Once just a suburb of Toronto, Mississauga has grown into one of Canada’s largest cities, with a walkable downtown and lots of shopping and dining options. It’s also the location of the Toronto-Pearson International Airport, which is probably why you booked here. If so, you‘ll be pleasantly surprised.

Mississauga is now quite cosmopolitan, and more populous than better-known Great Lakes cities like Detroit, Milwaukee and Cleveland. It’s a major business center, particularly for the pharmaceutical, finance and electronics industries – which is the other main reason people fill its hotels. Its restaurant and shopping scenes reflect this upscale clientele, so you don’t have to drive the 17 miles into Toronto (though if you have time, you should).

Active types will appreciate Mississauga’s extensive trail system for cycling and hiking, or cross-country skiing in winter. For a leisurely outing, stroll the Lakefront Promenade, or visit the quaint village of Port Credit. Then relax with an award-winning microbrew from the Old Credit Brewing Company or catch a Steelheads junior ice hockey match.