Tourist In Our Town: Port Credit in the Winter

For those places that have four distinct seasons, the changing weather conditions from month to month can be quite drastic. Visiting a place during the summer months can have an entirely different feel from the winter months. And I’m not just talking about the change in temperature. The entire mood and atmosphere that comes with the changing seasons can unmask a new perspective on a destination. In Port Credit (a village in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) where Justin and I are happy to call home, I love going for walks and bike rides down by the lake. I look forward to the first signs of spring where it’s warm enough outside to wear only a light jacket or sweater, and I’ll go for a long walk to see the flowers blooming. Or maybe the sun is shining brightly and I’ll hop on my bicycle to take it for a spin around town. And of course, I take full advantage of those autumn days where the wind feels a little more brisk, but it’s well worth it to see those leaves changing colour from green to vibrant reds and yellows.

And then, there’s winter. It’s windy. It’s a bit dreary. And it’s cold. I don’t think that I left the apartment last winter to go for a pleasurable walk around town. Today, all of that changed and I truly gained a new view of the place that I call home. All I had to do was bundle up in my warm winter coat, hat, and boots.

Come along with me as I take you on a tour of Port Credit during the winter!

The first thing that I noticed was the feeling of isolation. The Waterfront Trail is normally bustling with families, couples, and people walking their dogs. Even though it was a weekend afternoon, I barely saw a soul. I felt as though I had the entire place to myself.

One of the few people I encountered on my walk.

While people don’t typically consider visiting Canada during the winter (other than to participate in winter sports activities, such as skiing and snowboarding), I would highly recommend coming here if you’ve only visited during the summer months. The views of the icy lake, partially covered in snow are very beautiful. There was something very peaceful about walking around in this desolated, frozen world. I felt more separated from our fast-paced world and alone with nature. I could hear only the sounds of the crashing waves and a few quacking ducks.

The harbour is frozen with ice and the boats have left the marina for storage or perhaps, warmer waters. Only the ducks, geese, seagulls and pigeons remain and have reclaimed their territory. The tourism season and outdoor activities have mostly closed down until the spring.

Some places remain the same. The lighthouse still sends a cascade of light across the harbour. We can still go for a stroll along the boardwalk and take a rest on the benches. The town is still open for business with many cafes and restaurants inviting you to come inside to relax and enjoy a warm beverage.

Painted bicycles displayed around town that are decorated differently each season.

I urge you to consider booking a holiday to a destination during an off-season, or perhaps re-visit a spot that you have been to before during a different time of year. You might be surprised that it can be an entirely new experience, akin to traveling to a whole new place. It can even be a new viewpoint of your own hometown when you step outside your front door.

Here is our post about Port Credit from last spring so you can compare the difference!

Have you visited the same place during different seasons for different experiences?

Lauren Yakiwchuk

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.