Where to Enjoy the Fall Colours in Mississauga

Fall is arguably one of the most beautiful seasons in Mississauga. Yes, we are sad that summer has come to an end, but it is time to embrace all the wonderful things that the fall season has to offer us. Sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and thanksgiving are among us! But best of all, the leaves are changing falls and it is quite the sight to see!

Your commute to work or school will be that much more enjoyable, and long drives up north won’t seem like a drag. There are so many places that you can go to take in the beauty, but we’ve put together this list of three of the top places to enjoy the fall foliage in Mississauga.

Jack Darling Memorial Park

This park is a beautiful space to stroll through all year round, but once the leaves start to change colour it is magnificent. The park is surrounded by hundreds of trees and is located right on the shore of Lake Ontario, so you can enjoy a peaceful and scenic stroll down the waterfront. It is truly a unique scenery.

Kariya Park

This Japanese inspired park is gorgeous once the leaves start to change colour. It is centred right in the heart of downtown Mississauga and is a hot spot for the residents of the city. The quant park has a stream running through it, Japanese statues, and beautiful backgrounds for taking photos.

Erindale Park

This park is the largest in Mississauga. Here you’ll find trails that are perfect for hiking or leasurely walking. These trails run along the Credit River and are encompassed by trees, boasting outstanding views of the foliage changing colours.

The Best Health and Fitness Apps

The App Store and the Google Play store can be somewhat overwhelming with the influx of apps being introduced in recent years. There are over 2 million apps available for download, so navigating amongst them can be difficult.

If you’re a fitness fanatic or just looking to get more in shape, there are plenty of apps that can help you stay on track. From calorie counters to workout apps, everything you need can be found in your phone’s store.

We’ve searched through the store to find the apps that we believe to be the best for monitoring your health and fitness.

My Fitness Pal Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker

This calorie counting app lets you input all the food you eat throughout the day, calculating all the number of calories you’ve consumed. You can then input your daily exercise, and the app will subtract your calories burned during your workout from the calories you’ve consumed through food. This will open your eyes to the calories deficit or surplus that you have at the end of your day. My Fitness Pal holds you accountable for the food you’re eating and puts you on the right track to a healthy diet.

Nike+ Training Club

This Nike app is perfect for those of you that need some guidance during your workouts. Nike lets you choose from 15, 30 and 45 minute long workouts, which you can choose based on your skill level and desired type of exercise. The best part is that the app gives you how-to videos, demonstrating how to complete each exercise.

Sleepbot

Getting a good sleep is vital to a healthy lifestyle, so using a sleep tracker to make sure that you’re getting a lot of z’s is important. Sleepbot uses your phone to track how long it takes you to fall asleep, how restless you are and how many hours you’re sleeping for. A cool feature this app has, is the alarm that goes off when you’re in your lightest sleep cycle.

10% Happier

Meditation is important for a healthy mind and for positive mental health. This meditation app gives you access to courses and videos that teach you how to meditate. 10% Happier makes meditation easy with coaching from real humans, not bots!

Insurance Housing Solutions with City Gate Suites

A flood, fire, or damage to your home due to natural disasters is your worst nightmare. The place that you call home is no longer there for you when you need it the most.

Sometimes it can mean you’re displaced from your city, your family and your friends. We understand how inconvenient and terrifying this can be. We want to help you find a temportary housing solution in the wake of your adversities.

Until you can move back into your home – we understand how important it is to feel at peace, ease and comfortable in your temporary home. Unfortunately, you can never prepare for when disaster will strike, but we want to help you find a temporary housing solution when it does.

We will lend you a helping hand throughout your stay with us. Settling into your temporary housing will be a breeze thanks to our friendly and accommodating staff.

City Gate Suites has been offering fully furnished rentals in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) since 2013 – and has a tremendous amount of experience in assisting individuals and families in need of temporary or extended stay insurance housing solutions. All our insurance housing solutions are apartments that are fully furnished and located in 5 prime locations across Mississauga.

Our properties are conveniently equipped with modern appliances, amenities, Wi-Fi, TV, washer and dryer and situated in close proximity to major highway routes, restaurants, Square One Shopping Center and many other Mississauga local attractions. We offer a 100% guarantee on our customer service – and for this reason we have received an overwhelming number of positive reviews on our fully furnished rentals from our tenants.

If you are in need of a short term or extended stay in a fully furnished rental in Mississauga – we have insurance housing solutions that will work for you.

5 Reasons You Should Be Excited for Fall

Today marks the first day of the fall season. (Que the tears!) Yes summer is officially gone and we are on a fast track into yet another cold winter in Canada, but let’s not forget that we get to enjoy all that the fall season has to offer in the meantime. For those of you experiencing the summertime blues like we are, don’t worry because we put together this week’s blog article especially for you.

There are plenty of reasons why you should be excited for fall, here are just some of the things we are looking forward to the most!

Apple Picking Season

This is probably what we’re most excited for! Apples are at their peak during this time of year, so head down to your nearest of most beloved farm and pick your own apples. Not only do you get a tasty treat out of it, but you’ll also have some fun in the process. If you’re looking for the best farms near Mississauga for apple picking, we’ve written a blog to guide you.

Thanksgiving

This special holiday to give thanks to our loved ones is one of our fall highlights. Enjoying the company of the people that matter the most to you, while stuffing your face with turkey and pumpkin pie cannot be beat!

Sweater Weather

It’s not sweater weather! That means you can bundle up in your favourite, coziest clothes that you own and it will be completely acceptable. And a new season means new fashion trends are coming out so you can go shopping for the newest fads this season.

Sports

Sports, sports, sports! Your favourite sports leagues will be starting back up at the beginning of this fall season, so you can indulge in Sunday night football and Hockey Night in Canada all over again.

Beautiful Scenery

The fall weather means the leaves will be changing colour and we will be seeing beautiful scenery all over the nation. Long drives up north will become that much more enjoyable, and your neighbourhood will be breathtaking. Take a break this season from the hustle and bustle that is your life and enjoy all the fall beauty around you!

6 Reasons to Consider Staying in a Short Term Rental This Winter

A short-term rental is an ideal solution for any traveller who will be visiting a new city or country for an extended period of time, be it for business, pleasure, family, medical necessity, or any other reason. Short-term rentals are great because they provide the features and luxuries of a hotel without the expense, and the comforts of home without the hassles of moving or locking into long-term leases.

And when it comes to different seasons, there are a number of unique reasons to stay in a short-term rental this winter.

1. Not Having to Worry About Moving in Winter

Nobody likes moving, but doing it in winter is especially unpleasant, and the snow, ice, cold, and bad weather can make the process more difficult and even dangerous. A short-term rental eliminates all the aggravation that comes with an unfurnished long-term rental, because the unit comes fully furnished and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

2. Save Money and Stay Warm by Eating In

Most visitors to a new city who stay in a hotel often have to eat every meal out, and not only does this add up quickly, but it also means having to venture out into the cold and snow at every mealtime. In a short-term accommodation, you’ll have access to your very own kitchen, meaning you can save money on food, won’t have to bundle up for breakfast, and you can eat in the comfort of your own home away from home.

3. Not Being Locked into a Lengthy Lease

One of the hardest parts about travelling to new places for extended stays is the dilemma about where to stay. Typical options include a hotel, finding a long-term rental accommodation, or buying a place, which is an enormous commitment. A less traditional option (but ideal solution) is a short-term rental, which will have more flexible lease agreements for short-term travel.

4. Luxury Amenities and Feeling Like You’re Home

Short-term rental accommodations are like hotels in that you’ll have access to a number of features and amenities, including:

• Swimming pool
• Gym or fitness centre
• Lounge areas
• Theater rooms
• Luxury linens and bedding

Unlike a hotel, however, a short-term rental feels much more like home, meaning you can settle in more comfortably.

5. More Room Than a Traditional Hotel

It’s hard enough finding room to spread out in a hotel room when the weather is nice, let alone when you have all your extra winter gear with you. Short-term rentals tend to provide you with a lot more space that a hotel room, and this will make your stay much less cramped, especially during winter trips.

6. Cost Savings

Short-term rentals are more affordable than long-term hotel stays, long-term rentals, and buying a place to accommodate your trip. These types of rentals are designed specifically for budget-conscious travellers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a hotel room, and who don’t want the expense or commitment of a long-term rental (plus all the utility fees) or purchase.

There are a good many reasons to stay in a furnished apartment rental this winter, and convenience, comfort, and luxury are among the most important. Not only will a short-term rental save you money, but you’ll also be able to cook for yourself, take care of your own laundry, and feel at home in a new place as you explore the city. For more information, contact City Gate Suites to learn about our flexible leases and luxurious short-term accommodations.

Building Spotlight: Parkside Village

We’re shining a light on one of our most popular buildings, Parkside Village. The village is made up of three modern towers that are attached at the base. Parkside Village was only built in 2014, so you’ll experience contemporary and up-to-date fixtures throughout our suites and the building itself. We guarantee you’ll love it here!

Located just two blocks away from Mississauga’s downtown core, Parkside Village residents have the easiest access to all that this city has to over, including Celebration Square, Square One Mall, Kariya Park, Cineplex Cinemas, and more! Not to mention you’ll have everything you could hope and more within the building. A rooftop patio, first class gym with panoramic view of the terrace, swimming pool, and children’s playroom are just four of the many wonderful amenities that exists in this location. The village has 50,000 square feet of amenities in total, giving you the ultimate recreation, relaxation and revitalization experience.

When it comes to our suites you surely will not be disappointed. Here at City Gate Suites we pride ourselves on making our customers feel at home when they stay with us. We provide you with everything you need to ease your transition into our suite, whether you’re coming for work relocation, medical stay, or personal travel. Your suite will come equipped with an in-suite washer and drying, bedding, TV, unlimited Wi-Fi, and full kitchen stocked with utensils, plates, pots and pans.

Our friendly and helpful staff are always just a phone call away throughout the entirety of your stay. We love to hear from our guests.

For more information on Parkside Village, please call our main office at 1-800-954-9188.

Top 5 Events in Toronto This September

Toronto International Film Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival, commonly known as TIFF, is a must see event that happens every year in downtown Toronto. Some of the most popular actors and actresses in Hollywood make their way to Toronto each year to debut their latest films. Some films will make it to the big screen across the nation, while others will only be displayed in this film festival, so come check them out while you can.

Oktoberfest

This event is a spin-off of the crazy party that takes place in Munich, Germany every year in October. Thousands of Torontonians will gather in the city dressed in dirndls and lederhosen to drink and celebrate German culture.

Nuit Blanche

This is a free city-wide event showcasing modern and contemporary art installations. This outdoor event is unlike any other you will see in Toronto.

Invictus Games

This athletic competition was started by Prince Harry in 2014. It is a Paralympic-style multi-sport event that will take place in various venues across Toronto. It will end with an awesome concert by Bruce Springsteen in the ACC.

Toronto Beer Week

Beer lovers unite during this week long event, taking place in over 100 locations across the city in various bars.

Best Farms To Give You The Most Out Of Apple Picking Season

Apple picking is a fall ritual that all Torontonians and GTA residents alike should participate in at least once during this year’s harvest season. We know that it’s still summertime, but whether we want to admit it or not, fall is rapidly approaching, and with apple picking season beginning in September, it’s time we start thinking about where we’re going to get our fresh fruit from.

Go to your local farm and breath in that clean country air, while enjoying some of the best fruits and vegetables picked fresh from the tree. The crisp, juicy taste and experience you get from picking an apple fresh from the tree is something that you just can’t get from the grocery store.

You can find farms scattered all over the GTA, and you likely won’t be disappointed, but our list is compiled of our favourite farms near Mississauga.

Carl Laidlaw Orchards

Get access to over 30 different variations of apples at this family-owned farm in Brampton, only a 20 minute drive from Mississauga. If you don’t feel like picking your own, the farm has bags of pre-picked apples for you to choose from instead. Don’t leave without taking a tractor ride around the 100-acre farm.

Chudleigh’s Apple Farm

This is probably one of the most well known farms in the area, and for good reason. Chudleighs is out top suggestion for everyone, but especially if you’re bringing young children along. This large farm has everything you want and more! You can pick your apples (as promised), but you’ll also find just about every other fruit and vegetable you would hope for. You can enjoy roasted corn on the cob, hot dogs, and funnel cakes. But that’s not all! You can go for a tractor ride through the farm, or even go on a pony ride.

Dixie Orchards

If you are willing to drive a bit further outside of Mississauga, Dixie Orchards will be well worth your drive. Pick from over 20 varieties of apples, enjoy freshly baked goods, candy apples, farm animals, and you can even pick vegetables.

Building Spotlight: Pinnacle Grand Park

This adorable, boutique-styled building boasts a stunning view of Lake Ontario that never fails to impress our guests, time and time again. You will feel as though you are living in a luxurious penthouse suite, without the hefty price tag associated with it.

Pinnacle Grand Park has everything you need and more, both inside and outside of the confines of the building. Located in the heart of downtown Mississauga, guests at this building have easy access to Mississauga’s top tourist attractions, including Square One Mall, Celebration Square, Playdium, and Kariya Park. The best part is, Mississauga is only a short drive from Toronto’s downtown core, making commuting into the city a breeze, without the costs and congestion linked with living in a major city.

This building is equipped with all the features you expect to see, and then some! Your suite will be equipped with extra bedding, in-suite washer and dryer, balcony, and a kitchen that will be fully stocked with pots, pans and utensils. It’s perfect for those long-term travellers who are looking for an “at home” feeling while on vacation or work assignment.

All of our guest are given unlimited access to the buildings swimming pool, hot tub, and world class fitness centre to enjoy at their leisure.

With prices that blow any hotel out of the water, you won’t want to leave your stay with us!

For more information on Pinnacle Grand Park, please call 1-800-954-9188.

6 Reasons Why You HAVE To Go To The CNE

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Ex is an annual two-week long fair that takes place at the end of August. If you’re in the GTA while the fair is taking place, you will NOT want to miss out on the opportunity to have a blast and enjoy all the CNE has to offer. If you need convincing, here are the top 6 reasons why you have to go to the CNE!

1. The Dog Show

How can you resist watching adorable, furry dogs running around and doing tricks in colourful costumes? If you’re a dog lover then you will love this fun show, which takes place several times each day throughout the two weeks.

2. Carnival Food

Each year a new crazy food item makes its way to The Ex. Carnival food is known to be unique and full of greasy or sugar, but when you go to a fair you should try at least one crazy food item, like the churro cheeseburger, pulled pork cinnamon rolls, or deep fried cookie dough balls!ch

3. Jam out at the Bandshell

There is a new artist performing every night at the CNE’s Bandshell stage, so you are bound to find someone of interest to you. The best part is that access to these concerts is FREE with your admission to the fair. Just make sure that you get there early to guarantee yourself a spot.

4. Air Show

Each year the Canadian International Air Show does a performance over Lake Ontario by the CNE, and every year it blows our mind. This show never fails to impress us, and it’ll impress you too! These talented pilots do thrilling tricks in the sky to entertain viewers.

5. Arcade Games and Rides

It goes without saying that you should enjoy the rides and games at a fair, as these typically are the main attraction. The CNE brings in some thrilling rides that will have your stomach in knots, and games that will bring out your competitive side.

6. Shopping

You can shop through over a hundred vendors at the CNE, selling everything from kitchen supplies, to makeup, to clothing.