Discover the perfect family-friendly activities for an unforgettable Family Day weekend in Mississauga! From scenic parks and exciting events to delicious restaurants and thrilling adventures, our guide has everything you need.
The city of Mississauga, Ontario, often gets overlooked as a destination. As a second child myself, I know that trying to shine your light from behind a big brother can be tough. And when your big brother is the fourth largest city in North America, it can be even harder.
While Toronto may get most of the attention among those exploring Ontario, Mississauga quietly glows as a hub of family adventure experiences.
My family travels quite often; in fact, in the past twelve years, Christina, the kids, and I have visited more than 21 countries together. But when my kids discovered hockey a few years back, our travel schedule changed, and we’ve spent more of our winters on home soil than abroad, usually saving far-off destinations for the off-season.
Because of that, we’re always looking for awesome ways to experience holidays and long weekends. We’ve covered everything from Labour Day in Toronto to Christmas Markets in Quebec City. With one of our favorite winter long weekends coming up, we decided to explore some great ways to spend Family Day in Mississauga, the city right next door to us.
We’ve talked about the top things to do in Mississauga in the past, and this list narrows down some of the city’s great ideas to family-friendly activities that can involve the whole family.
Hiking At Riverwood Conservancy
Mississauga has some breathtaking natural escapes, and one of my favorites is Riverwood Conservancy. Spanning 150 acres of land along Levi’s Creek, this urban oasis features beautiful hiking trails, marshlands, and sensory experiences.
One of the best parts about visiting Riverwood Conservancy in the winter is that the park’s lush foliage isn’t in bloom, so you’ll get the chance to see many of the local wildlife that make their home here, especially birds. During our last visit, we were able to catch a glimpse of hawks, bluejays, chickadees, and cardinals, all enjoying the park’s bird feeders just a few feet away from us.
Riverwood Conservancy also has an on-site art school, so if you get chilly, you can step inside to warm up and wander the hall looking at some of the incredible artwork that has bloomed from its students.
F1 Speed Go-Karting
If your family loves speed, you’re going to want to make a stop at F1 Speed on Eglinton Ave E. Book a two-race package ahead of time (trust me, one isn’t enough), and suit up for a high-speed race that offers the perfect blend of competition and family bonding.
There are both adult and junior races that take into consideration things like age, size, and experience. You can even make a day out of it with lunch or dinner at their on-site cafe.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a little contact during these races. In the words of Robert Duvall to Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder, “Rubbing is racing!” You can book your races here.
Skating At Celebration Square
As I mentioned earlier, hockey is a big part of my family’s life. And we look for every opportunity to strap on our skates and get on the ice. We’ve traveled up north to skate the forest trails of Arrowhead Provincial Park and even skated the Rideau River during Winterlude in Ottawa.
Even if you don’t have your own skates, a visit to Celebration Square, next door to Square One, Mississauga, is a must. During Family Day weekend, this social hub is transformed into a winter wonderland. Rent some skates from the on-site facility, grab some steaming cups of hot chocolate from the food truck, and join dozens of other families making their way around the massive ice surface.
This is the kind of place where family memories are made, so you won’t want to miss it!
Mississauga Special Exhibits
Mississauga is a hotbed of special exhibits. When we were there last summer, we hit up Sugar Rush,’ a candy-themed event. This year, the city is playing host to Jurrasic World: The Exhibition.
This dino-mite family experience offers an immersive and educational visit to Jurassic Park, just like in the movies!
Explore the world of paleontology as you get up close and personal with some of your favorite dinosaurs, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptors, and even the massive Brachiosaur. You can even meet some of the exhibit’s “baby dinosaurs.
Many of the dinosaurs are animatronic, and their lifelike appearance and accurate movements are truly spectacular. Even my twelve-year-old was impressed!
This limited-time exhibition will continue to run through the Family Day Weekend in Mississauga.
Catch A Raptors 905 Game
Mississauga has some great sports teams, and while their popular OHL team, the Steelheads, recently announced that they are moving to Brampton, professional sports aren’t off the table. That’s because Mississauga is home to the Toronto Raptors farm team, the Raptors 905s.
While the Raps don’t have a home game right on Family Day weekend in Mississauga, they do have one on the following Tuesday.
The Raptors 905s games are just as exciting as their NBA counterparts, and the great thing is that you can usually pick up tickets on the same day.
Hub Climbing Gym
If you’ve never tried indoor rock climbing before, the Family Day weekend in Mississauga is a great time to give it a whirl. It’s one of our favorite active things to do in Mississauga.
Hub Climbing Gym is on Hawkestone Road right next to the very popular SkyZone Trampoline Park. Where SkyZone will likely be very busy on Family Day weekend, you can likely still get spots at Hub Climbing if you book in advance.
They have rock climbing walls for all ages and skill levels, you don’t need to be an expert to do it. In fact, we even hosted one of Dylan’s birthday parties here a couple of years back.
Our Family Weekend In Mississauga Video
Looking for more great tips on exciting activities in Mississauga? Check out our YouTube video.
Enjoy The Great Mississauga Restaurants
Let’s face it, any weekend celebration is better when enjoyed with great food. And there are some fantastic family-friendly restaurants in Mississauga that will make your Family Day weekend even better.
I love the area around Port Credit in the summer, but the Mississauga waterfront is a bit chilly in the winter and doesn’t quite have the same festive atmosphere. So these suggestions are closer to the city core where most of the activities are.
Square One Food District
Typically, we steer clear of malls, but Square One in Mississauga has worked hard to set itself apart from your typical urban shopping center.
Their latest addition is the popular spot dubbed “The Food District,” which offers a unique and eclectic series of restaurants, food shops, and take-out options that offer something for everyone. Throughout the aisles, you’ll find bakers, home cooking, and high-end coffee shops.
For a real treat, stop by La Carnita for some of their mouthwatering tacos. They’re some of the best in the city. Or enjoy freshly-made pasta (which you can watch being made) at Dal Moro’s.
More Thai
Another fantastic Mississauga restaurant is More Thai. Christina and the boys found this restaurant thanks to the owner’s hilarious Instagram videos, so when we were researching Family Day in Mississauga, we knew we had to check it out.
More Thai serves up some amazing Thai fusion that takes classic dishes and gives them a creative twist. We really loved their lime calamari; it was delectable!
Bobby’s Hideaway
If you’re looking for a local favorite, this Streetsville diner serves up amazing diner fare with hefty portion sizes. With classic omelets, Benny’s, sandwiches, and hungry man plates, Bobby’s Hideaway doesn’t stand out for its menu, but they do something that makes each dish a little extra special.
My kids loved the kitschy decor that featured wall-to-wall photos of famous “Bobbys” throughout the last hundred years. See how many you can recognize!
Pho Ngoc Yen
Pho Ngoc Yen is Mississauga’s best Vietnamese restaurant. But you’d never know it based on the location.
This restaurant is tucked into an industrial neighborhood on Kamato Rd. But once you walk through the front door, you may feel like you’ve been transported into Hanoi.
From flavorful pho to delicious banh mi, this restaurant offers a select range of dishes that are cooked to perfection and presented beautifully. This isn’t a plastic table and lawn chair pho restaurant. You may need to book a table in advance.
Goodfella’s Wood-Oven Pizza
Time your Celebration Square skating to match a night at Goodfella’s Wood-Oven Pizza right across the road. They may be located at the base of a high-rise, but you may think you’re entering a wine cellar in Sicily when you enter.
The cozy stone rooms with arched doorways make for a soothing escape from the bustle of the city center, and their pizzas are absolutely fantastic. If you have a chance, try their bread bowl gnocchi. Delicious!
Where To Stay In Mississauga
If there is one thing that I would say that Mississauga lacks, it’s great hotels in the best areas. Popular areas such as Port Credit will hopefully have that infrastructure in time. But it’s not there yet. Many of the hotels in Mississauga are centered around the airport and Meadowvale or the many business districts throughout the city.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find some excellent hotels in Mississauga. You may have to move around a bit. Here are some of our favorite hotels in Mississauga.
Bloom Mississauga, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
One of Mississauga’s newest hotels is the Bloom Mississauga, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Located just off of Courtney Park Dr. north of HWY 401, the Bloom The rooms are large and there’s a great pool, exercise room, and common area for family gatherings.
You can check out their prices and availability here.
Hilton Mississauga Meadwovale
For those visiting Mississauga with kids, Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale is a sure win.
Home to “Big Blue,” a corkscrew waterslide that zips down two stories into a pool, this Mississauga hotel has everything a family needs to make the most of their Mississauga vacation. You’ll also find a second indoor pool and an outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and convenient access to the Meadowvale Shopping District.
You can check out their prices and availability here.
The Waterside Inn Port Credit
Although The Waterside Inn is one of the only hotels in Port Credit, it’s also one of the most popular hotels in Mississauga. And with great views of Snug Harbour and Lake Ontario, it’s no surprise as to why.
The hotel has everything you need for a stay, including a full kitchen that includes a dishwasher. This boutique Mississauga hotel has bright, airy rooms, spa packages, and everything you need for an incredible Mississauga itinerary.
You can check their prices and availability here.
More Mississauga Inspiration
If you want to explore Mississauga even further, check out our guide to the best things to do in Mississauga right here or enjoy our Mississauga, Ontario video below.
Enjoy Your Time In Mississauga This Family Day Weekend!
Mississauga has an amazing and diverse range of family-friendly activities and restaurants to help you experience a memorable Family Day weekend. Whether you’re seeking adventure at Hub Climbing Gym and F1 Speed, experiencing the natural beauty of Riverwood Conservancy, or enjoying the festivities at Celebration Square, you’ll find that this city has it all.
You can find valuable tips about visiting Quebec on our Quebec Family Travel Blog. Or feel free to join our Family Travel Support Group on Facebook. You can connect with more family travelers just like you who love to explore the world.
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