St. Catharines

Fondly known as the Garden City, St. Catharines contains 1,000 acres (4 square kilometers) of parkland. Top attractions include Montebello Park, designed by New York City’s Central Park architect, Frederick Law Olmsted; Lakeside Park’s beach, 111-year old carousel, and Port Dalhousie lighthouse; and Burgoyne Woods, which features miles of walking trails and picnic areas.

The downtown core boasts an array of world-class restaurants and music venues, as well as museums, sports arenas, and farmers markets. St. Catharines also pulls its weight as a producer of Niagara Region wines, housing the popular Henry of Pelham Winery and Harvest Estates.

• St. Catharines is a popular stop on the route between Niagara Falls and Toronto.

• Water-based tours and activities typically run from May to September, as Lake Ontario freezes over the winter.

• St. Catharines is a kid-friendly city: Check out the Lakeside Park playground, Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm, or the viewing platform at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.

• Many of the attractions and businesses in St. Catharines are accessible to wheelchair users.

Located just 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Niagara Falls, St. Catharines is easily accessible by car: Simply follow Queen Elizabeth Way north. Alternatively, Toronto’s GO Transit offers train service between Toronto and Niagara, with a stop at St. Catharines Fairview Mall.

The city’s position between Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls creates a unique, mild microclimate with an extended growing season. Visit in early spring to catch the orchards in full bloom and late fall for the grape harvest. St. Catharines is busiest during summer, when the beaches are open and waterfront activities abound.

St. Catharines was one of the final destinations on the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses that slaves from the United States followed to seek freedom. The city became a hub for abolitionist activity during the 1850s, and new free black residents—including Harriet Tubman—bought land and established the British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Church shortly after. The church is now a National Historic Site and museum.

St. Catharines is known as “The Green City” because of its parks and hiking trails. One of the best hikes is through Decew Falls. Its Historic Lakeside Park is well-known too, especially for summer fun riding the carousel at a very low price. It’s the most populated city in Canada’s Niagara Region, too.

Besides its outdoor activities, St. Catharines is also known for its wine and food scene. There are walking foodie tours, boutique wineries tours, and cocktail tours. Many tours combine St. Catharines and a visit to Niagara Falls, some incorporating boat rides and lunch.

Yes, you can easily visit Niagara Falls from St. Catharines. It’s only about 15–20 minutes away, and you can get there by bus, taxi, or drive yourself. Group tours also run to Niagara Falls, taking the hassle out of organizing transport yourself.

St. Catharines is not far from the US border. It’s about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the Niagara River border. There are several ways to get between the US and St. Catharines, including by bus, driving, or flying and taking a train. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

For warm weather, the best time to visit St. Catharines is from the end of June to the beginning of September. Other seasons are too cold for most outdoor activities, except, of course, skiing and snowboarding. But remember that Canadian winters can be bitterly cold—only for the thick-blooded.

Yes, St. Catharines is worth a visit. There are many outdoor activities, like hiking to Decew Falls along the Bruce Trail. St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Center at Lock 3 are also notable. Port Dalhousie and the Historic Lakeside Park also make a visit worth it.