Port Credit: The Lakeside Village

Published April 2, 2012 at 5:01 am

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It’s a new week and my feet are still walking the streets. How could they not? After all, Mississauga is an endless wonder of people and places. No matter where you are, there is something fun, interesting or delicious just around the corner.

As I make my way down to the southern end of the city, I seem to find myself in a new world. Though minutes from the Streetsville area, Port Credit offers habitants and visitors a completely different vibe than what is seen from their northern neighbour. 

Located in the south-central area of Mississauga, Port Credit borders Lake Ontario and boasts a replica of the Port Credit lighthouse that burned down in 1936. As such, it has become a symbol of Port Credit and is home to the BIA and Tourist Bureau, as well as having been made the logo for many local organizations.  Due to the focal point of the lighthouse, many of the hotspots found in Port Credit seem to be within walking distance of the harbour.

This includes the infamous Snug Harbour Restaurant, which offers gourmet seafood dishes and a waterside patio where diners can see a spectacular view of the lake. Every Saturday, guests can enjoy their experience with some live music. What really makes this eatery stand out, however, is how easily accessible it is. That is, Snug Harbour allows private boaters the opportunity to steer their vessels into a first class transient marina at the doorsteps of the restaurant. On really sunny days, guests can even see paddle boarders float by and stop in for a quick bite or drink. With so many access points it’s no wonder that this venue is always busy, day or night.

Due to the countless boats and boat lovers that flock to Port Credit, this village seems to truly come to life in the summer. As such, Port Credit offers some of the best summer festivals held in Ontario. This includes the Port Credit In-Water Boat show and Southside Shuffle; an annual three-day Blues and Jazz festival, which features over one hundred acts. The most notable event, however, is the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, which occurs at the end of June. This award-wining affair features three days of great entertainment with some of Canada’s biggest musicians including the following: Sam Roberts; Jann Arden; Tom Cochrane; Chantel Kreviazuk. This celebration is conveniently held at Mississauga Memorial Park, which happens to be just across from Snug.

There is also the Port Credit Buskerfest that will be filled with music, magic, daredevil stunts and entertainment that you can only get from Buskers!

After spending time within the beautiful surroundings of Memorial Park, most locals tend to make their way to Burrito Boyz. This location rivals their partner restaurant of Streetsville, though many P.C-ers and Ville-ers will say that the south eatery is far tastier.

When looking for some nocturnal fun, Port Credit offers a bevy of bars and pubs that are sure to cater to the craziest of partiers. One of the more popular venues is Roc’n Doc’s, which offers patrons “great food, great music and a great patio.” With local and mainstream bands performing every night of the week, Doc’s assures fun for all.

A few blocks east, you will discover Ten Restaurant and Wine Bar. The lounge area is great for any first, second or third date, or just a place to catch up with friends. The menu is simple, but offers a good variety. There is even a $10 lunch menu that will satisfy the hungriest of guests. My favourite part about this hotspot, however, is the cocktail and wine list they offer, as it is a drinker’s paradise.

If a more refined taste is what you crave, Breakwater Restaurant is located on the southern part of Stavebank Rd. S. The Breakwater Restaurant is a four diamond star fine dining restaurant attached to the Waterside Inn, Mississauga’s Boutique Hotel. It also boasts the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. Don’t let the fine dining title intimidate you as the prices are very reasonable for the calibre of restaurant this establishment is. And this summer will be the opening of their patio, a soon to be hot spot in PC.

The most popular summer spot of all since 1958 is non-other than Dairy Cream. This old-school ice cream parlor not only offers guests ice cream any way they like (be sure to try their waffle cones), but they also make fresh made-to-order funnel cakes. In the summer, this place is so packed that the line spans the entire block. Even cars are backed up trying to get into the insufficient parking area offered. The wait is well worth it though, and once you’ve obtained your delicious creation, you can sit at one of the multiple picnic tables scattered throughout the “front yard.” If you’re really lucky, some nights, you can even catch a light show, as the fireworks store across the street likes to showcase their products.

It’s clear that Port Credit is the place to be this upcoming summer. Night or day, this lakeside village is buzzing with activity.  Come June, locals will even welcome the Port Credit Farmer’s Market, which opens every Saturday, at the corner of Lakeshore and Elmwood Ave. So, be sure to start your day right with some fresh fruit and walk down waterfront trail that spans all of Port Credit: a must do when visiting this quaint Mississauga borough.

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