That includes exploring public gardens, hiking trails along creeks and bluewater lakes, watching movies under the stars, and more.
Here's what you need to know about free things to do in this city near Toronto.
Explore the Chinguacousy Park greenhouse and tropical gardens
Price: Free
Address: 9050 Bramalea Road, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Chinguacousy Park is a sprawling community park with a lake, walking trails, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, a "mini-moo" farm, a carousel, paddle boats, and more.
One of the more beautiful areas of the park is the greenhouse and tropical gardens that surround it.
You can go through the gardens and greenhouse to see a variety of plants, flowers, succulents and more flora. There's even a little waterfall in the greenhouse.
Just outside the greenhouse is an old-timey ornate clocktower that'll make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Chinguacousy Park website
Get historic with the Downtown Heritage Walking Tour
Price: Free
Address: Various locations in downtown Brampton
Why You Need To Go: Brampton's Downtown Heritage Walking Tour lets you gaze upon historic architecture, walk where Bramptonians did more than a century ago, and journey through time to experience the past.
This tour includes some of Brampton's most historic sites including Alderlea (a Victorian-era Italianate villa), the Peel County Jail (which is now part of the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives), The Wright Castle (a Gothic Revival home from the 1800s), and the Brampton Armoury (a World War I military armoury).
Accessibility: Varies
Downtown Heritage Walking Tour website
Wander through the Brampton Farmers' Market
Price: Free
Address: Main Street South and Ken Whillans Square
Why You Need To Go: The Brampton Farmers' Market is happening from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays between June 15 and October 12.
If you don't want to spend any money but still want this classic Brampton experience, you can make your way down Main Street South and browse the booths.
There are also booths in Ken Whillans Square just outside City Hall.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Brampton Farmers' Market website
Become a bookworm at the Mount Pleasant Library
Price: Free
Address: 100 Commuter Drive, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for something to do indoors that's free, you can visit the Mount Pleasant Library and read.
But if you don't want to go inside and check out a book, there is a reflecting pool with fountains, public art sculptures, a Ghost Train, a playground and more just outside this library and community centre.
You can also explore the old red brick and sandstone Credit Valley Railway station from 1902 which is now part of the community centre and library building.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Mount Pleasant Community Centre and Library website
Hike around the blue waters of Professor's Lake
Price: Free
Address: 1660 North Park Drive, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for something to do when the weather is nice, you can visit Professor's Lake.
The Don Doan Recreational Trail is an 11-kilometre trail you can hike or cycle that winds around the lake on a tree-lined path.
Accessibility: Unknown
Professor's Lake website
See the flowers at Charles F. Watson Family Gardens
Price: Free
Address: 26 Pine Tree Crescent, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Peel Village's Kiwanis Memorial Park, the Charles F. Watson Family Gardens are home to stunning flowers, plants and trees.
Trails take you through the gardens so you can marvel at the flowering flora and a wooden bridge takes you over the trickling waters of the Etobicoke Creek.
The Charles F. Watson Family Gardens are called "an oasis of colour" along the Etobicoke Creek Trail!
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Charles F. Watson Family Gardens website
Hike and bike the Etobicoke Creek Recreational Trail
Price: Free
Address: 30 Loafer's Lake Lane, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Etobicoke Creek Recreational Trail connects Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon.
But if you don't want to go through the whole trail, you can walk, hike or cycle continuously on the Brampton part of the trail.
This recreational trail has few road interruptions to allow for long journies through parks, forests and more along the creek.
You can start your hike along the trail at Loafer's Lake and go south or at Kiwanis Memorial Park and head north.
Accessibility: Some parts of the trail are wheelchair and stroller accessible
Brampton recreational trails website
Go on a tour of public art
Price: Free
Address: Various locations in downtown Brampton
Why You Need To Go: You might not expect it but the city has a vibrant arts scene and downtown Brampton features so much public art.
You can go on a mini mural tour around downtown and see these works of art on buildings and down laneways:
- Photo-Cubist Brampton People & Flowers at 86 Main St. N.
- Beaux-Arts Walk, a compilation of seven artworks, down a laneway at 70 Main St. N.
- Cycling Through Time, a compilation of five artworks to complement Beaux-Arts Walk, at 60 Main St. N.
- Urban Bouquet, inspired by Brampton’s Flower City nickname, at 2 Diplock Ln.
- Embrace the Journey (Move with Love) at 14 Nelson St. W.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Brampton murals website
Trek along the Esker Lake Recreational Trail
Price: Free
Address: 2116 Queen Street East, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Esker Lake Recreational Trail takes you through parks, green spaces and conservation areas in Brampton.
There's also a colourful mural on the surface of the Franceschini Bridge that's the first of its kind.
The once-abandoned road crossing is now a recreational trail link for cyclists and pedestrians, connecting the Esker Lake Recreational Trail across Highway 410.
You can start your trek at Laurelcrest Park and head north or at Donnelly East Park and go south along the trail.
Accessibility: Some parts of the trail are wheelchair and stroller accessible
Brampton recreational trails website
Watch a movie under the stars
Price: Free
Address: Various locations
Why You Need To Go: Every summer, you can attend Movies Under the Stars nights in Brampton.
Bring your blanket or lawn chair to Chinguacousy Park and Mount Pleasant Square for free family-friendly outdoor movie screenings.
Outdoor movie season is in July and August, with screenings on Fridays and Saturdays.
Movie screenings also happen at Garden Square in downtown Brampton.
Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Movies Under The Stars website
Explore Claireville Conservation Area
Price: Free
Address: 8180 Highway 50, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Claireville Conservation Area in Brampton features wetlands, valleys, forests, grasslands, and the Humber River.
You can hike and cycle trails throughout the conservation area, explore the natural landscape and do bird watching.
Accessibility: Unknown
Claireville Conservation Area website
Play beach volleyball at Chinguacousy Park
Price: Free
Address: 9050 Bramalea Road, Brampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Along with having a lake, walking trails, tennis courts, a "mini-moo" farm, a carousel, and paddle boats, Chinguacousy Park also has beach volleyball courts.
While 11 courts at the park require booking, beach volleyball courts 12, 13 and 14 are available for public access.
So, you can play volleyball on those sandy courts without having to pay.
Accessibility: Some parts of Chinguacousy Park are wheelchair and stroller accessible
Chinguacousy Park website
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
