Mississauga is a city full of culture and unique activities that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada. From its tiny pockets of unusual shopping experiences to its massive city-wide festivals, there are plenty of things to do in Mississauga.
One of the many Mississauga things to do is to spend a day at the Rhododendron Gardens. The Brueckner Rhododendron Garden at 660 Lakeshore Road West, a garden dedicated to the beauty of the Rhododendron plant, is a quintessential part of the uniqueness of the city. The gardens were renamed in honor of Rhododendron horticulture specialist Dr. James Brueckner in 2008 and are open daily.
Although Square One Shopping Centre is one of the largest shopping malls in Canada, this Mississauga guide recommends going off of the beaten path and checking out the smaller shops along Lakeshore Road and Dundas Street, where there are better places for funky finds and Mississauga deals. Lakeshore Road is home to Port Credit Village and Clarkson Village shopping areas, both of which have small boutiques, craft stores, antique shops, and restaurants. Antiques enthusiasts can browse the goods at Nadia’s Antiques and The Barn, and foodies can search for gourmet cheeses at Goat Inc., Fine Cheese Shop. The Chinese Centre is located on Dundas Street and has many shops that sell imported goods, Asian groceries, and specialty clothing.
No guide to Mississauga is complete without mentioning Culture Days. This yearly festival is held every September and takes place all over the city. People are encouraged to get out and explore the arts and culture of Mississauga. Hands-on events at galleries are open to the public, and meetings with local artisans, craftspeople, historians, and curators take place. One of Culture Days’ events is The Doors Open, where every office building in downtown Mississauga opens its door to non-employees so that citizens and visitors can see the inside of each different architectural structure.