Experiencing and enjoying Mississauga for a day on less than $100

August bookends the summer season for the coming fall, but there is still plenty of time left to spend enjoying good food, drink and merriment under the sun. Money, on the other hand, always seems to run out faster then it comes in. Luckily,  a lot can be experienced without breaking the bank.
Here’s how to spend a day out in our city for less than $100.

Breakfast
Approximate cost -  $15

Start the day off right by grabbing a nutritious breakfast at the Daylight Grill. This family-owned restaurant in the south side serves delicious three egg dishes (done up however you want) with traditional Texas toast and homefries for only $6.49. Bacon, sausage, turkey bacon, and more can be added for a few extra bucks. Variations of Eggs Benedict, pancakes and Belgian waffles are also available, ranging from $6.99 to $15.99.

The Library
Approximate cost - $0

Mississauga’s extensive library system is made up of 18 branches scattered across the city, and they’re all free to use for the city’s residents. Go walk between the rows. Pull a book off the shelves, read a couple of lines, then a few pages and get lost in a story. If books aren’t your thing — that’s okay because nowadays DVDs, Blu Rays, CDs, magazines and video games can also be checked out at local libraries. Computers and wifi are available for use as well.

Hit the trails
Approximate cost - $0

The extensive trail system in this city is the perfect way to spend some time in the great outdoors, and it won’t cost you a cent either. Venture outside to a vast network of fantastic trails like the Britannia trail, Burnhamthorpe trail or the Queensway trail. Enjoy a stroll, taking in the scenery and wildlife, or make it a jog and get a workout in. Cycling and rollerblading is also permitted on multi-use trails. For more information on Mississauga’s trails and their locations click here.

Lunch
Approximate cost - $15

After working up an appetite, head over to Fu’s Garden for lunch. The restaurant strives to serve simply fresh, simply priced and simply great food.  Fu’s Garden, also a family-owned business, specializes in Hakka dishes and traditional Chinese food such as chili chicken, Manchurian squid, Szechuan shrimp and Shanghai beef chow mein (prices range from $8.00 to $12.00). If you’re dining with company, there are special combos for two ($25.75), three ($38.75) and four patrons ($51.75).

Celebration Square
Approximate cost - $0

Inside the metropolitan core that is City Centre, Celebration Square plays host to a vast number of free events and festivals throughout the entire year. Weekly fitness classes, movie nights, concerts, food truck festivals — these are just a few of the events, produced by both the city and the community, available to the public. (Check out this website for a complete list of upcoming events.) Outside of the festivities, the Square is simply a unique public space to explore  — for both the young and old — that includes a stage, fountain and skating rink.

Art Gallery of Mississauga
Approximate cost - $0

Located in the Mississauga Civic Centre, across from the Square One Shopping Centre, is the city’s public, not-for-profit, Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM). Explore art pieces and the creative minds behind them through the AGM’s varied exhibitions, collections and events. Currently, the gallery is showcasing the temporary border crossings: travelling along the in between and the UNRULY: Jasmine Noseworthy Persaud | Harmeet Rehal exhibitions. The AGM also has a permanent art collection from Canadian artists worth browsing through, and admission is free of charge.

Dinner/Drinks
Approximate cost - $30

Top off the night with gloriously good food and drinks courtesy of Failte Irish Pub. Featuring six themed pubs in one, the largest heated patio in Mississauga and live entertainment every Friday and Saturday, Failte’s is a pub full of authentic Irish character and warm hospitality. Try the bangers & mash ($17), pub style chicken curry ($17) or shepherd’s pie ($15.50). There’s also a plethora of weekly specials on large roaster wings ($7.50/per pound), shrimp tacos ($3.00 each) and gourmet burgers ($10). For drinks, there’s $6.00 pints (Mon - Fri) and $6.00 mixed drinks every night. Check out the menu online for details.

Go to the movies
Approximate cost - $15

Cine Starz Mississauga is a small, retro cinema located inside the Central Parkway Mall. The theatre is draped in ‘80s style and houses smaller screens (when compared to big Cineplex theatres) to make attendants feel like they’re stepping back in time. Cine Starz plays all the big films but after they’ve finished running in the mainstream theatres. So a film like the recent blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War that came out in April can still be seen at Cine Starz. And tickets are cheap, between $4.00 - $6.00, depending on the time and day.

Go bowling
Approximate cost - $22

If bowling is more up your alley, then roll on down to Classic Bowl.This is a great destination if your looking to knock a few pins without burning through your wallet.
Between Monday and Thursday for only $14 and between 9 pm and 11 pm, it's "all you can bowl" plus shoe rental, $5.69. If you're an efficient bowler, this is a great way to get a few games in at a minimal cost.