Brampton

Kickstart your day at a local favourite like John’s Family Restaurant (aiming to be “the best family restaurant in town”) or cozy Segovia Coffee Co., both part of daily life in Canada’s 9th largest city. Brampton may be best known as an urban centre, but within its limits you’ll also find the 169-hectare Heart Lake Conservation Park, named for a heart-shaped spring-fed lake formed by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. You’ll find contemplative spots like the Medicine Wheel Garden, (Gitigaan Mashkiki), conceptualized by an elder of the Anishnawbe Nation, and an abundance of recreational activities including boating, fishing and hiking. Soar above it all courtesy of Treetop Trekking, zip lining over Heart Lake, or challenge yourself to Tarzan swings and other fun stuff in the aerial games park. 

Heart Lake isn’t the only appealing opportunity to explore natural lands in Brampton — birders, walkers and bikers flock to Claireville Conservation Area and Eldorado Park, on the banks of the Credit River, has been popular for walking and picnicking since the early 1900s. 

A visit to PAMA is a visit to a fascinating part of Brampton’s history, with the site based around the former Peel County courthouse and jail. Learn about Peel region’s arts and history and also connect to a broad swathe of Canadian culture — the art gallery lobby welcomes visitors with the work of Inuit carvers revealing the legend of Sedna, Inuit goddess of the sea, while rotating exhibitions touch on everything from immigrant cultures to the four-legged friends in our midst. (“Oh My Dog!” runs until Nov. 3, 2024.) 

The spirit of Brampton’s creatives extends beyond PAMA’s walls, thanks in large part to the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), which hosts free workshops, artist markets, and showcases local artists on the big screen in Garden Square. Temporary public artworks can also be spotted on nearby walls throughout the city, including some displayed in BAO’s own window. Open Studio+ days are designed to spark your creativity — bring a work-in-progress to BAO’s office or use their art supplies to start something entirely new

It’s the coolest place to hang out. Garden Square brings visitors and locals together for a wide range of cultural events: free concerts, special events (watch parties, anyone?) and movies under the stars on a giant LED screen. Bonus: the square is close to some favourite Brampton dining spots, like Italian trattoria Fanzorelli’s Restaurant & Wine Bar and Queen Gypsy, sharing Eastern European family recipes. Stray a little farther and you’ll get to the Pepper Shack for African and Caribbean dishes or Sonny’s Drive In for an old school burger joint thrill. 

Nearby, the aptly-named Theatre Lane is home to one of Canada’s leading performance venues: The Rose, its name a reflection of Brampton’s 19th century history as a flower-exporting centre. (Take the Downtown Heritage Walking Tour to learn more about the history of the “Flowertown of Canada.”) Today The Rose, valued for its quality performances as well as the theatre’s architecture and acoustics, puts on theatre, dance, comedy, music and cultural events, including work by local incubator The Hive Performing Arts. Truth: Brampton is a performer’s town — check out performances by the Punjabi Arts Association if you need more evidence.

Brampton’s diversity is remarkable, with a vibrant community representing over 250 cultures and speaking 171 languages. More than half of the population identifies as South Asian, which is reflected in the city’s cultural landscape. From South Asian films shown at Trinity Commons SilverCity Brampton Cinemas to specialty shopping options like ‘Chalo Freshco,’ the city’s offerings reflect its rich multiculturalism.

Come spring and summer you’ll have your pick of culturally diverse festivals: multicultural Carabram, Caribbean-themed JAMBANA One World Festival and Vibrant Brampton (South Asian music and dance) among others. Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers also began in Brampton. The Festival of Literary Diversity (The FOLD) hosts events throughout the year as well, including The FOLD Kids Book Fest, engaging young readers and writers. Interested in Caribbean, African and Black Studies books? Browse The Knowledge Bookstore, a Black-owned independent store and community space that also offers Black dolls, greeting cards and other products not available in mainstream stores. View the whole downtown directory to support local at downtownbramptonbia.ca 

To peek into one aspect of Brampton’s 19th century past visit Bovaird House, a striking example of an 1850s Georgian-style farmhouse. Period furnishings, local crafts (plus, according to some folks, a ghost!) will welcome you to a bygone era. When visiting Bovaird also take a look at Pendergast Log House, one of the city’s last known surviving log houses and a good example of early architecture in Brampton. 

A ten-minute drive takes you to sprawling Chinguacousy Park, its name believed to have been derived from Chippewa Chief Shinguacose. There you can relax beneath a weeping willow and gaze at the lake, pet a pony, putt a little mini-putt, paddle your boat and a whole lot more — it’s one of those parks with something for just about everyone.

So. Much. Choice. Your challenge is deciding which Brampton restaurants to sample, given the outstanding abundance. Brampton is truly a feast that reflects its peoples, with menu items like roti, doubles, tandoori, kebabs, lechon, jerk, burgers and so much more. Take a tip from those in the know: Eden Hagos, founder of Black Foodie, recommends Xaymaca Restaurant (Jamaican seafood), while influential food writer Suresh Doss suggests stopping in at La Favorita Market for empanadas, and nutritionist Andria Barrett recommends Tinnel’s for patties. Other noteworthy spots include Mt. Vesuvio’s Ristorante (Italian), Hakkalicious (Hakka Chinese food), and Gem’s House of Jerk (Caribbean). Save room for dessert — popular spots include the Ice Cream Café, Nitro Cow Gelato Shop and Village of India Sweets. If you need a little more guidance to sort out the mouth-watering possibilities, the Experience Brampton Food Guide is a “must download.”