Mississauga, CA for week. Tell me where the good shopping is

January 5, 2015 11:02 AM

I'm staying right by the airport in Mississauga for work for a week. I have Friday and Saturday day free and every evening after 630. I won't have a car but I'm not afraid of public transportation (though it appears to be 90 minutes downtown!).

There's a mall there and I thought I'd get to Yonge Street to shop. I probably won't sightsee too much as I'm solo. Am I missing some great things to do or great places to shop? I like to shop toy stores (like Toys R Us) comic stores, places like Ricky's in NYC. Funky clothes and bags are good too.

posted by bodgy to Travel & Transportation around Toronto, ON (7 answers total)

All the quirky stuff is spread out - there is one place up near the airport that is a combined uber-geek comic book/toy store but there is a lot of that kind of thing at Yonge, between Bloor and Queen St. Honestly, wandering down Yonge is good fun for browsing and poking around interesting shops - kind of like shopping and sightseeing in one.

Normal shopping: Yorkdale Mall or Square One in Mississauga is easier. But if you head to downtown the Eaton Centre is enormous (normal type shops) and the smaller ones up Yonge Street as I mentioned are worth the trip.

If you take public transport to Union Station, you could walk to the lakefront (pretty but COLD this week) from there and then head up Yonge. Also, look for The Path, which would allow you to walk most of that inside if it gets too cold.

It's fascinating and mind blowing how much of Toronto is underground or underground accessible.
posted by Brockles at 11:15 AM on January 5, 2015

If you like games (since you mention toys & comics), it's worth taking a look at 401 Games, which is Yonge and like Dundas? Pretty easy to get to if you're in town.

Funky clothes & bags - Queen St West is my first suggestion. Even just walking along the street and wandering into shops that catch your eye - if you like funky shoes, John Fluevog has a store at Queen & University-ish. Heading into Kensington Market is always worthwhile, at Spadina & Dundas or so. Lots of vintage-esque places around there.
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:15 AM on January 5, 2015

I'd say it's about 75 minutes to downtown, not 90, but it depends where you go.

Mastermind Toys is fun if you are looking for a toy store. They are kind of scattered around, but there is one on Dundas east of Royal York. It's open until 9pm so might be something to think of mid week. It's in a little strip mall and the burger place (Magoo's) there isn't too bad.

The above suggestions are all good.
posted by TORunner at 12:52 PM on January 5, 2015

If you are right by the airport see if you can hop on a GO Bus to Yorkdale (big-ass mall in north Toronto) that is right on the subway line to downtown. Much easier and faster than the TTC bus. There is another GO Bus that goes to Bramalea City Centre (a mall in Brampton that has a gaming shop/collectible toys inside) and the mall has a few interesting shops reflecting Brampton's diversity as well as the normal mall fare. If you haven't been to Toronto before people will probably ask if you went up the CN tower when you return, and there is also a nice aquarium at the base. Both are fine solo activities. My favourite comic book shop in Toronto is the Beguiling, at Bloor and Bathurst, right near the subway.
posted by saucysault at 1:06 PM on January 5, 2015

Take a look to see if the TTC Bus 192 Airport Rocket stops anywhere near your hotel, if it does, you could be at Yonge and Bloor in about 50 minutes. That ought to open most of Toronto to exploration.
posted by Sleddog_Afterburn at 1:34 PM on January 5, 2015

If you want amazing shopping, look up the Distillery District. Amazing.

Shame we didn't know you were in town yesterday, there was a meetup!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:44 PM on January 5, 2015

Unfortunately you won't find much to do/see in Mississauga, especially around the airport without a car. Unless you like strip clubs and sad chain restaurants/hotels.

Heading downtown is likely your best option although its not a short trip via transit. Here is a pretty good list of shopping neighbourhoods around central Toronto:

http://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2015/01/the_top_10_neighbourhoods_for_shopping_in_toronto/

Also: Leslieville, where you would also find some of the best brunch places (brunch is competitive activity here) IMHO on Saturday midday, plus some really cute shops - lots of stuff for kids (skews more baby than toy stores though) + antiques / locally designed clothing. I'd say start around Broadview & Queen Street East and head east along Queen for the best route ;)

Also not listed in the above: The Junction - though smaller and definitely a bit rougher around the edges than any of the other neighbourhoods, it has a lovely community vibe and a funny history - until recently this neighbourhood was still 'dry' (ie no alcohol sales allowed) from prohibition days! I'd say to start around Dundas Street West & Keele and head west. This area skews more towards restaurants and antiques but there are definitely a few gems in there for clothing / accessories.

Oh and one more thing - if you're here this week Toronto is having a bit of a cold snap. So wear a sweater (um, and a hat, scarf, mittens, boots and warm winter coat).
posted by id girl at 8:16 PM on January 5, 2015