Staycation: How to spend a day in Port Credit in Mississauga

While many people dream of flying somewhere warm during the winter, not everyone can afford to pack their bags and set off to Florida or Hawaii or Jamaica. But even if you can swing a trip, you can only go away for so long. So, how do you beat the winter blues? By playing tourist in Mississauga.

While it might seem counterintuitive to plan a “trip” close to home, Mississauga is actually a great place to be if you want to enjoy some comfortable indoor activities during the absolute worst months of the year (because you know that after Christmas ends, you hide in your home and gloomily wait for summer). 

So, how can you treat yo’self to the perfect staycation? Head over to Port Credit and indulge in all (or some) of the following activities. 

1) Get some relaxing exercise

Port Credit is known for its vast and gorgeous waterfront parks that you can explore all-year-round (in fact, parks in and around the neighbourhood include Jack Darling Memorial Park, Richard’s Memorial Park, and J.C. Saddington Park), and it also offers fitness facilities for those who like to keep warm. 

If you want to start the day on a peaceful note, perhaps begin your morning with a regular temperature, Hatha-based yoga practice at Yoga Seven. If you don’t want to begin your morning with some challenging sun salutations, note that you can enjoy some winter biking, hiking, walking and running along the Waterfront Trail.  The continuous trail passes 22 parks, the Bradley Museum and Rattray Marsh, so you can get quite an eyeful of the city–especially at a time when foot and bike traffic will be minimal.

2) Eat brunch

The older I get, the more I value long, drawn-out, early afternoon meals that prominently feature mimosas. It’s probably because brunch gives me an excuse to sit for longer than I do on a regular afternoon.  

If you do decide to bike, walk or do yoga first thing, reward yourself with Uova Al Forno Posta Italbar Cucina, a relatively new waterfront hotspot. The Italian dish features soft-baked free run- eggs, crostini, amatriciana guanciale sauce, and sledgers basil seedlings. If you want to truly treat yo’self, book a brunch at the Breakwater Restaurant in the Waterside Inn, a long-standing boutique hotel. The Sunday brunch features chef-manned omelette and waffle stations, which is a nice bonus.

If you want to enjoy a more casual brunch, you can check out Bobby’s Hideaway, Captain Robin’s, The Old Bagel House or even Archtop Music Cafe (which also offers vinyl records for the music collector). 

3) Relax and unwind

Nothing beats a spa day (and that goes for both men and women and those who identify as both or neither), and if you’re truly in the mood to luxuriate, you can actually enjoy an in-room spa treatment if you book a room at The Waterside Inn. According to the hotel’s website, in-room spa treatments range from manicures and pedicures to full-body massages. 

If a hotel stay isn’t part of your itinerary, you can get a facial or massage at Port Credit’s Hand & Stone location. An introductory hot stone massage is just $99, which is actually pretty reasonable for a high-end body treatment. 

If you’ve been looking for a really novel way to relax, Float Mississauga might have what you’re looking for. Guests who attend the spa get to float in a private pod full of saltwater. The pods are filled with epsom salts and provide bathers with a zero-gravity environment, which is purported to reduce joint and muscle pain and increase blood circulation. 

4) Shop

Malls, plazas and shopping centres are great (and a staple of suburban living), but there’s something special about strolling along a picturesque street and being able to pop in and out of shops as you go. If you want to purchase a high-quality, brand-name good for less, you can check out the relatively new Revive Upscale Consignment. The shop consigns and sells high-quality used furniture, clothing, accessories, home decor, select antiques and more. 

Port Credit is also home to Salvation Army thrift stores, which are great for anyone who wants to watch their budget and carbon footprint. 

Men with a more formal event to attend can check out Surmesur, a made-to-measure menswear store. Women searching for outfits also have quite a few options, including the Muse Boutique on Lakeshore Road. 

The village is also home to speciality food stores, pet stores, furniture shops, and more. 

5) End the night with dinner and drinks

After a day of self-indulgence (don’t feel bad, you deserve it), you will no doubt be hungry. Fortunately for you, Port Credit has over 60 restaurants that serve everything from upscale Italian fare to traditional pub food. We even have a list of our top 5 favourites here. 

If you want to enjoy drinks and southern fare, check out Door FiftyFive. If you’re looking for something decidedly romantic, check out the aforementioned Posta or the long-standing Papa Giuseppe’s. If you want to eat at the quintessential PC resto, you can always grab a table at the iconic Snug Harbour. If you want to drink and perhaps even dance the night away, look no further than The Port House Social Bar & Kitchen. Port House offers live music every Wednesday and Thursday and is open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. 

Diners might also want to check out Nomad’s Restobar, which offers an extensive–and eclectic–menu. Other hotspots include the stylish and fun El Jefe, the Pump House Grille Co.,  Roc’N Doc’s, Crooked Cue, and Spice Lounge and Tapas.

What would you do if you had a day to spend in Port Credit?