Mississauga
is perhaps not first, second, or many rankings down on most people's list of
tourist destinations. However, the chances of being in this 'over 600,000 and
still growing' city are greater than one may conceive.
Most would conclude it is
due to Mississauga's top attraction, Toronto
Pearson International Airport. Canada's biggest and busiest airport
is a portal to roughly 25 million passengers each year. Ranked in the top 10
largest cities in Canada, Mississauga is quickly becoming prosperous in business
and gaining in residents. This is largely due to its location: west of Toronto,
approximately 90 minutes from the United
States border and on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Whether one is in Mississauga
for hours, days or longer, there are places
to see, food
to enjoy and shopping
to be done. So rather than 'killing time' watching the Arrivals/Departures board
flip, lamenting about big-city traffic, or falling into a catatonic stupor gazing
at the hotel TV, step outside and take a moment in Mississauga.
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Inside the Living Arts Centre
Photo Courtesy of Christina Loeffel
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WHAT'S IN A NAME
Although history may not
be a big concern to the casual visitor, one cannot deny the name is unusual
(and a possible clincher at a spelling bee). The city is named after the Mississaugas,
a Native tribe that occupied the Credit River area (named after the European/Native
Indian business practice of trading on credit). The Mississaugas gradually sold
the land to various groups, which in time formed many small communities. In
1968, six of the communities went from the designation of Villages of Toronto
Township to the Town of Mississauga. In 1974, the last two villages in the area,
Port Credit and Streetsville, were amalgamated with the City of Mississauga.
Similar to Toronto,
there are a multitude of ethnicities that patchwork Mississauga. This is a source
of pride for the community as evident by the Carassauga festival, an event that
celebrates the cultural diversity of the area.
GETTING AROUND
Mississauga is a pleasant
mixture of residential, corporate and green space, thus it stretches out over
a fair amount of land. It is not difficult to manoeuvre through the city for
those with access to a vehicle (rentals
are easily obtained) or willing to take public transit. The City
Centre Shuttle Bus is available for transportation
around the centre of Mississauga, near the Mississauga
Civic Centre. In popular areas such as the airport
and Square
One Shopping Centre, which is right by the Civic
Centre and the Living
Arts Centre. There are several marinas in Port Credit, occupying the
southern portion of Mississauga.
ART & ENTERTAINMENT
This understated city has
a bubbling cultural and artistic community. Mississauga is home to the mammoth
Living Arts Centre, where performances of dance, music and theatre are held
regularly, as well as a plethora of special events. Depending on availability,
tickets may be purchased at the door or on the day of the performance or event.
The
Mississauga Symphony, which performs in the Centre, offers rush seating
at slightly reduced prices.
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Mississauga
Civic Centre
Photo Courtesy of Christina Loeffel |
Other live production venues
include Meadowvale
Theatre and Stage
West, which serve up light-hearted stories and food with gusto. The
Art
Gallery of Mississauga is worth a peak, especially with its great admission
price (free!), and there is a splattering of fine art galleries to browse.
For film, join the bevy
of stargazers at one of the various theatres in the area. Of the choices offered,
the Playdium
is unrivalled. If watching the latest flick on one of the numerous screens is
not enough, toddle over to the virtual games for an out-of-this-world experience,
or hit a few at the year-round batting cage. In the summer, visitors can romp
in the almost five hectare (11-acre) outdoor playground that features a long
go-kart track.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Fitness regimes need not
suffer when in the Mississauga area. The city has 25 major trails varying in
length from one to 22 km (one to 13 miles). The trails are suitable for walking,
jogging, inline skating and cross-country skiing during the winter months. Comprehensive
trail maps can be obtained from the City
of Mississauga. There are also 18 public pools, 11 are indoor, as well
as 'pay-as-you-go' fitness centres offering weight training, fitness classes
and racquet sport courts.
How about a picnic in the
park? There are 10 parks with barbecue facilities, some with picnic shelters.
Put together a feast from one of the numerous food stores in the locale, or
stop for take-out at an interesting restaurant. The Mississauga Garden Park
encompasses over 64 hectares (160 acres) of land, and the Rhododendron Gardens'
blossoms are exquisite in the spring. Kariya Park, dedicated to Mississauga's
sister city Kariya, Japan, is a smaller spot with lovely statues and foliage.
It provides a nice outdoor break from shopping at Square One, as it is a walkable
distance.
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Spring in Kariya Park
Photo Courtesy of Christina Loeffel
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A game of golf often releases
stress (or dependant on the outcome, adds a bit). The
Grand Highland Golf Club is good for a quick game. For those who wish
to drive the ball a few more yards, there are several more courses, including
the Lakeview
Golf Course. The majority of golf clubs throughout the city offer club
rentals. A word of caution: some courses book tee-times up to seven days ahead.
Preplanning this activity is advised. The
DiMarco Golf Dome, located five minutes away from the airport, offers
indoor practice facilities in the off-season. Those who prefer the mini version
of golf could head over to the Playdium or Putting
Edge, which offers glow-in-the dark mini-golf.
DINING & SHOPPING
Perhaps it is time to experiment
at a new restaurant. Trying to find something 'Canadian' is a challenge, but
there is no shortage of ethnic restaurants
or neighbourhood drop-ins.
Rack up the credit card
at Square
One Shopping Centre, the largest shopping mall in the province. Port
Credit has numerous specialty shops and boutiques. Streetsville also has a small
stash of unique shops. For Asian flare, venture to the Mississauga
Chinese Centre, otherwise known as Golden Square. Bargain hunters will
feel sated at the Dixie
Outlet Mall, with its large collection of fashion, recreation and home
décor outlet stores.
LITTLE EXTRAS
Two houses of note are the
Bradley
Museum and Benares Historical House. The Bradley house is a simple 1830s
settler home, while the Benares structure (circa 1857) was the residence for
three generations of an affluent family. Original artifacts have been preserved
in each of the dwellings, typifying the lifestyle of the times. It is particularly
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Lakefront
Promenade Park - Port Credit
Photo Courtesy of Christina Loeffel |
interesting to note how
the residents of the Benares house benefited from the advancements in technology,
specifically the luxuries of central heating and indoor plumbing.
Although part of Mississauga,
the districts of Port Credit and Streetsville have retained some of their original
village charm. Port Credit is located on Lake Ontario and has the bonus of the
large Lakefront
Promenade Park. The trails around the park are perfect for ambling or
in-line skating, and the view of Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto
are lovely. Simply watching the boats, with their billowy sails blow out into
the lake, is a tranquil experience. Many an angler can be seen on the rocky
shore, but most will attest they use the 'catch and release' method, as they
are a bit dubious of the quality of the fish. Port Credit is seeing a growth
in housing, and many new developments are on the verge of completion. A heap
of fun can be had in spring at the Mississauga
Waterfront Festival, which features talented Canadian musicians and
fun family activities. The Southside
Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival is also a hopping event.
The Streetsville district,
some distance north, appears more like an older small village than a portion
of thriving Mississauga. The shop fronts and houses are less modish, with more
of a charming 1800s effect. A few of the restaurants in the locale are indicative
of a relaxed way of life, including a tearoom and an all-day breakfast diner.
