sister city in Japan, Kariya Park is a peaceful Japanese style garden with a pond, bridges and cherry trees that bloom in spring.

Riverwood Conservancy

Trails along the Credit River valley pass through forest, meadows and gardens, a quiet escape in the middle of the city.

Streetsville

The historic village of Streetsville has a lovely main street with shops and cafes and hosts the Bread and Honey Festival each June.

Historic houses

The Bradley Museum and Benares Historic House show what life was like in the area in the nineteenth century.

Food and local flavours

Mississauga is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and the food shows it. You will find excellent shawarma and Middle Eastern grills, South Asian curries and sweets, Portuguese bakeries and Chinese, Korean and Filipino restaurants across the city. For Canadian classics, try a flaky butter tart and a peameal bacon sandwich.

Where to stay

The City Centre around Square One has many hotels close to shopping and Celebration Square. Port Credit is the most charming base, with the lake and GO trains to Toronto nearby, while the airport corridor is practical for early flights.

Best time to visit

Summer is warm and sunny, the best time for the lakefront and festivals. Fall brings colourful leaves along the Credit River. Winters are cold and snowy, but the skating rink and holiday events keep the city lively.

Getting there and getting around

Toronto Pearson International Airport is inside Mississauga, and the UP Express runs from the airport to downtown Toronto. GO Transit trains on the Lakeshore West line stop at Port Credit and Clarkson, and MiWay buses cover the city. A new light rail line along Hurontario Street is being built to link the lake with the City Centre.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Walk the trails at Rattray Marsh, have lunch in Port Credit and watch the sunset from Lakefront Promenade Park.

Second day

Visit Kariya Park and Celebration Square, then explore Streetsville and finish with dinner in the City Centre.

Practical tips

• Use a PRESTO card or contactless payment on GO Transit and MiWay.
• Pack warm layers from November to March.
• Port Credit patios get busy on summer weekends.
• Allow extra time for highway traffic at rush hour.